Blow-up camping on the rise
Inflatable tents and awnings are spreading down underAir beam tents and annexes have been the go-to option in Europe for years, but apart from the user-friendly Air Opus, self inflatable camping gear has generally been slow to catch on down under.
However, that could all be about to change, with a number of new inflatable products on display at the recent Melbourne Leisurefest.
The Air Safari inflatable touring tent marketed by Western Australia’s Red Roads, works on the same principal as other inflatable camping gear, with its four mains beams inflated to full pressure in as little as 30 seconds thanks to its included dual-action hand pump.
Intended for one or two nights, with minimal awnings, walls and ropes, the dome tent can be used with just four pegs spreading its sewn-in base and once pumped, is tall enough to allow most people to stand inside.
Priced from $499, the Air Safari comes in two sizes – 2.1m x 2.1m with an internal height of 1.9m and weighing just 10kg, making it ideal for couples – or 2.5m x 2.5m with internal height of 2.1m.
Also creating interest at the show was a large display of inflatable iKamp annexes, direct from Europe, and fitted to both Australian-built and imported caravans and camper trailers.
An iKamp Rally Air Pro annexe priced at $1750 was providing plenty of sun protection in front of an Adria Adora 612 PT Slider, while another blow-up iKamp annexe (a Classic Air 300) was attached to a latest, Melbourne-built Willow RV caravan. It had a price tag of $1700, which included the extra side-room.
The Adria's inflatable annexe also had an optional add-on room, priced at $475 while close by, a more compact and curved iKamp Sunshine Air Pro Awning priced at $695 was attached to one of the latest Vista RV Crossover hybrid campers.
Jayco also had an inflatable annexe from Orbit Air on display in front of one of its wind-up camper trailers. The Orbit Air Annexes are produced by the same team behind the Air Opus camper, and the Air Comet annexe uses a lightweight but waterproof 300D micro weave poly cotton canvas. There's also a detachable extension room, which can be fitted at either end.
It comes in four different sizes to fit various campers and caravans. The Air Capsule side room has a RRP of $579, while the main Orbit Air annexe costs $1599.
Jayco's new JTRAK tent trailer is also available with an optional ‘exclusive’ air awning, although it wasn’t on display at the show.
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