Time to Roam Magazine Issue 12 - December/January 2015 | Page 40

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tried + tested camper review

WEDGETAIL
SLIDE-ON
CAMPER

Camper Specifications
Size: 2500 x 1790mm closed
3400 x 3660mm open
Height: 1220mm above tray
Weight: 420kg tare (basic)
to 650kg (optioned)

Electrical
Battery: 1 X 105Ah AGM
(second 105Ah or Lithium
batteries optional)
Xantrex 40 amp mains charger,
25 amp Redarc DC-DC charger,
Battery monitor, 200w solar
panel, Anderson plug to charge
from vehicle alternator

Water
90L tank,
Electric taps at kitchens.
Total three hot and
three cold taps.

Mechanical
Chassis: Chassis: Aluminium
floor and aluminium walls,
Composite fiberglass hard top,
Stainless and hot dipped
galvanized or chrome plated
steel legs, Insulated walls
and roof, Two-burner stove
internally and externally,
Waeco 80L compressor fridge,
Queen-sized inner spring bed

Warranty
5 years structural and canvas

The fridge space is pressure fed through a filter to
remove excess heat, and this is then carried on to
pressurise the rest of the camper to keep out dust.
The unit is well equipped electrically, with a single
105Ah AGM battery (a second is optional), 25amp Redarc DC-DC charger, 40A Xantrex mains
charger, battery monitor and an optional inverter.
On the roof is a 200 watt solar panel, as well as
an Anderson connection to the vehicle’s alternator
(the solar taking charge when the engine stops). The
panel can be removed before set-up so that it can
continue to top up the batteries in camp. There is also
a 240V circuit for occasions when mains or generator
power is available, with two outlets internally.
Inside the Wedgetail is light and airy, with
large screened windows, two with clear vinyl
covers for occasions when rain is an issue.
The outer panels of the camper are finished in
marine grade aluminium, and the top and walls are
heavily insulated. There is a pleated vinyl stone guard
for the leading edge when attached to the vehicle.
But like all slide-ons, the Wedgetail can be
offloaded onto its legs. These are made from
stainless steel with hot dip galvanised feet, can
be cross-braced for stability, and each is rated
to 1500kg, for a total of six tonnes. The legs are
carried internally, beneath the fridge, and while
having to fit them to the outside adds an extra
level of complexity to the set-up, it does provides
greater clearance for those difficult offroad tracks.
The Wedgetail has been designed to suit
single and extra cab flat tray vehicles. Dual cab
vehicles require a chassis extension or to have the
camper unit mounted to the new trailer option.
The latter is a “battle grade” chassis and
independent suspension. It comes in two draw bar
lengths to adapt to your vehicle and intended uses,
has a solid tray as fitted to a vehicle and has folddown sides so that if you offload the camper unit you

have a large box trailer for other uses. When fully
set up with the camper unit it has a 1100kg tare
and with its additional 120L water tank means the
whole package can then have a 210L total storage.
Wedgetail can also supply you with a truly
heavy duty purpose-designed tray that is
more durable than the so called heavy duty
options available from most manufacturers,
as well as under-tray lockers to expand the
usability of the whole package. The tray also
offers storage for four MaxTrax or similar
traction ramps and a shovel. A grey water
storage tank is also available with the tray.
The whole Wedgetail slide-on camper
weighs in at 420kg in basic trim and 650kg
with all the options. Wedgetail recommends
a GVM upgrade and a minimum of airbag
assistance to the suspension to ensure the
vehicle remains safe and compliant.
This all-Australian built and designed slide-on
starts at $40,789 in basic trim and is priced up to
$56,960 with a full fitout of options. It isn’t cheap but
it’s as good as they come on the market today.

YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER
Travelander Evron 2
If you like campers with gimmicks then you’ll love the Travelander, albeit
that it’s a very practical gimmick: set-up involves simply pressing a button
on a remote and it unfolds from its enclosed package to almost all its glory,
via a huge internal ram. It’s only if you want to add the rear awning or the
shower tent that you’d have to do any extra work. The rest of the Travelander
is just as well equipped, with a hard floor to get you off the ground, water and
space heaters, 92L fridge, huge storage drawers and room for kids’ bunk
beds. It comes in dual and single cab formats with prices from $24,900 to $25,000.

PRICE IS LOWER
RRP $24,900

Carry Me Campers
Web
wedgetailcampers.com.au

$56,960 as shown

40

timetoroam.com.au

Made by Jacksons Australia in South Australia the Carry Me Camper offers what
is essentially a roof top tent sleeping arrangement for two with an attached awning
above a kitchen and storage unit below. There isn’t much fancy about the Carry Me
Camper, except common sense and good planning. The set-up to having the awning
out is just three minutes. The kitchen is basic but functional, with a two-burner
camping stove on a slide-out stainless bench plus a huge pantry. There’s 80L of
water, a single battery and 40W solar panel, with huge storage on the driver’s side.
The simplicity comes at prices from $14,800 in single and dual cab formats.

PRICE IS LOWER
RRP $14,800