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Reviewed: MDC Campers Jackson Forward Fold

How MDC’s latest forward-fold camper surprised the hell out of me.

 

First impressions make a difference and, as part of MDC’s Luxurious Touring Series range, the Jackson Forward Fold camper looks impressive. The rugged mud terrain tyres wrapped around trick alloys and the streamlined shape adds up to a tidy appearance. I took it to the Victorian High Country for a couple of days to see if it could handle it. I admit it, as an entry-level hard floor that’s one of the lowest-priced on the market, I was a little concerned it would all go pear-shaped…

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY IN OUR ONLINE MAGAZINE

OUTSIDE

While the 2300mm extended draw bar may make reversing the camper easy, it did struggle with the water control humps on the tracks. Consistently dragging across the top of them caused the jockey wheel handle to snap off meaning I couldn’t unhitch for two days. Still, the added length allows a large front box with multiple storage spaces. It hides a fridge slide, a smaller slide-out drawer and provides storage for the poles while another shelved section has a 12V point. Behind the stone guard is provisioning for two jerry cans and two 4kg LPG bottles that are plumbed to the rear of the camper.

 

The slide-out stainless steel kitchen contains a SMEV three burner stove and sink that’s hooked up to the water tank via an electric pump. A slide-out shelf provides added prep space and two drawers suitable for cutlery and other utensils. Six external 12V points are spaced around the camper to plug external lighting into as there are none hardwired. I liked the ability to lock the kitchen in place when open and secure it when closed and the support leg stability.

 

The nerve centre is nice and neat with all the switches for power, a 12V point, 30A battery management system, water level indicator (viewable when filling the tank), and volt/amp meters. It also houses a breaker for the Anderson plug connection on the draw bar. The rear of the camper is nicely dressed with twin spare wheels on a sturdy frame and two rated recovery points with bow shackles.

 

INSIDE

 

When the Jackson is fully set up including the awning, there’s an amazing 18 square metres of living space. A queen sized foam mattress graces the sleeping section and can be closed off with a handy privacy screen. The U-shaped seating area is a good size although the adjustable height table is small. It also converts to a double sized bed, perfect for kids to enjoy a good night’s sleep. The 80’s velour coverings are definitely, ah, a bit retro. Rolling up the wall and door opens up the lounge giving a real indoor-outdoor feel. All windows have internal and external curtains with midge proof screens.

 

The internal side support pole on the door side can be changed to a vertical position, with a footing in place to secure it. I thought the opposite side needed this feature too, as the pole is uncomfortable to lean against. As with most forward-fold campers, there is very little storage under the lounge as it is taken up with two 100AH batteries, a 1000W modified sine inverter, 240V battery charger, radio, speaker and two wheel arches.

 

Two 12V power outlets are very handy, a couple of USB power outlets would add value. The three portable LED strip lights supplied need to be plugged into 12V outlets. Hardwiring the internal lighting would solve this problem.

 

UNDERNEATH

 

The 3mm hot dip galvanised chassis hosts the body, constructed with 2mm steel and coated in a 2-PAK gloss finish. The independent trailing arm suspension with dual gas shockers and coil springs handled the High Country terrain admirably and the 10in electric brakes coped with slowing the camper down on the steep inclines without a worry.

 

The Poly-block coupling did its job on the off-camber tracks allowing smooth articulation. The 80L stainless steel water tank sits at the rear and everything else is nicely tucked away. Heavy-duty adjustable drop-down stabiliser legs sit on each corner giving easy levelling.

 

STEP UP & PULL DOWN

 

Set up was quick ‘n’ easy. Drop the legs and release the gas strut assisted boat rack. With no weight it rises fairly quickly and kept me on my toes, a strap would be handy to control the rack; or you could just tie a bit of rope on yourself.

 

From there, release the catches for the roof, connect the front winch, slacken the rear winch. The roof folds back as you wind from the front and after extending the internal support poles the tent section is complete. With two people on the job it’d be even quicker.

 

The awning diagram left me confused, and I gave up, unable to work it out.  I was instructed to lay the poles out and use the numbers on the poles to figure out where they go. A few poles were missing numbers adding to my confusion. I thought it strange that the ensuite tent attaches to the annexe on the opposite end to the plumbed water and LPG points.

