Far and Wide Campers Desert Trek

WHAT WE LIKED

• rugged, off-road construction
• quick set up and pack up
• try before you buy

NOT SO MUCH

• limited storage
• desirable options ramp up price

The rapid growth in the camper trailer market has been a fairly recent phenomenon, so any brand that’s been around for the best part of a decade must be doing something right.

Melbourne-based Far and Wide Campers can count itself in this elite group, having been around almost 10 years with the last three under the operation of husband and wife team David and Cyndi Downie.

A fitter and turner by trade, David has made a number of improvements to the hard-floor, off-road trailers since buying the business, utilising feedback from his rental customers some of whom hire for periods of up to three months for extended outback travel.

The range currently comprises three models, from the entry-level Desert Trek priced from $31,000 to the Simpson ($35,500) and range-topping Tanami Signature ($43,500).

All are based on a similar, rugged hard-floor design with the price generally reflecting the amount of additional equipment fitted.

Our ‘test’ rig for a week-end family getaway was a brand-new-to-the-rental-fleet, Desert Trek which usually comes with a few extras like Honda generator, kitchen utensils, solar panels, batteries and charger, as part of the rental agreement.

STRONG UNDERPINNINGS

The Desert Trek has a nameplate tare of 880kg and ATM of 1600kg, so lightly-loaded for our trip it was no hassle being towed behind our petrol Nissan X-Trail.

Reflecting its off-road credentials, it hooks up via a Treg poly block hitch, and the hydraulic brakes fitted (electric brakes are options) were up to the job on the road.

A substantial stone shield fitted to the A-frame protects a number of items mounted up front, including two 4.5kg gas cylinders, three jerry cans, and a powdercoated aluminium locker containing the Engel MT35FS fridge/freezer.

Underneath that is a sliding lockable drawer for miscellaneous items and next to that another locker for the annexe poles.

A checker plate locker on the offside housed a Honda EU10 generator, while other handy items on the A-frame included two spirit levels to assist when setting up, and a support plate to keep the jockey wheel from dragging in the rough stuff.

Extensive use of aluminium checker plate for the external body and underbody provides protection as well as shiny good looks; while aluminium was also used for the chassis (Duragal steel chassis is also available).

The 70 litre water poly tank (upgradeable to 2 x 60 litre tanks) is protected by a bash plate, next to the spare tyre which is also mounted underneath and can be removed with a special winder.

The Desert Trek rides on seven leaf rebound springs with Monroe GT gas shocks, and wheels are the ubiquitous six-stud Sunraysia style (16x7inch) fitted with beefy all-terrain rubber (265/75 R16).

There’s another storage locker on the offside, next to inlets for 240V power and fresh water, while 240V and 12V outlets are located on the nearside.

All locker slides felt sturdy and the solid latches and double rubber sealing used would be reassuring while hurtling down the dusty Oodnadatta Track.

SETTING UP CAMP

Setting up camp is a quick and easy affair; one of the benefits of the hard-floor design which has been particularly well thought out in this case.

After unlatching the four catches, the rack and canvas fold down smoothly on gas struts. You then adjust the stabiliser legs and hook the elastic loops to secure the canvas to the hard floor.

The final step is to adjust the internal poles to tension the roof. All up, it’s an easy, one-person job, which should take less than five minutes.

The awnings are separate and zip up against the trailer with the aid of rigging poles. One section runs the entire length of the trailer, providing good protection over the kitchen and dining area, while another awning covers the A-frame. 

Depending on experience, the whole process takes around 30 minutes and ideally requires more than one set of hands.

Importantly, packing up is just as easy, with a handy belt device that clips and holds the tent in place mid-furl so the canvas can be neatly tucked away to prevent tears.

Good-quality Australian Dynaproofed canvas is used, and the only problem we had was some leakage through the awning zips during a particularly heavy downpour. Our camper was also fitted with the optional, built-in tropical roof designed to keep internal temperatures down in summer.

The two entry doors are fitted with separate flaps and flyscreens, and once inside the upright walls and high ceiling provide good headroom throughout for tall people.

Five large windows, including a full length window at the rear, are fitted with flyscreens and inside and outside flaps, ensuring plenty of options for encouraging natural light and ventilation.

Illumination for the bedroom and living areas is provided by two LED light strips.

SWEET DREAMS

The queen sized inner spring mattress proved very comfortable. It sits on a heavy-duty plywood and metal frame, and lifts up on gas struts to reveal the under-bed storage area, which is also accessible from the rear when the trailer is closed.

This is the main storage area for larger items, and in our case contained the awnings, step ladder, two plastic containers with kitchen utensils, a couple of travel bags and extra bedding including a blow-up mattress and linen.

At the base of the storage area are more 12V and 240V powerpoints, a powerboard, voltmeter, fuse box, fire extinguisher, while the two, 75Ah batteries are tucked away in a separate compartment.

Two canvas pockets for miscellaneous items like wallets and mobile phones are handily located at the foot of the bed, and there is open shelving around the bed for other items like books..

It’s possible to sleep four people inside the tent without erecting the optional annexe walls to create another room outside. A double mattress or two singles will fit on the laminate-covered hard floor ‘living area’ which sits about 10cm off the ground, although there won’t be room for much else. 

Cooking and washing up is taken care of with a slide-out stainless steel kitchen on the nearside. It features a sink with drainer, 12V powered tap, Spinflo four-burner gas cooktop and grill, and flame shields.

Two drawers provide room for some small utensils, but otherwise cooking equipment needs to be stored elsewhere.

The tap is plumbed permanently to the tank but the hose connecting the gas supply to the cooktop needs to be connected when in use via a bayonet fitting, which is a simple job.

There’s also a handy towel rail and LED light positioned over the kitchen for night-time illumination.

BOTTOM LINE

It’s evident during use and on close inspection that this off-road camper is built to withstand the rough stuff, and even in standard form it has the basics well covered.

Some nifty features and the attention to detail impress too, with extensive use of durable materials like marine carpet, automotive sealing and aluminium, suggesting this is something that will last the distance.

Priced at around $35,000 as tested, the Desert Trek is a serious investment for those wanting to travel off the beaten track while enjoying some modern comforts. Or alternatively, a solid rental option for those on tighter budgets...


FAR AND WIDE CAMPERS DESERT TREK

Nameplate Tare: 880kg
Nameplate ATM: 1600kg
Suspension: rebound springs
Brakes: hydraulic drum
Kitchen: stainless steel, Spinflo four-burner, grill
Water: 70 litre
Power: 12V, 240V
Price: from $31,000 (approx. $100 a night to rent in peak season)
Website: farandwidecampers.com.au