Customline Deluxe Off Road

WHAT WE LIKED

Straight forward and robust set-up
No frills but good quality

NOT SO MUCH

Well used tyres fitted
Base price just that, with many options available

I've just come back from a three month camper trailer trip both on- and off-road between Brisbane and Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The annual pilgrimage of the grey nomads to the warmer climes of the subtropics was well underway by the time I was on the return leg which was nothing unusual. It’s been going on for years.

What was unusual was the number of camper trailers that were scattered amongst the convoys of white aluminium homes on wheels which formed a continual stream north.

After pulling into a park to avail myself of some home comforts such as permanent power and hot water, it was surprising to see the demographics of the people using these trailers.

Many were young couples and many had kids in tow. What I was witnessing was change in that part of the RV market; evolution driven by a couple of factors.

One is that parents are rescuing their kids from the avalanche of pocket devices and selfish communication -- computers, internet, email, Facebook, Twitter and who knows what else -- that turns kids into nerds, every chance they get.

The other is economics. Taking a holiday in paid accommodation is out of the reach of many, especially young couples, and camping in tents can be tedious. In any case, to take all the gear required and bikes and toys you need a trailer.

It would appear that these younger families are turning to camper trailers as their exit strategy from mainstream society, at least for the school holidays.

They get their storage trailer, enough canvas around them to promote that ‘camping’ theme and get to enjoy the wonders of wide open spaces.

But it’s a dollar thing and careful buyers these days are doing more homework than usual before parting with their hard-earned bucks.

Astute manufacturers are onto this change in the market and some are producing quality, no frills trailers, like Customline.

While building to a budget, this south-east Queensland camper trailer manufacturer produces campers that are predominantly Australian made save for a few small items such as tail lights, jockey wheel, road tyres, cigarette lighter plug and stabiliser legs.

We can excuse them for that, as chances are none of these are made here.

Customline’s trailers are built to the customer’s requirements on a base that allows for all the ‘luxury’ options should you decide to go down that retro-fit track at a later date.

One example of this is the standard mounts fitted for the optional water tank. Laser cut ‘knock out’ holes allow for quick and easy plumbing if one day you decide to ramp up your water storage.

BUILT TO LAST

Customline’s Deluxe Off Road model is a trailer that’s robust in construction. It features an 1875mm drawbar with laser cut flat bar stiffeners installed underneath, and the extra length drawbar allows for permanent installation of the lockable trunk on top and the spare wheel post in front of that.

Post purchase, there’s room for the optional stone guards and tent pole tube.

The longer than standard drawbar also makes this trailer easier to control when reversing, and if you want to attack the rough stuff the Hylander 4WD hitch will take the punishment and then some.

All of the seams in the chassis are fully welded and where the sheet metal joins, the gaps are silicone sealed before painting. This attention to detail ensures minimal areas for rust to take hold.

Seven cross members are fitted in the chassis, and the 32mm front and rear bars provide good rigidity. The front and rear tailgate assemblies are pressed for added stiffness, and this framework supports the checker plate floor inside.

It all rides on a solid 45mm square axle with parallel bearings.

The tailgate swings off three sturdy hinges that will prevent sagging when a heavy kitchen is installed and instead of one camber lock catch, two are fitted on the other end to give a better seal against dust.

When the camper top is packed away under its cover, the trailer box is easily accessible thanks to two massive gas struts that allow it to be opened from the near side.

The external frame for the bed base consists of 50mm x 50mm galvanised RHS with a foam dust seal on its underside. This will keep dust and moisture out of the box and prevent the same from permeating the bed which sits on a plywood base.

INSIDE INFO

That’s the vehicle covered, now for the accommodation.

The 12-foot tent top is made here in Australia from 15 ounce Aussie canvas and pulls down nice and taut.

The main tent is supported by three extendable arms that hinge on a base each side of the foot of the bed. These two hinges have a heavy duty rip stop vinyl sock build around them to keep the folding canvas away from their scissor action as the tent top is collapsed.

The mattress is high density foam but inner spring mattresses are available.

Adding to the ‘roominess’ of the interior is the fact that the wall at the head of the bed is vertical, giving more than enough headroom when sitting upright. A large awning for the window at the head of the bed shields this area from weather but allows for good ventilation.

There’s no shortage of airflow, either, with three windows in total around the bed; all zip-able from the inside. It was good to see over-sized flaps on the outside of the tent zips, too, which offer superior water proofing from driving rain.

Windows and doors on the canvas-work also have good quality midge proof screens installed and the tent floor is a sealed ‘tub’ design to ward off leaks from puddling water outside.

Dimension wise, the ceiling height at the ridge point is 2.7m while the end walls are 2m high at each end.

The standard, external awning measures 5.5m x 2.4m, and has a built-in gable along its front that allows wall and screen panels to be easily zipped into place rather than having to stand on stools to get the job done.

WHAT’S COOKING?

The kitchen sits inside the tailgate and has extendable tables attachable to its end.

Built from laminex covered marine ply, it’s finished nicely and the drawer slide system is roomy and shuts firmly.

With kitchen deployed, tubs of food stuffs slide easily into the open end of the trailer close to hand - getting them off the ground and away from the wildlife that might be looking for a free feed.

All the annex window flaps become individual awnings, so you can chase the shade if set up out in the open.

This set up relies on the use of adjustable spreader bars, which reduces the use of multi-piece poles while also making the whole thing stronger.

VERDICT

With all the awnings and window flaps deployed, the Deluxe Offroad sets up with an expansive area that will provide enough quality canvas shelter and accommodation for a large family.

Mum and dad are catered for with their queen size bed so you’d just need to add camp stretchers to suit. There’s plenty of room in the trailer box for them and many other odds and ends as well.

From what we’ve seen, this Customline camper trailer offers quality construction, with a practical yet simple set-up, all at a bargain base price of $10,855.

If you’re a young couple with kids looking to explore this great country of ours, check one out.

CUSTOMLINE DELUXE OFF ROAD

Overall length: 4.075m
External width: 1.86m
Internal height: 2.7m
Nameplate tare: 550kg
Nameplate ATM: 750kg as displayed (unbraked)/1000kg braked (optional)
Ball weight: 65kg
Suspension: seven-leaf springs
Wheels: 15 x 7inch rims, used tyres
Cooktop (optional): Built in SMEVS/steel two-burner with glass lid
Fridge (optional): Waeco CF110
Gas: Provision for 1 x 4.5kg
Freshwater (optional): 70 litre
Price: from $10,855
More info: Customline Camper Trailers, Beenleigh, Qld