Tambo Campers Cooper

Tambo Campers has been making campers for close to 20 years but have kept a pretty low profile until the last couple of years.

Now Tambo has a growing clientele and a reputation to match, which means they are moving into new larger premises to keep up with demand. Still, there are just two models of camper to choose from, plus a long list of options that means you can build your camper up to anything you need and desire.

While the base model Burra is no slouch when it comes to build quality or features its starting price is just $5140, the more upmarket Cooper, which we tested, starts off at a low $5880.

The first thing that impressed me with the Cooper is the quality and robustness of the trailer. As with any camper trailer it is the trailer section that needs to be tough and able to stand up to the rigours of our outback tracks, and it is here that sub-six grand units sometimes fall down badly. Not so with the Tambo.

The 7ft x 4ft (2.1m x 1.2m) trailer features robust 2.2mm checkerplate construction that is fully welded, then primed and then coated with two top coats of paint for rust prevention and durability. The strength of the unit comes from a good chassis and is greatly improved by a number of strategically placed braces along the sides and even across the middle of the trailer box.

Underneath the box unit is a 45mm slimline solid axle and stub axle setup, complete with Ford-size bearings and a six-stud hub as standard. Five-stud hubs to suit LandCruisers and the like can also be fitted.

The axle is located and suspended by eye-to-eye, heavy-duty, two inch-wide, six-leaved leaf springs rated at 1200kg. Instead of shock absorbers the springs are backed up by a ‘rebound spring’, which sits on top of the leaf pack and helps stops the uncontrolled oscillation of the spring. With no moving parts it’s a simple, robust system that works pretty well.

The A-frame is made from 50 x 100 x 3mm rectangular steel tube and is fitted with a Treg offroad coupling and a swing-up pneumatic tyre jockey wheel. A spare tyre mount sits well forward on the A-frame allowing the mounting of an optional large sealed storage box behind it. Our camper unit was also fitted with a stoneguard frame and mesh.

The swing-open tailgate at the back is fitted with automotive dust seals to stop any dust ingress into the closed-down camper. On the sides of the box unit at the front are provision for two jerry cans, while at the rear on the nearside is a gas bottle holder and an optional battery holder was fitted on the opposite side. Underneath the trailer is an optional 59 litre water tank, well protected behind a sturdy stoneguard. Recovery points and two wind-down jacks complete this well-thought-out trailer unit.

There are two models of kitchen, both of which are options to the camper. The first is mounted directly to the trailer tailgate. The second bigger unit, which we had on our test model, is a slideout kitchen which includes a large drawer, two lockers and an open-topped storage bin. When the unit is fully extended there is a good amount of bench space, but the support leg is required and is a little fiddly to fit.

The kitchen can be accessed via the rear tailgate and is available whether the unit is in travelling mode or the camper is fully set up. A camping stove is not supplied with the kitchen.

The optional standard stove is an Italian Lido two-burner plus grill unit. We would have liked to see this unit connected and plumbed to the gas bottle, saving on time taken to set up the stove for a brew stop.

Another thing I really liked about this camper was that underbed storage can be accessed at any time, not only from the tailgate but also from the side.

When the camper is erected (more of this later) the inside of the box can be accessed from a hatch under the mattress. This hatch is on gas struts taking the hassles out of lifting it. But wait, there’s more!

Even when the camper is packed up ready to roll, or even when the tent is fully erected, access to the underbed storage is possible from the outside of the camper.

Two latches on the nearside of the trailer release the bed support base and this whole base tilts up, giving great access to the inside. It’s a fantastic idea!

To deploy the tent area of the camper is a simple no-nonsense affair. Once the travel cover is removed, the tent floor is dragged off the top of the folded-down tent and then the canvas pulled upwards and over. This brings the internal frame and the canvas upright and into place.

The internal frame is quickly adjusted to extend the roof-line fully and then the floor is pegged into position. Once that is complete, the main support arm for the tent area is shifted to its more upright position, giving unfettered access through the doorway – now the camper is erect.

Doors and windows need to be rolled up or set up, depending on weather conditions, but the whole operation is an easy five-to-10-minute affair from go to whoa. Packing up is basically the reverse of the above.

One of the advantages of a camper that erects out to the side of the trailer, a la the Cooper, is that there’s generally more floor room than if the tent erects off the back of the trailer. There’s room for a table and chairs, or another couple or some kids to throw down their beds. 

The tent area of the camper is made from 11oz Australian poly cotton canvas with strong neat sowing and reinforced pressure points on peg tiedowns and the like. The heavy-duty ‘bucket’ style floor features welded seams for the best in water-proofing. All zips are YKK units, while the mesh used on all windows and doors is very fine to ensure the bugs stay out.

This is a very airy unit with six large windows plus a large doorway to catch the slightest breeze, the windows at each end of the bed being able to be closed from the inside. Standard with the Cooper camper is a zip-on seven-foot wide annexe roof-style awning that can be left attached if need be.

Optional walls and front, plus a draught skirt for under the tailgate area, means that this area can be partly or fully enclosed.

The queen-size, 125mm thick mattress ensures a comfortable night’s sleep, while a step gives relatively easy access to the high-mounted bed.

Summing up

It’s not often you check out a camper trailer that is priced close to the lower end of the market’s price range and walk away impressed. After reviewing the Tambo Cooper model, I realised that it does happen – and this was one occasion I was thoroughly convinced and left with the underlying impression that it was well worth it.

Tambo Campers, 2 Woodbine Court, Wantirna South, Vic, (03) 9561 8668, website: www.tambocampers.com.au

Manufacturer      Tambo Campers

Model         Cooper

Advised Tare weight    530kg (approx)

Advised ball weight     45-50kg (approx)

GVM 1000kg (with trailer brakes)

Base price (Dec 2004)   $5880