Camper Trailers

Although the lines that have customarily distinguished hard floor and soft floor campers have blurred – namely price and comfort (hard floors used to be consistently higher in both) – the variety of design in which you can get a hard-floor camper has continued to grow, and pinning down a definition for it is somewhat hazardous. Traditionally, a hard-floor camper was one where the lid of the trailer flipped or folded backwards, so that it became the floor of the living area, although more recently, they’ve been renamed rear fold campers. Hard-floor campers, nowadays are more generally any camper which has a solid floor under its living space, rather than a fabric or vinyl tent floor of a soft-floor camper. They could be rear-folding, forward-folding (or a combination of both – double-folding), side-folding or have a wind-up roof and slide-out beds such as those which Jayco has popularised. In essence, they get the living area off the ground, out of the dirt and make sure it’s always flat underfoot. The concept isn’t very new, either. Some of the first hard-floor campers were predecessors of the Jayco-esque campers – the Cargill Caravanette, Topagee and Bushwacker were all popular through the late '50s and early '60s. Shockingly, though, the first rear-fold, hard-floor camper in Australia was Danish, rather than Australian. Roger Fagan, owner of Cub Campers and the longest-standing builder of hard-floor campers in Australia told me: “It wasn’t until the early 1980s that we developed the rear-fold camper. The original was developed in Denmark – the Combi-Camp. But two people could pick up the Combicamp; it had tiny little wheels and that sort of thing. There’s no way to could take it on Australian roads.” Even then, it wasn’t us who copied the designs – a New Zealand company made a copy called the Camp-o-Matic, well before Cub Campers got involved. Hard-floor, forward-folding campers have also been around longer than most realise. The first commercial version of a forward-fold was designed by South African expat and owner of Koala Campers, Glen Hudson. He recalls: “I wanted to make a rear-opening camper and I wanted to compete with Aussie Swag, in those days. I thought; why are they making it open in the back? Make it forwards and we won’t have to worry about the bed and legs, and you save space. That was way back in 1993, I think. I even patented the design.”The design didn’t really inspire, though, and although companies, such as Australian Off-Road and Mod-Con campers, all had early cracks at it (Mod Con was the first to have a really good go at it), it wasn’t until Market Direct Campers started building them overseas and for a lower price that the market really took notice. Today, hard-floor campers of various types seemingly dominate the market (or at the very least, the marketing and media surrounding it), although interestingly, a soft-floor camper brand is generally considered to be the top of the game. Hard-floor, rear-fold campers in particular, have always been the shining light in off-road ability, innovation and comfort and so iterations of that design are what people aspire too.Modern hard-floor designs, such as the forward- and double-fold campers, continue to grow in popularity because they combine a small, towed package that’s easier to take further off-road with many of the comforts you get in a caravan – internal living areas with dinette lounges, air-conditioning and room heating and usually in an easy to set-up package. Depending on the design, they can often accommodate families of four or five, all within the main body of the camper and up off the ground. As well, hard-floor campers of any design are contained with the hard-sides and lids of the trailers, so they’re a neater, sleeker package when packed up and are usually better at keeping dust out of the canvas and storage areas. Where hard-floor campers lose out in comparison to their soft-floor cousins is in the ability to create under-canvas space and storage. Because hard-floor campers contain a bed, the tent frame and all the canvas within the walls of the trailer, a lot of space is taken up that could otherwise be space to put things. Soft-floor campers, on the other hand, usually have the bed and tent on-top of the trailer body, so everything underneath it is free to keep stuff.Price also plays a part – hard-floor campers are usually more expensive than soft-floors (although there are a few companies pushing the boundaries both ways for both – one of the most expensive campers on the market is a soft-floor and some of the cheapest are hard-floors, although only one of those is worth the money being asked). Hard-floor campers are also typically the domain of singles or couples travel, especially the rear-fold and forward-fold designs. They have limited internal floor space and only one bed, so generally families will have to set-up extra sections for kids’ rooms and lay bunks or mats on the floor. There are exceptions, though; double-fold campers have two beds, as do the pop-up roof camper trailers. Nearly every camper trailer manufacturer builds a variation of the hard-floor camper trailer, so the choice can be boggling, but below are some of the best on the market, in a variety of styles. Cost: From $21,990Although Blue Tongue is better known for its forward fold campers, the Overland XR II is quite well thought out. It’s got a great kitchen with heaps of pantry storage and a clever tent design that suits tropical camping. Inside, there’s plenty of storage space and all of the electric controls are easily accessed. It definitely suits a travelling couple who like a spot for everything. bluetonguecampers.com.auCost: $67,500Overview: As the heritage names in off-road hard floor campers stumble or fall away, the Fraser XTE is hanging on as one of the few premium rear-folds left on the market. It has a remote controlled, automatic set up, excellent kitchen and even cabin heating. But it costs more than the average caravan… It’s for you if you want every luxury and still want to go everywhere off-road. completecampsite.com.auCost: From $59,990Overview: Still one of the most iconic shapes in camper trailers, Ultimate was bailed out of administration late in 2018. The concept of internal lounge and flip-over bed has been copied by every forward-fold camper trailer, though, which is something. Best for people who want caravan comfort but don’t want a caravan. https://ultimatecampers.com.auCost: From $26,990Overview: With the largest interior of the Jayco camper trailer range, the Swan, in Outback (semi-off-road) or Touring (on-road) modes is a really grear family camper trailer. It has two separate lounge areas, both of which can be converted to sleeping berths, so everyone can bring a friend. It’s also simple to use and inexpensive, so makes a great camper for families dipping their tows into caravan travel. jayco.com.auCost: From $67,490Overview: Still one of the most desirable camper trailers on the market, it’s space-age teardrop design, incredibly clever tent system and military-proven suspension system is the pride of many outback travellers. There are four models in the range, but the third-teir Canning seems the best value to me, with just the right amount of comfort, without going overboard. Suits the serious, long-term outback traveller. Cost: $29,490Overview: Cub is the longest standing camper trailer builder in Australia and the Brumby one of its most iconic models. Simple, strong, small and light-weight, it’s enduringly easy to set up and pack up with just enough comfort for two. It’s the best value, Aussie-made rear-fold on the market. cubcampers.com.au

