Quality Condor 7x4 Off Road

WHAT WE LIKED

• Easy to set up
• Light weight
• Flexibility

NOT SO MUCH

• Under-bed storage access
• No ladder or step to bed

Max Ring, the director of Quality Campers, has been in the camper trailer business for six years. His Perth-based company is filling a niche at the no frills end of the market and his customers, many of whom live in WA, are well-catered for with an extensive dealer network around the state.

The Quality Campers showroom is adjacent to a busy workshop area, where the camper trailers are assembled from mostly imported parts. The range starts at $4290 for a galvanised box trailer.

The top of the range is this offroad camper, the Condor 7x4 Off Road under review, kept simple to contain costs and to provide trouble-free camping.

The trailer built with powder coated steel checkerplate is combined with a robust axle and chassis construction to produce a light weight camper that is easy to tow. Staying with the keeping-it-simple theme, the Condor has leaf spring suspension, chosen because it is relatively easy to repair – which is important if you are going outback.

The tent is made from 12oz Defab canvas made in Melbourne and sewn in China.

The tent can be erected by one person in just a few minutes. Three tubular struts fold out from a single hinged point and then these only require tightening. Pegs to hold down the soft floor finish it off.

DO IT YOUR WAY

The basic camper trailer on offer from Quality Campers appeals to two types of customers – handymen who are keen to customise a camper trailer to their own requirements and campers upgrading from a tent to a camper trailer.

The handyman group motivated by cost savings or because they have their own ideas about how to set up their rig, get a blank canvas to work with. Experienced campers upgrading from a tent already have gas cylinders, stoves, generators, fridges, portable lights and jerry cans.

The simple stainless steel kitchen consists of a sink with hand pump, a space to put your own stove, an extra bench top area that folds down and a drawer for crockery and cutlery.

The kitchen drawer and the large lockable toolbox on the A-frame are the only storage areas provided, apart from the under bed area, so you would need to make your own storage arrangements. The toolbox might be where you choose to put a fridge.

The main storage area can be accessed by manually lifting the bed (no gas struts) or from the rear of the trailer. Again this would be fine if you had a single destination holiday and didn’t need to pack things up every day.

We liked the pockets on the inside tent walls for storing bits and pieces and the big shoe storage pockets near one of the doors.

CHOICE BITS

Keeping it simple doesn’t necessarily mean there are no optional extras available. One important choice is whether to have electric brakes installed.

Max says that only one in four customers chooses to have brakes, so the majority of customers are happy with the 750kg load limit allowed without brakes.

Choosing to have electric brakes installed increases the allowed total weight of the loaded trailer to 1500kg. Some buyers elect not to use the 59L-capacity water tank to save weight.

There are many other things that you might like to have on a camper trailer, such as 12V lighting, deep cell battery and solar power.

Max is happy to provide these, but doesn’t believe he can necessarily do it at a competitive price. So he more commonly refers people on to other businesses that specialise in these areas.

Other optional extras that are readily available include an awning, annexe or family room. A tropical roof is also available as an option. Depending on stock availability, the canvas comes in green, blue and crimson red with a grey roof.

A synthetic canvas tent in a blue and green combination is also available. According to Max, the synthetic canvas is chosen by the majority of customers because it is less expensive, lighter, cooler, easier to put up, and fine for trailers that will only see occasional use.

The Olsen coupling has a low profile, giving easy access to the back of the vehicle, and is rated to 2000kg. A Treg coupling can be fitted if the customer is happy to pay the extra cost.

SUMMING UP

This a dependable, robust trailer that provides all the basics needed for a camping holiday. It’s priced to appeal to occasional users or to do-it-yourself tinkerers who will customise the trailer with their own additions.

Quality Campers is located at 506a Guildford Road, Bayswater WA 6053, (08) 6278 2999. Website: qualitycampers.net

QUALITY CAMPERS CONDOR 7X4 OFF ROAD

Tare: 600kg
ATM: 750kg
Suspension: Leaf spring
Brakes: None, but optional electric drum
Coupling: Olsen C360D
Price: (as shown) $11,000 (including licensed in WA)