Jumping Jack ready for adventure

A cleverly-designed tent trailer able to carry two dirt bikes or ATVs on its upper deck, and sleep up to four people in its roomy 'jump-up' tent is now available in Australia.

On display at this week's Melbourne Leisurefest show, together with an eye-catching Can-Am ATV, the Jumping Jack camping trailer is being imported by Victoria-based Outback Jack Campers.

Outback Jack's Rod Spalding said the tent part of the trailer is easily erected in less than five minutes, thanks to a folding, internal frame mechanism.

Supported above the ground, the tent is made from 13oz mildew and water-resistant marine canvas, and has one entry door and six windows with internal flaps and flyscreens.

With nine square metres of internal space including ample headroom, the interior comes standard with a marine carpet covered, water-sealed wood deck, a dining table and seating that converts to a single and a double bed (extra berth optional).

The 3.65m long by 2.33m wide trailer is built from heavy-duty, powder-coated steel and features an Oz hitch off-road coupling, electric brakes, and torsion bar axle for offroad use.

With the trailer, frame and tent weighing 565kg and an ATM of 1250kg, the camper has a hefty 685kg payload.

"You can carry your quad bike, multiple two wheeler bikes, boats, all that sort of stuff on top; there's basically nothing else like it in Australia at the moment," says Spalding.

He said it's been an 18 month process from negotiating distribution rights with the Utah-based manufacturer to ensuring the trailers are suitable for the Australian market.

"We’ve got the sole rights to sell them here in Australia… we've brought a few over and had to make the necessary changes to meet Australian Design Rules."

While other multi-purpose RVs like the caravan-based Jayco toy haulers are available in Australia, Spalding said none are as versatile as the Jumping Jack. The camper can also be easily converted to a high-box utility trailer, by removing the tent section.

"There's not much out there that you can take your bikes and your trailer along; up until now you've had to take your bikes (on a trailer) and swag it or take a tent… we just saw it as a unique sort of niche that wasn't happening here."

Priced from $13,500, the Jumping Jack camper is available with a number of accessories including ramps, safety bars, awnings, spare tyre and lantern post.

There’s also an optional rack for carrying water, and a cooler rack for a large esky.

See the Outback Jack Campers website for further details.