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
Dometic fridge slide
Dometic has launched the CFX SLD95/100 slide that’s designed to mount Waeco CFX95DZW and CFX100W portable fridge/freezers.
Dometic CFX upgrade
Dometic has launched an improved Dometic Waeco CFX portable fridge range. Aligning with a new brand promise ‘Mobile living made easy’, Dometic Waeco CFX units now feature the latest WiFi technology, which allows you to control and monitor the temperature of your unit remotely via an app.
BUYING ADVICE
Different 4WD systems explained
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 two 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.
In line water filter
There’s nothing worse than getting a load of crook water, so we’re always very fussy about the source of any water that we put into our camper tank – and we always filter as we fill.
CAMPERS SLIDE-ON
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.
Earthcruiser Express slide-on camper
Earthcruiser Australia has released the US-developed Earthcruiser Express slide-on camper that is said to fit most Australian-market utes.
CAMPER TRAILERS
Stockman Rover camper trailer
Stockman has been producing well-engineered, Australian-designed, compact Pod campers for more than 15 years. The company’s latest product offers rapid set-up and pack-away.
Cub Drifter II 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.
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
Optimising the life of lithium batteries
There’s no doubt that lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries are taking over deep-cycle-battery tasks for Australian bush travellers. The combination of fast-charge ability, deep-discharge resilience, constant voltage discharge, light weight and potentially long cycle life is unbeatable, despite the considerable cost penalty.
Rechargeable head torch comparison
Like most campers, we used to carry AA and AAA batteries with us to power lights, CB radios and entertainment kit, but the increasing number of USB-rechargeable devices has changed that situation for the better. We checked out some quality, rechargeable head torches.
TENTS & SWAGS
Inflatable tent and car-topper range
GentleTent is an Austrian-based company that now has representation in Australia. The GentleTent GT range consists of different air-inflatable models to suit most camping requirements.
Backtrax hard-shell roof tent
Roof tents can be a pain to erect and to pack away, but a hard-shell, electrically opening and closing unit eradicates all this hard work. We tested a Backtrax unit and were very impressed with it.
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