Camper Trailer Weights and Towing Capacity Jargon Explained
Camper Trailer Weights and Towing capacity Jargon When you first start searching for a new camper trailer, you may not be familiar with the industry lingo and jargon, and it can get pretty confusing. The following information is essential in choosing the appropriate vehicle/camper trailer combination. That is, a camper trailer that meets your family’s needs while also being able to be legally and safely towed by your current vehicle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swUDFWQ5QhI Let’s say the towing capacity of your vehicle says it has a braked capacity of 3,000 kg. You might think, wow, I can just buy the best camper I can afford with all the bells and whistles. This might be an option. However, there is more to consider – and if you get it wrong you may not be able to take anything else with you, not even your children. Let’s get back to basics and define some key weight terminology to help demystify the selection process so you know how much you will be able to handle. So – How much can you really tow, what’s a GTM and GVM and more? *note: this information is broad in nature. If you are unsure of any of your weight limits, please contact the manufacturer of the vehicle to confirm your limits. Towing a trailer over you capacity is not only illegal – but also incredibly dangerous – so make sure you get this right! First, Let’s define some weight terminology Payload Payload is the vehicle’s carrying capacity, calculated by subtracting KW from GVM. The maximum weight of extras that you can pack in your vehicle is the total weight of passengers, luggage, and tow-ball load. Towing Capacity This is dictated by the manufacturer, who takes into account factors including the design of the vehicle and the weight on the rear axle as well as the capacity of the tires to determine how heavy a trailer will be on a vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers equate towing capacity to ATM. Kerb weight (kw) The weight of your tow vehicle, unloaded, with no passengers but with a full tank of petrol. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) This is the maximum permissible weight of your vehicle including all passengers, payload, accessories, roof racks, everything on your vehicle – including the tow ball weight. Tow ball mass (TBM) When hitched to your tow vehicle – the Tow ball mass in the percentage of weight exerted onto the vehicle’s tow ball from the camper. This can be up the 10% of the maximum towing specifications of the camper trailer. TBM will eat into your vehicle’s carrying capacity as this amount of weight must be deducted from your overall payload in the tow vehicle. (Including the weight of passengers etc.) Tare weight (tare) The tare weight is the weight of the camper trailer as delivered from the manufacturer, empty, and without any extra accessories, water in the tanks, gas bottles etc. This weight is listed on your compliance plate. Aggregate trailer mass (ATM) The ATM is the maximum combined weight of the camper trailer, including a full payload, fluids, everything that is on the trailer, including the tow ball mass when it is NOT coupled to a vehicle. Gross trailer mass (GTM) The GTM is the maximum combined weight of the camper trailer (and can be thought of as the ATM), including a full payload, fluids, everything that is on the trailer, including the tow ball mass when it is coupled to a vehicle. This weight is listed on the compliance plate. Combination mass (CM) The Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is defined by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is the maximum limit of your combined rig (Tow vehicle and Camper Trailer) can weigh at any time. When you add your Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and your and your GTM (Gross Trailer Mass), the combined figure is your rig’s Combination Mass (CM) (GCM = GVM + GTM) The CM of your complete setup must not exceed the GCM specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer. Putting it all together. What does it all mean? Putting all this together can seem overwhelming, but it is easier than it looks. Basically, you need to do a couple of calculations during the buying process to figure out what camper trailer you can tow safely. The two most important equations you need to remeber are: GCM = GTM + GVM: This gives you the Maximum Combination Mass. The total weight of your tow vehicle, the trailer, and everything you intend to carry – including people. GCM – GVM = GTM: This gives you the maximum weight your vehicle can tow, The combined mass, minus the full weight of your tow vehicle which could end up being considerably less than the maximum specs dictate – so allow room for what you need to pack. G An example: 2021 Subaru Outback 3.6R AWD Let’s do an example together. Let’s look at the 2021 Subaru Outback 3.6R AWD – This has a Kerb weight (KW) of 1626kg, and a Gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 2,200kg, and a towing capacity of 1800kg. This leaves you with approximately 574kg of payload in your vehicle. If we pop on a camper like the Chariot – with a tow ball mass (TBM) of roughly 130kg that figure drops to 444kg. An average family of 3 (2 adults and one child) is roughly 170kg which drops you down to 274 kg that you can pack in the back. Now – This isn’t taking into consideration and aftermarket additions you have made to the vehicle – so make sure you add this as well. Upgrades can be made to some types of 4×4’s and Utes that can increase your GVM, however – this does not change the CM, so you may be able to put more in the tow vehicle – but you would need to reduce the size of the camper to compensate. The total Carrying capacity of the full setup, including your vehicle and trailer – the GCM (gross combination mass)