 

Pull down was a little more difficult on my own. Folding up the camper was easy, it was just the reverse of setup, the roof rack again was a challenge. Stretch to kick out the lock bolts with my feet then work out to close the rack fully. If I let go, the gas struts would pull it open again. A strap would solve this issue too. I ended up hooking the rear winch up to the rack just enough to hold it until I could pull it closed.

 

VERDICT

 

The idea of forward-fold campers that offer somewhere to sleep and sit all on the same footprint is brilliant. However, the sacrifice is storage space. Hard floor campers have loads of space under the bed, this is lost and there isn’t an easy way to get that storage space back. With that said, this is not exclusive to MDC, more of a design observation. The current package includes the annex walls and ensuite privacy room, portable toilet and gas hot water unit.

 

I would like to see a 240V inlet as standard and maybe increase the height of the camper sides by 30cm and, in turn, the seating by 30cm. With false flooring in the seat bases, crucial storage space will be created. The Jackson is an extremely capable entry-level camper trailer that handled the High Country tracks with aplomb. Throwing in a load of added extras at a bargain price represents great value for money.

 

SPECIFICATIONS: MDC Jackson Front Fold

CHASSIS: 100 x 50 x 3mm RHS drawbar, 70 x 50 x 3mm chassis & cross beams

DIMENSIONS: 5.2m overall length, 1.8m width, 2200 x 1800 x 625mm trailer, 4150 x 1750 x 2150mm opened trailer

COUPLING: Poly block off-road coupling

RIMS & TYRES: 4 x 16in 6-stud LandCruiser steel wheels with 265/75R16 LT MT

SUSPENSION: Independent trailing arms with dual shock absorbers and coil springs

WATER: 80L steel

POWER: 2 x 100AH batteries, 30 amp BMS, 180W solar panel

LIGHTING: 3 x LED light strips

CANVAS: 16oz Closeweave

WEIGHT: 1330kg tare, 160kg ball, 1900kg ATM

BRAKES: 10in electric brake drum

PRICE: from $15990

 

PROS:

  • Quick to set up
  • Fridge slide to suit several different fridges
  • Rolling up the side wall opened up the space
  • Good seals prevented dust or water ingress.
  • Easy to tow

 

CONS:

  • Boat rack requires a strap to ease opening and closing
  • Distinct lack of storage for large items
  • No 240V inlet to run the battery charger
  • Setting up the awning is overcomplicated
  • Issues with opening the rear door on my Prado due to the hand winch

 

For more information, visit MDC Camper Trailers and Offroad Caravans

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Reviewed: AOR Matrix Pop Top

The AOR Matrix… good enough to be a movie but best taken camping.

 

Matrix can mean many things, but I’m going to bastardise the Oxford Dictionary definition by dropping in the words ‘camper’ and ‘adventure’. Matrix: A camper in which adventure is shaped. And I can tell you the name fits this definition – so expect a most excellent adventure with the one of these things. Steve Budden, a fitter and turner, inventor and avid tourer, set out to design a great product to stand the test of time travelling on the dusty, corrugated roads of the Aussie Outback. Seventeen years later multiple AOR camper models can be seen regularly travelling the roughest of roads that this country can dish up.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY IN OUR ONLINE MAGAZINE

The Matrix Pop Top sits in the middle of the AOR line-up. It has many of the features of the top-of-the-line Aurora but also shares some that make its smaller sibling, the Odyssey, so nimble. I didn’t get the chance to take the Matrix out on any punishing tracks for the review, but later in the day I took the AOR Odyssey on tracks that would have the average 4X4 think twice before attempting the same route without a trailer. It performed flawlessly.

 

The Matrix and Odyssey share the same independent suspension for control and strength in all conditions, and the 1,950mm-wide body is designed to follow your vehicle wherever you point it. I have spoken to numerous owners who all talk about the great quality of the campers and the excellent after-sales service of the AOR brand. As the owner, Steve is still very much involved in the picture; he can be found answering questions on the web forum and attending AOR meet-ups around the country.

 

OVERVIEW

AOR campers are made on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland from Australian-sourced products. There is a lot of innovation that goes into each of these campers but each component goes through a rigorous testing regime before implementation. How many campers do you know of that are pressure-tested to prevent dust ingress before leaving the factory?

