RAD camper swims against tide

A daring new streamlined, fibreglass camper trailer is set to make its show debut at Bendigo Leisurefest, which runs from November 21-23 at the Bendigo Racecourse in regional Victoria.

The R.A.D Camper was two years in development and is the brainchild of Victorian cabinet-maker and camping enthusiast Craig Reid.

Blending the simplicity of a traditional Teardrop camper with elements from more modern hybrid caravan/campers like the Tvan, the R.A.D camper features a swoopy all-fibreglass body, Duragal chassis and hydraulic brakes.

According to Reid, the striking, whale-like shape was developed primarily for aerodynamic reasons. But the central ‘hump’ along the rear-hinged, sloping lid is also there to allow room for the raised, queen-sized bed and a flatscreen TV when travelling.  

Setting up overnight is a simple case of lifting the roof, with side canvas with in-built windows and a rear canvas door for protection from the elements. For longer stays and stand-up living space, a 2.4m x 1.75m rear annexe and side awning can be erected.?

The curvy, minimalist camper comes standard with a queen sized innerspring mattress, 1.8m x 0.9m fold-up table, 65 litre water tank, 39 litre 240V fridge, checkerplate front protection, 15in alloy wheels, LED lighting and a basic 12V/240V electrical system including deep cycle 12V battery and charger, Anderson plug and various USB/12V/240V sockets.

Two major storage areas, in a front locker and under the bed, are big enough to carry extra camping gear such as a two-burner butane cooker, portable kitchen and solar panels. There are also some “inbuilt bunkers” above the bed for personal items.

There’s also a clever, space saving feature in an enclosed, under-floor recessed compartment, accessible via a hatch under the bed that houses the spare wheel.

Reid considered adding typical camper trailer features like an external slide-out kitchen and side lockers but didn’t want to fiddle with a “body that’s basically air and water tight”.

“The van that we’ve built is probably more for going to caravan parks than out in the bush, so you can run things like the fridge off 240V power,” he said.

Even in off-road spec the R.A.D Camper is easily towable by many vehicles including small cars.  The on-road version has a Tare weight of just 490kg, and ATM of 750kg, while the off-road version weighs around 640kg unloaded.

It also has a compact footprint, at 4.3m long, 1.86m wide, and 1.54m at its highest point.

Reid had previously built a fifth-wheeler caravan, owned a tent trailer, and worked for a time at Goldstream RV, before coming up with the idea for a lightweight 'glamping' trailer.

“Both my wife and I like to camp, but I’m getting a bit old for tents,” he explained. “What I wanted was a lightweight, aerodynamic, fuel-efficient, fast to set up ‘van and I’ve come up with this.”

The camper is built in Victoria's Gippsland region using a range of local suppliers, including a fibreglass manufacturer.
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Along with the original on-road camper, R.A.D Campers will also unveil its latest off-road version at Bendigo, with heavy-duty suspension, bigger wheels and a new fibreglass floor.

Pricing starts at $25,000 for the on-road version, up to $29,900 for the ‘no options’ off-roader.

As for the R.A.D name, Reid said it was originally chosen as shorthand for radical. But he’s since fielded suggestions it could also stand for ‘Relax. Adventure. Discover’, ‘Relaxed Aussie Drifter’ or even ‘Randy and Desperate’.

For further details visit the R.A.D Campers website.