8 Reasons Why Camping with Kids is the Best
Top 8 Reasons why Camping with Kids is the Best! Think it’s too hard to take the kids camping – there’s a lot of reasons why its a great idea Reasons to take your kids camping… Since COVID, more and more Australian families have decided to hit the road and go camping! If you ask me, it’s a welcome side effect and distraction to the pandemic. Over the last few years, there have been a number of very large studies that have shown kids are spending less time outdoors, and are less connected to the natural world. A recent article: Natural Childhood (Stephen Moss, The Nation Trust UK) even coined a new term for this, “Nature Deficit Disorder”. Simply put, nature has a lot of competition these days – the image of children spending hours in front of TV’s, devices, and consoles are becoming all too commonplace. While we could discuss the reasons and issues why this phenomenon has developed in our modern world, like traffic, “stranger danger”, and the resulting modern “helicopter parents,” who watch and direct their kid’s every move, denying them the freedom they enjoyed when they were themselves growing up. We’re going to focus on how regular camping trips away with the kids can be a great way to reconnect with nature, spend more quality time with the family, and help you raise more resilient adults, and create memories that will last a lifetime. And with that – here’s Platinum Campers top 8 reasons why camping with the kids is the best! 1. It teaches them not all holidays don’t need to cost heaps You can grab a campsite for $20 bucks – try to find a hotel room for that amount! When first starting out in a tent, with just a small outlay of a couple $100 dollars you can be out in the bush, on the beach, or in the outback before you know it. Plus with the money you save on accommodation, you can do more activities at your destination! 2. Help develop their sense of Adventure! Camping, even if it’s just for one night is awesome! New environments, unfamiliar sights and sounds, other kids to meet and play with, a tent or camper trailer to help put up and sleeping under the stars all make for a fun-filled adventure. Some say it’s in our genes, the Wanderlust gene (DRD4-7R), a sense of adventure ensures life remains open and full of possibilities; promoting the positive outlook that underpins great current, and future mental health. 3. You can see more stars and go Stargazing The night sky is full of stories, adventures, and curiosities. And when out camping, you usually are away from the bright lights of civilization and will be able to see literally 1000’s of more stars than at home. Let your eyes adjust to the night sky and start talking about stars, Earth and out place in the Universe. Not only is gazing into the night sky one of many ways to encourage your child’s natural love of learning, it’s also a step toward raising thoughtful, introspective, universe-conscious people. 4. Camping helps build resilience Too often today kids, remain in their comfort zones; and let’s be honest, we parents can sometimes fall into the same traps. We’re all spending more time indoors than ever before. This environment, for many, is predictable, secure, and closely monitored. While stability is good, being inside constantly stimulated won’t help a child to develop confidence & resilience. Helping to put up a tent, finding the campsite shop and being sent to pick up supplies, dealing with adversity (broken poles, forgotten tent pegs, bad weather), by comparison are all great ways of building resilience. When kids learn that they can deal with adversity, they become more robust and confident adults. 5. Camping gives kids the freedom to explore and be creative As a parent, I understand the worry of letting your kids play alone outside in 2021. The world in a sense has become a more dangerous place. But, having the freedom to play, explore and generally behave the way children should is one of the vital elements missing from modern life for many children. Family-friendly campsites are a safe, and secure environment for kids to play and explore in, giving them a sense of freedom. This freedom, along with the more natural environment is a great way to boost creativity. Being bored gives kids the opportunity to be creative and use their imagination to play games and entertain themselves; something they typically don’t need to do when they’re at home. 6. Get the kids moving and exercising (without forcing it) Camping with kids in a word, is an Adventure! It’s not just about sitting on camp chairs all day, sure some days, but not most of them! Depending on where you camp, when you get up in the morning there is a world of possibilities. Hiking, canoeing, playing beside the creek and swimming, collecting firewood, climbing trees, playing hide and seek, the list is literally endless. Brought bikes? Riding on the dirt and over bumps in a new environment is a lot of fun! Obviously the sort of exercise your kid does will depend on age and your campsite, but the main point here is you are all moving and outside, and most importantly, hopefully having fun! 7. They make new friends – And so do you One of the best parts of camping is the new friends and people you meet along the way. And the same goes for your kids! Chances are there are other families camping nearby and the kids have the chance to explore together. I never worry about them getting bored because they always find someone to hang with and these kids are typically avid campers too, so they already have that in common. And of course – you will have a lot in common with the parents! 8. You’re creating lifelong memories Why do memories matter? Happy memories are not just
Where are Platinum Camper Trailers Made?
