Kevlar reinforced camper breaks cover

Australians are spoilt for choice when it comes to off-road camper trailers, with a seemingly endless choice from sub-$5000 entry-level cheapies all the way to high-tech hybrid models costing in excess of $60,000.

But that hasn’t stopped a Sydney-based fibreglass specialist and off-road enthusiast from coming up with his own, unique, premium off-road camper that he hopes to put into production with the help of another manufacturer.

A fibreglass pattern maker by trade, along with motor trimmer and steel fabricator, Danny Riley has run Danny’s Custom Mobile Fibreglass business for the past 32 years, producing an eclectic mix of products for the camping, motorcycle, four-wheel drive and trailer markets including a unique, teardrop-style off-road camper and a motorised trike with wheelchair access.

Riley’s latest invention blends a streamlined, monocoque composite body design with heavy-duty galvanised chassis, independent off-road suspension with sway bar and chunky 33in off-road tyres.

“I couldn’t find a camper trailer that suited my needs, plus I wanted to match it to the (burgundy) colour of my (Jeep Wrangler) tow vehicle,” Riley explained.

Using his experience manufacturing parts for the motorsport industry Riley has adopted an “advanced composite” construction utilising kevlar reinforcement for “high impact” areas of the body, including the 5mm thick floor that he says “makes it basically nearly bulletproof underneath”.

With the 250 litre water tank and battery system a hidden away but integral part of the roof/floor assembly, he’s devised a built-in “hydraulic ram and winch combination” that automatically opens the rear-folding, canvas-top hard floor living area and double bed at the push of a button.

Up front, the tapered nose cone holds the gas bottles, generator and recovery gear, with gullwing doors providing access to storage areas, which include pull-out drawers and LED lit hatches.

Other features on the ‘prototype’ nicknamed ‘Brut-es’ include a gas hot water and heater system, ducted air-conditioning, slide-out kitchen, two hot/cold shower outlets, TV and a pressurised internal ‘fan’ to deter dust.

Apart from slim bush bars protecting the checkerplate-look composite panels along the lower body sections, and a roof bar system for carrying firewood or a couple of kayaks, the body is mostly smooth to limit external damage during rugged outback travel.

“This doesn’t even have a power point or water fillers on the outside, as everything is vulnerable where we go (off-road)” he said. “The front is also designed to ricochet everything off so nothing bounces into the back of the (tow) vehicle, and the blinker and park light are moulded in too.”

After finishing off the prototype and undertaking some outback testing Riley, who’s looking to retire, is considering “selling (the design) on to a company that can pop them out a lot quicker than me”.

He expects pricing for a production version to range from $45,000 to $70,000 depending on options fitted. The prototype weighs around 700kg, with a payload of up to 1000kg.

And like Riley, buyers will be able to choose the exact colour including a gel coat finish to match their tow vehicle.

“You spend a lot of money on these things, you want it to make a bit of a statement,” he said.