About AHA
AHA Outdoor Systems makes versatile, lightweight, slide-on campers that can be mounted on a bakkie, a trailer, or you can slide it off to be completely free standing.
Our Story Begins In 2002
A friend invited me to join him & 5 others on an overland trip to Botswana and Namibia and I reluctantly agreed to join the trip. I hesitated because of my experience during my mandatory army training year of camping & sleeping in tents (and I then promised myself that I would never sleep in a tent again). I bought myself a 4×4 double cab vehicle, sleeping bag, rooftop tent, cooler and plenty of plastic boxes to store cutlery, clothes, food and drinks in.
I absolutely enjoyed the 3 week trip driving on off the beaten track locations, experiencing the fabulous unspoiled nature which city dwellers are not even aware of and enjoyed the fellowship of the rest of the group, BUT I hated the unorganised setup. At about the 3rd day, I would find my teaspoon, GPS, underpants and tooth brush all mixed up in the same box. On that moment the AHA dream was born.
The AHA dream was to have an accommodation unit on the back of my double cab pickup (with all the relevant luxury of my house), without converting my bakkie permanently to a camper.
Was it an impossible dream?
I did a lot of research and was amazed to see how many quality outdoor products are available in South Africa, but not one could offer me what I wanted in one affordable package. So I designed my own.
During 2002 I took my first camper to Sodwana where we went scuba diving and when I opened the unit on the beach I drew a lot of attention from people around me. I had to open and close it approximately 50 times as the people came and went that day. Every so often when I opened the unit, people would utter “AHA” in amazement.
That day I decided to “start a business building campers” as I had so many requests to do so.
Dawie Maas
Owner & Founder: AHA Outdoor Systems
The Creation (Commencement)
On the 1st of March 2003, we formally established a company named AHA Outdoor Systems.
Our earliest product, the AHA-45, is named for its quick setup time of merely 45 seconds for sleeping or camping.
The Journey (Challenges)
Our initial models encountered challenges such as dust and water leaks. Fortunately, outdoor enthusiasts are generally patient and amiable, providing invaluable support and cooperation that helped us resolve these issues promptly.
We have manufactured 987 AHA-45 campers until the new AHA-15 was born.
The Present (Currently)
Today, there are more than two thousand AHA campers traversing South African roads.
Additionally, our product line has expanded to include the AHA Trailer (AHA Transformer mounted on a versatile, custom built, off-road/on-road trailer), and a wide range of accessories.
TV Onderhoud met AHA
Since 2003, AHA Outdoor Systems have been building some of the most innovative campers in the world. The AHA Transformer, our flagship product, is a camper that transforms into what you need when you need it.
We noticed that many people buy different products as their needs change. The AHA Transformer adapts with your changing needs, so that you only buy a single product and it will adapt it to your needs. You don’t need to buy again and again.
It is a slide-on camper that transforms to provide accommodation for 2-6 people, depending on your circumstances. The same camper can be mounted on a bakkie, a trailer, or stand on its own feet to give you freedom of movement with your vehicle.
The AHA Transformer is literally just loaded on the back of your bakkie or onto a trailer, and is not a permanent fixture – so nothing is changed on your vehicle. To date, we have built over 2 000 AHA Transformers and some of the original models are still in use today.
Visit Us Today
AHA Outdoor Systems
Get IN touch
(012) 804-6111
148 Conveyor Rd
Sildale Park, Unit 35
Silvertondale,
Pretoria,
Gauteng,
South Africa
0182
Visit Us
We are located in Sildale Park in Silvertondale, Pretoria.
Store Hours
Mon-Thu: 7:30-16:30
Fri: 7:30-13:00
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Holidays: Closed