This is their latest version of the Millard Slideonhttps://image.ibb.co/hvffXQ/image.jpg

Millard Slide OnWith all the advantages of a small caravan but with less maintenance, no rego costs and much easier storage when not in use, there’s a lot to like about a slide-on. Sydney’s Millard has been making them for more than half of the 70 years it has been building RVs, and this is its latest updated 12x7 Slide On.The Millard slide-on range starts with the $34,990 12x7 pop-top, and three layouts are available: the standard, east-west bed arrangement (as reviewed here) and two different shower/toilet layouts (one a 12-foot length, the other 13ft 6in).NEW FOR 2017For 2017 the Slide On was revised with an aluminium frame in place of timber and a one-piece roof.Options on this Slide On include the hard-top (instead of the standard pop-top), air conditioning, battery pack, bed step, security handle, 150watt solar, wind-out awning and two additional external lights. As reviewed, this camper costs $45,680.While that price is not out of the ordinary for a slide-on by any means, it does raise the question of relative value. After all, you can buy an entry-level caravan for that money. Of course, a slide-on needs a ute to carry it, and not just any old ute. Three key considerations for a ute when fitting a slide-on include tray size, tray strength and ute payload.This Millard slide-on will only fit on a single-cab ute or some extended cabs such as the Ford Ranger pictured here and, like many slide-ons, it won’t fit on the popular dual-cab ute. Factory-option trays can lack strength – they’ll work but can bow under the weight of the slide-on. So ute payload is vital for a slide-on: the slide-on here weighs 895kg, plus 60kg for water and about 15kg for a full 9kg gas cylinder. You want to allow at least 100kg for gear in the camper and assuming two occupants weighing 80kg each in the vehicle, you’re already up to 1230kg( 2900lb). The Ranger 4x4 Super Cab XL here has a 1420kg( 3100lb) payload.SLIDING IT ONGetting the slide-on set up for camping is a bit more involved than with a caravan. The removable steps have to be fitted with locking pins (you can’t leave the steps in place when travelling) and the four slide-on legs wound down. The legs will take an eternity to wind down with the standard crank handle – the fastest and easiest way is to use a cordless drill with the appropriate bit. You can always leave the legs in the raised position for an overnight stay and, if you’re agile, for such a stop-over you could do without the steps in place too.The wire mesh security door opens to the rear of the camper to reveal a compact but airy living space. The gloss white finish to the ceiling and walls brightens up what would perhaps otherwise be a dark space – there’s a fairly large mesh/blind hopper window at the back of the camper but only a small window at the kitchen and one opposite next to the entry door.There’s a couch at the rear of the camper with a swivel table bolted to the floor in front of it, with the kitchen on the offside wall and a large wardrobe to the left of the door as you enter the camper.DECENT SIZED KITCHENThe kitchen is a generous size, especially for such a small layout – it puts some mid-size caravan kitchens to shame. There’s plenty of food preparation bench space even with the cooktop and sink’s glass cover hinged open – not only on the bench either side of the glass cover but the raised surface above the 90-litre fridge. There’s a rangehood above the three-burner cooker and a stack of storage space, including seven lockers spread from above the kitchen, around above the dinette and on the nearside wall. Below the kitchen bench there’s the microwave, plus three drawers and two small storage enclosures and finally, a slide-out pantry. You get a two-pole 240v outlet, one each side of the kitchen bench and the water gauge is also fitted on the forward end of the bench.The only thing you don’t get in the kitchen is hot water – that’s either optional in this unit (bundled with an external shower) or standard with the ensuite models.Storage continues in the living area with two lockers under the dinette seat (with lockable external access for one of them) and a large double-door hanging wardrobe to the left of the access door. Under the wardrobe you’ve got six small drawers too.SQUEEZY SLEEPINGMoving on to the sleeping quarters, you’ve got a step up to the side of the east-west bed (which measures 1450mm wide by 2000mm long) and then it’s a bit of a climb onto the bed itself. The camper had the optional fold-out bed step, which is really a necessity for all but the tallest of users. There are two small mesh/blind hopper windows, one at the bedhead and the other at the foot of the bed.The bed area feels a little claustrophobic, with the wardrobe wall containing the bed head area. Perhaps a skylight or forward window might improve this.There’s plenty of 12v LED lighting in the camper, with reading lights at the bedhead (one each side) plus a large LED light on the ceiling above the bed. In the living area, there’s a reading light each side of the dinette, a large overhead light in the centre of the living area and lights in the rangehood.There’s co-ax and auxiliary port provision for a 12v TV on the forward end of the kitchen lockers, plus a two-pole 240v just below. There’s also another two-pole 240v outlet and a 12v aux socket adjacent to the foot of the bed too. However, it’d be nice if Millard included at least one USB charge point.Driving with the camper on the ute is clearly going to take some readjustment – the centre of gravity is much higher with the camper on the back so it goes without saying that you won’t be able to corner like it’s a sports car. Yet the Ranger felt planted when cornering at sane speeds, with no significant body roll – and this with a vehicle sitting on standard suspension and having done more than 80,000km.VERDICTThe Millard Slide On is a well-integrated camper with loads of storage space and plenty of room in the kitchen. The bed area could perhaps offer a better view out, but this is a relatively small issue. If you already have a suitable trayback ute, don’t like towing or have a smaller garage, it’s definitely a viable alternative to a more conventional caravan…WE LIKED: >> Plenty of food-prep space>> Loads of storage space>> No towing worries!NOT SO MUCH: >> Bed area feels claustrophobic>> Not much cheaper than a small van >> No USB chargersMILLARD 12x7 SLIDE ONTravel length (Ford Ranger): 6114mm (20ft)Body length (open): 3870mm (12ft 7in)Body width (external): 2270mm (7ft 5in)Travel height: 3280mm (10ft 10in)Interior height: 1900mmTare weight: 895kg (slide-on only)ATM: N/ABody: Aluminium frame and claddingChassis: AluminiumFresh water: 60LBattery: 100a/hSolar: 150wattAir-conditioner: DometicGas: 1 x 9kgHot water: OptionalCooking: Dometic three gas burnersFridge: Dometic 90LMicrowave: NoToilet: N/AShower: N/ALighting: 12VTV: OptionalPrice: $45,680Supplied by: Camden Caravan, Campbelltown, NSW

