to download the PDF - Wedgetail Campers

Set up time for the Wedgetail is around
10 minutes from go to whoa, while pack
up is marginally longer. These are solid
times in anyone’s lingo, although admittedly
there are faster traytop campers
out there. If you’re camped in the one
spot for a while, the Wedgetail camper
can also be raised onto four legs and left
in the one spot. This operation takes an
extra 15 minutes, but is handy if you want
to explore without having to worry about
setting up camp afresh every night.
Let’s face it – there are bugger-all 4X4
utes out there that can actually carry
For those who
want the ultimate
in camping, it’s
hard to go past
a tonne without significant suspension
modification. Defender 130s might
scrape through, but certainly the Patrol
and all mid-sized utes won’t go near a
tonne (despite what the brochures say),
without their noses pointed skyward.
So whatever goes on the back of a ute
ideally needs to be lightweight. And this
is why David went for the more expensive,
heavy-duty 60 x 40 box section aluminium
construction in his camper, with
a completely aluminium shell. The bare
unit tips the scales at around 600kg, and
goes up from there depending on how
64
Two 4kg gas cylinders are mounted in
a locked and vented compartment
much you like to take along with you.
The weight is respectable, but expect
that you will still probably need to make
some suspension mods if your vehicle is
factory standard. David has toyed with
the suspension on his Ford Ranger extra
cab, eventually settling on an Old Man
Emu custom kit from ARB. The overall
weight distribution on the unit is good
though, with heavier items like gas
bottles, fridges and water tanks being
placed low and towards the front of the
camper, while the lightweight items are
stowed up the back end.
One of the big questions with slide-on
campers is dust sealing. The Wedgetail
uses automotive dust seals all-round,
and vents are fitted with nifty little dust
filters. On our short road test we saw no
dust ingress, but the true test of this will
be done in the bulldust of the outback.
David has done some prototype testing
up around Cape York though, and claims
that dust was never an issue. Of course,
here at 4X4 Australia, we like to reserve
the final verdict until we actually test it
ourselves in the scrub. So where’s our test
unit David? We want one.
It’s difficult to not be impressed by the
countless innovations in the Wedgetail
Camper. The inside/outside kitchen, the
shower and toilet, and the countless little
design features turn the Wedgetail from
the ordinary into the extraordinary. The
current price of $38,500 may keep a cap
on sales volumes, but having said that, for
those who want the ultimate in camping,
it’s hard to go past.
The holy throne – beats a pit dunny
any day
SPECIFICATIONS
TRAY REQUIREMENTS
■ 2.2 metres long (minimum length). The gas
strut protrudes forward 40mm and provision may
be required in the headboard – or a possibly a
slightly longer tray.
■ 1.79 metres wide (minimum width). Longer and
wider trays can be utilised.
CAMPER DIMENSIONS – CLOSED
■ Length – up to 3.4 metres
■ Width – up to 3.66 metres
■ Height – up to 2.9 metres
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL KITCHEN
■ 80-litre Waeco fridge/freezer – in an insulated
and vented compartment with internal and
external access (other fridge options available).
■ Two burner stove with griller
■ External kitchen bench
■ Stainless steel sink
■ Hot and cold running water
■ Internal and external tap sets
■ Built-in two-way sliding baskets
■ Internal table and chairs
■ Separate internal/external shower/toilet
QUEEN-SIZE BED
■ Hypervent mattress underlay
■ Seven large windows with flyscreens
STAIRS
■ Two stairs with hand support – no ladders
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CLOTHES
■ Two internal/external clothes storage
compartments with built-in two way sliding
baskets and hanging space.
WATER
■ 120-litre tank with external lockable filler cap
■ Pressure hot and cold water system
■ 14-litre gas hot-water system
■ Large storage pod
ELECTRICAL
■ 240V inlet socket
■ Two 240V double power points
■ Multi-staged CTEK 7000 battery charger
■ Deep-cycle battery N70 size (maintenance-free
gel cell technology)
■ Five 12V sockets
■ Two LED lights
■ Anderson plug connection to vehicle
GAS
■ Two 4kg gas cylinders mounted in locked/
vented separate compartment
■ Two bayonet fittings to enable use of gas cooker
in either internal or external modes
SECURITY
■ Fire extinguisher (inside/outside access)
■ Camper fully lockable (closed position)
■ Attached by four brackets with high tensile bolts
FREE STANDING OPERATION
■ Four stands and two cross-bracing arms
included for very stable free-standing use
■ Two winches for easy opening/closing
OPTIONS
■ Town water inlet (and pressure)
■ Dual battery controller and Anderson electrical
connection in vehicle
PRICES
■ $31,380 base – $38,490 as tested
CONTACT
■ wedgetailcampers.com.au or call 0458 493 917