Larger campers

In the wonderful world of caravanning and camping the terminology occasionally gets a tad confusing – here at Caravan World we frequently have discussions about what the word ‘camper’ actually denotes, and there is a bit of a grey area.

Camper trailers, tent trailers and campers are all terms you will be familiar with and while planning the contents of this Guide we decided to include what we have termed ‘larger campers’ to provide as full as possible a picture of what’s out there for buyers to consider.

Putting them together does not, however, mean they are all alike – in fact there is a range of different design ideas in these camper-style RVs which makes them of interest.

Here We’ve looked at the main contenders in the larger camper market, from Jayco, A’van, Coromal, Goldstream and Windsor.

RAPID MOVES

An offroad Rapid, such as the Rage designed by Qld dealer Gary Kratzmann shown here, comes complete with stucco aluminium panelling and lower side skirts of checkerplate aluminium, and has been fitted with Windsor’s Bush Pack. The basis of the Bush Pack is a 6-inch hot dipped galvanised chassis fitted with trailing arm leaf-sprung independent suspension and 15in x 7in offroad tyres.

Once unhitched from the tow vehicle, setting up camp for the night is done quite rapidly (no pun intended) with the quick release corner stabilisers.

Fitted to the A-frame is a mains pressure tap and between the rails are two 4kg gas cylinders and wire mesh for items when parked. At the rear, a steel bumper bar, plated with aluminium checkerplate, supports the spare wheel on a hinged bracket. When the rear bedroom is opened up, the wheel has to be unpinned and hinged down, but it is not difficult.

The pop-up bed ends are easy and light enough for anyone to operate. Standard Rapid items are Galaxy hopper windows and a Camec triple lock security door. When folded up, the bed-ends do not occupy a great deal of space, so the van can still be easily used during short touring stops.

A key feature of the kitchen design is the amazing amount of benchtop and drawer/cupboard space, especially given the size of the van. The Dometic three-way fridge is essential, given there’s no onboard battery, but at 90 litres, it might be a tad small for a family planning extended outback touring.

Lighting is all 12V; the 12V supply comes from a 240/12V transformer but a battery can be added later. Ranging in size from 3.4m with single axle and tandem models, the Rapid is also available with a shower and toilet. Options include a handy external shower.

Easy to tow, easy to use, the six-berth Windsor Rapid is a great solution for family caravanning.

For your nearest Windsor dealer call (03) 9305 1777, fax (03) 9305 3466, website www.windsorcaravans.com.au.

PRETTY FLAMINGO

Market leader Jayco’s range of campers are easy to tow and easy to set up. In a range of lengths and layouts to suit any size of family, Jayco campers come reasonably well equipped as standard.

The Outback range of camper trailers has been constructed to give added strength and higher ground clearance for off-bitumen travel. Features include an underslung axle for improved ground clearance, water tank guard, full height front pebbleguard (not on Swan/Flamingo), offroad electric brake magnets and additional bracing in side frames, with optional shockproof swivel coupling. Jayco does, however, urge caution when heading off the blacktop advising that often it’s best to set up camp and go exploring rougher tracks without the trailer in tow.

Jayco’s Millennium chassis is designed for strength and is hot dipped galvanised for durability. The superstructure is aluminium for a rot-free frame with high strength to weight ratio and the furniture has a powder-coated aluminium frame to seats for extra strength.

Jayco campers have a range of options including boat racks, microwave or normal oven, bed end flys, auxiliary battery and solar pack.

A trip to Central Australia provided the perfect testing ground for a Flamingo camper trailer, one of the biggest in the range. I was checking out the improved towing capacity of Subaru’s Outback 3.0R and the 4.1m Flamingo (Tare 1140kg) fitted with Outback pack was my mobile accommodation.

We unhitched the various sized Jaycos for the rougher sections of the three-day trek through the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, there was little doubt the campers could have followed in our wheel tracks. The Flamingo I was towing was significantly higher than the Subaru 3.0R so hopping over rocks and passing through sand would not have been a problem.

With the addition of a Treg coupling, with its better towball flexibility and rotation (standard, along with a boat rack, if ordered in WA from Jayco dealer Caravanland), I am sure the Flamingo would have made it through.

The wind-up Flamingo comes with many home comforts. With two double beds sliding out each end and extra sleeping space in the dining-lounge area, there is room for a big family plus a few playmates. With the beds out of the way, the living zone is huge. The kitchen features a three-way fridge, four-burner cooker, microwave and sink, with the club-style lounge and dinette converting to beds. The canvas sections unzip to allow cool air to flow through, adding to the comfort of Jayco’s bush boudoir.

Caravanland, 1528 Albany Highway, Cannington, WA, (08) 9356 2304. For our nearest Jayco dealer see www.jayco.com.au.

SILHOUETTE’S LITTLE BROTHER

The Coromal Silhouette camper is a success story in itself and as a result Coromal is launching the new EKO camper for 2005. The EKO is born from the Silhouette and it does look pretty much like its older sibling.

