Cavalier Camper Trailers

Cavalier’s John Welsh doesn’t relate readily to the term ‘pioneer’, but the fact remains that he was one of the first to mass-produce tent-style camper trailers. And with many thousands of satisfied customers and 12 dealers around Australia, Cavalier Camper Trailers is today among the biggest.

From small beginnings in 1983 John started selling second-hand camper trailers, some of them quite rudimentary. After a couple of years John realised that there was a market for high quality but inexpensive trailers that could carry camping gear and allow occupants to sleep off the ground.

According to John, some of the first versions consisted of low-sided trailers with permapine bed bases, and the first four he made quickly found buyers. He decided to double production, and so it went on. Using feedback received from customers, the camper trailers gradually evolved to what is today, John says, one of the most successful products of its kind.

Since its humble start the Cavalier business has moved three times. Today its head office and factory is in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton Park and employs a full-time staff of five, and several others on a contract basis. Both onroad and offroad versions are produced at about a 40:60 ratio.

ON THE TRAIL

All trailers measure 2.1m x 1.2m (7ft x4ft ) and are 450mm (18in) deep to provide more than enough space for all your camping gear. The underbed storage area is accessible from inside and outside the unit. Overall length is 3.45m and width 1.7m; with a folded height of about 1.1m, storage shouldn’t be a problem. And, of course, towing is a breeze. The onroad model has a Tare of about 375kg while the offroad weighs about 100kg more, depending on options.

All Cavalier trailers are made from rigidised steel that is 34 per cent stronger than normal flat steel. The chassis is box tube construction and all joints are sealed with silicon for better dust and waterproofing. The Deluxe onroad model is fully undercoated before receiving a tough two-pack enamel paint finish.

Both models have a 2.7mm (9ft) heavy-duty sewn-in floor that keeps the bugs outside. The living area is 2.25m wide. For those who like more living and sleeping room there is also a 4.2m (14ft) model available. This would suit families, as the larger area has more than enough room for a couple of fold-up beds or air mattresses. Internal height comes to 2.3m so headroom is more than adequate.

All Cavalier campers are easy to put up and fold down. As no guy ropes are needed to keep the tent in shape, there is nothing to trip over when stepping outside, particularly in the dark. With the side-opening rear tailgate it is possible to put away camping gear, even when the protective cover is in place.

The difference between the Standard and Deluxe onroad model is not the quality but the features. The Standard caters for those who like to buy the basics and add other bits and pieces themselves.

For less than $4500 you get a sturdy trailer as described above, heavy-duty waterproofed and double-stitched canvas, light and corrosion-free aluminium queen bed base, fully zipped integrated canvas and flyscreen door, three large windows, polyweave floor and a pull-on vinyl cover.

Extra features for the Deluxe onroad include two bed end windows, high-density covered mattress measuring 1575mm x 2200mm, awning on end window, all windows with UV-protected flyscreens, checkerplate floor, wind-up rear supports, fold-up jockey wheel, mounted spare wheel and cover and strong zip-on dust-proof cover.

Needless to say the offroad model is a little more rugged. It uses a 45mm axle with six-stud hubs and heavy-duty bearings and can be specified with a variety of wheels. Three new wheels and tyres are supplied as standard. The chassis uses a heavier gauge material and has a full-length central drawbar that extends from the Treg polyblock coupling at the front right through to the rear of the tray.

There is also a large 8x2 jockey wheel, dust-proofed tailgate and lockable storage box. Two jerry can holders are fitted to the right-hand side while on the left is one jerry can holder and a spot for the gas cylinder. Brakes can be supplied as an optional extra.

For protection from sun or rain a standard or deluxe awning can be supplied, and for extra protection while cooking, walls can be added. There is also a full-size annexe available or, if all you want to do is keep insects at bay, add a mesh-sided annexe. For those who want the best of both worlds or who can’t decide which is best, a combined canvas and fly mesh annexe is offered.

Other optional extras consist of a kitchen unit with benchtop in either timber or stainless steel and adjustable legs, sink and combined tap and pump, two-burner stove and griller, storage space for kitchen equipment and utensils; it is self-supporting when closed up for travel. Also an aluminium ladder, boat rack, larger gas cylinder holder and stoneguard can be added.

SUMMING UP

Over the years the Cavalier has evolved into a top quality and user-friendly camper trailer.

Although the Deluxe version has just about everything needed for Comfortable camping, Cavalier staff are happy to discuss any options or modifications that you may be considering. One bonus of the Cavalier setup is that the top section can be easily removed to allow the trailer to be used for other purposes.

John says that Cavalier prides itself on customer and after-sales service although the latter is rarely needed as he and his sales staff, Kelly and Ross, aim to get it right the first time and generally succeed.

With prices between $4300 and $7400 the Cavaliers are very affordable.

And anyone who has his own 6x4 or 7x4 trailer shouldn’t be put off, as Cavalier can provide the top section only, starting at $3100.

For more on Cavalier Camper Trailers, visit www.cavaliercampertrailers.com.au or call (08) 8297 9244.

CAVALIER CAMPER TRAILERS

Model:            Deluxe Onroad 10ft

Advised Tare weight: 375kg

Advised ATM:            750kg

Advised ball weight:  40-60kg (depending on load)

Base price:      $5000