In search of adventure
When it comes testing a vehicle designed for the wild who better to ask than a world renowned mountaineer. Ian Lamming hands over his monster truck to Alan Hinkes so he can assess the latest Basecamp
LYING in a tent 6ft off the ground, being lashed with rain and battered by high winds, record-breaking mountaineer Alan Hinkes could very well have been at any of the many base camps than have featured in his career.
On this occasion the Yorkshireman is in the Lake District, not the Himalayas, testing a vehicle that carries the name Basecamp.
“I could have done with it at some of the basecamps I have been to,” says Northallerton-born, Alan, the first Briton to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000m peaks. “In fact it would have been a great vehicle to drive up towards the basecamp of the northern approach to Everest rather than the eight day trek I had to make. The south basecamp approach is at least an eight day walk and K2 takes two weeks on foot to reach its basecamp with no chance of reaching it on four wheels.”
I’ve asked Alan to put the Basecamp through its paces, mainly because I’m too soft to camp. So what is it?
It’s full name is an Isuzu D-Max AT35 Basecamp, so let’s break that down. The D-Max is the stalwart four cab pick-up from Isuzu, brilliant in its own right and even better now it is brand new and much-improved, especially the fresh looks.
But that’s not enough for Isuzu which then hands it over to Icelandic re-engineering and conversion specialists Arctic Trucks. Its achievements are up there with Alan’s and they have even driven ATs to both poles.
The Basecamp model gets the most amazing roof tent and cooking gear making it a go-anywhere wild camper’s dream.
Just behind the sturdy roof rack, where you can store gas bottles, water and fuel, is the neatest roof box you could ever hope to see. The versatile iKamper SkyCamp Mini 3.0 is hinged on one side only. You pop three clips and gently lift the hard cover. A telescopic ladder appears which you gradually extend then use to push up a sizeable tent. It literally takes a matter of seconds and really could not be easier, even for a softy pants like me.
Inside there’s a fantastic memory foam mattress a variety of zips, including one on the skylight if you fancy sleeping under the stars on a dry night and others for windows. There’s a little awning to keep the weather out of the zip front door and a storm sheet – which Alan is certainly going to need. There’s even hang up wardrobes for your clothes and bits and pieces. The view from up there is magnificent and you can’t help feeling safe and cosy.
Below the tent, finished in obsidian grey and black with a signature world map and mountains graphics, is a spacious well-appointed cabin, where you could certainly shelter should the worst come to the worst, which is great for your day to day motoring, being well-equipped and swathed in leather.
To the rear of the cab is a black aluminium Gearmate hardtop canopy, with solid gullwing side and rear access doors. Inside the load bed, the vehicle is equipped with an ARB Outback Solutions modular roller drawer system, with a durable carpet finish. Along with providing luggage space, the system also incorporates a fridge and a slide-out kitchen unit, which includes a three-burner gas stove. It even has a 12-litre collapsible sink.
Mounted to the roof rack system is an LED lightbar with more LEDs in the front grille. It’s just the thing to cut through the dark, in fact it’s like driving in the daylight even in the pitch black. Basecamp also comes with a couple of chunky recovery boards to get you out of trouble in deep mud should the low ratio gearbox and diff-lock fail to do the job.
Add jacked-up, high-quality Bilstein suspension, gargantuan monster truck tyres and much-needed sidebars with integrated steps and you have a vehicle that will dominate the road and scare small children. Alan and I love it and so did passers-by (except small children, of course).
“I headed for Borrowdale and it did feel big on the narrow roads,” says Alan. “It was already dark and the light bar and grille lights were fabulous.
“It must have been 11.30pm by the time I put the tent up but it was so easy, literally taking seconds. It’s exciting and you just want to get in it. Other seasoned campers could not believe it, as it is so streamline and neat on the top yet opens up into a decent sized tent. The forecast said it was going to be heavy rain overnight so I kept the skylight closed and put the storm sheet on. At about 1pm the heavens opened and I lay there listening to the rain on the tent and the D-Max metal roof. It was like a symphony but so cosy.
“It evoked memories of listening to the graupel (frozen rain) while camping in the past. Iwould have a tent this size at basecamp while climbing for weeks. But I could have done with this one as its memory foam mattress was so comfortable and I got a really good night’s sleep.
“The hardtop is voluminous and I was able to chuck in all of my gear. The drawer and cooking unit is also exceptionally tidy. It’s all quick to pack away too.”
On the road Alan is impressed with its manners and dynamics. “Even in bad weather it feels solid and secure,” he says. “It cruises really well at 70mph and the ride is excellent, not bouncy at all like many pick-ups. The roads were really flooded but it makes you feel bomb-proof. It is really high and the tyres are fantastic. Even when the weather is heinous and it is blowing a hooley D-Max Basecamp feels solid on the road. I really enjoyed it. It’s a brilliant piece of kit.”
It's also amazing value for money with a five-year, 125,000 mile, warranty, coming out at under £50K. With its hewn from granite build quality and go absolutely anywhere capability it’s a vehicle to launch a thousand adventures. I bet Alan is planning his next one now.
Car facts
Model: Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks
Engine: 1.9 litre turbo diesel
Drivetrain: six-speed manual
Power: 162PS
Top speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 12.7 secs
Max braked trailer towing weight: 3500KG
Miles per gallon 33.6 (combined):
CO2 (g/km): 220
Price: £47,999.00
