Geotrek Trek-XP 2021 Review

It wasn't that long ago we saw the arrival of the Sky-Deck, a unique fold-out caravan verandah that drops down over the front drawbar to deliver outdoor balcony living when camping.

More recently, the inventor of the South Australian Dekpod devised an undercover kitchen and bathroom area that magically folds out over the A-frame for seamless connection with the main camper body.

Now we have the Melbourne-designed and built Geotrek camper trailer, which manages to sleep and shower four people off the ground despite being not much larger than a Track Trailer Tvan.

Like the other forward-thinking designs, the Geotrek makes good use of empty space over the drawbar to expand the off-the-ground-comforts and conveniences of an otherwise quite compact and lightweight, hardcore off-road pod camper.

Back to front design

While similar in size, shape and off-road capability to a Tvan or Pioneer Mitchell, the Geotrek does things a bit differently with a front-opening pop-top roof that allows entry through the front rather than the rear, and main external storage located towards the back rather than front of the camper.

One advantage of this unique design, according to experienced RV traveller, mechanical engineer and Geotrek founder Stephen Dannock, is to free up space at the front for a cleverly-designed stone guard that drops down to form the base of a front entry deck, that doubles as an ensuite with canvas privacy walls in place.

It's an especially appealing design for parents that want to keep the kids close by and away from the dirt and creepy crawlies when showering or going to the toilet at night. Most campers of this size only offer a ground-level outside shower and privacy tent.

Then there's the main camper body with its stand-up interior headroom and ready-to-go bedding for two adults and two children, without having to fuss around with slide-outs, drop-down bunks or a rooftop tent.

But does it all work in practice? To find out we spent a few hours playing around with a Geotrek camper at the picturesque Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, near the Toolangi State Forest in Victoria...

Australia's smallest ensuite camper

Still in early stages of production, the Geotrek is currently only available as the mid-spec Trek-XP variant (as reviewed here), priced just under $80,000.

For that you get a decent list of standard features including an external slide-out kitchen with two-burner gas cooktop and sink, a gas/electric hot water unit for the kitchen tap and shower hose, a portable toilet and gas bayonet, internal and external LED lighting, a remote-controlled roof fan hatch, tinted windows with blinds, underbody water tanks with 158 litres fresh water storage plus six 20L jerries, a twin 130Ah AGM battery system with two 120W roof-top solar panels, and a bagged awning on both sides of the camper plus annexe walls.

Geotrek is planning to introduce next year a cheaper, entry-level Geotrek Trek-X as well as a pricier, more luxuriously equipped Trek-XT version, which will also be built at Geotrek's Heidelberg West, Victoria factory.

The range-topping Trek-XT is likely to get premium features like airbag suspension, lithium batteries/inverter and TV and audio entertainment, and approach similar six figure price territory as the similarly compact Ultimate X25 anniversary model.

Helping justify the Geotrek's upmarket pricing is its high-quality construction and componentry, and the sort of attention to detail you find in select few Aussie compact campers like the Ultimate, Tvan, Vista Crossover and BRS Sherpa.

Heavy-duty but lightweight materials used to build the Geotrek include pressed and RHS aluminium for the exoskeleton and main body panels, polypropylene sandwich board for the roof, doors and interior cabinetry, and Aussie-made Defab dynaproofed canvas for the roof, ensuite walls and awnings.

The body is finished in gloss automotive paint with a tougher powdercoat finish for more vulnerable sections, while it should last the distance with extensive use of long-life components like marine carpet, stainless steel bolts and super-sized stainless piano hinges.

Heavy-duty off-roading

The Geotrek's designers have gone to great lengths to ensure the camper can be dragged just about anywhere you dare to go on your next four-wheel drive adventure, while withstanding a few knocks and returning in one piece.

It starts with a hot dipped galvanised 150 x 50mm steel chassis fitted with an in-house developed independent trailing arm/coil spring suspension with a single heavy-duty shock absorber per wheel, delivering 250mm-plus suspension travel.

