Bushtech Bush Cabin Ute Camper - Premium 4WD Ute Camper NZ
N.B. Our first two Hilux builds get underway soon - check back for photos/progress
🌲 Meet the Bush Cabin Ute Camper by Bushtech Aluminium Canopies South Africa.
The Bushtech Bush Cabin is a premium live-in 4WD ute camper engineered for serious, sustained four-wheel-drive use, not limited to sealed roads or light gravel, and insulated for four-season travel. Built in South Africa for harsh conditions and ideally suited to New Zealand’s backcountry, Bushtech products are proven internationally and on permanently off-road vehicle fleets. The Bush Cabin provides an enclosed, insulated living space without restricting where a properly prepared 4WD ute can go.
Unlike canopy and roof tent setups, which are primarily live-around solutions, the Bush Cabin allows you to step inside and remain warm and protected when conditions turn poor, while still offering open, canopy-style access via large gullwing doors for cooking and daytime use in good weather. Internal access to the sleeping area eliminates the need for an external ladder altogether, delivering a markedly higher level of privacy and convenience while avoiding exposure to the elements—particularly appealing for those put off roof tents by night-time bathroom visits.
Constructed from aluminium, the Bush Cabin weighs approximately 215 kg in double-cab configuration (tailgate weight is further deducted from this), preserving handling and off-road performance. Despite its low weight, the Bush Cabin is engineered for strength, with static load testing to 2.5 tonnes.
All New Zealand-spec Bush Cabins feature upgraded thermal insulation throughout the cabin, along with dual-layer canvas in the sleeping area. The mattress far surpasses typical roof tents, using 100 mm thick premium multi-density foam designed to deliver comfort closer to a bed at home than a conventional roof-tent mattress.
Key Features:
Internal rear access – no external ladder required
Convertible interior space – mattress base folds into the tent shell for exceptional standing height
Fully insulated aluminium cabin – NZ-spec thermal foam insulation throughout
Class-leading 100 mm mattress – premium multi-density foam
Designed for full 4WD use – compact when closed, lightweight, balanced load distribution
Off-Road Capability
Maintains full 4WD access - happily goes where many ute-based campers cannot
Compact closed height, low centre of gravity, very light weight
Suitable for real 4WD tracks, not just gravel roads
What Sets The Bush Cabin Apart?
Intended as the most premium camper of its kind, the Bush Cabin outperforms others in these key areas:
1. Best-in-Class Mattress - Unrivalled Comfort
The Bush Cabin features the most premium mattress on market. While EEZI-AWN roof tent mattresses are already regarded among the finest worldwide, the Bush Cabin goes further — with a 100mm thick, multi-density, SABS-approved mattress (compared to the 70mm commonly found elsewhere). It's built for the highest standard of comfort.
2. Superior Quality of Construction and Premium Finish
Close a Bush Cabin (or Bushtech aluminium canopy) side door from one edge, and you’ll notice the difference instantly. Unlike others, Bushtech’s fully braced, internally framed doors show virtually no flex under pressure. The result is superior door rigidity, unrivalled dustproofing, and a cabin that’s more secure.
Bushtech’s reputation for superior aluminium canopy engineering carries directly into the Bush Cabin. Where others cut corners by applying powder coat over unfinished welds, every Bush Cabin is meticulously hand-finished before coating. And it’s not just any finish — only premium powder coats are used, delivering an aesthetic that stands out the moment you see it in person.
3. Premium Thermal Insulation
Unlike campers that insulate only the tent area, NZ-spec Bush Cabins come standard with additional foam insulation throughout the cabin itself. This upgrade delivers genuine 4-season performance and comfort.4. Rear Integrated Window: A standard feature on every Bush Cabin
5. Superior Awnings & Wall Kits — Exclusive Package Pricing
XpeditioNZ brings in the world’s ultimate awnings — widely recognised as the best available — and now unmistakably the top choice in New Zealand. As a Bush Cabin buyer, you can option these at exclusive package pricing that saves you money on your overall outlay:
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Maximum Strength & Coverage: Our freestanding awnings deliver the highest strength in their class and typically offer 20% more shade coverage than alternatives — all at a compelling package price.
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Heavy-Duty Wall Kits: Made from genuine South African polycotton canvas up to 400gsm — twice the thickness and durability of anything else available. Custom-made wall kits can also be supplied to suit your needs.
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Exclusive Package Savings: Choose XpeditioNZ awnings and walls with your Bush Cabin and secure the best gear on the market — while saving up to $1,000 off your total package price.
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Specifications
Included Features:
Lighting & Electrical
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Interior Lighting: 4 dual-colour (white/red) National Luna LED lights – best-in-class system
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Electrical: Solar wiring to roof + integrated USB ports
Insulation & Comfort
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Thermally Insulated Cabin: Premium insulation inside doors and roof (in addition to the insulated roof tent) greatly enhances 4-Season performance).
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Roof Tent: Insulated. Premium dual-layer canvas, Teflon-treated at the mill. Roof storage system with canvas and clear pouches
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Superior Mattress: A true standout — 100mm thick, multi-density construction, and 2.45m x 1.38m in size. (Compare to others at typical 70mm). Bigger, thicker, and more premium than anything else on the market.
Doors & Access
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High-Volume Side Doors
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Rear Door: Slam-lock with internal locking
Weather & Dust Protection
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Suspension Base Rubber 20mm: Same as what makes Bushtech canopies the most dustproof on market.
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Door lock covers: Protects canopy locks from weather, dust and corrosion.
Utility & Safety
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Rear Integrated Window in Camper
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Rear Camera Bracket
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Water Setup: Laser-cut provisions for external tap
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Integrated Rear Brake Light
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Door Lock Covers: Protect canopy locks
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Weight: Double Cab ~220kg | Extra Cab ~230kg
Optional Accessories
The Best Awnings & Walls on the NZ Market
Available at package pricing with a Bush Cabin:
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Top South African Brands: Choose from Quick Pitch or EEZI-AWN — both a serious upgrade, just like the Bush Cabin itself.
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Quick Pitch Weathershade 270 Awnings: The regular-size model delivers 12.1m² of shade — over 20% more coverage than competitors — with a unique 5-arm design for a more practical, usable shape. Also available in both smaller and larger sizes, up to 15m².
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Unmatched Hinge Strength: Quick Pitch awnings are built with a 6mm thick folded stainless steel hinge — a design far stronger than anything else on the market, setting the global benchmark for freestanding awning durability and performance. See more here
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EEZI-AWN BAT270 Xtreme: A fully freestanding design with around 12m² coverage, built from 340gsm South African polycotton topped with an aluminised layer for enhanced thermal performance and durability.
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Next-Level Wall Kits: Crafted from up to 400gsm South African polycotton — double the thickness and durability of anything else on the market. Wall sets can even be custom-made to fit your vehicle.
Spare Wheel Holder for Rear Door. But Alternatives Include:
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Retain the OEM location underneath
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Or upgrade to one of our rear bars with built-in recovery features + swing-away mount.
Table Bracket + Large Stainless Steel Table
Rear MOLLE Panels: Available for left and right side of rear door
Side Door MOLLE Panels: Fitted inside side doors. Standard or with built-in drop-down feature
Cabin Cupboard: Dual access (internal + external)
Drop-Down Table: Integrates seamlessly with cupboard
Slide-Out Pantry: Dual access (internal + external)
Front-End Storage System
EEZI-AWN K9 Cab Roof Rack: Compact enough to leave room for the front-mounted Bush Cabin table, yet spacious enough to carry Maxtrax, a Hi-Lift Jack, shovel, or other essential accessories.
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