Immediately over the bed is a large skylight that draws the mind to imagine resting under a warm, star-studded sky. However, the real show-stopper is not the furniture quality or the electric lift-up king-sized bed that lowers down over the lounge area. There is also under-floor storage in the dining area, but I thought it was a little too shallow to be really practical. There are plenty of cupboards and drawers for storing necessities in the kitchen and bathroom, although the design could benefit from some robe space. In fact, this is the overall hallmark of the interior, particularly the quality lounge upholstery. The cabinetry and furniture throughout the Commander – from the stylish rear ensuite through to the well-made art deco-inspired overhead cupboards – are all first rate. The external barbecue helps to combat this problem, but it does mean you need to carry gas as a second fuel source. The Webasto diesel cooktop is a great innovation, offering a place to cook and an area to warm meals, but it’s only a one-burner cooker, meaning you can only work with one pot at a time. Unfortunately, other than having plenty of cold storage, gourmet travellers won’t find too much culinary joy in this massive offroader, because the stylish kitchen is only equipped with a small benchtop cooker and a microwave. And if you run out of sausages, in addition to the cold storage provided by the under-bench fridge-freezer in the kitchen, there’s a convenient freezer under the dinette seat adjacent the entry door where you can easily grab a few more to chuck straight on the barbecue. So if you want to make the most of a sunny day while on expedition in the Great Rift Valley, somewhere between Kenya and Mozambique, then you can enjoy cooking up a storm on the small, but handy, outdoor barbecue under the electric awning. While ducted air-conditioning helps keep a comfortable cabin climate, the Commander’s other features include an Autosat satellite TV system with a 32in TV and a Fusion stereo with twin speakers and an iPod dock helping provide entertainment outside, as well as an LED TV for entertainment inside.Įxtreme adventures in the most isolated, beautiful areas are all about living outdoors. And you needn’t worry about that long shower – this truck has the ability to carry a formidable 800L of fresh water and another 150L of grey water. To cope with extreme cold (which you’re likely to face on an adventure to the icy northern reaches of the globe), double-glazed, gas-filled windows are fitted, which provide better insulation, reduce power consumption when in camp and reduce window condensation.įor the same reason, the Commander’s water systems are insulated for sub-zero temperatures and a Webasto diesel combi system means you’ll enjoy a cosy warm cabin, hot water for a long shower, and heat for the cooktop. The motorhome body has 60mm fibreglass composite panelling, providing both strength and insulation. This motorhome comes with a custom-built winch to help haul you out.Īnd in case you need extra reassurance, or are just looking for more fun, the Commander has a storeroom for a quad-bike at the rear. Even if with that grunt and those tyres you did manage to get stuck, don’t worry. What’s more, the tubeless construction is compatible with the Commander’s central tyre inflation system, which means convenient control over the air pressure in each tyre. The truck is fitted with Michelin XZL military-grade tyres, which justify their hefty price tags by boasting self-cleaning, open shoulder tread design and other features that enhance both traction and flotation capabilities, making them ready for snow, sand, mud and bitumen, with extra casing protection against most offroad hazards. The Commander’s impressive credentials don’t stop there. With that amount of power to the ground, this massive truck will haul you along the highway, crawl up incredibly steep ascents, drag you through deep snow and sticky mud, and inch you over the rockiest terrain until your cheeks hurt from smiling at the sheer enjoyment of it. It’s easy to say it’s got the mechanical oomph you’re likely to need on an extreme adventure. MAN Australia boasts that the TGM is a blend of intelligence and comfort thanks to its 12-speed TipMatic automated transmission, MAN EGR common rail engine and a range of other features.ĭriver comfort is maximised by the fully adjustable air-cushioned driver and passenger seating, and power is supplied by an impressive high torque engine that delivers a whopping 1250Nm of torque at 1200rpm. Weighing 10t and with a travel height of almost 4m, this is a truly imposing machine. SLR built the Commander on the back of a MAN TGM 18.340 4x4 truck. I packed up my literature-fuelled dreams of exploration and took them to SLR’s Gold Coast base to see for myself.
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