ModCon Origin

I know what you are looking for. You want a quality camper trailer. One that is well constructed, with a tent that uses good quality Aussie canvas with an annexe, a kitchen, offroad hitch, water tank, and to top it all off, you don’t want to pay an arm or a leg for the privilege.

Am I right? Of course I am, we all want value for money, and that’s exactly what you get with ModCon’s budget offering, the Origin.

As with the other campers in ModCon’s range, the Origin is well engineered. Just because it is a budget camper doesn’t mean that build quality, attention to detail, or the finish have been sacrificed.

As I have come to expect from ModCon, the camper is constructed using the same quality components and canvas as the other models, but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, hence the price tag of only $13,640 (drive-away, Qld).

As with all of the ModCon models, the entire body and chassis are powder coated. The chassis is manufactured using 3mm thick 50x50mm box, which is fully galvanised and the drawbar from 100x 50mm box.

The Tare weight is 640kg, the ATM is 1400kg, and ball weight is a meagre 55kg.

The overall dimensions of the camper are 4.1x1.85m, and the inside body measurements are 2.150x1200x520mm, providing a very large amount of storage space under the gas-strut assisted, lift-up bed base.

The side panels are manufactured from 1.6mm zinc anneal steel, and the floor and mud guards are 2mm thick.

Suspension is courtesy of Al-Ko Off-Road 7 Leaf Springs with greasable shackles, which are rated at 1530kg. Sunraysia rims fitted with new All Terrain 265/70 tyres, electric drum brakes and hand brake are standard.

OUTDOOR CREDENTIALS

Being a budget model, the toolbox on the drawbar is a generic, mass-produced one rather than manufactured in house, and there is no pole carrier or stone guard, although these are options. However, you will find that a Hyland offroad hitch, spare wheel and carrier, jockey wheel and hand brake are standard.

Looking around the trailer body, there’s a lockable side-entry access door, and on each side at the rear are two 4.5 kg gas cylinders holders.

The water tank filler and outlet are located on the near side at the rear behind the gas cylinder holder, and one jerry can holder is located on the front far side.

The tailgate boasts the tried and true ModCon hinge system that disassembles so you can replace or maintain the two nylon bushes on the top and bottom. This is a very strong and well-engineered system that has impressed me from the first time I saw it, and reduces the risk of sagging and failure due to its heavy-duty design.

The tailgate is sealed with neoprene backed with a flame-bonded adhesive designed not to peel. It seals as well as (if not better than) the commonly used pinchweld automotive seal. To stop over compression of seals, “bump stops” are fitted.

Underneath, we find the heavy-duty Deluxe Swing Adjustable Rear Stabilisers, and a 70L, food-grade 9mm-thick polyethylene water tank.

COMFORT FACTOR

For a budget camper trailer, the kitchen is quite good. It opens from the tailgate without the need to set up the tent. The sink and fold-up splashback are stainless steel while the side table is made from aluminium to keep costs down.

There is a two-burner Spinflo stove (no griller), a storage area underneath, and a hand pump over the sink.

Being a rear fold camper, you can set up just about anywhere. The Modcon Origin has a “footprint” similar to a caravan, so if you drive into a spot designed for a caravan, it will fit.

As with the other models in the ModCon range, the tent and annexe included are impressive. The rear-fold room measures 12ft 7½in (approx 3.85m) and easily accommodates a couple of extra bodies.

It has screened windows on all three sides of the queen-sized bed, two access doors, and a large window at the opposite end, so airflow isn’t a problem.

As with other models, a great feature of this camper is the Tarpol floor. It looks like any other, but it’s zippered into the canvas. This means that if you damage the floor, it can be easily removed and repaired or replaced, and if you need to, you can remove it for cleaning.

The annexe runs the full length of the tent and is a whopping 6x2.4m (19ft 8in x 8ft), with roof to floor flyscreens, and incorporates a wind break that fits along the side of the trailer under the kitchen. It attaches to the tent with heavy-duty zips, and when set up, there is plenty of room to spread out and escape inclement weather.

Floor matting for the annexe and the tent aren’t included in the price, but can be supplied for an additional charge. The canvas itself is first-grade quality Aussie material sourced from WCT Australia, and is 100 per cent sewn and fabricated here in Australia.

SUMMING UP

This is a budget camper trailer that has quite a few of the essentials and will really appeal to families watching their pennies, without compromising on quality. It has plenty of living space and a separate room for the kids. It is well constructed, strong, has lots of storage space and fits into a standard caravan site.

With a Tare weight of just 640kg it’s a light weight contender, and coupled with its Al-Ko 7 leaf suspension, Hyland offroad coupling and electric brakes, it will go many places.

The camper as reviewed has a price tag of $13,640 (drive-away, Qld) and has many optional extras available.

ModCon Campers, is located 4 Veronica St, Capalaba, Qld 4158. Ph (07) 3245-2807.
For more information, visit modcon.com.au

MODCON ORIGIN

Tare: 640kg
ATM: 1400kg
Suspension: Al-Ko 7 leaf
Brakes: electric
Coupling: Hyland
Price (as shown): $13,640 (drive-away, Qld)