Where are Platinum Camper Trailers Made? Learn about how Platinum Camper Trailers are manufactured and our quality control processes Where are Platinum Campers Manufactured? Platinum Campers uses a hybrid build process beginning in our China manufacturing plant and is fitted-out, gas plumbed, and completed at our Brisbane workshop. In China, they manufacture our bodies and tent tops; these are then shipped to the Brisbane branch for its final fit-out. This process allows us to maintain a very high quality control system, ensuring our campers meet and exceed customer expectations, while still remaining affordable when compared to a fully Australian made camper. Should you be wary about Chinese manufactured campers? While in the past, when the camper trailer industry was in its infancy in Australia – there were some cowboys in the industry. Some Chinese manufactured campers were so poorly manufactured they fell apart on their maiden voyage. However, this is no longer the case. With overwhelming investment, research, and design by larger importers, like Platinum Campers. Campers made in China are now competing with the quality of their Australian made counterparts. Through testing, revisions, customer feedback, and with Platinum’s hybrid manufacturing model completing the Campers in Brisbane – Australian’s can purchase affordable, quality, well-spec’ed camper trailers with great after-sales service and support that should make your feel more than comfortable when purchasing a camper from Platinum. Don’t all Chinese-made canvas leak? This is simply not the case anymore. Almost all canvas materials used in Australia for use in camper trailers, swags, tents, and even most military equipment are made in China. Like all fabric materials, there are different grades and qualities available to us. A lot of our competitors choose to use a 14oz canvas, Platinum uses a 16oz canvas with good tight weaves. After your purchase, you need to give your tent a season by simply wetting it and letting it dry out in the sun. For more tips on how to care for your canvas tent check out our guide on how to extend the life of your tent. Don’t they all come out of the same factory? Yes and no. Some importers do just pick a camper out of a catalog, add their branding, and have a completed camper shipped over. We do not do this. Platinum Campers have our own factory within China, our own trained staff, and quality control mechanisms, allowing us to build customised trailers just for us. The Chariot hard floor, a double fold camper trailer is a great example of our capabilities and unique engineering with a camper with three rooms, and with the back folding all the way to the ground – a true six berth hard floor! Plus, with the added step of having our team in Brisbane Australia inspect every nut & bolt on our campers – you can rest soundly knowing your camper is built to a very high standard and has the warranty to back it up! With 5-year structural, 2-year canvas, and 1 year on the fittings. What’s the Platinum Build Process? Here’s the Platinum Campers Build Process from start to Delivery 1) Camper design and Engineering Design and engineering is completed in-house by our team of camping experts. This is then sent to our team in China. 2) Bodies, Drawbars & Tents manufactured This takes place at our factory in China and is quality checked by the Quality assurance team. 3) Shipment to Brisbane The bodies, drawbars, and tents are then sent to Brisbane – for most models, we can fit about 10 campers into a container. 4) Arrival into our Brisbane Showroom The campers are unloaded from the containers, and we then create our build schedule based on the order in which purchases were received. 5) Inspection & Assembly The first step is a thorough inspection checklist where everything is checked over, down to every nut and bolt. Next, drawbars are attached, followed by hubs & wheels, then finally the tent tops. 6) Gas Plumbing & Electrical Fitout Our campers are then gas plumbed by a local installer to Australian standards. The 12v power system is then installed – and if any optional extras are required like 240V GPO, this is completed by a licenced electrician. 7) Final Pre-Delivery Final pre-delivery involved another thorough checklist. We print your manuals, check your keys and remote controls, tire pressures are checked, poles are inspected, the canvas is checked etc. Any additional optional extras are added here – and of course – a good clean! 8) Hand-over & Delivery As all our campers come through Brisbane to be built. A lot of the campers will then require transport. We send campers all over the country, to our dealers in Rockhampton, Townsville and Perth – And also direct to consumers. If handover is not done in person – we can offer virtual handovers Next Steps? Here at Platinum Campers, we work very hard to develop great value for money camper trailers that are affordable and full of standard inclusions. Still not sure what the right camper for you is? Start with our camper trailers buyer’s guide – it is full of useful information and questions to ask yourself to help you find the best camper for you and your family. Have questions, or are ready to go ahead with a camper from Platinum – you can contact us on 1300 368 399 or send us a message via email or social media!