 

To build a pop-top camper that will withstand many years and thousands of kilometres of corrugated roads requires a special understanding of the forces acting upon the van. AOR off-road trailers are built to cope with Aussie conditions by strengthening the chassis and body, and also by securing the pop-top roof to the body with 22 individual points of contact in order to cope with the large twisting forces acting on the camper. Stability of the vans while being towed is very important, so they are designed with around 10% ball weight – allowing for front and rear water tanks, and the gear that will be carried in the van.

 

The lightweight fibreglass body provides great insulation, sitting securely upon its high-tensile steel-galvanized chassis. The chassis utilises a 150x50mm full-length drawbar and includes tow points at the rear in case the going gets really tough.

 

INSIDE

The inside is a superb mix of comfort and practicality. The queen 8in inner-sprung mattress on the left of the entry will allow for a great night’s sleep with plenty of airflow available. Underneath the bed there is 500L of storage in six drawers. Dinette seating with a large table provides easy access to the 110L upright fridge as you mull over maps of where to explore next. The excellent kitchen also has plenty of storage under the large bench and food preparation areas. The 3-burner gas stove gives plenty of options on the cooking front and also provides additional bench space (when not in use) with its glass top.

 

If you find yourself in a cold climate, the Webasto diesel air cabin heater will keep you cosy before heading outside to face the elements. The internal hot shower will be also very welcome. There is also a hot/cold shower on the rear of the trailer. Rather than use a chemical toilet, AOR supplies a marine macerator chemical-free electric toilet with 110L black waste tank capacity. With windows all ’round and plenty of ventilation options, it is a very light and airy space inside the Matrix that is just made for camping in the Aussie bush or by a beach – bringing the views and scenery in but keeping the bugs and weather out. Perfect!

 

OUTSIDE

Should you want to cook outside, there is a good-sized external sliding stainless steel shelf to suit an optional BBQ and various other cooking options. The 4.4×2.2m roll-out awning covers the cooking area while providing plenty of headroom as it mounts off the pop-top roof. There is storage aplenty accessible from the outside, with spaces suitable for fishing rods, tent poles, generators… and even an air-conditioning unit as an option.

 

Look underneath and you will see the 280L of water storage in food-grade tanks and the 110L of black water storage. A 60L grey water tank is a no-cost option; although this reduces the fresh water storage to 220L. The water and power capacity make it very easy to stay at your favourite camping spot for quite a while. The Matrix comes with 2 x 120Ah AGM batteries… although optional lithium systems from Enerdrive are available which are a good way to save space and weight. The batteries have 2 x 150W roof-mounted solar panels to keep them topped up when stationary.

 

VERDICT

The AOR Matrix would make a fabulous off-road van for the more adventurous. Equally at home on the beach, in the Outback or at that remote campsite down a serious track – with plenty of power, water and comfort on board for the longest of stays. AOR packs a lot of features in a van this light and so capable, with great service. And it’s Aussie-made as well. It’s hard to go past.

 

PROS

Designed and built for the Aussie Outback and beyond.

Terrific build and fit-out quality.

Off-road capability is in its DNA.

Will follow everywhere your 4WD goes.

Comfort, innovation and practicality.

 

CONS

Quality comes at a price.

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Pioneer Campers Mitchell

When Pioneer handed over its biggest and best camper, we were more than a little excited. Find out if it lived up to our expectations…

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY IN OUR ONLINE MAGAZINE

Naming your flagship camper trailer after someone as ingrained in the Outback heritage of Australia as Thomas Mitchell means you’d better come up with the goods. We took the Mitchell on a week-long trip through southern Victoria to find out.

 

Originating in 1997 as a backyard business in Perth, Pioneer Campers has come a long way. Picked up in 2011 by fabrication experts Actco Pickering, the operation was moved to Dandenong in Victoria. The new owners began moving the brand in a new direction, full steam ahead. Pioneer Campers has stayed true to its heritage – maintaining complete research, design and manufacturing right here in Australia. In 2015 the Mitchell was born and Pioneer Campers hasn’t shown any signs of slowing since.

