Aussie Boat Camp rises again

The unique Aussie Boat Camp, dubbed “Australia’s only trailerboat camper”, made its debut at the Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow at the RNA Showgrounds in early-June.

Apart from the eye-catching ‘Outback sunset’ vinyl body wrap, the display model at the Brisbane Supershow is substantially different from the first prototype that broke cover around mid-2018, according to Aussie Boat Camp founder Dave Moss.

The trailer now rides on a tandem rather than single axle chassis, while payload has been increased to a minimum of 500kg, not including any water carried or the boat.

Moss said further tweaks are yet to be made to final production versions, including replacing the Thermo-Lite composite panels used for the lower locker doors with a more rigid composite honeycomb material.

Ballina, NSW resident Dave ‘Mossy’ Moss -- best known as the presenter of the popular 10-metre long ‘Shimano’ fish tank display -- said the original inspiration for the Aussie Boat Camp was a desire to “take a bigger boat trailer away (when camping)… car toppers just don’t cut it for me!”

Standing more than four metres high when fully erect, the two-deck Boat Camp has enough floorspace to sleep as many as 10 people, depending on configuration.

The ground floor 'garage' is designed to carry trailer boats up to five metres long, or can be customized to carry other motorized toys such as race cars, ATVs, quad bikes, jet skis, and go karts.

The unique campers are built by Lismore, NSW trailer manufacturers Triple TTT, and utilise an electric boat winch and ramps to get the trailer boat in and out without breaking your back.

With the assistance of marine-style actuators to raise the sides, Moss claimed the camper can be set up in around 30 minutes.

A 12-step built-in stairwell provides access to the pontoon-like top ’party’  deck, which offers sweeping, almost 360 degree views of the campground and beyond from its marine-carpeted open floorspace.

Riding on AL-KO Enduro independent trailing arm suspension, Moss described the eight metre long (overall) unit as a “car trailer with a camper on top.”

“The canvas sides (on the top deck) are velcroed on and are good for 50km/h winds,” he claimed.

“And because you’re so high off the ground you don’t get a problem with midges. A lot of guys won’t even put the sides up at night, but if you want to be private it all seals up.”

The display rig advertised at $77,000, included a 4.8m long Stessl Warrior fishing boat and trailer with folding drawbar that weighed 760kg. With the camper’s Tare weight at around 1900kg, that left a payload of around 500kg with the ATM set at 3200kg.

Other options available included a 3200 GM-rated Apache boat and trailer package for $69,000, while a 3500GVM-rated Trophy boat package with 90hp outboard together was also advertised for $89,000.

Moss said he'd had five orders for the Aussie  Boat Camp since launching it last year, with most buyers just opting for the base camper.

Priced from $55,000, the base camper comes standard with removable top canvas screened sides, 100 litre fresh water tank, 4500kg winch, pump and cold water plumbing, 100Ah battery and charger, stainless steel kitchen including three-burner cooker and sink, 12V lighting and 240V sockets.

A range of options are available including side windows, fridge, shower/toilet, hot water, solar panels and lithium battery upgrade.

More details: Aussie Boat Camp