Tailgate Campers

Tailgate Campers produces Australian-made slide-ons and we checked out short-cab and extra-cab models.

Tailgate slide-on campers are the creations of Irene and Noel Ham, who produce these all-Australian products in Victoria.

The couple travelled extensively throughout Australia before starting to design the Tailgate units, so they know what campers’ priorities are.

Ease of set-up and pack-away are paramount, along with the ability to camp virtually anywhere, without site preparation.

The Hams also know that weight saving is important, without sacrificing durability.

Tailgate Campers are built from powder-coated aluminium sheet and tube framing, with an insulated hard roof and optional insulated under-roof panel in the canvas tent area.

The hard roof, lockable side panels and the tent roof lift up on gas struts. The accommodation consists of a foam queen-sized bed that can remain made-up and the tent folds behind, not on top of, the bed.

There’s under-bed storage space that’s accessible from the tailgate floor area and through the lift-up side panels. A pull-out table allows inside dining if the weather’s inclement.

Lift-up side panels reveal a slide-out kitchen with two-burner stove, sink with 12V-pressure-fed tap and ample drawer space.

The fridge slide angles down for ease of access and an optional second fridge slide can be fitted.

There’s a canvas awning, complete with poles and pegs that covers the entire camper side, including the kitchen area. Four stable, wind-down legs, a 75-litre water tank and a 100 amp-hour AGM deep-cycle battery with smart charger are all standard equipment.

The options list is comprehensive and includes an innerspring mattress, additional shelves and drawers, a folding firewood rack, gas bottle bracket, additional power outlets, sine-wave inverter, larger battery and 200W solar panel and charger.

The Tailgate slide-ons are very impressive, bush-friendly designs that seem well made. Check out how they work in this video: