What do you want or need in a camping trailer?

[jotto]

Good day all

As some of you know, we have been building camping trailers (and others) for over 10 years. Now as most trailer builders, we have our designs and models and have made minor changes and enhancements over this period, but is seems like a bit of a stagnant market ito design and innovation.

With this in mind, I would like to open the floor to get some advice, input and ideas from you.

What are the things you want in a camping trailer that is missing/lacking in the market today?
In which areas would you like to see some/more innovation i.e: interior, layout.... or in the suspension, accessories etc.?

I would like to incorporate your feedback into our trailer range, especially in the new branch in Centurion. (more to come about this in March)

Up to now I have designed our whole range to be a blank canvas, from where each customer can decide how there internal layout, functionality and design is tailored to their requirements. Some people like to do it themselves, especially if they upgrade and already have many of the items.

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,

[jotto]

Some of our current range - 3 models availble:

Endura Mini - Unbraked 750 GVM (little brown one)

Terra Firma - Braked 1600 GVM

Terra Firma Maxi - Braked 1600 GVM

[Mad Manny]

I have thoughts on this, will post later...

[HenriSteyn]

When I bought my first off road trailer, it was just a shell, with a roof top rent.

It was a Callenger Wilderness.

Over 10 years I carried out different mods to make it comfortable as possible. One of the most important things to me and my wife was easy access to everything in the work area and sleeping area
.
Thus the fridge, the groceries, the dop cabinet and the kitchen had to be within one step of each other, basically U formed. This was achieved by retaining the slide out fridge, and having slide out drawers fitted into the side of the trailer. The last was the most difficult, building a swing out kitchen unit. When traveling this unit looks like a steel box mounted to the back of the trailer. When camping, it opens left by 90 degrees to complete the U of the kitchen.

I just shake my head when I see some designs where the fridge is mounted into the nose cone. Fun when it's raining and you need to retrieve something. Fun when the sun is belting down and you are trying to keep stuff cold. Pull out push in pull out push in.

My 5c

[jotto]

Thanks Henri

Spot on. I try to incorporate these ideas into the layout when working with our customers. Everything should be easily accessible within reach of where you stand, for the function you are executing - agree completely.

Something like these?

[HenriSteyn]

That's the way it should be!
Right on target.
I will dig out some old photos and post.

[jotto]

Here is a customer's trailer in action - camping on a beach near Luanda

[PsyPhin]

I am not sure if my input will help but here it is.

We were using a town and country with a tenco senior on top for many years. Once we had a 2nd child we starting running out of space. It had no nice things like drawers, slides, kitchen areas etc so we made do but on our last camp we packed up early due to rain and we just werent enjoying it.

I have been wanting a bigger one for many years but a 4 sleeper that can fit the whole family just seemed out of reach and the differences with who has what additions were overwhelming. They are too young for a separate tent. A rooftop would be ideal but one that fits 4x of us was out of reach and we also wanted something that can almost fold out so we dont need to carry stretchers for the kiddies, have to huddle inside during rain.

I just got frustrated sifting through all the huge numbers of trailers out there and got a used companion. Companion comes with a lot of stuff we probably dont necessarily need like geysers, inverters, batteries but they are nice to have. We have built up a side canopy kitchen area, mostly camp where hot water is available, have a fridge slide in the bakkie, have an ecoflow for power, so these things werent necessary when beginning to look around. We just wanted to sleep comfortable and have a bit of walking space but a good deal came by.

So innovation in the amount of sleeping space for families while not costing an arm and a leg by not including huge amount of accessories would be lekker. When I say 4x sleeper built in unit, I need to start considering R200k+ for a very used piece of gear.

Like 4x sleeper on a trailer top, with an easy awning for rain?

[jotto]

Magic thanks.

This is getting my creative thinking process going.
We are int he process of creating a new option for small families - a small square drop trailer - the prototype has now been in use for a year, and have done more than 15k km so far. It has allowed us to make design changes - but this could be a good option for a 4 sleeper (2 adults and 2 kids) alternative....

