CAMPING
Tents, Swags, Camper trailers, Slide-ons, Roof Top Tents and Camping Gear
If your camping arrangement doesn’t work you won’t have a happy 4WD experience, so we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of different camping possibilities. Some people are happy towing a camper trailer; others prefer a campervan or a slide-on camper and many reckon a tent or swag is the go. Then there’s the question of camping gear; awnings, refrigeration, power, lighting and more – it’s all covered in our Camping pages.
Check out our camper trailer, slide-on camper off-road caravan owners reviews. Contact us if you’d like to add your review; please note that you must own or have owned the camper or caravan that you review.
LATEST ARTICLES
BUSH KITCHEN
Powered fridge slide
Clearview has released the world’s first patented aluminium powered fridge slide that has been developed and tested over three years. It’s available in four sizes – S, M, L and XXL.
Portable Fridge Options
Portable fridges and coolers look much the same from the outside – they’re all insulated boxes with lids – but there are significant differences in the way they work and the type of energy they use. It’s necessary to know something about the ebbs and flows of the cooling business if you want to be sure of buying the right unit for your needs.
BUYING ADVICE
Ute payloads aren’t what they seem
Every ute maker claims at least a nominal one-tonne payload figure and more than three tonnes trailer towing capacity for several 4WD utes in its range, but you need to check spec sheets and real-world tare weights for the true position.
Hybrid 4WDs are the future in Australia
Every vehicle maker is now committed to electrification in some form on all new models. For Australian-market 4WDs it’s a certainty that we’ll see ‘real’ 4WDs – vehicles with true off-road capability – in increasing numbers in the next few years.
CAMPING GEAR
Choosing an awning
We get asked about awnings quite often, so here’s the low-down on selecting and using the right one for your needs. We’ve lived with all types of awnings and we’ve yet to find one that’s wind-proof.
Composting caravan and camper toilet
The Nature’s Head self-contained, composting toilet is an alternative to the traditional cassette toilet, with fewer disposal issues.
CAMPERS SLIDE-ON
Wedgetail Slide-On Camper
The Wedgetail slide-on camper design has been refined over the year and we visited the compact but efficient factory in Newcastle NSW, to check out progress.
Zone Z-UEV canopy module
Zone RV is best known for its high-tech caravans, but the Queensland-based company has branched out into top-shelf canopy and rear skirt modules for utes and converted wagons.
CAMPER TRAILERS
Cub Drifter double-fold camper trailer
Building on the original Drifter’s success and drawing inspiration from market demands for double-fold camper trailers, Cub Campers has released the Drifter II.
Ezytrail Parkes 15 Mk2
At OTA we purposely avoid testing caravans, because we reckon there are enough people doing that. However, we do like to check out the cross-over van market, typified at the top end by pop-top, single-axle units like Ezytrail’s Parkes Mk2.
CAMPING – OWNER REVIEWS
CUB Kamparoo Brumby – Shelley and George
George and Shelley researched the camper trailer market for few years before deciding that the CUB Brumby was everything they wanted in their off-road home away from home.
Vista RV Crossover XL – Tony and Juana
Juana and Tony had planned a trip to the NT and the Kimberley but their plans changed dramatically when their old Patrol developed mechanical problems. They set up their Vista Crossover camper in a caravan park in Alice Springs and waited while the vehicle was repaired. That took two weeks out of the travel timetable and they weren’t sure what to do next. After a chance meeting with OTA’s Darrell and Linda White, the foursome spent the next two months touring together ……..
POWER & LIGHTING
Selecting the correct inverter
Before reliable solar/battery power became available, having a 240V inverter was a luxury few campers could imagine. Now, an inverter is pretty much compulsory camping gear. We’re indebted to Enerdrive for help in compiling this guide.
RV and caravan monitoring system upgrade
BMPRO has announced that its ProSmart monitoring system is available in a Premium version that greatly expands the number of functions it can perform.
TENTS & SWAGS
Thule rooftop tents
Best known for its extensive range of roof racks, mounting systems and accessories, Swedish-origin Thule – pronounced tool-uh – has a range of rooftop tents.
BRS Roof Top Tent
There are roof top tents and roof top tents. The 2021 BRS Off Road model is the best one we’ve seen to date and it’s Australian-made.
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