New Perth camper out of the box

Forget about mining... there's a mini-RV manufacturing boom going on over in the west, with some new players recently joining more established brands in the relatively small but growing West Australian RV market.

Niche teardrop brand Cool Beans joined established mobile accomodation and off-road caravan manufacturers Elross and Explorex earlier this year, and now Perth-based TS Campers is putting their spin on the increasingly popular box camper design.

Previously a manufacturer of teardrop campers, TS Campers co-owner Terry Donnell said the box design is more efficient because it maximises interior room and offers sleeping space for up to two adults and two small children.

He said his TS box camper offers affordable camping without all the frills and gadgets, plus the bonus of fuel economy and ease of towing because of the light weight of the design.

So far Donnell, with business partner Sarah Andacic, has made about a dozen box-shaped Koala and Possum touring campers and the order book is growing.

The TS Campers’ vans are between 450kg and 635kg so are well suited to a small hatchback and SUV. Prices start from $13,990 tow-away for the Possum, while the larger Koala starts at $16,990 and the X Series - applicable to both models - costs about $3000 more and adds extra equipment including larger 16in wheels, upgraded leaf springs, and a 50mm ball swivel hitch to make it more suitable for off-road excursions.

Other standard features on the X Series include a water tank, LED lights and ceiling fan, Bluetooth outdoor speaker and RGB lights, USB ports and 12-volt plugs, 2.1-amp sockets, cargo nets, pot and cutlery drawers, The Koala version also comes with extra bunk space for the children.

Options are available as well as custom builds, with one buyer ordering extra space for two mountain bikes and another requiring space for two dogs with a separate entrance at the back of the camper.

Set-up time is minimal and for Koala buyers without children, the bunk area can become additional storage for clothes.

The TS campers also come standard with a large 270 degree swing-out awning with windows and side curtains that can be assembled for extra room and privacy, including creating a covered kitchen area.

Like many teardrop campers, the external kitchen can be built so it is accessed from the rear via a lift-up door.

“We decided to let the owners have their own cooking set-up and place it outside or in the awning space. Everyone we talk to about this is happy with that design,” he said.

There's also space for a slide-out fridge and large drawers for cooking equipment and general storage. A metal tool box on the A-frame holds the awning poles as well as electrical equipment like the 110Ah lithium-ion battery and fuse box.

Each camper can, however, be modified to suit the owner’s needs.

“We work with the customer to make it happen. The van is 3m long but we can go to 4m and we can make them a bit wider,” Donnell said.

“We have customers who tell us the campers don’t only go on holiday, they’re used around the house for extra sleeping room.

“That’s the beauty of them - they are small enough to fit around your house. They really are flexible and very space efficient.”

The campers are designed and made in Western Australia and wherever possible, use parts from local suppliers.

“There are a few exceptions where we can’t get locally-made components, such as the doors,” he said.

“The awnings are designed in WA but made in China and the LED lighting and some of the electrical products are also from overseas.

“The rest - from the box-section galvanised frame I make in my factory unit, to the marine plywood cabinets, the aluminium shell, the tool box and so on - is all out of WA. I’m very proud of that and I think it’s important that buyers stick to local products and keep the work here.”

The two camper models are built on the same platform design with a 75mm by 50mm galvanised box-section frame, leaf springs and solid axle, aluminium sheet and polystyrene cladding over a timber frame - 45mm thick insulation for the ceiling, and 3mm marine-grade plywood for the cabinets.

Donnell said each TS camper takes six to eight weeks to complete from order, and interstate shipping is available.

More info: TS campers