AOR Sierra Review 

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it. John

Thanks Nick, hope it was helpful, John

Just finished watching to the end. Impressive build let down by a few things here and there. We've got a Mk5 TVan, and like the AOR it's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good.

Hi David , Thanks for watching. I must say those TVans look really good.!

Hi David, Thanks for watching. I must say those TVans look really good!

Thanks Clayton, much appreciated.John

Hi James, sorry bit slow getting back to you. Glad you found it useful and thank you for commenting. John

Thanks Erick, Glad you enjoyed it I appreciate your comment. John

Thanks Scott. Yep i probably don't know what I am missing. Good comment I cant disagree with you.

Thanks Ian , will do.

@@cannyoutdoors hi Can you please list the components you used to assemble that portable water outlet you made up? Cameron

Hi Shane, I understand your concerns, we had the same but were able to actually see one first. The mattress is standard double bed size 1900X1360 and very comfy. My partner insisted I have the wall side and neither of us have felt claustrophobic although I have used Swags in the past. We seem to be able sleep ok and roll over without too much trouble.The height seems adequate to sit up and read and get changed in a pinch but you and your wife are a little bit taller than we are (5'10 and 5'4'). We always leave the back door open,screen closed,and the rear window in the annex allows for an open feeling and better airflow.Also the annex is where we get changed (and the dog sleeps) I certainly wouldn''t worry about being cold, it is really well insulated more of a concern is the hotter weather. We struggled a bit on those really hot nights. As for access, it is the weak point. I have built a new ladder (I'll send picture) but its a bit of a struggle getting in and out, that's for sure. Specially if you need a visit to the loo at 3am! I can't comment on the condensation as we have only been in the warm areas but I think (in the cold) I would be putting a condensation mat underneath the mattress as is necessary in most RTT. In summary its cosy , its certainly safe if you want to lock yourself in but it is a camping experience so you have to climb in and out and it can be hot. So consider that and the double mattress size (you can't hang your legs out the side) and make sure you will be ok with that size before you commit. Hope this helps in your decision making. We do love ours. John

Thanks, great idea, I'll check it out. John

Great idea, I'll check it out. Thanks for watching the vid!

Thanks Bruce, Aluminium sinkers... good idea!!

Hi Bruce. I have the ZR as well. Can you recommend any tips and traps for making this camper even better? Cameron

@@Camh1968 Hi Cameron, congrats on the purchase. I think a lot depends on how you use the camper, by that I mean how long you are away for and how remote. If tripping for extended periods the additional water tank is a must. The shower / toilet tent would be handy addition as well. I have the swing out version ordered with AOR. I don't use the camper as much as Id like but if I was using it more and shorter stays I'd upgrade the roof top tent (RTT) to an electric one - like a Bundu Top. Expensive but the ease of set up pack up is fantastic. Ive added a mattress topper as the mattress that came with the RTT was just a bit too slim. Once set up there is heaps of room in the RTT. I was going to upgrade the 2.5m x 2.5m pull out side awning to a 270 degree Supa Peg, but have decided against that - I think they come too far forward so you either jack knife the tow vehicle or disconnect the trailer so you have room to drop the front peg, not a big deal I suppose. I have decided to buy a larger pull out awning - 3m along the vehicle and 2.5m pull out. This way the awning covers the fridge better + I've ordered 2 x side walls for it. This will give more shade as the sun moves around, I still haven't ordered the 3x2.5m awning, grey ones are hard to come by at the moment..... From memory the 270 degree awnings only come out 2m, which equates to about 1.7m from the side of the trailer. I don't think you gain much with these, plus they weigh more. I haven't done it yet, but the ladder will have to be replaced. I have purchased a 2kw inverter, not installed yet but on the list. Once again it depends on how you use it, so this may not be of interest. I would like to put a tap on the draw bar to wash hands, this would save opening up the kitchen door and sliding the sink out, may be one day. I do wonder if I should upgrade the jockey wheel, it looks like it wants to collapse when moving the trailer around. I'm not worried about the rear flimsy legs, I haven't actually used them. There must be too much weight at the front to tip up because Ive tried to tip it up and it didn't budge. Depending on the tow vehicle you might need towing mirrors, I'm towing with Jeep GC and next time I will get a pair. The first trip I did - about 4,000km I didn't use them and got by but won't do that again. I bought a gas hot water system, great for hot showers. I just put a stick in the box section below the roof rack and hang it off there. Next time it wont be so risque, Ill have the shower tent. I should up load my review as well, before my next trip. Any how Cameron, hope this helps. I'm interested to know how your rig is set up and how you have found it.

