Outback Camper Trailers Walkabout

WHAT WE LIKED

• affordable, entry-level camper
• suitable for some rough stuff
• beds easily accessible

NOT SO MUCH

• will want to option up with kitchen, water tank, etc sooner rather than later

Outback Camper Trailers has been building budget camper trailers in South East Queensland since 1994.

The company has seven models in its range and we looked at the base model, the Walkabout, classified as a light off-road unit with a tare weight of just 600kg.

Targeted at the price conscious it has a retail price of $10,000 with the only option on the trailer we tested the fridge slider for an additional $500.

CHASSIS AND LAYOUT

Peer underneath and you’ll find a 45mm square solid axle with electric drum brakes; the five leaf shackle to shackle springs may be optioned up to six leaf springs.

The purchase price includes an electronic Hayes Energize III brake controller although installation is left to the buyer to organise.

All tyres on Outback Camper Trailers are new, 10R15 off-roaders including the spare which is bolted to the drawbar. The hubs are Land Cruiser style six stud pattern using Ford Slim Line wheel bearings.

The chassis under the box section is constructed of 50 x 20mm wall RHS attached to the drawbar made from 75 x 50mm RHS with 3mm wall.

The body panels are constructed of 1.6mm zinc anneal, and drop down stabiliser legs feature in each rear corner.

The spare wheel is bolted to the A-frame, as is a fridge box with angled sides and lift up doors each end; far enough away from the main box of the trailer to tuck down the camper top cover when setting up.

The fridge box has been designed to take a 60-litre Eva Cool unit and the manufacturer has constructed its own sliding rack to give extra travel outwards.

The release of the optional drawer slider is via a simple but effective lever near the front.

The internal base for the fridge slide sits up from the outer shell of the box. A stowage tray, measuring almost the full width of the outer profile of the box proper, is situated below for tent poles and other gear.

The doors on the fridge box feature a gas strut for easy lifting and twin lockable catches, while the front and the outer shoulders of the box are finished in checker plate aluminium to mask stone chips and dents.

At the near side front of the box a lockable door opens to a void in which an optional kitchen of choice may be fitted. This void runs full beam of the trailer and allows the owner to go down the path of fitting something here that suits their needs perfectly.

There are companies around specialising in building just kitchens for camper trailers and with most, the options are many.

The floor for the camper top extends to the extremities of the trailer underneath and in the rebates created by this overhang, a jerry can rack has been installed each side at the rear and a pair of 4.5kg gas bottle retaining rings at the front of the offside.

Also on the off side is mounted a lockable water filler with hose to a fitted tank, both of which are optional extras.

LIVING UNDER CANVAS

The camper top is constructed primarily of Australian made Dyna Proof   wax converted canvas with 15oz weight material for the roof and 12oz weight used on the wall panels.

The screens have the usual privacy zip up blinds and are manufactured from Breezeway mesh which has the same hole-size for ventilation as the Tentex but is more robust in its construction making it easier to work with during sewing. It certainly looks smarter.

The awning is constructed with Velcro fastening for the later inclusion of outside panels and screens and this may be optioned up further with zips in place of the Velcro.

The awning measures on the near side, 7m in length and extends 2.4m out from the trailer. It also extends further over the front of the camper providing shade and protection over the refrigeration box.

Walking through the large entry to the ground floor tent reveals a floor area of 2.7m long by 1.8m wide with over 2.7m to the apex of the ceiling.

The heavy duty rip-stop floor is zipped in place and has a lip of about 75mm coming up off the floor level to where it joins the side panels. The corners are gathered and sewn to provide positive water proofing from low ground water flowing past.

The end of the tent where it joins the trailer has two zip open flaps revealing insect screened apertures to assist in ventilation.

CENTRAL LOCKING

The back of this camper trailer differs from most in that it has a fold down step leading to a centrally located door in the back end. This allows for easy access into a passage between the two beds.

One upside to this style of entry is the shorter climb onto the bed which is ideal for children as well as adults that may not be sure footed or perhaps are slightly infirm.

Also on the ‘plus’ side is the under bed stowage is accessible from within the tent when the latter is erected rather than having to access it via outside doors and hatches.

It would also be possible to fit all sorts of aftermarket accessories in here such as drawer sets and cupboard doors.

At the front of the passage way is a hinged bench section which can be used as a bedside table shared between the single beds which incidentally are 2m in length, 70cm wide with 9cm thick foam mattresses (a king size bed option is also available).

The aforementioned hinge section opens to reveal the internal void of the area designed for the slide-out kitchen.

BOTTOM  LINE

While the Outback Camper Trailers Walkabout is built to a budget price it appears that the vehicle’s structural integrity has not been compromised in the process.

Only $10,500 will get you off road in one of these trailers; that’s cheap recreational trailer camping in anyone’s books.

And while this is the ‘light’ duty model it wouldn’t take much effort or outlay to spec it up to one that was ‘heavy’ duty.

For further information visit the Outback Camper Trailers website.