The exterior is fibreglass, with the roof consisting of an inner and outer skin with an integrated core providing a lightweight contoured roof with maximum strength.

The front fibreglass nose cone houses a large locker. Located inside the locker is the gas bottle, with provision for a second – still leaving heaps of room to spare. A common problem with small campers is that there is not enough storage space, so invariably gear gets left on the floor; this locker is the ideal spot to stow children’s toys, Dad’s fishing gear and Mum’s recliner chair.

The aluminium side panels are fixed to an aluminium frame and insulated with styrene foam.

The main door is one-piece and the operation quick and simple. All you do is release the two locating catches, lift and slide up into the ceiling track and lock in the retaining straps.

The 4.2m EKO is available in one size and layout only but when you walk inside you will find it hard to believe that it is a budget camper. It is huge inside, has a large full-length kitchen complete with four burner stove/grill, which includes an electric element, a three-way RM2350 refrigerator, stainless steel sink and heaps of cupboards.

The dinette area is also quite spacious, with a separate lounge across the front. The front bed is queen size; the rear is a standard double. For families the room inside is just great. The canvas bed-ends are separate sections and are joined to the canvas side panels with concealed heavy-duty zips, which make for quick and easy replacement if damaged.

Coromal’s well regarded towing ability is maintained in the EKO, with fully independent suspension fitted as standard.

The price of the EKO, we believe, will be around $20,000. EKO will arrive in most Coromal dealers’ yards in late December or early January. To check out this large quality budget-priced camper call into your nearest Coromal Sales Centre.

For your nearest Coromal dealer call (08) 9352 0900, website www.coromal.com.au.

THE A TEAM

A’van’s Aliner has opened up the world of caravanning to many people. They are easy to set up and easy to tow lightweight campers with lots of standard features. These distinctive A-shaped campers even have their very own club!

Features include fuel-saving light weights and a low profile which is towable by many four cylinder cars, three-way 90 litre fridge, cooker, microwave, deep-bowl sink, 59 litre water tank and mains connection.

Aliner comes in a range of layouts designed to make the most of the interior space and can sleep family of four – some layouts include bunkbeds. Some dinettes seat six people and convert to double bed.

A’van campers are fully insulated, with 100 per cent solid wall construction, independent rubber suspension, electric brakes, auxiliary battery pack, full 12V power supply, and dual gas bottles and regulator. An optional boot adds to the overall length.

No canvas means that packing up in the rain is never a problem – you’ll never be packing up a wet tent! Spring-assisted assembly means you can have the roof up or down very quickly.

Sportliner is the smallest of the A’van camper family. It comes in a range of double bed or single bed layouts and is designed for a couple or one person, being easy to manage for a single.

For your nearest A’van dealer call (03) 5941 6488 or see the website www.avan.com.au.

GOLDSTREAMS AHEAD

The Goldstream RV Storm combines the go-anywhere ability of a camper trailer with the living quarters of a full-sized caravan.

My wife Denise and I tested a 5.52m version of the Goldstream RV Storm, a rugged wind-up camper which featured an outback pack, an auxiliary battery, Austrek’s offroad independent suspension and galvanised underfloor protection.

Dealer Phil Day, from George Day Caravans in Perth, says the Goldstream range can be fully set up in about eight minutes: first winding up the solid roof then sliding out the two beds, one double and the other queen-sized.

“Putting up the camper roof is no harder than winding up a Hills clothes hoist because the braked winch has a 10:1 ratio,” he said. “The pull-out beds are on rollers so they glide out smoothly, the curtains also have roller runners, the canvas walls are 12oz fine cloth and the clear vinyl used in the window sections is thickand strong.”

The Goldstream range features a chassis and walls that are extra-strong to handle outback travel. Serious offroaders can match the wheels to their 4WD, the water tank is protected by sheet metal, a Treg hitch is an option.

With a 990kg tare weight (add up to 150kg for the outback pack), the low profile (1.57m) Storm was a cinch to tow.

The Storm comes with an exterior cooker which rolls out from the wall near the door for al fresco meals.

An optional annexe would provide protection should the weather turn sour, and there’s also a picnic table which folds down to form a small bench for meal preparation, leaving the inside as mainly living quarters.

Features include a four-burner stove and oven to complement the slide-out cooker. There was also a three-way fridge, stainless-steel sink, microwave and ample cupboards.

The dinette seats four in comfort and can be converted to provide additional sleeping room for two more adults.

It was very roomy, especially because we only needed one of the beds described earlier, so the other made an ideal ‘wardrobe’ area for spare clothes and gear.

The Goldstream Storm can accommodate a family in comfort for under $30,000 and has the three main components needed for free camping – gas cooking, water storage and auxiliary lighting power.

George Day Caravans, 1509 Albany Highway, Cannington, WA, (08) 9350 5336. In Qld: Kratzmann’s Cars and Caravans, (07) 3265 2477.