Mountain Trail Evolution

WE LIKED

• Rust-resistant finish
• Power-packed features
• Easy, one-person set-up

NOT SO MUCH

• Limited storage
• Pricey for a tent trailer

In the ever-expanding world of RVs, tent trailers are usually the entry point for families on tight budgets or those wishing to upgrade from a basic tent.

But they're not always the cheapest option, as evidenced by an increasing number of feature-packed, flip-top campers that offer many of the luxuries of caravans whilst retaining the traditional camper trailer benefits of durability, lighter weight and compact size for towing.

Amongst these top-end manufacturers is Albury, NSW-based Mountain Trail Campers, which currently offers a three-model range of off-road, soft floor camper trailers.

With most construction including canvas work done in-house, the Mountain Trail range begins at $26,950 for the entry-level Escape, rising to $42,950 for the range-topping Evolution. While on the high side, the prices largely reflect a build quality and attention-to-detail, not to mention range of standard features, rarely seen in cheaper tent trailers.

Recently upgraded, all Mountain Trail models now present with gunmetal gray bodies and blue canvas, and feature the same, extended trailer design with in-built stairwell for easy access to the bed.

ONE WITH THE LOT

We recently took a close look at the range-topping, Evolution model which at $42,950, has as standard many of the bells and whistles only available as options on other Mountain Trail models, including innerspring queen sized mattress, fridge, diesel hot water/heater and independent coil suspension.

The only option fitted to our review camper was the roof-mounted, solar blanket insulation, priced at $900.

The first thing you notice about the Evolution is the smooth, durable looking appearance, thanks to the CAD designed and laser cut chassis and body, with its fully beaded welds and 2mm thick powder-coated zincanneal finish.

The chassis is made from extra thick 4mm RHS steel, and it all rides on 2.0-tonne rated Cruisemaster coil independent suspension, with 2.5 tonne bearing stub axles, 12in electric brakes and stylish CSA alloy wheels with new off-road tyres.

Up front on the drawbar is a Hitchmaster D035 coupling, along with a large, powdercoated toolbox, spare wheel, jockey wheel, jerry can holders and hefty stone guard.

One section of the toolbox contains the Webasto diesel-powered system, which in conjunction with a 12V pump channels hot water from the 130 litre poly tank through a flexible shower hose (with hot and cold taps) located in a nearby locker.

The Webasto system also funnels hot air through an internal vent into the main tent area, for year-round warmth – a real luxury when roughing it in the bush! 

SPEEDY SET-UP

While soft-floor campers appeal to many families for the extra living and sleeping spaces they provide, they can also be notoriously fiddly and time-consuming when it comes to setting up. Not so the Evolution.

One of the biggest upgrades to the Mountain Trail camper is the new, folding tent mechanism which incorporates a heavy-duty 2mm RHS internal frame.

Whereas the previous system required two people to operate, the new side-fold system can be safely operated by just one. After the gas strut-assisted frame is flipped over, two pole supports are placed in each corner to finish the job.

All up it takes less than 10 minutes to set up the camper, including the annexe and side walls. Annexe set-up is now quicker too, thanks to new eye-bolts in the tent frame that help hold up one side of the annexe, before inserting the 10 adjustable poles.

The main tent has two entry doors and is made from quality Wax Converters canvas (12oz walls, 15oz roof). It looks like it could withstand a storm, too, with weather strips on the windows, extended side walls, binded YKK zips, and a heavy-duty zip-out plastic floor.

The tent and awning walls feature mesh and roll-out canvas flaps, and an awning mesh floor is now included.

The standard 8ft tent provides ample room for some beds for the kids and their luggage, and good head height and large windows throughout create an airy, spacious feel. A larger, 10ft tent option is available for an additional $950.

While the fold-down steps and stairwell at the foot of the bed extend the trailer by 600mm, it does enable easy access to the queen-sized, inner spring mattress. More importantly, you can get in and out of the bed without climbing over your partner, which is a common complaint with these types of campers.

The stairwell can also provide additional storage space for cots, camp beds or other bulky items.

The bed is protected by a PVC cover, so you can keep it made up while travelling. There's a number of storage lockers and slide-out drawers around bed, and one locker has provision for an optional LED TV on swing-out arm ($1250).

KITCHEN DELIGHTS

Mountain Trail has increased the trailer body wall height by 25mm, so you now have the option of either a Waeco 80-litre or Engel 60-litre fridge on the rear-mounted fridge slide.

Conveniently located next to the fridge is the 2.4m long slide out kitchen, with its three burner stove and sink with mixer tap.

Set up for the keen camp cook, there are three good-sized, stainless steel benchtops in total (including one that folds out on the side-hinged door), cutlery drawers, and a three-drawer pantry for food.

While many storage compartments in the kitchen as well as elsewhere on the camper are relatively compact in size, at least there are plenty of them -- 24 in total, according to Mountain Trail.

Like the rest of the camper, the kitchen smacks of quality, with drawers and pull-outs that slide smoothly on rollers, and metal, push button locks that look like they'll last.

It was also reassuring to see stainless steel locks and latches, marine carpet linings and automotive rubber sealings, as you'd expect of any serious off-road camper likely to be exposed to river crossings.

ALL FIRED UP

Camper trailer electrics have come a long way, and the Evolution is packed with enough gadgets to cover a family's energy needs for days on end.

The neatly packaged 'powerboard' located on the offside (close to the locker with two, 4kg gas bottles), incorporates two 100aH AGM batteries (there's room for a third), 200 watt pure sine inverter, AC battery charger, 20amp DC battery charger, LED control box, fuse box, and monitors for the battery and water tank.

There are 11 LED lights in total, including remote-controlled LED strips for the main tent and annexe. All up there are five 12 volt outlets, as well as a 240V inlet for when at home or at a caravan park.

VERDICT

For the family who wants to be self-sufficient and reasonably comfortable during a week or more in the bush, camper trailers like the Evolution make a lot of sense.

While priced at the top end of the soft-floor market, it features just about everything you'd ever need.  As Mountain Trail's Nick Edwards told us: "You can just buy it and travel Australia in it."

Due to its internal staircase, it's a bit longer than some other campers, so that's worth noting if storage space is tight. With a 2000kg ATM it's also reasonably heavy, although with most tow vehicles likely to be serious off-road SUVs, that shouldn't be a problem.

With its easy-set up, clever design and rugged construction, Mountain Trail's Evolution looks like a great starting point for those shopping in the $40K-plus bracket for a family-friendly camper.


MOUNTAIN TRAIL CAMPERS EVOLUTION

Overall length: 4.95m
Overall width: 1.86m
Tare weight: 1250kg
Ball weight: 100kg
GTM: 2000kg
Main tent (8ft): 2.8m x 4.15m
Mattress: 2.03m x 1.53m
Suspension: independent swing arm coil suspension
Brakes: 12in electric
Water: 130 litres
Electrics: 2 x 100Ah batteries
Gas: 2 x 4kg
Price (as tested): $43,850
More info: Mountain Trail Campers