As it’s become easier and easier to get information about, or be romanced by images of, Australia’s outback and other incredibly remote destinations, the desire to travel to those places has grown.More people want to escape into the unknown, but we want to take as much comfort with us as possible. Enter the camper trailer, a simple contraption that can make camping palatable to just about anyone, but small enough to be towed just about anywhere by a 4x4. But while many marketers, salesmen (and even off-road camper trailer reviews) might have you believe that all (or at least their) trailers are ready to rumble, there’s a big difference between a sticker on the side of a camper and its ability to survive all terrains and still provide comfort at the end of a hard day’s drive into the extreme outback.So, let’s start at the beginning – what’s the difference between an on-road camper, a camper that says it’s off-road but probably isn’t and an actual off-road camper trailer? Mostly, it comes down to the amount of money you’re prepared to spend on it. The most basic camper trailers, those just for plying the highways up and down the coast to Mum and Dad’s favourite caravan park, don’t need to be overly resilient or have high ground clearance. They mostly need to be able to cart kids’ bikes and boards, have somewhere comfy for Mum and Dad to sleep (and the kids if they’re lucky), plus a serviceable kitchen. It means manufacturers can use simple (and almost archaic) suspension systems, use lighter materials in the chassis and draw bar and use more common trailer parts. Some are little more sophisticated than garden trailers with a tent on top, others (like the Jayco-esque pop-up campers) are mini caravans on lighter frames. Good for bitumen; likely to have bits fall off if used more seriously. Camper trailers that are claimed to be off-road ready but probably aren’t, usually have all the cosmetic signs they can go anywhere, but little substance – usually the bigger the ‘off-road’ sticker, the worse the camper will be. They might have good ground clearance, a cheap all-terrain tyre package and shiny suspension, but if they’re 50 per cent cheaper than anything else, there’s definitely a reason why. The best off-road camper trailers, unfortunately, are expensive to build – whether that’s in Australia or overseas. An off-road camper trailer can be two of the following three things: cheap, strong and light. If you want it strong and light, it won’t be cheap. If you want it strong and cheap, it won’t be light. And because cheap isn’t something that helps you go further off-road, whereas strong and light are, they’re the qualities to choose. The process is labour intensive, manufacturers mostly work on small production numbers and often use high-quality, third-party components to ensure they do what they’re needed. And most, as you’ll see below, are completely, or at least mostly, Australian made. That’s not a criticism of imported campers by any means, just an observation of the state of play, at the moment. I expect within a few years, that will have changed. At a minimum, you should expect a modern off-road camper trailer to have a coil-spring independent suspension system, a chassis specifically designed for off-road use with a draw-bar that’s one piece with the main chassis, or at least runs back to the front of the suspension arms. Expect it to be hot-dip galvanised or powder-coated – pre-fab rust-proofing like Duragal is not up to scratch. It should also have some sort of off-road hitch, as standard – if it’s an option, there’s a good chance the camper’s not really an off-roader – and underneath, nothing important like plumbing or wiring should be unduly exposed to potential damage. Off-road camper trailers come innumerable different forms, and it’s at this end of the market where much of the innovation happens. Independent suspension was first developed for camper trailers by Vehicle Components (now Cruisemaster) and solar power and self-sufficiency products matured on small trailers before the caravanners really took notice. Traditionally, off-road campers have been divided into two camps: soft-floor, which is one with a tent that has a plastic or vinyl floor like a normal tent, and hard-floor, which is one which flips open, so the trailers roof becomes the tent’s floor. Although after years of custom designs and constant evolution camper trailers now come in a variety of forms:Forward- or side-folding – the trailer roof flips forward and becomes the bed base.Hybrid – something like a caravan, but usually smaller and narrower with an external kitchen and often limited interior space for things like ensuites or dinette tablesTear-drop – just like the classic teardrops of old, but far more sophisticated.Pop-up – the concept popularised by Jayco, but which has been around far longerDouble fold – the trailer’s lid is hinged at both ends with a join in the middle. When it unfolds, it reveals a bed at each end, leaving the living space in the middle.Loft – A concept that’s growing in popularity it is, in essence, a trailer with a roof-top tent on it.Any and all can be great for solo, couple or family travel, but they do often fall into certain camps, so if you’re looking at some for sale or hire, it has to suit your needs. Tear-drop, hybrid, loft and any of the folding campers often make great options for solo or couple travellers, while the soft-floor, pop-up and double-fold campers are usually the best suited to families because of the generous internal space provided. If you’re looking for a good off-road camper trailer, these ones below are the pick of the bunch, in my opinion.Cost: $67,500Overview: As the heritage names in off-road hard floor campers stumble or fall away, the Fraser XTE is hanging on as one of the few premium rear-folds left on the market. It has a remote-controlled, automatic set-up, excellent kitchen and even cabin heating. But it costs more than the average caravan… It’s for you if you want every luxury and still want to go everywhere off-road. https://completecampsite.com.au/our-range/hard-floor/fraser-xte/Overview: Still one of the most iconic shapes in camper trailers, Ultimate was bailed out of administration late in 2018. The concept of internal lounge and flip-over bed has been copied by every forward-fold camper trailer, though, which is something. Best for people who want caravan comfort but don’t want a caravan. https://ultimatecampers.com.au/range/Cost: From $54,950Overview: Lifestyle was once a leading tent-trailer builder but gave it all in when it couldn’t compete on price with Chinese imports, so it started building hybrid off-road campers. They’ve evolved into this, the Reconn R2, which has an incredible outdoor kitchen and bed right up in the roof. Great for outback chefs and caravanners who want to downsize.https://offgridoutfitters.com.au/pages/lifestyle-campers-reconn-r2Cost: $29,490Overview: Cub is the longest-standing camper-trailer builder in Australia and the Brumby one of its most iconic models. Simple, strong and light-weight, it’s enduringly easy to set up and pack up with just enough comfort for two. It’s the best-value, Aussie-made rear-fold on the market. Link to Buy: https://cubcampers.com.au/range/2-2m-series/brumby/Cost: Average spend on a Brüder is a whopping $155,000 – buyers are mostly overseas adventurers. Overview: The Brüder EXP-6 broke the internet when it launched three years ago – at least the camper-trailer-loving sections of it. A highly customisable off-roader with an official snow-load rating for the roof, it’s highly automated and exceptionally luxurious. Perfect for those waiting out a zombie apocalypse in comfort. https://bruderx.com/exp-6/ Cost: From $67,490Overview: Still one of the most desirable camper trailers on the market, the Tvan's space-age teardrop design, incredibly clever tent system and military-proven suspension system is the pride of many outback travellers. There are four models in the range, but the third-tier Canning seems the best value to me, with just the right amount of comfort, without going overboard. Suits the serious, long-term outback traveller. https://www.tracktrailer.com.au/tvan/tvan-models/ Cost: From $30,500Overview: Trackabout has always made an honest, hard-working camper trailer, but its most recent models have been really innovative. The Explorer is the smallest walk-up camper on the market (a walk-up camper is one with a walkway inside the trailer body at the end of the bed, so there’s no ladder to climb into bed) thanks to its folding bed design. It’s also super quick to set up and has a patented awing arm system. In touring form it’s great for travellers who move often or those who want a lightweight off-road camper trailer. In base-camp form it’s ideal for small families. https://trackabout.com.au/explorer Cost: $45,990Overview: Patriot has the set the bar high for camper quality, functionality and ruggedness. Its latest trailer, based in the top-of-the-line X1, features a hard-topped, roof-top tent style tent which sets up in an instant. I’m a bigger fan of the normal soft-floor tent version, which goes up in about two minutes. Patriots are an expedition style trailer with great storage options, an excellent kitchen and innovative features. Perfect for anyone, because their tent options are extensive. https://www.patriotcampers.com.au 