Also part of the hardcore off-road package is a Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, AL-KO off-road jockey wheel and 16in black alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres.

There's plenty of underbody armour and side protection too, including steel capped swing arms, front and side-mounted aluminium rock sliders, steel underbody skid plates and recovery points along with optional mud track mounts, to cope with the roughest terrain.

Even the corner stabilisers are neatly tucked out harm's way when not in use, while an automatic cut-off valve for the floor-mounted gas bottle vents ensure everything remains water tight during creek crossings.

At just under five metres long, and a bit over two metres wide (and high) in travel mode, it sits nicely behind the V8 LandCruiser tow vehicle, and makes easy towing with a relatively lightweight 1800kg ATM.

It will go further than most campers too, with its generous 500mm ground clearance and steep rear departure angle. Even the side body panels angle inwards to allow the aluminium rock sliders to take the brunt of any off-road obstacles.

Multi-stage set-up

Bullet-proof build and awesome off-roadability aside, the real reason to buy the Geotrek camper is its patented multi-stage set-up.

Rolling into camp after dark, you can be set up and have the whole family in bed in less than a minute, by releasing the two over-centre latches for the gas strut-assisted pop-top roof, dropping the stone guard/deck and releasing the pin holding the fold-out side steps, which feature a self-levelling base to cope with bumpy ground.

There's sufficient space to access the rear of the tow vehicle when still hitched up, or for longer stays you can spend a few more minutes unhitching, setting up the jockey wheel and corner stabilisers, and dropping the canvas wall from the front roof section which attaches to the base with bungee cords.

Setting up the onside awning will take another five minutes or so, with five tent poles and guy ropes to hold it firmly, and Geotrek is planning to offer annexe walls for both side awnings.

For privacy and to keep water from splashing around, there's a removable canvas 'sleeve' for the 'wet' bathroom area, which incorporates a drainage hole in the floor and easy access to the separate lockers for the hot/cold shower hose and slide-out portable toilet.

There are some canvas pockets for the soap and shampoo, plus a spot to hang the shower hose, and a LED strip light so you see can what you're doing at night. With the gas-electric hot water unit drawing from 158 litre capacity water tanks, there should be enough warm showers for the family for a few days at least.

While a tight squeeze there's just enough room for a longer-legged adult to sit down on the Thetford porta potti after pulling it out of its slide-out compartment.

Cooking and storage

The onside external slide-out kitchen with wind-shielded, two-burner gas cooktop and mixer tap with removable plastic sink, is easily accessible at all times, with a gas bayonet close by for hooking up a portable BBQ.

There's also a couple of good-sized, slide-out pantry drawers for your cooking and eating utensils and some food storage, and a large slide-out chopping board with a 15mm thick food-grade polyethylene surface for preparing meals.

The major thing missing here that you find on many campers is a slide-out compartment for a plug-in portable fridge, and with limited space in the camper most owners will choose carry one in the back of the tow vehicle.

Stylish and functional, the unique rear 'Backpack' design houses six 20L jerry cans for carrying extra fuel or water, while the gas strut-assisted spare wheel holder is relatively easy to lower and raise when you have a flat tyre.

There's also some small LED work lights, and opening the bottom-hinged door under the Backpack reveals a large sealed storage area with separate sealed box for the twin 4.5kg gas bottles, and two deep but narrow marine carpeted compartments for carrying tent poles, annexe walls, chairs or other camping gear.

A small side section is dedicated to electrical components including a Projecta 25A battery charger and solar controller, master switch, fuses, merit plug and 12V socket, and the switch for the internal light.

The Backpack module is also designed to reduce the camper's towball weight, and therefore limit the amount of stress and strain on the tow vehicle during hard off-roading, with Geotrek claiming the (Tare) ball weight of 180kg reduces to 120-130kg, when fully loaded.

Stepping inside from the deck through the front entrance, and under the rolled-up canvas door flap, reveals a snug, modular layout comprising a U-shaped sleeping arrangement, including a (1940mm x 1450mm) east-west coil spring mattress at the rear, and two adjoining north-south (1700mm x 655mm) single beds; both with thick comfy mattresses and separated by a narrow walk space.