 

Exterior

Immediately the design of the camper grabs you, drawing you in for a closer look. It’s certainly easy on the eyes and screams adventure. The body has been designed to give a great mixture of aerodynamics and off-road ability. Being built from a combination of insulated aluminium sheeting and fibreglass, it’s as light as possible without sacrificing any strength. The 1,400-odd litres of storage space in the box arrangement out front left me more than impressed. The two 9kg gas bottles on either side give ample capacity to run the Truma hot water service and Smev stove on that next long trip.

 

The internally accessible pantry is located behind the fridge box. The two slide-out drawers give plenty of space for even the fussiest camp chefs… however unfortunately these don’t lock out, which can be a little painful on an uneven campsite. While the recently redesigned two-piece slide-out kitchen (featuring a plumbed Smev sink and stove) had us wondering why more companies hadn’t adopted such a functional setup.

 

Interior

The first thing you notice when entering the camper is the huge amount of space. The cavernous interior features an inner-sprung queen mattress, storage hatches at the bedhead, LED bedside lights and (in our unit) an optional LCD TV and fan – lucky us! Both side windows and the sunroof on the Mitchell open to allow good ventilation.

 

The lined liftable roof is a welcome feature. It’s assisted by gas struts and it lifts to give roughly another 40cm of headspace and another window. The under-bed storage is huge and is easily accessible from the slatted swing-up bed base. And a rear hatch gives you access to your gear on the road.

 

This sure was an upgrade from our usual swag. Unfortunately we were left longing for the ability to control the electronics from inside the camper; and wishing there were a couple of power sockets near the bed for overnight charging.

 

Chassis

At the front is a DO35 off-road hitch bolted to a huge hot-dipped galvanised chassis. The whole unit is suspended by an independent trailing arm spring/shock setup, soaking up just about anything we could throw at it. Our model FEATURES BFG KO2s and CSA Raptor rims (a great- looking combo, I might add) but these are optional extras. Pioneer says that most people order a custom setup to match their tow vehicle anyway.

 

Tucked inside the rear of the chassis is a 120L stainless steel water tank, with a digital gauge mounted inside; we would have liked a gauge on the outside of the trailer to help when filling as well. A lot of thought has gone into the wiring and fit-out underneath, keeping everything tucked away well. Right at the back, letting you know it’s ready to head off-road, is a hitch receiver intended for recovery.

 

Set-up and pack-down

The best thing about this camper is the set-up and pack-down functionality. It takes under two minutes to have a bed to sleep in and a kitchen to cook on. Simply open the folding hatch on the rear, button the (Aussie-made) canvas down and stand up two internal poles and you’re done. It’s a little longer if you need the quick awning deployed as well; but even that takes no longer than the awning strapped to your four-wheel drive. Also included is a full-size awning for those times where you are in place for a little longer or need more space to get out of the elements.

 

Everything that opens and shuts on this trailer has gas struts to assist it, which means it’s easy for a single person to complete the entire set-up. That’s a big plus for me.

 

Verdict:

The hybrid camper market is somewhat niche at the moment and the Mitchell camper fits in very well. For a camper trailer, it’s a little heavy, there’s no getting around that; sitting at 1,330kg with a 145kg ball weight before you’ve filled the water tank. But Pioneer has done well with its dynamics – once you are up to travelling speed, you won’t know it’s there. It doesn’t upset the vehicle, and off-road it comes into its own… it’s well planted and doesn’t buck the tow vehicle around – and the wide wheel track keeps it nice and stable.

 

Set-up is as simple as a small caravan. The attention to detail and quality of inclusions are excellent. At $63,450 the price is roughly in line with other competitors in the segment, and more than worthy of a look if you are in the market.

 

What we liked:

How well it towed

Set-up and pack-down speed

Great kitchen layout

Plenty of storage space

Locally manufactured

Availability of spare parts

Customisable

Storage space

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REVIEWED: Kelly Campers Glenrowan II

… Ned would be proud

Thunder, lightning and heavy rain did not deter my enthusiasm for checking out the new Kelly Camper. It’s smart, innovative and could be bulletproof… although I didn’t test it for that.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY IN OUR ONLINE MAGAZINE

 

The first thing that you will notice is that the Kelly Glenrowan II is boxy. We’ve all become accustomed to how a camper looks, but this one is different – and it attracts people like kids to the biggest present under the tree.