How to set up the gas stove to work for the first time
Platinum Camper’s How to connect the gas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJXSEwB50Q4 Watch this quick video showing you how to connect the gas to your stove How to setup the Gas stove on your camper trailer Setting up your gas stove for the first time is not difficult. Platinum Camper trailers include 9kg gas bottle holders as standard (some two) – You can purchase gas bottles from service stations, Bunnings and most camping stores. Here is a quick guide on how to connect it to your camper trailer for the first time. Step by Step Guide Step 1 – Make sure your gas bottle still has gas. The easiest way to check is to give the bottle a shake – you should be able to hear the gas moving around. If this doesn’t work, you can also try hot water. Just grab a jug of hot water and pour it over the bottle. Run your hands down the bottle until it feels cold, and that’s the level the gas is at. Step 2 – Place the gas bottle in the supplied holder. Step 3 – Connect the gas bottle to the gas regulator – this is located near the holders. Ensure you have a good connection, turn the gas on and make sure it is not leaking. Step 4 – Using the supplied gas hose – connect the stove to the bayonet fitting on the camper trailer. Step 5 – Connect the other end of the hose to your stove. Step 6 – Turn on the desired gas hob, and press down on the knob to ignite the stove. You may have to hold down the knob for a few seconds while it warms up. Note: It sometimes takes a few moments for the gas to come through all the lines – give it a minute. And please exercise caution at all times when dealing with gas. If you are unsure on how to start the stove, or have any troubles, please contact our team and we would be more than happy to assist you.
7 of the best spots around Brisbane to take your Camper Trailer
Looking for the best camper trailer spots around Brisbane? Luckily, living in the sunshine state means you have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and majestic, lush rainforests on your doorstep.
Campground Spotlight: Lake Tinnaroo
Places to take your camper trailer Campground Spotlight: Lake Tinaroo Camping, fishing, skiing, bushwalking, and more – Lake Tinaroo has it all Located around the back of a dam in Danbulla State Forest, Lake Tinaroo is one of those spots the locals talk about. Popular for swimmers, skiers, fishing Barra (permit requried), red clawing, bird watching, and picnickers alike. Fishing at Lake Tinaroo Fishing at Lake Tinaroo is on a Tinaroo Dam. Constructed in 1958 on Barrow river, it hold 436,500 lega litres of water, and has an average depth of 13 metres. Fishing here can be quite the experience either on a boat or just straight from the banks. Most know for the Barramundi and Red Claw, Lake Tinaroo also has a healthy stock of Sooty Grunter, Fork-tailed catfish, archerfish, bony bream, silver parch, Sleepy cod and others. Unfortunately, Tilpia were illegally introduced here, and have established themselves. You should destroy this pest species if caught. (and in fact it is illegal to release them back into the lake if caught. ) A permit is required to fish within Lake Tinaroo. They can be purchased from a QLD post office, Government fisheries website or at the Kairi store. Under 18’s are free! Boating Access: There are no restrictions – and several concrete boat ramps available. Camping with a Camper Trailer Camper Trailer Campgrounds There is a range of accommodations around Lake Tinaroo and in the various towns across this vast tablelands. There are 5 main camping areas along the 28km Danbulla road. Platypus camping area Nested under towering hoop pines, this waterfront camping area overlooks the dam wall and has beautiful lake views. You’ll find plenty of shade to set up camp in. The hoop pines here are more than 40 years old and supply high quality plantation timber for plywood, furniture and flooring. Getting There Platypus camping area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns. The camping area is 4km from the western entrance and 24km from the eastern entrance, on Danbulla Road. Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles. You can also get to the camping area by boat. Book Here Downfall Creek camping area Nestled on the banks of Lake Tinaroo, you’ll have endless water views from your camp site. After you’ve set up camp, spend the day on the water, fishing, waterskiing and swimming, or check out the 2.4km Regeneration walk that leads to the Kauri Creek camping area. Getting There Downfall Creek camping area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns. The camping area is 7km from the western entrance and 21km from the eastern entrance, on Danbulla Road. Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles. You can also get to the camping area by boat Book Here School Point camping area Set up camp in this peaceful camping area that has stunning lake and forest views and rich birdlife. Swim, canoe and fish from this camping area, or jump in your 4WD and explore the feature-packed Danbulla Drive. Enjoy a cool rainforest walk, or take in the stunning views from the Gillies lookout. Remember to take your lunch because there are quaint picnic areas scattered along the drive. Getting There School Point camping area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns. The camping area is 1km from Danbulla Road, 16km from the western entrance and 12km from the eastern entrance, on Danbulla Road. Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles. You can also get to the camping area by boat. Book Here Fong-On Bay camping area Explore the park from you camp in this large, open area against a backdrop of rolling hills, forests and pine plantations. If you’re travelling with a large family or group of friends you’ll find plenty of space to set up on this water-flanked peninsula. Most sites have water access and all have stunning views of the lake and beyond. Getting There Fong-On Bay camping area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns. The camping area is 4.7km from Danbulla Road, 16.5km from the western entrance and 11.5km from the eastern entrance, on Fong-On Bay access road off Danbulla Road. Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles. You can also get to the camping area by boat. Book Here
Why do you need a brake controller?
Why do you need a brake controller? If you are thinking about buying a camper trailer, then you have likely heard about a brake controller. But why do you need one? Is it even required? This article will answer those questions and teach you a little more about the braking system on your Platinum Camper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uCY8HFRb-E Do I Need an Electric Brake Controller? Well in a word, most likely. In December of 1998, national towing regulations were implemented across Australia following a unanimous decision by the State Ministers of Transport. These new regulations decided that any camper trailer with a Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) exceeding 750kg has to be fitted with an electric brake control system. And most if not all camper trailers you come across will be more than this. GTM under 750kg No additional brakes required 751< GTM < 2,000kg Braking system on wheels of at least one axles; 1,000kg GTM > 2,000 kg Need a “breakaway” system, system must be powered by a full-charged battery at ALL times (can be either standalone or auxiliary) Why Do I Need an Electric Brake Controller? For Safety – You need a brake controller for Safety. That pretty much sums it up. There’s a really cool analogy I found: “Imagine a group of kid’s rollerblading in a line, each holding onto the hips of the one ahead of them. The line goes smoothly along as long as all of the kids remain at a steady speed. If one of these children suddenly decides to slow down, the following will soon end up crashing into his back.” Towing camper trailers is pretty much the same. All the added weight of a camper can make slowing down or stopping a tow vehicle dangerous without a brake controller. The camper trailer’s momentum can cause it to keep going, ultimately crashing into the back of your car. Electric brake controllers stop the chances of this happening by activating the camper trailer’s brakes whenever the driver hits the vehicle brakes. The brake controller essentially detects how much power is required by your camper trailer’s brakes to safely slow down and stop, making it a much smoother drive. What brand controller should you get? Platinum Camper’s sell & recommend Elecbrakes Brake Controllers. Not only are they an extremely popular choice when it comes to towing anything – it is also the no. 1 choice for Camper Trailers & Caravan enthusiasts. People love the flexibility of being able to lend their camper to family and friends more easily. Plus it is affordable – and comes with a number of features Platinum Camper’s Recommends Elecbrakes Brake Controller The