[PsyPhin]

Magic thanks.

This is getting my creative thinking process going.
We are int he process of creating a new option for small families - a small square drop trailer - the prototype has now been in use for a year, and have done more than 15k km so far. It has allowed us to make design changes - but this could be a good option for a 4 sleeper (2 adults and 2 kids) alternative....

IMG_20241225_075759.jpg

That could be interesting. It just seems that in the market, the more space you have in the trailer for sleeping, the more features you have to stuff in and return, pay for. If that trailer can fit my family with some drawers I see and an awning attached to that already covered back door for a bit of rain shield then awesome. Add some lights built in that can fit a power bank to charge, a foldable shelf or 2 for odd items and a bag.

[jotto]

Exactly.
This little trailer comes in at 600Kg loaded! It sleeps two people comfortably - I even have an aircon inside

Full kitchen at the back, lots of packing space - huge nose cone. I have however opted to put our fridge in the nosecone, as it is a 90l, but in the production model there is an option for either an upright or drawer fridge in the kitchen.

There are clothing cupboards inside, enough for the two of us for a 4 week trip. Lots of other storage for instance behind the headboard. There we keep extra blankets and equipment.

The only thing that currently goes on the back of the bakkie is the protapotty for swambo.

I only had time to make an awening on the one side, but the production model will come standard with built-in awnings on both sides. This trailer will have a number of new innovation/innovative features.

It typically takes us longer to select the position and direction of the trailer than "setting up" - setup is under 2 minutes...

Add a RTT clamshell on top and you have plenty of space for the kids as well.

[Disco Nic]

Thanks Henri

Spot on. I try to incorporate these ideas into the layout when working with our customers. Everything should be easily accessible within reach of where you stand, for the function you are executing - agree completely.

Something like these?

I like this. A lot.

On my Echo4 I HATE that my fridge sits in the nose cone which requires extra walking to get anything out of it. Also means that, unless I bring an awning the fridge will never really sit in the shade. I’m probably going to have to change my nose cone, to build out a fridge slider on the Kitchen Side.

[Mad Manny]

Good Thread Jotto & some great feedback.
Let's start by asking what campers would LIKE, in a Off Road Trailer, in a perfect world:
* A compact, well-priced trailer
* Quick & easy set-up
* Lightweight
* Tough (Can traverse the rough stuff)
* Well laid out.
* Customizable (everyone is different).
* Packing space
* A decent amount of water (110
Then, ideally, things like:
* Hot water
* Off Grid power system
* Awning.

Now obviously, many of those are mutually exclusive.
Cheap & light is probably not going to be tough.
Compact & lots of storage are at odds with one another.
So it's not easy.

In my next post, I'll list a few thoughts...

[Mad Manny]

The guys above have covered a few of the irritations.
At the one Outdoor show they had a GT camper with the fridge on one side & the kitchen on the other.
Which, as mentioned above - is just stupid.

I bought the old Conquest & slowly 'renovated it.
Moved the fridge from sliding out the backside to sliding out the same side as the kitchen.
In fact, many of the changes I made, were as per the Metalian Maxi.

Worst thing for camping is Ammo boxes.
Best thing is slide out drawers.

Gas bottlemust be close to stove.

Mate bought a new Conqueror compact, you have to take the gas bottle out, take it to the back where the stove is & then place it on the ground & connect it.
Meanwhile, the Geyser pops up out of the nose cone & used the other gas bottle.

My advice:
Make a costomisable base model. The Base.
Then let them add the things they like.
Psyphin doesn't care for a 12v system.
I actually don't care for hot water supply.
Others may not need water at all.

So sell a base version & then the fully loaded version.
Then they can order the options as desired.
Kinda like the motor manufacturers do:
You get the L, the LE, then the GL, then the GLE & finally the GLX.

[AndreasR]

Personally a gas bottle and a fixed gas cooker are the biggest waste of space in a trailer. As is a geyser.

I use a butane cooker. It always works. I can put it anywhere and it heats water.