Reminds me of a dentists office inside.

ScottG wrote:Reminds me of a dentists office inside.Very easy to clean in Australia. US interiors do not sell in Australia . Payload is 3100lb overall and can be carried by the Ranger

Cool.A bit pricey, but all TC are that way now. Just a shade over $36K US if my math is correct.

Australian Millard producing Truck campers for 40yrs

56 Replies

jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2017
RobertRyan wrote:
We use Off Road Caravans to replace larger Truck Campers. They can go off road as much and they have lot more amentities Smaller TC's and Hybrid Caravans are they way to go for really tough Off Road environments

Different, not better or a replacement. Can't tow a large trailer with a trailer on the hitch already. That's why most kinds exist in the US. ;)
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing I don't care for on them is the side entrance. I much prefer a rear entrance on a smaller unit, but then again, just me. The FWC Grandby also has a side entrance btw. Looks to me like a royal PITA for in and out and where do you attach a set of steps?

The hybrid is cute but not my idea of a versatile unit.

I've never considered having a 'security door' on a TC. Secure from what? Pretty easy to defeat any RV door anyway if you want to gain entrance. Oooops, forgot, it's Oz, not here. Here we usually have a handgun somewhere close by when remote camping, least I do. Never leave home without it.

Hybrids vastly outnumber traditional TC's. Through in Campertrailers and that number becomes even less in Australia
Security doors are pretty common on a lot of RV's in Australia, stops opportune theft.

'Security doors' are alien to me. The only place you see them are on houses in the inner city 'hoods' where people have theft issues.

Heck, out here we don't even lock the doors.

Most every RV I've ever see, the door latch and striker plate and flimsy and easy to defeat anyway.

Much more secure than that. Opportune theft primarily and to keep insects out.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
jimh425 wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
US units appeared to be very basic, dark poor colour choice. and flimsy. Especially the All Aluminium unit.

Obviously, the long triple slides with fireplaces, tvs, large holding tanks, basements, are not "basic". :) Host/Eagle Cap don't have dark interiors. I'm not into the dark ones, but somebody must be. They make a lot of RVs that way. But, you also couldn't carry them on the same truck!

I agree some other models from the US are basic.

We use Off Road Caravans to replace larger Truck Campers. They can go off road as much and they have lot more amentities Smaller TC's and Hybrid Caravans are they way to go for really tough Off Road environments
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2017
RobertRyan wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing I don't care for on them is the side entrance. I much prefer a rear entrance on a smaller unit, but then again, just me. The FWC Grandby also has a side entrance btw. Looks to me like a royal PITA for in and out and where do you attach a set of steps?

The hybrid is cute but not my idea of a versatile unit.

I've never considered having a 'security door' on a TC. Secure from what? Pretty easy to defeat any RV door anyway if you want to gain entrance. Oooops, forgot, it's Oz, not here. Here we usually have a handgun somewhere close by when remote camping, least I do. Never leave home without it.

Hybrids vastly outnumber traditional TC's. Through in Campertrailers and that number becomes even less in Australia
Security doors are pretty common on a lot of RV's in Australia, stops opportune theft.

'Security doors' are alien to me. The only place you see them are on houses in the inner city 'hoods' where people have theft issues.

Heck, out here we don't even lock the doors.