 

The powdercoated aluminium body hides the fact that the top lifts up to a height that would allow even the tallest bushranger to stand tall inside the camper. The extension of the pop-top requires no more effort than opening the back door and pressing one button – which operates the electric actuators located at each corner of the camper. If you arrive at camp and it’s pouring with rain, no problem; you can sit inside the van, close the door, and still operate the roof with ease.

 

The design of the Kelly Camper has taken old problems and solved them with innovative twists. One example of this is the placement of the spare wheel on the back: It is located in a metal frame that drops down with ease due to gas struts; and putting it back in place is just as easy. But that’s only for starters – it gets better. The spare wheel frame is then used as a step into the camper. The best bit is that if you need to change a flat tyre, just slide the wheel out and slide the flat one in. No need to lift a 35kg wheel! You don’t need to be a weight lifter to change a wheel anymore.

 

The Kelly Camper is fully Australian designed and manufactured. Look around this camper and you’ll soon be saying, “I like that.”

 

Overview

Although newcomers to the world of campers, the Kelly Campers have a solid pedigree in industrial design and in aluminium and stainless steel fabrication for use in testing environments. The factory manager worked on aircraft for many years, where quality and reliability is critical.

 

The campers are designed from the ground up using the company’s own CAD program that allows customisation for individual customer needs. Kelly makes its own stainless steel kitchens from only the best in stainless steel – providing a higher quality product than most.

 

The 150L water tank is baffled and made of 316-grade stainless steel; and it’s fabricated in-house. The Glenrowan II has an aluminium skeletal frame with polystyrene insulation between the internal and external sheeting keeping the camper light, cool and incredibly strong.

 

The independent rolling lobe air-bag suspension is more than suited to the rigors of serious off-roading. The bags also allow the camper to be levelled or raised on uneven ground.

 

Inside

Once the roof is raised, the white interior and four large windows in the pop-up section give a feeling of spaciousness to the interior. The bed is a queen-width inner-sprung mattress in two parts, zippered together, that can be folded over – allowing for a two-seater couch and table to be accessed. Next to the bedhead at the front of the camper there is a small bedside table (on each side), with storage underneath – perfect for resting books and devices.

 

On each side of the door as you enter there are large cupboards suitable for clothing and similar items. Under the bed there is a large linen drawer suitable for spare bedding and towels. On top of the cupboards are stereo speakers and also 12V charging points to keep your mobile devices working.

 

On the left side as you enter, the control switches can be found for the roof, lights, voice-activated stereo and REDARC battery management system. Opposite and behind a door is the 165Ah AGM battery. This is charged (while the camper is stationary) by two 150W REDARC solar panels mounted on the roof. A fire extinguisher is also mounted here for easy access; as are two 240V outlets.

 

The door can be deadlocked on the inside so that you can sleep securely. All the external doors/hatches can be locked – so if you need to leave expensive equipment in the camper while you go for a hike or a fishing expedition, you can be confident it will still be there when you come back.

 

Outside

When the storage doors are opened, a heap of necessities and luxuries are revealed. Firstly the kitchen is large, well made and very functional as it slides out of the front of the left side of the camper. It houses a Dometic three-burner stove with electric ignition, and a good-sized sink with hot and cold water.

 

Did I mention innovation before? The shower has a hard roof that folds out on the driver’s side, with warm water. There can be problems with outdoor showers: Where does the water go; and how do you keep from getting muddy/sandy feet (even with mats under the shower)? Kelly has fabricated a shower tray that collects up to 20L of grey water that can be wheeled away and emptied some distance from the camper. I like that!

 

There are gutters on the kitchen and rear/door side to channel the water away from you if it rains (or storms, as in our case). The awning is by Supapeg so it’s easy to set up. It is L-shaped with options for side walls and even a zip to connect an RV5 Oztent should you need extra space.

 

Pros

Rugged off-roader with many comforts

Great build and fit-out quality

Off-road capability

Can be towed by smaller vehicles

Great inclusions but also some great options

 

Cons

Watch your head when going through the door the first time

 

Specifications

Overall external length: 5.1m

Floor length: 2.65m

Width: 1.9m

Tare: 1,100kg

GVM: 1,900kg

Price: $64,990

 

Verdict

The Kelly Camper Glenrowan II is a solid but lightweight, quality Australian-made camper that will go anywhere. It is suitable for quick overnights but also will be comfortable as the base for a two-week stay. This is definitely a camper that you will see and hear more about. I reckon if Ned had a Glenrowan II camper, maybe he would have lived longer and travelled more.