Elecbrakes Controller will be mounted on your trailer. This is so any vehicle that tows it will have the controller available as opposed to needing a controller for each vehicle. YourElecbrakes controller is then accessible from an app available on Android & IOS – where you can adjust the brake pressure and monitor its usuage. TRAILER MOUNTED BRAKE CONTROLLER Elecbrakes is a trailer mounted solution that allows flexibility to tow your trailer with any capable tow vehicle. Mounting to the draw bar and wiring into the trailer’s loom, the Elecbrakes unit is powered via the trailer’s electrical plug which is connected to the tow vehicle. Operating on both 12 and 24-volt systems, Elecbrakes is smart brake control technology. Preset Braking Programs A core advantage in the Elecbrakes system is the five independent braking programs. The programs are displayed in the app settings page and can be set to suit load variation or a change in driving conditions. These settings are then stored so that every time the operator connects the trailer, they simply select the program relevant to load and are ready to go. IN-CAR BRAKE CONTROLLER REMOTE (OPTIONAL) Elecbrakes can be adjusted using the specially designed remote-control unit. Connecting by the best in Bluetooth 4.0 technology, the remote provides a multi-faceted in-car controller. With a friendly interface the operator can apply the manual override, and, via the plus and minus buttons, increase and decrease brake response instantly on the trailers brakes. PLUG & PLAY – READY IN 10 MINUTES As well as out standard hard-wired option, Elecbrakes also comes in a ‘Plug & Play’ variety that gets you ready to go with a fully featured proportional electric brake controller installed on your trailer within 10 minutes. This version of Elecbrakes (ELBC2000 P1.5) comes with a user specified adapter. available in all common combinations using flat 7 and 12 sockets and plugs and well as 7 pin round small and large combinations. Questions? Still have questions? Shoot us a message or give us a call and we would be more than happy toanswer any questions you have regarding brake controllers and Platnum Campers. Drive Safe!
How to extend the life of your camper trailer tent
How to extend the life of your Camper Trailer Tent Is there anything else like sleeping under canvas? The sound of rain helping you drift off to sleep. It’s amazing. That is until you see some mould! Here are some practical tips to improve the life of your camper trailer tent. Keeping your tent canvas clean This may sound obvious – but simply keeping your tent clean will greatly extend its life in top condition. One great way to keep your canvas looking good and free of odours is to give it a regular spray with a garden hose. You should aim to give your camper a very thorough hose down at least once a year, this will keep dirt from becoming ingrained. Regularly clean off, and clear out bird droppings, tree sap, and other debris. To avoid damaging the fabric, don’t use soap, detergent or solvents to remove them – instead, use a clean cloth or soft-to-medium brush and cold to lukewarm water. Mould and mildew Got caught in a storm, and the inside of your tent has gotten wet? Make sure when you get home you air it out and let it dry before packing down. If you do discover mould, be very careful with solvents or other mould killers as this can interfere with your tent’s weatherproofing and protection. The best way to kill mould, dab it with a mix of nine parts water to one part vinegar. Let the canvas dry completely and then remove all traces of mould using a brush and vacuum cleaner. Pre-trip care After you purchase your camper trailer, it is a good idea to pre-condition the canvas prior to your first trip. This simply involves setting it up outside for at least 24 hours to expose it to humidity. (You can also help this along by spraying it with your garden hose) This will make the fibres expand and contract, becoming more water-resistant. Post-trip care After your trip and you arrive home – it is a good idea to give the trailer a hose down, for the reasons above. Make sure metal items such as tent pegs are packed away separately because they can corrode and stain the canvas. Repairing the canvas Got a small rip or tear in the canvas? Panic! No, no – don’t panic – this is an easy fix! Most camping stores sell patches that can be sewn onto the tent’s inside surface. Alternatively, you can buy repair tape if your sewing machine skills aren’t up to scratch.
