Quick and easy GT Campers

Australia's newest player in the camper trailer scene is GT Campers.  Its on- and off-road camper trailer – and significantly, a Toyota Hilux conversion – represents three years' development and a fat chunk of investment for its designer and builder, Glenn Torrens.

Torrens said his lightweight camper trailers fill a gap in the market for a camper that is quick and easy to set up anywhere.

"There’s plenty of product out there for people who wish to set up in established campgrounds," he explained.

"But in my experience not many trailers can be plonked just about anywhere in the bush or the outback and be ready for cooking or sleeping in five minutes. I wanted something light, nimble, good looking, durable and above all, quick."

According to Torrens, also an experienced  RV and motoring journalist, one of the keys to the design's usability is the fact the tent, awning and kitchen are supported by the trailer, not the ground on which it stands.

Another is its tiny site-size requirement.

"As long as you can get the trailer just about level – use rocks if you have to - you’ll be comfortable," he said. "No pegs mean you can set-up on solid sandstone, if you want to. There really is no restriction due to the ground being too hard, or too soft, or there's a tree in the way."

Two GT Camper prototypes were built and four trips (one to the Snowies, two to Outback NSW and another into South Australia) undertaken to test the durability of the chassis and other components.

"The first trailer was just to see if some of the ideas were going to work," he said. "For instance, it was built without stone shields so rock spray could be determined.

"We wanted to build something with peerless rock protection and although no-one can guarantee 'no chipped paint' or 'no broken windows', this is as good as it gets."

A similar design, was applied to the dust sealing hardware, the 400kg capable vacuum-formed, foam-cored fibreglass hard deck and the innovative pop-up awning, dubbed the bikini.

In all, development covered more than 20,000km, around two thirds of which has been off-bitumen.

Torrens said the result is a durable and well-equipped trailer which includes a galvanized chassis, slide-out kitchen with tap, wash-up basin and three-burner stove, 85 litre water tank, the strut-assisted lift-up hard deck and bikini awning.

Other features include a double-sized flip-over tent, aluminium fridge cabinet with fridge slide, mesh equipment rack, in-tub tie-down rings and carpet, LED kitchen light and three, 12V sockets.

In recognition of the fact not everyone needs a full-on outback cruiser, there's a lighter-duty Trail Pack version, too. Plus, there's a Toyota Hilux conversion that, according to Torrens, is Australia's most affordable self-contained vehicle conversion.

"I had mates asking me two years ago 'when are you gunna do a Hilux?'" he recalled. "That was always the plan – but only after I was satisfied with all the components."

The GT Campers’ converted Hilux is a multi-purpose vehicle that should appeal to a variety of people, and not just travellers, he said. 

"Obviously, it's designed for go-anywhere travel, including places that you really shouldn't tow a trailer, such as in the High Country and the Simpson," he said.

"You're only limited by your spirit of adventure; not by an extra tonne strapped to your towbar, or track damage. It's also a terrific tow vehicle for race cars, fishing boats or motorcross bikes."

The GT Campers trailers are priced at $17,500 and $19,990 (ready-to-tow, NSW). The Toyota Hilux conversion is $13,990 (on your cab/chassis) with a mini-camper dual cab tent/kitchen/tank deal for $7990.

Check out the GT Campers website for full details.