Chris Fincham•30 Aug 2016

REVIEW

Mountain Trail EDX

One of Australia's finest off-road, hard-floor camper trailers just got better

In business for close to a decade, Mountain Trail Campers is one of a small group of Australian manufacturers focused on the premium end of the camper trailer market.

Together with the likes of Kimberley, Complete Campsite, Pioneer and Aussie Swag, Mountain Trail is pitching to the discerning buyer who wants the best off-road camper trailer money can buy.

In the case of Mountain Trail, that’s either a soft-floor, family-focussed Escalade model priced from $45,000 or grey nomad-friendly, top-spec EDX hard-floor camper starting at $53,000.

Many will argue that’s entry-level caravan money for what is essentially a very fancy tent trailer, but a quick tour through the Albury, NSW factory reveals there are few corners being cut in the pursuit of camper trailer perfection.

With a small team of mostly trade qualified workers, the focus is on automotive-style lean manufacturing, quality control and in-house designed, engineered and CNC machined components, from the chassis to the canvas.

You’re also paying for innovation, with both Mountain Trail’s soft-floor and hard-floor campers featuring Australian-first power-operated set-ups.

The approach seems to be working, with Mountain Trail set to build 130 campers in 2016, up from 90 last year, and the company has bold plans for more cutting-edge models in the near future...

CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT

The camper photographed here is the latest 2017 version of the EDX, due to roll off the production line later this year. It’s also the top-spec Touring Edition, which comes with around $9500 worth of options fitted, for a RRP of $59,995.

Probably the biggest update for 2017 is a significant reduction in Tare weight, thanks to all galvanised steel body panels being replaced with slightly thicker but lighter 1.6mm aluminium panels.

The rear underslung 130 litre stainless steel water tank has also been replaced with a checker plate protected poly tank, for an overall weight saving of around 200kg.

That delivers a Tare weight just over one tonne and up to 300kg less than its main rivals, which not only makes it easier to tow but provides a superior payload of up to 900kg.

Another significant change on the 2017 EDX has led to an increase in storage space. By creating a new slimline version of the diesel hot water service and relocating it to a spare compartment under the bed, Mountain Trail has freed up valuable space in one of the off-side external lockers for carrying more gear, such as camp chairs or even a generator.

CLEAN MACHINE

Peer under many so-called off-road caravans and campers and you’ll notice messy hoses and wiring that can easily be damaged by rocks or moguls, or materials and finishes unlikely to stand up to the first river crossing.

Not the Mountain Trail EDX. We only spotted two hoses or leads, both neatly tucked up out of harm’s way in the main rails of the hot dipped gal chassis. The rest of the underbody is smooth aluminium, with the spare wheel mounted fore of the axle (to balance the rear mounted water tank).

The EDX rides on Mountain Trail’s own independent coil suspension, with removable stub axles and a single EFS shock absorber for each wheel, plus 12in electric brakes. The review camper was fitted with the optional 18in CSA alloy wheels with 285/60 all-terrain tyres.

More top-quality components are found on the drawbar, including Vehicle Components’ DO-35 hitch and Ark Extreme jockey wheel.

The aluminium front storage box with gas-strut assisted lid has black rubberised protection all-round, and is shaped so stones flicked up by the tow vehicle are deflected towards the road.

There are three, alloy-lined vented storage compartments; the outer with holders for two 20 litre jerry cans, as well as a 15 litre poly diesel tank, while the central compartment holds two 4kg gas bottles. However, there’s still plenty of room to carry other bits and pieces, including rubbish in national parks that needs to be kept out of reach of pesky animals!

There’s also a heavy-duty stainless steel ‘pack rack’ just behind the storage box, where firewood or additional gear can be loaded, although it will be exposed to the weather in transit. The Rhino-Rack channel bar system fitted also allows you to fit Rhino-Rack accessories for carrying bikes or boats.

In this case the side body panels were finished in a glossy, two-packed baked enamel grey metallic paint, and there's the option of matching the colour exactly to your tow vehicle’s. It looks a million bucks, although you’ll want to avoid overgrown bush tracks to prevent scratches.

PUSH BUTTON SET-UP

Another trick new feature on the EDX camper is remote-controlled opening of the rear-fold tent mechanism (you can also use a switch on the side of the camper) which makes set-up and pack-up even easier than before.

