Value-packed Jayco rival debuts at Queensland show

Big-selling imported RV brand Austrack Campers is set to debut its latest Jayco-style 'expander' family camper trailer at the Let’s Go Sunshine Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo, at the Nambour Showgrounds (August 22-24).

Similar in design to the locally-built Jayco and Goldstream camper trailers which have been a mainstay of both Melbourne manufacturers' ranges for decades, the new Chinese-built Austrack Stockton camper features a slide-out double bed at each end and a lift-up roof, along with canvas side walls throughout.

Like the locally-built versions it should be relatively easy to tow, with a travel height of 1.74m and a Tare of approximately 1830kg.

Austrack already offers a variety of budget-priced hard-floor campers, including forward-fold, double-fold and roof-tent designs.

But it's the first time it's offered a roof-raising/slide-out bed design similar to the tens of thousands of campers that have filled Australian driveways since Jayco founder Gerry Ryan built his first wind-up camper trailer in a ‘cow shed’ on the outskirts of Melbourne in the mid-1970s, and that keep evolving to this day.

"It's definitely different to any of our other camper models," admitted Austrack's Jordan Veach.

Priced at least $10,000 more than any other Austrack camper, the new Stockton also comes much better equipped than the other six Austrack camper models, with a long list of included features for its current $43,990 advertised price.

These include instant hot water and a diesel space heater, a Starlink connectivity port, reverse-cycle air conditioner, both an internal and external fridge, 280L total water capacity, and a big 460Ah lithium battery system with Renogy electricals including a 2000W inverter.

According to Austrack, the family-friendly camper can sleep two adults and up to three children on its north-south and east-west double beds, which slide out at each end and are supported by twin adjustable poles that slot in underneath the bed base and connect to the ground.

Like the latest Goldstream campers, the Austrack Stockton boasts an electric roof raising mechanism, to make setting up easier, although like most tent-style campers there still looks to be quite a few fiddly set-up tasks required including installing the internal 'hockey stick' supports and piecing together the two-part entry door.

Austrack released a video of a 'MkI' Stockton earlier this year, but Veach said the final production version that will be on display at the Sunshine Coast Expo, will feature a few changes and improvements.

Meanwhile, Austrack continues its quick-fire roll-out of new models with the recent release of a new 15ft Madigan couple's hybrid camper, along with the arrival soon of its new range-topping Canning X19 off-road hybrid caravan.

Once again, the new fixed-roof 19ft couple's 'van comes chock-full of standard kit for its $92,990 advertised price, including a 690Ah lithium battery system with 900W rooftop solar, king-size pocket spring mattress, internal and external kitchens including an island bench, off-road running gear, air-con, Smart TV and an ensuite and slide-out lounge/diner, among other features.

Established almost 20 years ago and kick-started by Queensland-based entrepreneur Linden Lawson, Austrack Campers now offers 27 model variants including tent trailers, hybrids, pop-tops and fixed-roof caravans, with prices starting from $21,990.

Keep an eye on Austrack's Youtube channel, with a full walk-through of the latest Stockton camper production model set to appear in coming days...

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