I forgot to mention - I replaced the fridge slide with a smaller lower profile single one. The Bushman fridge I have wouldn't fit due to its height, no issues with the slide banging into the door anymore either.

@@brucesmith5245 Thanks Bruce. Very thoughtful response. Thank you very much. I never thought about those issues with the 270 awning but you are dead right. That will now sway my thoughts into no longer pursuing one - but instead go down the same path you have with the straight pull out awning. Great idea on the small fridge slide out. I got the double slide out and now probably regret it for the same reasons you have highlighted :-(. I have not bought any HWS system (yet) but I bought the factory 'TACX' thing. Have not used it yet (nor the whole camper) looks cheap and nasty :-). But, I think it may have to come off any way for our planned installed of the bundutec RTT. We went full hog on the electrics with 2K inverter, 300 amph lithium batteries, etc. I hope it will come in handy one day 🙂 We did something unique on the kitchen pull out slide. We elected to not to have any cut out for the 'plastic sink' - and now have 1 x solid top piece of SS tray with the tap moved much further toward the side wall of the trailer. We think it will provide a much more workable footprint. I had the extended drawbar and the ARK 750 jockey wheel installed. I like those changes alot, although I am keen to learn just how much extra drawbar i got with the extra dollars I paid?? Do you have standard or extended drawbar? I got the second water tank. Chose my own wheelset (Bridgestone ATs). Too many scary stories on the factory cheapies... I also got all cupboard doors hinged by SS wire lanyards - great deck space. I have not yet fitted a fridge, still procrastinating on that one... I also got additional lighting for inside the kitchen space. I bought this camper with a very long term view and use it maybe when the dust settles on COVID and fuel, etc... so I'm in no rush to use it. Where are you based? Cameron

Hi Justin, Bet you can't wait. No I didn't upgrade for two reasons. Firstly I am not running anything other than the standard lights ,fan and charging points so I figured 150 would be plenty as I am more of a traveler than a 'camp in one spot' person so the car (so far ) has easily kept the charge up and I have not yet needed to use my 200w folding solar. Secondly, I figured upgrading is a fairly simple process if I need to , there is room for a second battery. Of course if you are considering an inverter (for whatever purpose) then an upgrade is probably necessary. Congrats on your purchase love to see a pic when it arrives. John

@@cannyoutdoors thanks mate 👍

Hi Cameron, I just posted a video on my channel on the details you wanted. Thought it was the simplest way. Hope its helpful. John

@@cannyoutdoors thanks John

Yes you are spot on. Took it in for a service and that's the first thing they said. However in my case it still did not unlock. When i picked it up they told me to keep it well lubricated with Inox. I had resisted this thinking it might just attract more dust. The Inox seems to be working but soon heading outback to the dusty roads so that will be the test. Thanks for watching and your advice. John John

Good idea, I have seen some people just adding a rubber flap to the front. Just back from a big 5000km trip and didn't take the van off so didn't need them, but I dread to think how they would have been as it was so dusty. Check out the Grenadier videos. Thanks for your interest and suggestion, John

Hi Kyle, thanks for your comment on the video. It's a great

Its a great van and certainly well built. I find the two main problems are access via the rear ladder as discussed in the vid and there is a real problem in accessing the roof. I have been thinking about trying to solve this with some sort of purpose made ladder as I take my life in my hands scrambling up the front to get on the roof. I love the Sierra and other issues and improvements that I would recommend are minor (but probably important) and I would prefer to email those to you rather list them here. If you want to contact me via email (I'm sure AOR have my details)'I would be happy to provide my feedback on this great van. John

Hi, Thanks for your comment. Maybe Stone Stomper can make it to suit. John

I think they are about 50k these days, but need to check on their website , Thanks for watching, John

Thanks Glen, Yes, I can't disagree as I made all those points in the video. Be great if we could find the perfect one (or close to it) but it seems vans, campers and certainly vehicles all seem to be a comprise in today's world. I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. John

Hi Gary, yes it seems hard to fathom at times the cost of these vans. But so far I seem to be getting my moneys worth. Seems unless we go for the imports we have to grin(grimace) and bear it! Thanks for your comment John

Hi Paul, Yep there is a limit that's for sure.

Yes, seems to becoming more and more of an option. Of course you can't beat the campfire but it's not always possibe. Thanks for your comment. John