Wilmax Off Road Camp Kitchen camper trailer review
Date: 05.06.2012
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The Wilmax Off Road Camp Kitchen caters for beach loving campers.
Expertise in working with aluminium has seen Wilmax Aluminium
Fabricators produce some impressive trailers over the years. The
Adelaide company's latest offering - the Off Road Camp Kitchen -
was manufactured according to one customer's need for go anywhere,
catering facilities with plenty of space and add-ons to support a
range of sporting endeavours.
Bill Drenth, owner of Wilmax and a camper himself, welcomes these
challenges. Whatever can be made from aluminium is made from
aluminium, ensuring a lightweight unit that will never corrode, and
one tough enough to handle the real rough stuff.
ALL ALUMINIUM
When it comes to aluminium, some camper trailer manufacturers avoid
it and others embrace it. Bill and Wilmax are in the latter group,
and that's why the camper's drawbar, chassis and body are all
aluminium. The A-frame is a structural c-channel; the chassis frame
heavy wall box section; and the body 3mm treadplate. It looks
striking, if somewhat dazzling, in the SA sunshine.
The Off Road Camp Kitchen measures 3.2x1.95m, with a Tare of 620kg
and ATM of 1250kg. The running gear consists of Outback six-leaf
suspension, 10in electric brakes and massive, 17in Toyota wheels to
match one of the owner's tow vehicles (not the Nissan Patrol
pictured).
Underneath the body a pair of 65L water tanks are protected against
stones, while the top hasn't been forgotten either with a
checkerplate roof that handles hundreds of kilos, be they firewood,
jerry cans, swags or sports equipment.
You'll notice in our photos that the roof rack has a kayak tied it,
and the rear end is able to support a bike rack. The front end
features a good-sized boot lined in checkerplate, while a stone
guarded lower compartment has space for two spare tyres. Handy for
those unpredictable excursions off the beaten track.
MUCH IN STORE
As this trailer has been designed to use with a standalone tent, no
space is used up for a bed base and sleeping area. This means the
kitchen area and storage space are first class. "The owner wants to
take the trailer from the camp site on day outings, have all the
sports equipment to hand and be able to cook meals easily,"
explains Bill.
Wilmax met these requirements excellently. A Smev combination
three-burner/sink is incorporated into the benchtop, while the
shelving has room for crockery, glasses and utensils within easy
reach. A large 110L Waeco fridge is ideal for a large group and
having a microwave and barbecue on the side of the trailer door
provides multiple cooking options.
Wilmax has kept the majority of the weight low in the trailer
making it easier to tow, so the trailer's checkerplate compartments
house not only the spare wheels, but the 30kg tent through the rear
entry, two 4.5kg gas cylinders and an Optima 170 Blue Top battery.
The remaining storage in either side of the trailer (accessible via
large one-piece gas strut aluminium doors) is vast and well thought
out for the owner's equipment and lighter gear like clothes,
fishing rods, swags and bedding.
"The roof holds the kayaks and large surfboards, while the front
boot is good for tubs to put in wet and sandy beach gear and
wetsuits," says Bill. "We've fitted a shower to rinse beach items
off as well."
CAMP OUT
Having a completely separate tent may be undesirable for some
travellers, but in this instance it has freed the owners to choose
a tent (included in the asking price) that meets their needs. This
owner camps out with lots of friends, and the BlackWolf Turbo Plus
300 sleeps eight, allows adults to stand up inside and has an inner
section that goes up in only a minute.
Once the camp was all set up, one really could want for little
else. A good size table and benches fit in the trailer, and with
the tent erected away from the unit, preparing and cooking food
feels very unrestricted. Shelter from the sun or rain, if needed,
is provided by the trailer's sturdy aluminium door above the
kitchen.
The lightweight Dibond ceiling prevents sagging, and the robust
vector locks, three double power points and automatic LED strip
lighting are all plusses. Beach combers will appreciate the
recovery points and quality dust sealing.
"All these things make us a little more expensive," Bill says, "but
we never want to sacrifice quality. We pride ourselves on building
trailers to be used for serious Outback expeditions."
SUMMING UP
The Off Road Camp Kitchen is a well thought out trailer built for a
clearly defined purpose. Keeping the bedding separate from the
trailer increases the overall kitchen area and storage capacity
enabling it to sustain many travellers.
The Wilmax Off Road Camp Kitchen at $25,500 on-the-road (tent
included) is hardly the cheapest camper trailer available, but its
quality is apparent and it meets the needs of its new owner, and
such things are worth paying that bit extra for.
SPECIFICATIONS
Tare: 620kg
ATM: 1250kg
Suspension: Outback 6-leaf spring
Brakes: 10in electric
Coupling: Treg hitch
Price: (as shown) $25,500 on-road, SA
Contact: Wilmax Aluminium Fabricators, 1/12 Liston Road, Lonsdale,
SA 5160, (08) 8322 6149, www.wilmax.com.au
Source: Camper Trailer Australia #30