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Reviewed: TRACK TOPAZ

A camper trailer that’s hard as nails on the outside, but practical and comfortable inside

 

It’s been a while since we checked in on Track Trailers down in Melbourne, but we’ve always been fans of the brand here at Unsealed 4X4… so when Lloyd Waldron, the Marketing and Media Manager, gave us a call recently to tell us they’d significantly updated a couple of their best-sellers we were a little excited. In fact, Pat was on a plane the very next day to head down and check them out. In case you haven’t heard of them, Track Trailers have been around since day dot on the camper trailer market – starting out with their Eagle model over 30 years ago (some of which are still getting around). They were one of the first manufacturers to pioneer independent coil-spring suspension setups on trailers – something that most manufacturers still don’t do today. But we’ll get to the suspension on this thing in a bit.

 

For images, videos and the full Unsealed 4X4 experience, read this in our online magazine.

 

We were really keen to check out the new Topaz model. We’ve had a fair bit to do with these things over the years and we’ve always been mightily impressed, from the first generation back in 2008 to the Series II models they have a long track record of providing comfort and genuine off-road ability… so we were curious to see what the guys had done to improve an already impressive package. So what’s new on the Topaz? Let’s take a look…

 

OUTSIDE

The dual aluminium walls with foam core are still in place, giving the Topaz a somewhat utilitarian appearance, but the main change on the exterior is on the rear wall. Track Trailers have actually completely redesigned and modernised the rear of the van with LEDs throughout and have also included their rear ensuite pod, which provides a double shower room or toilet area. And it has to be said that it is one of the easiest we’ve ever set up. Simply fold the roof of the pod up, unhook the four loops and the room simply drops down and you’re ready to wash the day off.

 

The wind-out awning had us asking why these things aren’t available for 4X4s – they’re that easy to use; and the full-height metal door reduces any potential head-bruising incidents to pretty-much zero… unless you’re a professional basketball player. The pull-out fridge and drop-down BBQ area are all still there, as are the hefty-sized storage boot and handy shelf above the fridge. Just as a note: You can opt for a traditional two-burner kitchen over the BBQ if you prefer. It’s kind of the Track Trailers’ deal. They can customise just about every aspect of their products to suit your specific needs.

 

UNDERNEATH

Track Trailers picked up a contract in the mid-’90s to build military trailers and it quickly became apparent that their then-current suspension setup wouldn’t be up to the task. So they started over with a blank sheet of paper.

 

Fast forward a few months, after countless pencils had been worn down to the nubs, lots of sleepless nights and plenty of ‘what if we just…?’ conversations and they’d come up with what is arguably one of the best suspension systems available on any trailer on the market – the MC2 Asymmetric Link setup. You can see how ‘out there’ it is by looking at the pics and checking out ‘Dr Pat’s’ first impressions video, but let’s just say that it’s built to handle whatever terrain you care to throw it at, and is on both the T-Van and Topaz models. This particular one had twin shocks per wheel. Incidentally, the tyres are ATs on 16in rims that are pulled up thanks to 12in electric brakes. The frame is hot-dipped galvanised steel that’s designed to handle a lot more than fire trails and lightly wooded campgrounds.

 

There is also a pair of 70L water tanks slung underneath that are emptied via a high pressure pump that is capable of delivering both hot and cold water – using either gas or diesel depending on your preference.

 

INSIDE

And as for luxury? Yes. It has it. This is one hybrid trailer that even the most finicky glamper could be comfy in. Think full leather-moulded seats, internally and externally accessed toilet, a range of bed configurations (east-west or north-south for starters) that can be arranged to suit you – King, Queen or two King Singles can be installed. There’s gas or diesel heating and cooking (on a four-burner stovetop) and more storage than a warehouse. This thing is well decked out to say the least.

 

A few things really stood out to us. The first was that everything from the windows to the doors are fabricated in-house at Track Trailers. You’ll find that a lot of campers utilise aftermarket windows that may not fit exactly right and develop leaks over time, so this is an important feature for longevity, we reckon. Second, all of the cabinets and storage areas are actually bolted directly to the frame of the camper, and use drawers rather than cupboards. This means that there’s no chance of things rattling loose over corrugations or washouts when under way and you won’t be bending over to find that widget you swore you threw in before leaving.

