Signature Elite X camper 2021 review

There's an inherent simpleness to the design of a forward-fold camper, and so set-up usually boils down to this two-step process – flip over the lid; make adjustments to the tent. The Elite X is no different in this regard, although that second ‘adjustment' step does leave you with a bit to do.

Each of the tent's frame poles needs to be extended out and packed down again when you're done camping. Spreader poles are also added in to keep it nice and taught at all times. It means there's a little bit of climbing around on the bed and lounge area when you get to camp. It's a far cry from the well-engineered simplicity of the Cub Frontier, but on par with other campers in this price range.

The flip is nice and easy, and although you could use the winch to help, I didn't need it. The gas struts do most of the heavy lifting, and two people will easily be able to push it over, while one person shouldn't have too much trouble. The winch is needed only at the extreme ends of the process – pulling the bed flat, or pulling the lid closed.

The tent has a full suite of extra canvas including awning, annexe walls and even an attachable ensuite room. They might not always be needed, but great to set up over Christmas when you're not planning on moving very much.

The Elite X has a queen-sized mattress of 160mm thick Dunlop Posturefoam. It's comfortable enough, but nothing special. 

Large, thick straps are integrated into the bed-base so that the mattress and all the bedding can be strapped down when packing up so that it all stays in place once the lid is flipped.

I like that all the windows surrounding the bed have weather awnings on them, and all the screens are midge proof. It means you can leave them open, even during steamy northern storms.

The lounge converts into a bed pretty quickly. Simply lower the table and rearrange the cushions, and another few bodies can sprawl out in the gigantic space that's left. It's probably not a great solution for family camping, but great if you need an extra bed every once in a while.

One of the most significant advantages of the Elite X upgrade is the improvements made to the kitchen and its surrounding storage. The slide-out unit features a four-burner gas stove with a large windshield, plus stainless-steel sink and plumbed hot and cold water. A handy spice rack folds up from on-top of the sink and is held in place by an over-centre latch.

What I really like, though, is the pull-out pantry storage, forward of the camper's door. This is an upgraded feature on the X, and it makes the space between the camper and the fridge box so much more useful and easy to organise. The fridge box on the X is also slightly bigger, meaning a few extra fridges will fit.

Given this is a top-spec off-road forward-fold of the line-up, it's very well featured, but there's always room for personalisation.

The lounge cushions can be upholstered in faux leather (as pictured), or if you really want all-weather comfort, $2700 extra will get you diesel cabin heating. Never wake up cold again.

Each of the electrical and battery-management systems can be upgraded to Enerdrive-supplied parts. You can also easily fit lithium batteries.