Forward folding camper trailers were a revelation to the camping industry when they were popularised by Market Direct Campers early in the second decade of the 2000s. The concept is far older, though, and was even patented as early as 1993.

There was a time when Australia was a proud camper trailer building nation. When we didn’t have to write an article about Australian made camper trailers, because, apart from a few notable exceptions (mostly from South Africa), all our camper trailers were built locally. It’s really only been in the last decade that that’s changed.

If you've got a trailer and need a tent, these are some of the best options on the market right now.

Australia’s camper-trailer market has plenty of top-shelf campers, with the hefty price-tags to match, but it also has plenty of well-priced campers that will suit those with less funds from which to draw.

Camper-trailers add a whole new dimension to your camping game - they provide highly mobile accommodation and can be set up in minutes anywhere and everywhere. But how do you get the most of them and ensure that you have a great time away while you’re camping in one?

Here are a few problems - minor and major - that may reveal themselves when you're out and about in the bush or on the beach in your camper-trailer.

Australia’s camper-trailer market is about as busy with makes and models as our car market is – there’s something for almost everyone and, as a result, deciding on a camper can become a real confusion of choice.It’s a big ask trying to get your head around what campers are available, which ones are worth checking out more closely and which should be avoided altogether, no matter how appealing their low price is.Well, here’s our go-to guide to help you find the best camper if you have $20,000 or more in your sky-rocket. (Note: for the purpose of this yarn, we’re concentrating on new campers; we will write a yarn about buying a second-hand camper down the track a bit.) If your budget to buy a new camper doesn’t stretch beyond $10,000, no worries. We’ll check out some of the best campers under $10k in an upcoming feature.$20,000-$30,000As with anything, the more you spend, presumably, the better quality the product is. Sure, it’s not always the case – you can find cheap, well-made products –  but it’s often enough true to be a sound basis on which to make the majority of your buying decisions. You also tend to get more for your money as well.

The simple notion of a camper-trailer itself conjures images of grand adventures on the beach or in the bush, but there is a distinction between those campers capable of being taken into true off-road territory and those that aren’t.