Adventure Offroad Camper's Stockman
Holds it well. Adventure Offroad Campers introduces the Stockman trailer – a clever unit that’s as versatile as it is tough. The ever-innovative Adelaide-based Adventure Offroad Campers has unveiled two new units, adding to its successful camper trailer range.
The extras laden Grand Tourer is the new flagship product on the camper trailer front, while the entry level Stockman model offers customers the bare minimum trailer unit with the opportunity to choose from a wide range of optional add-ons to suit individual needs.
With a basic price of just under $18,000, the Stockman is ideal for those not necessarily requiring the tent feature of the Adventure range. The Adelaide company offers its Daintree, Cape York and Pilbara models, as well as the new Grand Tourer, with the highly regarded internal bed case that neatly slides out from inside the camper. In the Stockman’s case, the bed case is replaced with a massive storage drawer concealed in a waterproof compartment.
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With the Adventure Offroad Campers range already coming with an impressive amount of storage space, even with a tent facility, the Stockman is seemingly ideal for the likes of tour operators who cry out for as much extra room as possible.
In fact, Adventure’s Paul Tabone goes as far as calling it “the ultimate kitchen and storage offroad trailer”. |
Having not had the opportunity to test one of the units before, I was keen to visit Adventure Offroad to sample one first-hand. Providing the exact specification the customer wants is an important part of the company’s agenda, and the units are well set up to allow this.
“From the basic to the advanced model, all the chassis are the same and all the options will fit on any model,” explained Paul. “Everything is manufactured here on site, so custom work is easy.” So it’s ideal if you decide to upgrade the Stockman to include the tent addition in the future.
The few hours I had with the Stockman at a local camping area revealed what a clever, robust and spacious unit it is.
For those of you with the desire for oodles of storage, this camper trailer is definitely suitable. The slide-out storage drawer is 2100mm long x 1200mm wide x 300mm deep, backing up the 1100L storage compartment on the driver’s side, and the neat storage units in the opposing kitchen side.
With a roof rack carry basket and static boat racks also available as options, the amount of gear this little camper can haul is fantastic.
Fit it in
The kitchen area is also worth noting. If you fancy a quick meal stop, it’s just a matter of undoing two latches, folding down the side panel and swinging out the stainless steel two-burner gas cooker with griller. This takes a mere 15 seconds.
If you needed a bit of cover with your meal, the Adventure Offroad’s roll-out awning (in lightweight aluminium box) can be simply released and held in place with supporting poles.
Once you get the hang of it, this should only add another two minutes to the setting up time before enjoying a meal in sheltered comfort.
The laminated kitchen area has been well thought out, and I found the swing-out, permanently connected gas cooktop allowed plenty of space for food preparation. A reasonable amount of plates, cups and cutlery can be stored in the locking compartments, while a pump tap fills a stowed plastic basin.
The look and practicality of the available stainless steel sink may be a desirable box to tick on the Stockman’s option list. With fluorescent lights, a pair of power outlets and the generally large kitchen area, it will satisfy many people’s needs and then some.
The Stockman offers all the kit you’d need and expect from a quality trailer with an offroad intention: 9kg gas bottle, fire extinguisher, high quality dust seals, two recovery points, LED lights fully protected for dust and submersion, many power outlets, mounting points for items such as a fridge and a 60L water tank.
It also comes with Adventure Offroad’s stoneguard system, which is extremely effective. The mesh guard offers total coverage under the A-frame, attached with snap clicks and bungee cords that stretch during cornering to maintain protection.
As you’d expect from the company’s name, offroading is where these camper trailers are most at home. The Stockman, like all the Adventure Offroad Campers, features a 75mm x 50mm heavy duty offroad chassis, with this base model having a solid 45mm x 45mm beam axle with a 1250kg rating. There is an upgrade option to a 50mm x 50mm 1500kg.
We reached some offroad ground to give it a quick test, hitched it on with the Treg hitch to our LandCruiser, and I felt it would have been happy to handle far more punishment than we could throw at it.
With Paul at Adventure Offroad Campers taking to some of Australia’s most challenging terrain to demonstrate his company’s products (the DVD available makes for impressive viewing), I’d put a lot of trust in this sturdy unit.
Its low centre of gravity, tough zinc anneal powder coated panels, 9-leaf
eye-to-eye offroad springs with rebound helpers and Mickey Thompson Baja MTX tyres (cost option) had me pining for some proper wet and muddy lumps and bumps to throw the Stockman down.
The Bottom Line
There are lots of positives here for those who like to adventure further with their camper trailer, all from an experienced company which has listened to its customers’ requests for bespoke setups to suit their requirements.
The ease of fitting extra options as and when required keeps costs down, as you only need to pay for what you want in the Stockman. There is a feel of quality throughout, and it is always a positive when you are certain it can handle plenty of offroad punishment.
The Stockman is of great appeal to those who don’t need the tent feature and instead want the extra space.
You won’t be disappointed – there is a bucket-load of storage. For tour operators, private adventurers with plenty of gear, and tradesmen who like to eat on the road and offroad at weekends, this unit is worth a serious look.
For more information, contact Adventure Offroad Camper Trailers, 1800 353 561, email: info@adventurecampers.com.au , web: www.adventurecampers.com.au
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Would have liked
- •More time to really put it through its paces would have been nice
By Iain Curry, as featured in Caravan World issue 442, June 2007.