Most every RV I've ever see, the door latch and striker plate and flimsy and easy to defeat anyway.
jimh406
Explorer III
Sep 03, 2017
RobertRyan wrote:
US units appeared to be very basic, dark poor colour choice. and flimsy. Especially the All Aluminium unit.

Obviously, the long triple slides with fireplaces, tvs, large holding tanks, basements, are not "basic". :) Host/Eagle Cap don't have dark interiors. I'm not into the dark ones, but somebody must be. They make a lot of RVs that way. But, you also couldn't carry them on the same truck!

I agree some other models from the US are basic.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2017
jimh425 wrote:
They seem really basic, so I hope the build quality is good for what you are getting for a relatively high cost.

US units appeared to be very basic, dark poor colour choice. and flimsy. Especially the All Aluminium unit.I spoke to a Caravan manufacturer rep at another stand at a show. He could not understand how the importers could sell them. Well they struggled too and eventually dropped them.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing I don't care for on them is the side entrance. I much prefer a rear entrance on a smaller unit, but then again, just me. The FWC Grandby also has a side entrance btw. Looks to me like a royal PITA for in and out and where do you attach a set of steps?

The hybrid is cute but not my idea of a versatile unit.

I've never considered having a 'security door' on a TC. Secure from what? Pretty easy to defeat any RV door anyway if you want to gain entrance. Oooops, forgot, it's Oz, not here. Here we usually have a handgun somewhere close by when remote camping, least I do. Never leave home without it.

Hybrids vastly outnumber traditional TC's. Through in Campertrailers and that number becomes even less in Australia
Security doors are pretty common on a lot of RV's in Australia, stops opportune theft.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Sep 03, 2017
One thing I don't care for on them is the side entrance. I much prefer a rear entrance on a smaller unit, but then again, just me. The FWC Grandby also has a side entrance btw. Looks to me like a royal PITA for in and out and where do you attach a set of steps?

The hybrid is cute but not my idea of a versatile unit.

I've never considered having a 'security door' on a TC. Secure from what? Pretty easy to defeat any RV door anyway if you want to gain entrance. Oooops, forgot, it's Oz, not here. Here we usually have a handgun somewhere close by when remote camping, least I do. Never leave home without it.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Nor do I and we both know that MSRP and street price on any RV of any type are 2 different things entirely.

I might be a minority but I really like the 'Euro' sanitary interiors (why I like FWC). Simple to maintain, bright and airy simple to clean. I see they have the same windows that Northstar and FWC uses. I'm out on the inner door, looks like a chain link fence but that could be an Australian requirement. Like to see a picture of the berth arrangement other than the verbal sescription and I find it kind of amazing a Ford Ranger will carry one. I've always considered a Ranger to be a tiny pickup. My wife had one with a V6 and 4x4 and it went like a scalded dog but carrying capacity was minimal, plus the bed is short.

They look put together nicely. From the pictures, fit and finish looks to be better than what we get served here...

Jim, if you want sticker shock, take a gander at an optioned FWC on their website or a Hallmark. You can get into real serious buck range with either and the Hallmark is a P'Up. to boot... (as is the FWC). Hallmark has no dealers so it's factory direct and the price is the price, no street pricing there.

Several answers: Yes fit and finish is better than the US models. I have seen Lance, the All Aluminium TC, and two others ( Northstar being one)from the US, not that impressive.
Global Ranger is in name only, it is as big as a 2003 F150. Payloads are a lot greater than you could possible get in a US Ranger, similar to a HD F150. Pickup has a base weight of 4,900lb
" Chain link fence" combination insect door and security door
This their own design Truck Camper from the Lance distributors put on a Mazda Pickup virtually identical to the Ranger.. To put TC's in perspective in Australia, they are only a small fraction of the Hybrid Caravan Manufacturers, that seem to be growing everyday.. Hybrid Caravans are extreme Off Road RV's

A Hybrid Caravan: Track Trailer Savannah

Track Trailer TVan
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Hopefully, the build quality with the Oz unit is better than the American counterparts...

Build quality of the Millard is pretty good. Not something you can say about the US imported units. Also interiors are not too our tastes

I take it that Aussies don't think much of Lance then....(Lance offers their units is Oz I believe)...

I like the Mallard interior, definitely European. Probably why I like Four Wheel Campers as well. They also lean toward the 'Euro' clean look with bright interiors too.

Mallard should look at exporting them to this country. I believe there would be a market here for something of higher quality than what the domestic builders turn out.

TC Manufacturer is Millard. If you look in the historical section of tTruck Camper Magazine, you can see a 1972 version. I doubt Angela and Gordon knew it was Australian., they do now. Saw the Lance with my Sister at a regional Show. Talked to the distributor and he was trying to release his own Truck Camper brand. He mentioned people had problems with the look of the interiors. Would be a problem for one Caravan company to release in the US , cost an the seemingly low recognition of TC's in the US, the RVIA situation

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Australian Millard producing Truck campers for 40yrs

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