Wedgetail Camper

WE LIKED

• Quality build
• Functional layout, inside and out
• Relatively spacious interior

NOT SO MUCH

• Bit pricey especially when desirable options added
• Haphazard cooker storage

When company owner and lifetime camper David Hazlewood pulled up in his Ford Ranger extra cab to show us around his Wedgetail camper, what immediately became apparent was the impressive attention to detail on this feature-packed, Newcastle-built slide-on.

Ranging from the high standard of welding on the box section aluminium chassis to the marine grade fittings on the exterior, this slide-on camper oozes quality.

Several years’ research and plenty more using other campers led Hazlewood to finally build and release his own design in 2009. The result is a carefully thought-out product with several outstanding features.

The two berth layout is squarely aimed at adventurous couples with a queen sized bed that flips out to the side, but the main living quarters could accommodate a couple of singles if you wanted to bring the kids along.

Cooking for them can be done both inside and out, thanks to gas bayonets in each area and cleverly the Waeco fridge can be accessed from both spots as well.

Then, there’s the unusual flip down rear section which houses the canvas wall bathroom and gives useful extra floor space. The list goes on...

SWIFT SET-UP

After pulling the ute’s handbrake it should take about 15 minutes to the have the Wedgetail fully ready. We unclipped the back bathroom section and then wound over the roof on its gas strut, before unfolding the alloy steps to climb inside.

Once there we clipped together the alloy poles supporting the Australian made canvas canopy. Inside were several surprises, the first being the vast interior head space – ideal for reducing humidity – and the large surrounding windows, protected with fine mesh and clear vinyl. 

In addition the roof has been given a dual canvas layer to further insulate the living quarters.

Over at the bed, the queen sized mattress is securely fastened to the roof platform and encased in heavy duty vinyl to ensure a watertight seal on the sprung mattress. When folded back for sleeping the vinyl acts as a watertight barrier between the mattress and the canvas.

The mattress itself has been customised with a single insulation layer to reduce humidity and weight. Other nice details in the bedroom include LED reading lamps and large windows, perfect for those steamy Kimberley nights.

HANDY LIVING

The living area comprises a two seat dinette, which adjoins the front facing sink with the main work surface beside the bed. This is where a gas bayonet allows for inside cooking.

Opening the forward work surface hatch reveals the Waeco 80 litre fridge which David says can hold a 103 stubbies (try telling the missus that!). Cupboard space is good all around with inside-outside access to the pantry and, under the sink, stainless steel tie downs for an optional generator (ideally 2kw). DC lighting is via several LED strip lights and spotlights.

Understandably the inside walkway is narrow, allowing only a single adult to move around but the rear located cooker does mean a couple can function together in the kitchen.

Toward the back of the living area is an appealing, spacious rear section with canvas bathroom and entrance. A zipped door and window gives privacy for ablutions while the toilet cassette is portable so can be deployed from both inside and out.

The pressured shower with fibreglass drip tray is fed by a 14 litre Truma gas hot water system and can be used outside as well.

Further comfort for year-round camping is provided by the diesel-powered heater that gave out an impressive 22 degrees within 20 minutes of activation when we tried it.

ALFRESCO DINING

The tropics would be the natural home of the Wedgetail thanks to its abundance of external features including the camp kitchen located under the shade of the main roof.

Further weather protection is via a veranda track for a canvas awning with options to seal the entire area with sides if you wish.

Opening the pantry hatch reveals two rows of storage and the hatch cover houses the two burner gas cooker and grill. Unfortunatley, storage here looks like an afterthought as it sits at an angle above the legs (used for self-standing).

Alongside, in the forward hatch the Waeco is unlocked and swung out 90 degrees and hey presto, dinner is underway with hot and cold taps nearby as well.

This forward hatch area houses all the electricals including a 40amp Xantrex battery charger. There’s also a clever vent system for pressurising the inside of the camper which, when combined with rubber seals on all hatches, helps keep out the dreaded bulldust.

The driver’s side contains four hatches and the external power and water connections. Sensibly, the forward hatch contains the heavy gas bottles, ensuring weight is to the front, and behind this is a three drawer storage rack cupboard which also contains the main winching mechanism for the roof.

Another back hatch opens to reveal outside access to the shower and removable toilet cassette, and below this is a large grey water holding tank. Another good feature is the secure hatch for valuables which has inside-out lockable doors.

ONE STURDY UTE REQUIRED...

Closing up the Wedgetail takes somewhat longer than setup but didn’t prove onerous with the top canvas only requiring a single tuck all round before the two clips were shut.

Similarly the flip-up back section canvas tucked easily, before the handle was inserted to turn the mechanism.  This section also contains ample trunk storage for outdoor chairs and tables.

Storage and self-standing options are also good with sturdy box section legs, so you can leave base camp and return without much drama. For storage the legs can be optionally fitted with wheels, for moving around on hard surfaces.

Most one tonne utes with single or extra cab layouts should be able to accommodate the Wedgetail’s dimensions (1.79m wide by 3.4m long). 

Despite the Wedgetail weighing in at a lightweight 420kg as a basic unit and moving up to 650kg fully specified, Hazlewood advises that most utes will require some sort of suspension upgrade, and an ARB kit was fitted to his Ford Ranger.

Construction wise, more expensive aluminium 60x40 box section is used instead of heavier mild steel and the honeycombed fibreglass panels have been designed to flex (rather than buckle on those endless corrugations) thanks to aviation grade glues.

Fixtures and fittings throughout are top quality with stainless marine grade cable holding the opening platforms and the level of matching on all surfaces is excellent.

VERDICT

The name pretty much says it all because the Wedgetail is a rare bird in the emerging slide-on category, thanks to a number of handy features including ensuite bathroom and top-notch build.

The Wedgetail may not be the cheapest on the market when compared to brands like Trayon, 3Dog etc, but its quality construction and layout make it a serious contender for those willing to spend a bit more to get a bit more.

To soar like an eagle on those quiet back tracks, all you need is a one tonne ute...


WEDGETAIL SLIDE-ON CAMPER

External length (closed): 2.2m (plus 40mm gas strut)
External width (closed): 1.79m
Height (closed): 1.22m
External length (open): 3.4m
External width (open): 3.66m
External height (open): 2.9m
Weight: 420kg dry (620kg fully specified)
Cooktop: Two burner gas with grill (portable)
Fridge: Waeco 80 litre
Gas: 2 x 4kg
Lighting: 12V LED
Toilet: Cassette
Shower: Separate/toilet cubicle
Hot water: Truma 14 litre
Freshwater: 90-180 litre
Price:  from $38,879
Supplied by: Wedgetail Campers, Newcastle, NSW