There's just enough headroom at the front for taller adults before the roof starts to slope, but it will feel very cramped inside with more than one person trying to move around at any one time.

The two fixed, hexagon-shaped tinted bedside windows come with removable blinds (not fitted in the photos) and ventilation is via a Fan-tastic 12V roof vent with reversible fan and rain sensor, located above the double bed, and the two large zipped canvas windows with midge screens above the single beds.

There's marine carpeting on the floor and furniture bases, along with two ceiling lights and two reading lights, and five different-sized aluminum drawers that pull out from under the beds for storing clothes, towels, toiletries, etc.

There's also an under-bed control panel with switches for the 12V water pump, hot water and lights, battery and water tank monitors and twin USB sockets for charging the mobile phones.

Not so family-friendly

While aimed primarily at younger families the Geotrek Trek-XP would work just as well, if not better, as a couple's camper, with the three separate beds easily converting to a single (2100mm x 1970mm) north-south king size bed, with the added advantage of generating some inside seating for a romantic dinner for two.

However, you'd need to bring along a small collapsible table (Geotrek is working on a fixed, pull-out table option), and the underbed drawers are difficult to get to in 'couples mode'.

Not surprisingly, both external and internal storage options are limited in the compact Geotrek, compounded by the inability to use the drawbar for external storage options like a toolbox or gas bottle holders.

For an $80,000 camper, it's also surprising to see the Geotrek is missing common camper features like a radio and speakers, Sirocco-style 12V fans and mains water and 240V connections, although it's a purpose-built minimalist camper not really designed for caravan parks.

To make it an all-seasons camper we'd also like the option of a diesel or gas space heater, although you'd have to sacrifice some valuable storage space to fit one.

Verdict

If your idea of a fun holiday is riding the dunes and harsh corrugations along the Canning Stock Route, rather than kicking back and sipping cocktails at the Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, then the Geotrek could be for you.

Not only will it faithfully follow your four-wheel drive down the toughest tracks, it will be one of the easiest and most user-friendly compact family campers to set up once you arrive at your remote site.

Aimed at serious off-road adventurers, the Geotrek focuses on the important things when out in the middle of nowhere, like having a combined 278 litres fuel and water and quick access to the spare tyre for the inevitable puncture.

It makes sense for young families or couples wanting to drag a lightweight camper far off the beaten track, and the steep entry price is justified given the thoughtful design, clever engineering and high-quality fit and finish.

All you really need to complement it is a well set-up 4WD tow vehicle like the dual-cab 70 Series LandCruiser (with 80 litre slide-out portable fridge) used during our photo-shoot...

How much is the Geotrek Trek-XP?

Price: $79,500 RRP
Travel length: 4875mm
Travel width: 2180mm
Travel height: 2100mm
Body length (closed): 3337mm
Body width: 2046mm
Body length (open): 3968mm
Internal height (maximum): 1950mm
Tare: 1340kg
ATM: 1800kg
Ball weight (Tare): 180kg
Body: Welded aluminium, steel, polypropylene sandwich board, Defab Tearlok Hume canvas
Chassis: 150x50mm hot-dipped galvanised
Suspension: Independent trailing arm, heavy-duty Archm single shocks per wheel, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling
Wheels: 16x8in CSA alloy with LT 285/75 Maxxis 771 Bravo AT
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Batteries: 2 x 130Ah AGM
Solar: 2 x 120W rooftop panels
Gas bottles: 2 x 4.5kg
Fresh water: 158L underbody storage, plus six 20L jerry cans
Hot water: Truma Ultra Rapid 14L gas/electric
Kitchen: External two gas burner external cooktop with hot/cold sink
Fridge/freezer: Not fitted
Bathroom: Off-ground hot/cold shower, portable Thetford toilet
Audio: Not fitted
TV: Not fitted
Lighting: LED throughout
Air-conditioner/heating: Not fitted
Supplied by: Geotrek, Heidelberg West, Victoria