After folding out the optional, side-mounted, stainless steel boat loader and unlatching the lid, it takes one person about three minutes to set up, including putting in the poles for the Touring awning that covers the side kitchen and front rack areas – or about a minute if you just want to pull up for the night and don’t need the awning.

There are a few ‘fail safe’ mechanisms built into the electric actuator-driven fold-out floor and tent, and Mountain Trails’ Nick Edwards reckons he hasn’t had one fail, out of hundreds sold since 2013.

The lightweight fibreglass/honeycomb composite floor sits on sturdy galvanised rails, and there are two sets of different length, screw-in feet to ensure a level surface on bumpy or uneven ground.

Mountain Trail uses top-notch, Australian 12oz Dynaproofed material for all its canvas work, which is further protected by built-in insulation along the roof. There’s enough room on the timber-look floor below the elevated, inner spring queen mattress for a couple of kids’ stretcher beds, or an optional family tent (and ensuite) can be zipped on to create more ‘indoor’ space.

Moving to the ‘passenger’ side of the camper the self-supporting, slide-out stainless steel kitchen is another work of art, and practical to boot. The main section has a three gas burner cooker, sink with 12V powered tap and good-sized fold-out benchtop for food prep, along with four drawers of various sizes for cutlery, plates and other items.

The 2017 model also comes with a larger 95 litre Waeco CFX dual zone fridge-freezer, up from 80 litres, so you can carry more cold beers (or fresh steaks!)

WIRED, BUT NOT FOR SOUND

All EDX campers feature automotive-style ‘plug and play’ wiring looms and most are amped up with optional lithium battery systems, and our review camper was no different with a two 100Ah lithium set-up.

The sophisticated 12V/240V system extends to a Redarc Manager30 battery management system, Projecta 1000W pure sine wave inverter and water guage, along with a thoughtfully designed array of switches, USB/12V/240V sockets and LED lights located in and around the camper. Solar panels can also be connected via a purpose-built input socket on the offside.

About the only thing missing is a marine-quality audio system, although it would be just as easy to plug in a portable system or crank out tunes from the tow vehicle!

Apart from the three marine-carpeted external lockers, front storage box and racks, the other main storage area is a large clothes drawer that slides out at the rear. It’s divided into three compartments and accessible with the camper open or closed.

Then there's the hot water outside shower and portable toilet, stored in a side locker, and diesel-powered heater that blows hot air from a vent at the foot of the bed; all fitted standard to the EDX Touring Edition and designed to keep you comfy when remote touring.

Other nice touches among many include extensive use of EPDM automotive rubber seals, to keep dust and moisture at bay; a three-way water valve for access to external water sources and connection of mains water if available, and a plastic, protective cover for the mattress.

VERDICT

It’s unfortunate that high price doesn't always equate to top quality in the Australian RV market. But when it comes to Mountain Trail, it's pretty easy to see where your $60 grand -- in the case of the top-spec EDX model reviewed here – has gone.

The latest upgrades, which boost lockable storage and refrigeration as well as significantly reduce weight, have made what is arguably the best-built, most user-friendly hard-floor, off-road camper available, even better.

WE LIKED:

>> Top-notch design and engineering

>> Attention to detail

>> Remote-controlled set-up

NOT SO MUCH:

>> No audio entertainment

>> High gloss sides could scratch

>> We can’t afford one!

MOUNTAIN TRAIL CAMPERS EDX TOURING EDITION

Travel length: 5.0m

External width: 1.89m

Travel height: 1.4m

Tare: 1100kg (approx.)

ATM: 2000kg

Ball weight: 130kg (approx.)

Body panels: Zinc anneal/ stainless steel/ aluminium

Chassis: Hot dipped galvanised, 150 x 50 x 3mm RHS steel

Suspension: Trailing swinging arm with coil springs and EFS shocks

Brakes: 12in electric

Stability control: No

Hitch: Hitchmaster DO-35

Wheels: 18in alloy, 285/60 AT

Freshwater: 130 litres

Batteries: 2 x 100Ah lithium

Solar: Wired

Gas: 2 x 4kg

Hot water/air heater: Diesel fired

Cooker: Gas three-burner

Fridge: 95 litre Waeco CFX

Toilet: Portable

Shower: External

Lighting: LED

Options fitted: Boat loader, 18in alloys, metallic paint, second lithium battery

Price: $59,995 (As tested $67,743)

Supplied by: Mountain Trail Campers, Albury, NSW

Mountain Trail EDX

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