It’s part tank, part trailer, part Mad Max movie star on wheels. It’s the latest from Australian Off Road (AOR), and it’s as innovative as a buyer wants to be creative.
A small version of the AOR Sierra square drop trailer, the new Sierra ZR is a simple, make-to-your preferred spec cargo hauler. It works and feels like an entry-level, off-road camper. Its base cost is about $19,000, about $8,000 less than its bigger sibling.
“We know that many campers start off small and have their own gear loaded up and ready to go,” said an AOR spokesperson. “With the ZR, almost everything is optional – you can option up or bring your own roof-top tent, awning, fridge, BBQ and more.”
The ZR has the same width and length as the standard Sierra, but it’s shorter before the addition of the roof-top tent.
The futuristic machine’s similar appearance to a military vehicle isn’t lost on the manufacturer. It describes the sleeping area as a “secure bunker.”
For its small dimensions, the Sierra ZR is big-time macho. It’s 74 inches tall, 77 inches wide and weights 1,875 pounds.
While basic, the Sierra ZR is a trailer at its efficient best. It’s fully wired with a 150Ah lithium battery, inverter, solar hookup and FinScan touchscreen BMS with accompanying mobile app.
The ZR’s passenger-side storage turns an unassuming sidewall into a large kitchen ready to prepare a meal for the entire campground.
The long hatch door drops open to double as a worktop, providing access to the pantry, utensil and dishware drawer, and long slide-out sink with worktop for a portable camping stove.
The taller cabinet just toward the front packs a dual-level slide-out holding a fridge/freezer up to 60 liters and accommodating a BBQ grill. The ZR kitchen doesn’t include any of the appliances, but it provides the foundation of an organized, well-equipped outdoor kitchen.
Other available AOR options include a drop-down shower room, wraparound awning in place of the standard pull-out kitchen-side awning, and an additional 140-liter water tank.
Article Last Updated: April 20, 2020.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.