Jellybean Camper

WHAT WE LIKED

• Functional design
• Rugged construction
• Value for money

NOT SO MUCH

• Some muscle required for set-up
• Slight lack of refinement

Traditional-style pop-top camper trailers are versatile modes of shelter for holidaying, both in the bush and on the blacktop, but they aren’t always cheap.

Recognising this challenge the husband and wife team of John and Lorraine Middleton at Opalite Caravans, scratched their heads a few years ago and the result is the Jellybean.

The product of three and half years’ research and development, not to mention several million dollars investment, produced this unusual looking and affordable, camper trailer with slide-out bed ends.

Along with 15 caravan models, the company is now rolling out both light off-road and heavy off- road Jellybean campers from its premises at Beresfield near Newcastle.

"We wanted to build an affordable camper that could appeal to a wide variety of people, rather than say just the retiree market," explained plastics specialist John Middleton, as we looked over his large machine for blowing the rotomoulded shell of the Jellybean.

The manufacturing process has involved extensive logistics - setting up factory space in China as well as assembly and fabrication in Beresfield - which belies the casual and friendly manner of this business savvy couple.

BUILT FOR ABUSE

The Jellybean is offered in two versions: the off-road with a heavy duty 150mm x 50mm chassis (from $20,990) and the light off-road model (from $17,990) based on a 100mm x 50mm chassis. Both use hot dipped galvanised steel.

Our off-road review camper sported 15inch alloy wheels and fully independent coil suspension and shock absorbers with electric brakes.

The nose cone part of the rotomoulded plastic exterior is available in seven colours including the cheerful lime green on our demo model and this sturdy build is used by the company in the Police paddy wagons it also supplies.

To prove its toughness John invited me to hit the material with a large hammer. I bashed at the plastic to no affect and any scratches can be sanded out. So, unlike conventional camper trailers no grit guard is needed. The polyethylene armour-like shell is UV resistant and flame retardant to boot.

This sturdiness continues through to the convex roof which has moulded recesses for storage and a location for an air conditioning unit – typically Aircommand or Dometic - which blows cold air through the standard roof hatch.

The top is winched up by a three stage pulley system and a rigid roof held up by a solid steel frame.

Opalite tackled the challenge of weight reduction head-on, by avoiding the common practice of using plywood construction. Instead, the Jellybean has fibreglass honeycomb sheeting throughout including the main floor and the accommodation bases.

The rear-mounted spare wheel is easily accessible and external storage includes a fairly large capacity tunnel boot located behind dual access alloy checker plate doors.

The 15inch alloy wheels and coil spring shockers ensure plenty of ground clearance for those rough tracks yet the Jellybean’s height when closed was just 1.65m so any rooftop gear can be easily removed before setup. 

SETTING UP CAMP

Hooking up the Jellybean to the ute and driving off along the back roads went without any dramas, with no juddering under braking.

Reaching the rough dirt track, the Jellybean remained in control with little noise from its chassis and frame as we bumped across the pot holes and ridges. Incidentally, a Toyota Camry sized vehicle is OK for towing the standard model that has a Tare of just 750kg.

To set up, I unhitched the vehicle then dropped the quick release jacks on each corner and wound them up to level the Jellybean.

Moving around each corner I released the four roof clips before inserting the handle into the front moulding to jack up the three stage stainless steel winding mechanism.

To gain access to the accommodation, the door window was pulled out and inserted into the door frame. Pulling out the bag of stainless poles was the next job, for insertion in the inside bedding areas and for external bed support.

Finally the front queen sized bed and rear double bed on their honeycomb bases were pulled out, before inserting the stainless supports and internal fixings.

This early production model had a few rough edges with some oomph required to slot in the supports but it was no real drama.

The heavy duty, 10oz canvas and vinyl coverings unfurled easily as well and the last job, if we had one fitted, would have been to pull out the optional awning – a Fiamma would fit nicely I think.

All up the set-up took about 15 minutes and without the use of a gorilla, or four letter words for that matter.

RELAXED INTERIOR

Stepping inside the Jellybean (via the 8inch high footplate) proved a pleasant experience with plenty of natural light coming through the flyscreens to illuminate the living area.

To the right lay the four seat dinette area, opposite the kitchen with unobstructed passageway in between. For eating a table clips on to the window sill. Usefully, this area converts to a child’s bed as well.

The dark grey fabric looks a practical colour but four trims are available. Similarly in the wood finish, the light coloured beech of the demo vehicle can be swapped for a darker mahogany.

The kitchen comprises a resin worktop with stainless steel sink and manual water pump for drawing from the 65 litre tank.

A three burner Spinflo gas cooktop is fed from the 9kg bottle that sits on the front outside chassis. Nearby is the 57 litre Engel fridge which runs on both 12V and 240V mains power.

Cupboard space throughout looks more than adequate and the push button doors felt solid. The cupboard below the sink houses the gas shut-off valve for easy access and also located here are some electrics including the CTEC battery charger.

A slight concern with this layout is the possibility of water ingress from the sink above.

The only item missing is a 12V battery which is housed in the outside locker, as Opalite prefers customers to choose their own.

Energy efficient LED lighting is used throughout, including useful bed lights.

Sleeping arrangements are functional with foam mattresses of enough thickness to make my 70kg, 5 foot 10 inch frame feel comfortable while the use of a separation curtain should give enough privacy for family harmony.

VERDICT

Opalite's Jellybean proves that affordable camper trailers can be made. Its competitive price also broadens the appeal of this style of RV – especially to the ranks of the tent brigade that are tired from hours of setting up and getting wet in the process.

Sure, the Jellybean may lack the refinement of some leading market brands but it remains an innovative and attractive entry-level camper trailer.


OPALITE JELLYBEAN OFF-ROAD

Length (towing): 3.65m
Height (towing): 1.65m
Length (open): 5.8m
Height (open): 2.48m
Nameplate Tare (off-road): 950kg
Nameplate ATM (off-road): 1250kg
Suspension (off-road) : independent coil, shock absorber
Brakes: electric
Kitchen: stainless steel, Spinflo three-burner
Water: 65 litres
Power: 12V, 240V
Price: from $20,990 (off-road model)
More info: Opalite Caravans