A couple of days ago I posted some images and text about the Flinders Ranges and I was asked to elaborate on my camper trailer some more. So here’s a few pictures I dug up.
See the previous post here: https://steemit.com/travel/@galenkp/images-from-flinders-ranges-south-australia
The camper weighs in around 1250kg (2755lbs) dry; Not loaded, I mean. That includes all standard-fit accessories. Once loaded fully it's around 1450kg (3196lbs) or thereabouts. Of course overall weight depends on the trip I’m going on. A shorter trip means less water, food and equipment naturally. The trailer tows well behind both my vehicles: 2007 Holden Rodeo 3.0L turbo diesel and 2016 Ford Ranger 3.2L turbo diesel both of which are heavily modified from standard.
Confident towing is important both on the black-top and in off-road and low range 4x4 situations. The trailer follows nicely in the wheel tracks of both my tow vehicles so I can confidently place its wheels when doing low range or sand work and I don’t have the issue of the trailer needing to trail-blaze a new path for itself which relates to fuel saving and less stress on the tow vehicle.
Features and capacities
Water storage: 130L over two tanks, both with 12v electric pumps. Both drainable. Front tank feeds main (rear) tank and also provides an available water source for on the road, (hand washing, drinking, etc.)
Battery power: 120Ah (Amp Hours deep cycle) The system includes a DCDC charger to ensure full charging via anderson plug from the cars alternator and feeds all the pumps, lights and 12v outlet plugs.
Kitchen: Fully stainless steel marine-grade with single gas burner and BBQ plate cook top which also converts to a BBQ grill or oven for baking. Cutlery draw, spice rack and storage locker is also included as is a sink and running water.
Gas: Fully plumbed gas system to kitchen via 9kg cylinder stored within lockable compartment.
Storage: Front checker-plate box on gas assisted struts for easy opening, under-bed storage in box trailer, external storage compartments. All storage is lockable.
Fridge/freezer: 85L fridge/freezer on slide from passenger side. (LHS of trailer).
Canvas: 18oz Australian canvas tent, annex roof and walls.
Bed: High density foam queen size.
Fully submersible LED tail lights.
Rear recovery points.
Twin portable/deployable solar panels (120w each)
Hi-lift jack mounted to front.
Mounted recovery shovel.
Mud terrain off road tyres.
Mounted axe
Maxtrax recovery boards
The power system gives me enough power to run the fridge, pumps and lights for about a week. Obviously in hot weather the fridge cycles more and drains the power more rapidly however with a solar panel plugged in over the course of the day I harvest enough power to maintain full battery charge. If charging phones, gopro, laptops etc. the battery works it’s way down to around 50% charge so requires solar input. The longest we have been away camping in it is 3 weeks however we were moving from place to place every 4-5 days so were able to replenish water and food stores.
The trailer is extremely tough and has handled many rugged and corrugated outback roads, beach work and even some rock-crawling. It's super-capable and certainly touger than anything I'd throw in its path.
So, that’s pretty much my camper trailer. It’s pretty cool and I’m pleased to say it's 100% Aussie made which was one of our purchase criteria. At some stage we may transition to something requiring less set up, or not. This one sets up in basic ready-to-sleep-in condition in about 8 minutes and a full set up would take about 30 minutes including annex roof and walls. (I don’t ever do a full set up though). For now it certainly suits our needs.
Thanks for reading.
G