The Camper Trailer Book

The Camper Trailer Book

Despite the huge number of camper trailers in use, and seemingly ever-increasing demand, very little reliable unbiased advice about them is available. This is especially true of matters such as suspension and tyres, fridges and electrical systems. These and many related matters are also bedeviled by often inaccurate and misleading sales advice, and particularly by campfire and Internet mythology.

The Camper Trailer Book is a companion to the author's four other related titles. Its 24 chapters cover virtually all aspects of camper trailers and their use: including the chassis and suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres, the towing vehicle, batteries and their charging, solar, building and modifying, trip preparation, safety issues, where and how to travel. There is also a comprehensive list of what you may need when you travel - plus the weight of each item.

Above all, this is a practical book. It describes approaches that will work, not just approaches that may work. As with all Collyn Rivers' books, it combines well-researched comment with easy readability.

THE AUTHOR

Collyn Rivers spent his early years in practical down-to-earth engineering. He later became a research engineer with General Motors. In the 1960s he drove a big mobile laboratory twice across the length and breadth of Africa - including two full Saharan crossings.

He spent further years designing and building equipment from nuclear scanners to 500-tonne concrete testing presses. In 1970 he totally switched career to found and develop what became the worldwide "Electronics Today International" (ETI) magazine. Collyn also founded other publications in electronics, computing, telecommunications and music - including the very successful "Australian Communications".

From 1982-1990 he was technology editor of "The Bulletin" and also "Australian Business". He also wrote the Federal Government's Guide to Information Technology. Collyn's companion volumes are "The Campervan & Motorhome Book", "Motorhome Electrics", and "Solar That Really Works" (currently in separate caravan and motorhome editions).

Camper Trailer Overview

A précis of all types of camper trailer and their suitability for purpose (particularly off-road use): it also gives a good indication of what you can expect to get at what price. The chapter includes a brief run-down on kitchens and appliances (particularly fridges), water storage and filtering and lighting. It also shows how to carry a boat.

Chassis & Suspension

This chapter explains the whys and how's of trailer suspension. In particular it covers the differences between beam axle and independent suspension, and the respective merits of each. It also stresses the need for shock absorbers if suspension is to be effective.

Brakes & Braking

Trailers under weighing 750 kg (including load) need not be braked, but it makes sense to have them if traveling off-road because and unbraked trailer can push its towing vehicle sideways on a slippery descent. But as this chapter shows, there are brakes and brakes

Wheels and Tyres

Did you know that many of the cheaper new trailers are sold with second-hand tyres? And why this is not a good idea?

The Towing Vehicle

Petrol versus diesel, two wheel drive or four? This chapter covers all aspects of selecting a suitable towing vehicle.

Batteries

More nonsense is spoken about this topic than most others matters involving camper trailers combined! There's nothing magical or mysterious about them - but they do not necessarily work as most people think. This chapter may tell you more than you had in mind knowing - but that's better than knowing too little. Or worse, believing stuff that's simply not true.

Battery Charging

Comments regarding battery charging are much as for batteries. By the end of reading this chapter you will know more about battery charging than many of the people who sell batteries.

Knowing Watts Left

The only truly effective way of keeping track of battery charge works the same way we keep track of money. Counts what comes in, count what goes out (including losses). Subtract one from the other and the resultant amount is what you have left.

Supplementing With Solar

It is perfectly feasible to run a camper trailer rig totally from solar (and the author's new Nissan Patrol and Tvan does just that), but to do so, making the right choice of fridge is vital.

Bring it all Together

This chapter brings together all - the loose electrical ends! It shows how to establish the numbers required, how to estimate the approximate costs, how to rough out a system.

Example Systems

A detailed study of six actually existing systems - including one that is a study in how NOT to do it.

Installing the Bits

This very comprehensive chapter and well-illustrated chapter provides all that you need to know to successfully put together your own electrical/solar system. It includes details of a major wiring trap that catches out only too many - including some professional installers.

Building and Modifying

A brief guide to what is involved in building or modifying your own camper trailer.

Preparing for the Trip

A thorough guide to preparing vehicles and trailers, particularly for big trips. It includes details of three outback essentials. The first is WD40 (for things that are meant to move but don't). You'll need to buy the book to know about the other two.

Why Things Work Loose

I have included this chapter because it is particularly relevant to some hard sprung camper trailers. You are unlikely to find this information anywhere else. It is not even included in engineering courses.

Communications

How to keep in touch electronically.

Safety

All aspect of traveling safely: how to avoid being hassled, the dangers of trees, taking fire seriously, what to do about small things that bite, what to do about medium-0sized things that bite, what do to about seriously large things (like estuarine crocs) that bite, how not to get lost, the risk of flash floods, all you need to about cyclones, how not to get bogged in sand and mud - and how to get out if you do.

Boring Legal Stuff

This chapter IS boring. I know this because I wrote it. But it's all stuff you seriously need to know to stay legal. It explains the law regarding drinking alcohol whilst camping, the definition of 'camping', vital stuff about fishing licenses (get this wrong and you may have both towing vehicle and trailer confiscated). It also explains how to vote if permanently on the road, ditto re licenses and registration etc.

Where to Go and How

This chapter includes reliable advice on what vehicle you need to safely go where. It includes advice on water and fuel availability in the more remote areas.

Stuff You May Take - & What it Weighs

This list has been developed, refined and proven over the years. Few people will need everything listed - in fact if you feel you do then you are almost certainly carrying far too much. If it is not listed you are almost certain not to need it. As years go by and camping experience increases you'll find you need less and less.

Tools & Spares

This listing indicates what to carry (a) if traveling on mostly bitumen roads in more or less populated areas and (b), what to carry if you travel extensively in the outback.

Electricity Vaguely Explained