The late Australian Prime Minister Sir Malcolm Fraser would probably disagree, but life is meant to be easier as long as innovation doesn’t compromise the end pleasure.
That’s the justification for the power opening and folding mechanisms that can be optioned on a range of hard-floor camper trailers available in Australia today.
It’s not that attaching a winch cable to unfold the floor base is that hard or takes much effort; it’s just that controlling the operation by a hand-held remote once you’ve released the clips is easier.
Then, when it comes to packing up, it’s much quicker too, as you can roam around the camper and halt the folding process at any time to tuck canvas in.
Auto opening on the cheap
Top-selling imported brand MDC Campers is one of the latest to come on board, with the power mechanism becoming optional on its already high-spec Cruizer Highside camper earlier this year.
MDC’s AFS (Automatic Folding System) is not a cheap option, adding $2000 to the model’s $20,990 RRP, but with it fitted, you get a lot of camper trailer for $22,990.
Check these standard features: 3 x 100AH batteries with a 240v Projecta charger and 600W inverter; a portable 180W solar panel; a Country Comfort instant gas hot water service; a Thetford four-burner gas cooktop and matching plumbed stainless steel sink; a gas bayonet; chunky off-road tyres on alloy wheels; dual spare wheels; towing shackles; a 120kg-rated boat rack; a queen-size innerspring mattress and a Kenwood sound system.
Little wonder that many Australians today are getting their first taste of camping and Outback travel in rigs like this that won’t break the bank. Of course there are better-built camper trailers available, but there are few that offer better bang for buck, if that’s important to you.
Forward fold the go
With the gradual death of soft-floor campers, the forward-fold hard floor is the new standard for those who still love the retro experience of living under canvas, or can’t afford a hard shell alternative.
These campers have evolved to cater for a new generation of time-poor travellers, who want to go further, necessitating overnight free-camps, rather than the stop-and-prop single destination travel beloved by tent types and soft floor camper advocates.
If you leave the Cruizer Highside’s standard annexe folded in a locker, two people can set this camper up for an overnighter in comfortably less than 10 minutes.
Add the annexe and allow 30 minutes, perhaps 25 of them trying to read the included pole assembly diagram that makes any flatpack you’ve ever bought from Ikea or Officeworks look like child’s play!
The other big advantage with forward folds for this sort of time-poor travel (which account for the lion’s share of MDC camper sales) is that they occupy no more real estate than the camper itself. So the MDC Cruizer Highside can be left hitched and only needs to be levelled for a good night’s sleep, taking not much longer than some hard-shell campers to set up.
Push button ready
The AFS certainly speeds setting up, but not that much. You still have to unclip the rooftop boat rack’s three latches and fold it over, followed by four others securing the folded, checker plate floor. Then, remove the remote from the front electrical compartment and you’re in business.
Like most auto folders, it doesn’t go all the way; you still have to push both ends down that last bit and latch the forward section.
Then, open the door, drop the cleverly-designed folding step, extend and secure both ends of the tent, fit and extend four spreader poles and you’re set up, with the queen bed already in place and the ‘lounge’ area needing only its portable, central table to be erected and the seat cushions arranged.
Neat awnings protect the windows from rain at each end of the tent, so you can enjoy ventilation from windows on all sides on hot nights.
Of course, if you don’t erect the annexe, you’re out in the open for cooking and if the weather looks dodgy, you’d be advisable to spend another 10 minutes erecting the top section of the annexe by itself – not too tricky, as the whole structure is modular.
Sliding out the kitchen
It would be a shame not to use such a good stainless steel kitchen, with its storage areas, LED light strips and stainless steel sink tap served by a 12v pressure pump. There really isn’t a safe inside alternative in a rent and Uber Eats is probably out of range...
Outside, the MDC Cruizer Highside is a pretty good-looking camper with its automotive two pack finish in your choice of black or light silver metallic on its steel bodywork that's secured to an alloy frame.
At first glance, the wheels look like they're set a long way back, but the ball weight, while relatively heavy for a camper at 170kg, is within the accepted range.
A Tare weight of 1520kg is also relatively heavy for a camper trailer of its size, but ‘lightweight' costs more to engineer and build. The MDC’s ATM of 2000kg allows a 480kg payload, which is good without being exceptional and the camper tows easily and confidently.
Storage options
Exterior storage is pretty good, with lockers that hold a portable fridge, the annexe, electrics and miscellaneous spreader, annexe poles and guys – the latter accessible from both sides of the trailer.
But, if you’re looking for the front checker plate A-frame box to swallow a lot more, you’ll be disappointed, as its primary purpose is a home for the twin 4kg gas bottles, while it's flanked by a pair of jerrycan holders, protected by truck-mesh stone shields.
The underpinnings of the MDC look pretty sturdy, with a long 120mm diameter A-frame terminating in the customer’s choice of a poly block off-road coupling, or an optional Cruisemaster DO-35.
Underneath, there’s MDC’s 100mm x 50mm x 4mm Supagal chassis, with trailing arm independent suspension, coil springs and twin shock absorbers to dampen out corrugations.
Large 12-inch electric brakes are fitted as you'd expect on a camper of this size, while the standard 110-litre food grade water tank is set high and features a bash plate for additional protection. Four drop-down corner jacks and two rear recovery shackles are standard.
Canvas palace
Inside, the Cruizer Highside is a comfortable place for a family at a pinch and the close-weave 15oz canvas with its midge screens keeps you dry and insect-free.
A lockable ‘valuables’ box doubles as a step to the main bedroom, while if you have kids, fold the table away and there’s plenty of room for them, high and dry, in the lounge area.
High intensity LED lights do a great job inside and there are plenty of USB points to charge all your toys.
Summing up
There’s not much to complain about with the MDC Cruizer Highside AFS at its price. Quick to erect, sturdily built and loaded with standard equipment, it’s a practical way to go personal or family camping.
Specs: MDC Cruizer Highside AFS
Trailer length: 5300mm
Trailer size: 2100mm x 1800mm x 725mm
Opened trailer size: 4150mm x 18i00mm x 2250mm
Tare: 1520kg
ATM: 2000kg
Ball weight (Tare): 170kg
Body: Aluminium frame with two-pack metallic painted steel panels
Chassis: 2300mm extended, 120mm x 50mm x 3mm drawbar and 100mm x 50mm x 3mm Supagal-treated RHS chassis and cross beams
Suspension: Independent with trailing arms, coil springs and dual shock absorbers per wheel
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Wheels: 16in alloy with Mud Terrain tyres
Fresh water: 1 x 110L
Battery: 3 x 100AH with 600W inverter
Solar: 1 x 180W portable panel
Gas: 2 x 4kg bottles
Cooking: 4-burner Thetford external gas slide-out cooktop
Fridge: Up to 100L capacity optional
Lighting: LED Price: $22,990
Supplied by: Brisbane MDC, Rocklea, Queensland
More info: MDC Campers, Brisbane, Qld
