Cameron Campers

Why we love our Cameron Concept Camper

It’s an autumn day. Jessica (6), Cameron (7) and I are dining on scrambled eggs on our third and final day at the ‘Prom’. Yesterday was a calm cloudless day and we enjoyed a day long hike to Squeaky Beach and a swim in the river. Today mother nature is flexing her muscle as a cold front rolls through driven by a cyclone up north.

Confined due to weather, I’ve seized this opportunity to write a few words explaining why we love our Cameron Camper trailer. Although written by a male unskilled in expression, at least this is a subject I know well. So how do you define love...?

The affair began...

My early childhood memories are filled with camping adventures in a jam packed Chrysler Valiant. Wanting my family to enjoy a modern equivalent, after the birth our first child, the search began. Limited by the usual budget constraints we agonised over the range of choices...caravan, pop top camper, box trailer, dome tent and one pole tent. I needed something for on road that could be towed by my Commodore which provided living space and comfort. A camper trailer ticked all the boxes and we settled on a second hand Cameron Camper made in South Australia. With Jessica still in a porta cot, off we set over the next 4 years on camping adventures across Victoria. Our first Cameron Camper was the basic budget model. It was light, well built and offered a huge amount of living space (36 sq m). Over time I added:

• Custom built timber kitchen (version 1 & 2)
• Slide out storage box which converted to a second kitchen bench
• Storage box on the draw bar
• Gas bottle
• 240 volt and safety switch

A change of heart...

After 4 years I realised I needed an upgrade. Seeking a more modern design, less living space and faster setup, the search began for an updated model. For a long time I was obsessed with finding a poptop camper. Our good friends had a Jayco Flamingo, and one wet winters day our camper sat poised  beside their poptop. With a click of the stop watch the man-on-man race was on. Furious activity followed, sweat dribbled and 75 minutes later we stood proud with everything in place for a week long stay; bedding, kitchen, annex, clothes line etc. Each was lusting after the others setup. Within 12 months both of us would be in new camper trailers (for different reasons).
If you’re in the market for a new camper you’ll understand how overwhelming the search can be. After 12 months I kept coming back to one model, the Cameron Camper Concept Top. I saw it being erected at the Caulfield Caravan and Camping show, a regular pilgrimage for enthusiasts, and could not find another model like it. All I needed was budget approval from the finance manager. Lying in bed one night, obviously irritated by my ramblings, she proclaimed “For goodness sake, will you just go and buy it. I’m sick of hearing about it!” So the next day I did.

Our new Cameron Camper Concept Top.

She’s taller, a little wider but much smarter than our earlier model. Jokes aside, I’ve created a list of reasons why we’re wrapped in our new camper. We couldn’t have chosen our first camper based on this criteria because we lacked the necessary experience.  Second time around we’re happy to invest in the solution we wanted.

• Quick and easy setup. Check out the video on their site.
• No guy ropes
• Simple two stage setup.
  1. Remove the framed dust cover and grab the peg bucket from the toolbox. Lift open the main sleeping section, peg down then erect the annex.
  2. Open the tailgate, lift out the fridge and slide out the kitchen and pantry.
• Huge comfortable bed
• Sleep in 4 directions
• Terrific slide out kitchen with Lido Junior stove
• Slide out storage box with built in pantry
• Trailer brakes
• Swing over steps
• No chance of water pooling in roof and doesn’t leak
• Ideal footprint, fits neatly on caravan park campsites
• Handy overhead storage
• Ample windows and ventilation
• Framed dust cover, which doubles as a roof over the kitchen or a cubby house for the kids
• Perfect size for a family of four, or three if mum wants to shop
• Ability to add some modifications. I’ve added:
  • deep cycle battery for the fridge
  • 240 volt power point and safety switch
  • additional kitchen shelf
  • storage shelf under steps
  • shade cloth awning
  • level to drawer bar

A final word...

It’s only at times like this, as the cold front hammers our cluster of seaside campers on the southern tip of mainland Australia, you understand why every component of your camper is specifically chosen for the task it must perform. Around us are collapsed and uninhabited tents. Sure, this weather is uncommon, but it happens. From the zips, double stitching, eyelets, and Velcro, to the bracing poles, roof pitch, wall angles and canvas quality, its experience and knowledge that has evolved and refined this design. You won’t find these features in imports. Only local, hands on craftsman build quality and features like this. That’s why we bought one, and we’re proud every time she rolls out of our garage.

Here's a few pics of our adventures:

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