Location Spotlight: The Gorge
Camping Location Spotlight: The Gorge Looking for a great spot to take your camper trailer? The Gorge Camping Reserve it’s one of those places, you’ve only ever hard about it through word of mouth, but can never remember the name when your planning a trip away. A privately owned bush camping reserve, that even has a couple of toilets and bush style showers. The owners always limit the number of campers allowed to stay at any one time, so you can rest assured you will have a nice private area to set up camp. Address: 51 Gorge Rd, Charlwood QLD 4309Phone: (07) 5526 0683 Visit The Gorge Website Campfires Are Allowed Amenities Showers and Toilets available. Bring own Drinking water & firewood Powered Sites Are not available at this site. Bush Camping at it’s finest Bush camping is all about relaxing and letting the kids explore. With a huge frontage onto the lake you can bring you inflatbles and spend your days lazying by the water. Plus remember – while bush camping you are sharing your space with Australia’s wonderful wildlife – so be prepared for spiders and other creepy crawly’s! If you want to check out this amazing spot check out their website and book your next camping trip at The Gorge!
5 Maintenance Tips for your Camper Trailer
Platinum Campers 5 Maintenance Tips for your Camper Trailer Tips for Extending the Life of Your Trailer Learn More Like any vehicle you own – Camper Trailers do require servicing. Ensuring your home on wheels is always ready to go, you need to perform periodic general maintenance. To extend the life of your camper trailer – follow these simple steps to keep your Camper running smoothly. For a more complete guide on caring for your Camper – check out your manual. 1 – Wheel Bearings Where to begin? We here at Platinum Campers always recommend starting from the bottom and working your way up. A camper’s wheel bearings may be one of the most important parts – well they do keep you attached to the ground – so, they are important and require special attention. We recommend you check your bearings before and after every single trip you make. For a quick inspection, rotate each wheel while it’s jacked up and off the ground. Each wheel should rotate smoothly without any grinding noises or notchy feelings. While you’re there, wriggle the wheel from top to bottom and side to side to detect any excessive free-play. You can pop the bearing cap off the hub to see what the condition of the grease is like too. 2 – CLEAN WATER STORAGE Platinum Campers recommends keeping your water tank full during long periods of storage. This means there will be less oxygen is stored in the tank, slowing down the production of algae and bacteria. It’s when you notice any odours coming from the water that it’s time to sanitize the tanks.There are so many products on the market for this available at your local camping store or Bunnings But for a quick and easy solution you can clean with bleach. This will need to be heavily diluted; about ¼ cup of bleach to roughly 55L of water should do the trick! For a less abrasive option Bicarbonate Soda solution works a treat as well. Remember to flush the entire system from the filler pipe to each water outlet, and don’t forget the hot water system if you’ve got one too. 3 – Caring For Your Canvas The best thing you can do for your new canvas is weather it. This will help make the canvas more flexible and easier to put up and take down. A regular hosing down with clean tap water will will prevent things like bird droppings and acidic seeds from penetrating and damaging the coatings that are applied at our factory. You should Never pack your canvas if it is still damp or wet. Platinum Campers say that most of the cuts, rips or tears discovered in the tents canvas actually happen while the tent is being packed away. It’s also a good idea to zip the windows closed, which helps to protect the insect mesh inside as well. 3 – Lube It Up Regular greasing of any grease nipples not only keeps things lubricated, but the grease actually helps create a protective barrier which keeps water out of internal components as well. Anything that locks, latches, hinges, swings, slides, rotates or even moves can benefit from some spray-on lubricant as well. 4 – LPG Checks Platinum Campers will ensure your gas is permanently plumbed to your accessories, which makes setting up much quicker and easier in the long run, but this also means any repairs should legally be carried out by a qualified technician. You still need to check things over regularly for leaks, just in case. To do this spray over any connections or fittings with soapy water, and if bubbles appear from any of the connections, it can indicate a possible gas leak. If you discover any leaks – call a qualified gas technician asap “How often should you check wheel bearings? Although tedious – we recommend you check your bearings before and after every single trip you make. “ 5 – EASY ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE With all the dirt, water, mud and everything else we throw at Camper Trailers it’s no wonder the electrics can sometimes become a little problematic. Cleaning your tail lights, Auxillary plugs, Anderson Plug connection with some contact cleaner. Doing this simple maintenance after a trip will ensure you are always powered while on the road. If you have been off-road or on bumpy terrain it may also be worth checking your battery terminals. We can think of nothing worse than a 30KG battery tipping over mid trip. What’s Next? If you need help choosing the next camper trailer or are thinking about upgrading your existing one, contact the Platinum Campers team today. We’d be happy to help and answer any inquiries you have about your camper trailers.