Gidget goes global

If you needed further proof that retro-style teardrop campers are back in fashion, you need only look to fledgling Australian pod manufacturer Gidget Campers.

Launched just two years ago, the Queensland-based company has seen rapid growth to the point it’s set to produce around 70 of its unique slide-out pod campers in 2015, with an order book stretching out to 2016.

It also has a growing global fan base, with close to one million views of the Youtube video of its latest 2015 Bondi model.

Gidget has been an exhibitor at the last two Queensland Caravan Supershows, where the attention-grabbing model has attracted a throng of bystanders on most days.

While the basic design has been around for more than 80 years, the Gidget’s point of difference to other teardrop-style campers like the Jayco J-Pod is its patented slide-out that converts the camper into a king-size bedroom or lounge in 20 seconds.

It also has a fold-up table, a novel entertainment console with TV/DVD/Stereo that can also rotate to the outside, and a stylish timber kitchen with soft-close drawers.

Husband and wife team Glenn and Chris Wills originally imported Asian-built bodies for final fitment in Australia but quality issues meant they recently turned to full local production of the lightweight marine ply framed bodies with their fibreglass skins.

“We wanted to be fully Australian made in the first place, but we didn’t have the ability to do that back then,” explained Chris.

To cope with a bulging order book, Gidget recently moved into a bigger factory in Glendale, north of Brisbane, where it now employs around 14 production staff.

“We now have our own fibreglassing team, cabinet makers and wood turners, coach builders, an electrical engineer and fitters and installers, so we do everything,” she said.

As well as using off-the-shelf components like Al-Ko axles and brakes, Gidget sources various custom-built components from suppliers including the alloy wheels and the bespoke glass top cooktop for the slide-out kitchen.

“As far as we know it’s the only camper trailer with a toughened glass cooktop,” she said.

As well as various retro-style furnishings and fabrics, buyers can choose from a range of Australian timbers for the kitchen including Tasmanian Oak or Myrtle, and Queensland Blackbutt.

The latest Gidget models also feature more sophisticated electronics including a water gauge, volt meter, solar regulator, satellite plug, and alarm system.

“If someone were to try and steal it, as soon as the wheels roll a certain distance it flashes SOS on the lights and there’s also a siren. There’s also a panic button inside,” she said.

Other things you don’t normally see on a pod camper include an evaporative cooler, 80 litre freshwater and  40 litre waste tank, smooth metal underbody, 110W fixed roof solar panel, while a satellite dish designed specifically for the Gidget is in the works.

As well as Australia the Gidget has been receiving a lot of interest from prospective buyers in New Zealand and the US, and it now has a US representative to handle enquiries. Displaying the Gidget at the world’s largest caravan and motorhome show, the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon in Germany, is also on the cards.

“We’re selling them to every state in Australia except for Northern Territory and Tasmania, we’ve got one going to New Zealand, and there are people in America and Canada who are organising quotes on shipping,” she said.

The Gidget range kicks off with the Bondi from $19,950, with the larger Noosa Longline with toilet/shower compartment priced from $24,750. A third, more compact model for towing behind a motorcycle is due for release around late- 2016.

Gidget campers have also been sold to a West Australian company which plans to rent them out to tourists, but given the low slung, hot rod-style design there are no current plans for an off-road version.