Hiker Calling

Allan Whiting answers the call of Jacana's new HiAce conversion, the Hiker...

Taree-based Jacana Motorhomes is best known for its conversions of coaches and 4X4 trucks, but the company is now employing its expertise on smaller vehicles. The Hiker is based on Toyota’s new HiAce van and can be ordered in 2WD and, most interestingly, 4WD configurations.

The standard rear wheel drive HiAce van has diesel or petrol power and comes with manual or automatic transmission, in a choice of long and super-long

Jacana is one of the first companies to convert the all-new Toyota HiAce

wheelbases. Jacana does the Hiker conversion on all these variants and Bus4x4’s 4WD conversion can also be fitted to any HiAce variant.

Jacana’s campervan conversion starts with an inhouse, fibreglass pop-top roof, plus moulded rear window extensions/pods that increase the width of the van at the rear. This allows for an east-west double bed.

The colour choice is questionable, but the clever engineering isn't...

Under the memory-foam bed is a folding lounge with seat belts that can seat two people during the day and double as a kids bed for two. Both beds can be left made-up. Also under the bed is a multi-drawer module that can be accessed through the rear doors. The drawer module, galley and wardrobe are constructed from lightweight marine-grade plywood.

An east-west bed in a campervan is unusual