 

Thirdly, the door. Yep, it’s full height and makes getting in and out a piece of cake; but they’ve actually had a think about things and hinged it to the rear of the van, sort of like a suicide door, so you don’t open it and then have to walk around it to get access to the interior like so many others. It’s a small touch, but a very clever one. Finally, the bench heights have all been set the same as you’d find in your house. In fact, the makers determined they should match the overall height of the van (that has 2,070mm of internal headroom). But the real reason for the high benches will already be known by those who have spent an hour or two chopping vegies and preparing a meal on a bench that forces you to hunch over – it saves your back from feeling like it’s just been taken to with a baseball bat.

 

It’s these clever design ideas that really make Track Trailer one of the innovators on the camper market – and the fact the products are all Aussie-owned and built doesn’t hurt either.

 

TOWING, SETTING UP AND PULLING DOWN

The MC2 suspension, as already mentioned, makes this a serious off-road contender, and the whole show tows very nicely at around the 1,670kg mark (Tare), and the DO-35 hitch takes any off-road angle worries out of the equation.

 

The pop top is assisted by gas struts and, as you’d imagine, it’s a piece of cake to operate – making set-up and pull-down times a couple of minutes each (and that includes the ensuite pod and awning).

 

This really is about as easy (and comfortable) as camping gets. And the fact that there is a huge list of options, additions and personal touches available to suit every need to a tee just increases the appeal.

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REVIEW: FOLLOW ME CAMPERS pentecost

Looking for an Aussie-built, side-folding trailer built to your specifications? Step right in…

 

While bigger players can mass-produce models on a production line, a bespoke product built by a dedicated quality-focused team is hard to beat. George and Teresa Minaides are owners and operators of Follow Me Campers located at Wangara, Perth, in Western Australia.

 

Both George and Teresa have a simple view – camping should be a pleasure for the whole family and not a series of chores to be performed. After running Follow Me Campers for nearly 10 years they have vast experience and practical knowledge of safe, comfortable camping.

 

For images, videos and the full Unsealed 4X4 experience, read this in our online magazine.

 

They specialise in custom-building quality, heavy-duty camper trailers that can be personalised to suit each customer’s requirements and budget. It’s here that the Follow Me Campers makers begin to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Because George actually designs and builds the trailers, he’s uniquely qualified to offer valuable advice on what can be achieved with a little individualization; or what won’t work, and why.

 

Speaking with George, it’s easy to see his passion for his products and the attention to detail and careful thought that goes into designing each model. George told me about the time he was so excited about a new design concept he was up until the early hours building a scale prototype with his son’s Lego blocks… while the rest of the family was asleep.

Our latest model test camper, the Pentecost, unusually has a side-folding hard floor. It’s ideally suited for a couple; the soft-floor version with a larger, covered area and awnings would better suit larger families.

At 1,400kg, the Pentecost is not the lightest of campers. But it’s packed full of features and has an impressively well-balanced 100kg towball weight – making this camper a good option for all mid-sized SUVs.

 

Fitted with 16in black steel Sunraysia style rims and running Kumho Road Venture ATs, the Pentecost tracked effortlessly behind our test tug (the Toyota Fortuner) on the smooth blacktop. The 12-in Alko electric drum brakes harmonised with a REDARC Tow Pro controller, easily reigning in the weight of the camper with smooth and linear braking that all but eliminated any shunting or jerking in peak hour traffic.

 

At 2m wide and 5m long, the dimensions of the camper closely matched our tow vehicle – so negotiating lane changes with merging traffic and tight roundabouts didn’t raise any eyebrows. On narrower secondary country roads the Gaffa trailing arm independent suspension worked well, helping significantly reduce axle shock over undulating surfaces at speed.

 

Fitted with Kevlar Graphite bushes for durability, and removable stub axles to assist in the event of a breakage, the heavy-duty shocks and progressive rate coils allowed for good wheel articulation in challenging off-road conditions while maintaining stability and control over a range of surfaces… with an initial softness to absorb jolts, then good rebound control helping minimise trailer shimmy and shake over small corrugations.

