Rick Huckstepp•9 Aug 2016

REVIEW

Kelly Glenrowan

It’s not as stylish as some but this Queensland-built off-road camper has plenty of substance

The Bundaberg North, Queensland-based manufacturer of the new Glenrowan camper makes no bones about it; they’ve designed and built a trailer for practicality and ease of set-up and pull-down and not for the local caravan and camping show beauty pageant!

They’ve ended up with a trailer not unlike those that you see behind tradesmen’s vehicles and on first impressions appears close to bullet-proof; we’re sure Ned would approve.

BOX OF TRICKS

This camper has been designed so that the lower structure is high enough to accommodate large doors behind which are kept day-to-day camping necessities, rather than have them mounted in pull-out drawers.

In fact only one large external drawer exists and that’s on the nearside front corner, holding a nicely constructed 1800mm stainless steel kitchen consisting of a large sink and Smev two burner cooker under a glass lid. These are separated by a preparation area, below which are two sturdy drawers.

The slide-out kitchen has another prep bench that swings over and covers the cooker when being packed away. There’s also a handy rack with permanent swinging hooks for holding pots and pans and keeping them clear of the dirt.

A 25 litre grey water catchment tank alleviates the need for a sullage hose and it can be wheeled away for easy disposal.

There’s plenty of pan storage under the cooker and more under the sink behind fold-down doors. While doing your magic in the culinary delights department a long door at the right shoulder opens to an optional pantry kit that includes crockery and condiment drawers manufactured from HMR (High Moisture Resistant) timber.

A high cupboard on the nearside rear corner opens to access the upright 108 litre Waeco fridge. The door is hinged so that it can be removed and stored elsewhere for easier access in a semi-permanent camping situation.

Also of note is the build quality of this and other compartment doors. There’s a snug-fit insert on the inside, making for a rigid construction out of alloy on either side while the void inside body walls that don’t have access doors is insulated with styrene foam.

A ‘through toolbox is mounted in front of the main body and as you can see from the photos there’s ample room to cram plenty of gear in here.

An aluminium shower hob is also stored here and goes on the ground inside a removable shower curtain that hangs from a swing-up frame in the offside wall of the main body. Beats standing on those perforated rubber mats!

On top of this storage box, an aluminium frame is bolted in place to carry jerry cans and the like. Firewood can also be tied down on the drawbar tray between the box and two, 4kg gas bottles.

TOUGH UNDERPINNINGS

The XO Ark Extreme off-road hitch attached to the 150x50mm drawbar really looks the part, as does a heavy-duty jockey wheel featuring two wheels, directional locking and removable handle.

There’s also a unique stoneguard fixed under the front wall of the camper body that extends forward all the way to the tow vehicle. It’s connected by a series of bungy cords so that it stretches and retracts as the vehicle and trailer articulate.

Another long cabinet door in the offside wall accesses the awning extensions; ‘amplimeshed’ at one end to circulate air in and out of void created by the slide-out kitchen.

The gas hot water system hangs on the offside kitchen boot door and plumbs into water sockets, with the gas running from one of the two bayonet sockets on top of the toolbox. It’s a well thought-out design, ensuring you won’t trip over hoses.

Hot water should stay hotter for longer too, running through the insulated body to the shower rose attached to the wall in the shower screen cupboard.

Plumbing and the water pump are easily accessed via the offside kitchen boot door; so too are the air valves which level the trailer via the Vehicle Components’ Cruisemaster airbag suspension, including dual shockers on each arm.

The back wall of the camper features a steel tyre rack that unclips and folds down on twin gas struts. Once down the aluminium checker-plate surface provides a good non-slip entry through the rear door. The rack’s made from steel to give it some buffer strength should the trailer get a knock from behind.

COSY BUT WELL EQUIPPED

Inside the entry door on the left is a control panel that houses the water level meter, stereo unit and Redarc battery management system. The switch operating the four electric actuators for the roof is also located here and they lift the camper roof till the bellows are pulled tight.

The 165Ah battery and Redarc 1215BMS system are located at floor level on the right, fed by two, 200W solar panels on the roof.

Occupying much of the interior when laid out is the two-piece, innerspring queen size mattress. The join of the two runs across the bed under the back of the legs so you don’t end up wedged in the gap.

One of the pieces folds up on top of the other and there are cushioned seat back rests for some inside dining or just to shelter inside.

A half-table swings up from the bed end to make a small dining top and a large drawer underneath the bed pulls out for clothes storage, although we found some stored gear inside had jammed it shut, at least in the short term.

Airy zip-down windows should help provide some refreshing breeze in summer and if outside the shade from the swing-around awning will also be appreciated.

VERDICT

If you’re not big on pulling up tent tops and prefer some permanency in your hardcore off-road camper trailer, the Kelly is worth a look.

It’s about as 'Australian made’ as you get in this day and age and it oozes practicality and solid build quality throughout.

Well done to Kelly Campers, a nice piece of kit!

KELLY CAMPERS GLENROWAN

Overall length: 5150mm

Internal body length: 2640mm

External body width: 1900mm

Internal height: 1945mm (in doorway), 1020mm (above bed)

Travel height: 2140mm

Tare: 1100kg

GVM:2000kg

Ball weight (Tare): 100kg

Body/frame: Fabricated aluminium, aluminium internal and external sheeting fixed to welded aluminium sub frame

Chassis: 150x50mm drawbar, powder coated Supagal RHS 100x50mm chassis

Wheels: 285/75/R16

Brakes: 12-inch electric

Stability control: No

Cooking: Smev two-burner gas

Microwave: No

Fridge/freezer: Waeco 108L upright

Toilet: Optional, carried in front tool box

Shower: Fixed to offside wall behind cupboard with internal plumbing

Air-con: No

Central heating: No

Gas: 2 x 4kg bottles

Lighting: LED

Batteries: 1 x 165Ah

Solar: 2 x 200W roof-mounted panels

Freshwater: 129L modular

Price (as tested): $54,500

Supplied by: Kelly Campers, Bundaberg North, Qld

Kelly Glenrowan

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