Challenge Camper Trailers

Challenge Camper Trailers designs and manufactures quality offroad and onroad camper trailers for sale and hire, plus a range of trayback campers, fridge slides, boat racks and other accessories for camper trailers. It is a real family business.

“We have put our extensive knowledge and experience into designing our product,” Challenge’s Gareth Handshin explained.

“Because we ourselves have been campers for many years, we know from first-hand experience how important it is to be able to set up and break camp in the shortest possible time, with a minimum of effort.

“You want to be comfortable during your stay without compromising on the freedom which tents allow. We have all experienced the frustration and discomfort of traditional tent camping, particularly in bad weather conditions. Our quest to build the perfect camper trailer came about after a particularly wet and muddy camping experience in a tent with a six-month-old baby!”

With a Challenge camper trailer you have the best of both worlds. Your vehicle is free of camping gear, an overnight camp is set up in minutes, your bed is off the ground and the queen-sized innerspring mattress is as comfortable as your bed at home.

Your belongings are stored away safe and dry and you can still explore remote areas, secure in the knowledge that when it becomes too uncomfortable out there, you can escape the elements and cook and eat your meals under cover.

A Challenge camper trailer comes with the added convenience of a battery-powered 12V electric lighting system and your own water tank, which of course means you do not have to join the crowd and stay in a caravan park every night.

“At Challenge we pride ourselves on building a quality product and as we manufacture everything ourselves onsite we have the flexibility to incorporate customers’ own ideas into our innovative designs. We can offer you a wide range of trailer and canvas options, or you can choose one of our tailored packages to suit your individual needs and budget.

“Our camper trailers are built to the highest standards of manufacture, while still being sufficiently lightweight to ensure ease of towing and fuel economy.”

There are three main models in the range: two offroaders, Outback and Meridian and one onroad, the Highway, which all come in budget or deluxe specifications. Features include heavy-duty steel RHS chassis and long drawbar (fully galvanised), checkerplate floor with quality-made guards to suit 14in or 16in wheels, side steps and swivel jockey wheel.

Outback and Meridian models get heavy-duty 45mm square axle/60mm wide eye-to-eye seven leaf springs rebound-type, and six-stud wheel hubs; the Highway sports heavy-duty 40mm square axle/45mm wide eye-to-eye six-leaf springs rebound-type and five-stud hubs. All metal is primed with two coats.

Trailers are the standard 7ft x 4ft x 20in deep with 50mm ball coupling, front-mounted spare wheel and rear swing gate. They are fully water- and dust-proof with Challenge compression camlock, three jerry can holders with steel tie-down loops, and 4.5kg gas bottle holder. The Outback has three 15x7 Sunraysia rims and second-hand tyres; Meridian has three 15x7 Sunraysia rims and brand new tyres; the Highway has three 15x6 Commodore rims and second-hand tyres. Spring loaded/zinc plated stabiliser legs keep things level onsite.

There are seven colours to choose from (colour matching is available at additional cost) and the trailer is fully lockable. Full trailer lights are fitted, including a seven-pin round plug

Standard on all models is a 10ft tent opening off the side, featuring “Wax Converters” dynaproofed canvas (11oz walls/15oz roof). All tents have steel framework with bows held in position with reinforced pockets and retainers, three internal opening windows at bed level with Tentex screens and three clear PVC weather overlays.

There are two external opening windows cut to tent floor-level with Tentex screens (external flaps can be used as awnings) and a zippered canvas door with zippered Tentex screen.

Floor is reinforced 4in high PVC and welded. The bed is a queen on a steel base including new 6in high-density covered foam mattress with hatches under bed to gain access to trailer storage. A step is provided to access bed. The tent area is 2.2m x 2.7m and the bed base and tent are detachable from trailer if required.

The kitchen package fitted as standard includes powdercoated unit attached to the tailgate, with two-burner steel gas stove, plastic wash basin with hand-water pump, fold-down preparation tray, windguard and covers used as preparation areas, marine carpet, 4.5kg gas bottle and twin regulators with quick-connect coupling. A deluxe version of the kitchen can also be provided.

Summing up

Challenge’s custom-like versatility means a heap of options is available, including a large range of batteries and vehicle dual battery systems, and tyres and rims can be configured to match your tow vehicle. Trailer options include Treg polyblock coupling, hydraulic override brakes, electric brakes and a detachable toolbox.

Challenge Camper Trailers is committed to being a market leader in the field and strives for continuous improvement in all aspects of the business.

Challenge offers a number of packages, the top of the range being the Meridian Challenge Offroad Package, with full electrical setup and deluxe kitchen with carpeted interior, which provides most of the gear you’d need for a prolonged stay away from home. It is keenly priced at under $18,000.

There is a network of hire and sales agents in most States of Australia, including WA, which offer deluxe camper trailers for hire so you can experience the comfort of camping in a Challenge Camper Trailer before you decide to buy.

Challenge Camper Trailers, 347 Main North Road, Enfield, SA 5085, (08) 8359 6155, fax (08) 8278 2526.Sales: Gareth Handshin, 0412 821 221. Hires: Sandy Handshin, 0414 285 177. For dealers and hiring agents see www.challengecampertrailers.com

Manufacturer      Challenge Camper Trailers

Model         Meridian Challenge Offroad Package

Advised Tare weight    490kg (trailer-only)

Advised ATM     not supplied

Advised ball weight     not supplied

Price (Dec 2004)  $17,950