 

The extended A-frame slows trailer movements, allowing easy trailer control when reversing. It also supports a large sealed lockable aluminum toolbox that houses the hot water system plumbed to the kitchen, and a hand-held shower outlet at the side of the toolbox. There’s plenty of room for storing ground sheets and all manner of camping gear. Protecting the front of the trailer is a neat wraparound fabric stone guard.

 

Maintaining a solid connection with the tow vehicle is vital in challenging off-road conditions when trailer pitch and twist can be excessive; this is achieved masterfully with the 3,500kg rated Ozhitch coupling which also makes hook-up and dismount on uneven surfaces simple (thanks in part to its guided self-aligning slide design).

 

Just behind the toolbox is a storage cabinet for all your awning poles plus a built-in holder for four 20L jerry cans – allowing you the option of carrying more fuel, water or both. Directly behind the jerry cans is dual side access to the bed walkway which doubles as a large storage area – ideal for storing camp chairs etc during transit.

 

Further down the passenger’s side are more storage options with the rearmost compartment holding a 12V-12V charger, solar regulator, 240V charger and voltmeter plus a six-way fuse box and 120Ah AGM battery. Rounding out the electrical system is an Anderson plug at the drawbar, four LED interior lights, a double USB plug and no less than six 12V cigarette lighter style outlets for convenience.

 

Move around the back of the trailer and open the rear door to expose a trick slide-out kitchen complete with stainless steel sink and integrated four-burner stove and grill.

 

There’s a flick mixer tap with hot and cold water and even a clever fold-over bench for extra food preparation space; with under-sink storage for pots and pans. Just above the kitchen is a slide-out drawer with loads of room for cutlery, tinned food and utensils. To the left there’s a large flatbed slide-out drawer perfect for mounting a huge fridge with room behind for storage boxes to house all your secret ingredients for those camping culinary masterpieces. Of slight concern were the rear water couplings at the back of the trailer… which came alarmingly close to the ground at steep departure angles.

 

Below the rear door is a receiver hitch mount, ideal for a bike carrier. Impressively the mount is solidly anchored for strength at two points on the rear frame, acting like a third cross member (as opposed to a short section simply welded to the back of the trailer).

 

Then on the driver’s side there’s another three storage cabinets – the foremost housing twin 4kg gas bottles.

 

Unzip the top cover, hook the hand winch strap into place and a gentle push upwards will see the heavy-duty gas struts do all the work as the top folds over in one smooth motion allowing you to easily control descent to ground level using the winch. A quick adjustment of a few internal support bars to tension the canvas, and presto… your campsite is complete.

 

All fabric is Australian-made with 15oz canvas walls and roof. The rear awning provides a good 4.5m x 2.4m of coverage with the wall behind the kitchen as a windbreak. There’s also a draught skirt for under the back of the trailer and an additional windbreak wall to enclose the kitchen on three sides if required.

 

Step inside and the Pentecost interior has been well thought out. There’s a very inviting queen-size innerspring mattress and a clever fold-down step leading up to a carpeted walkway at the base of the bed – meaning you don’t have to crawl over your partner if you get up early. Contained within the walkway is yet more storage in the form of two long shelves accessible via twin fold-down doors. And you can still access the two storage boxes on the passenger’s side of the trailer when set up.

 

There’s impressive headroom and the 2.7m x 1.7m floor area offers plenty of room for a small camp table and chairs.

 

Simply lifting the bed will provide internal trailer access. Underneath there’s 140L of water capacity via two 70L poly water tanks protected by heavy rubber underbody stone guards. The entry fill points for the water tank use a very clever self-locking door mechanism for protection of your water supplies.

 

With a 75 x 50 x 2.5 mm Duragal chassis and a 100 x 50 x 3.0 mm Duragal drawbar, plus trailer sides finished in .6mm Zincanneal, you can select the external powdercoat and canvas in colours of your choice.

 

The Pentecost has design and style you’ll be happy to show off to your mates; plus robust construction that is built to withstand the bumps and knocks from years of exploratory camping.

 

Starting at $41,450, the Follow Me Campers Pentecost offers good value for money when you weigh up its unusual side-folding hard floor, its impressive features, and its functionality and practicality.

 

For more information, visit: www.followmecampers.com.au