When originally looking for a simple trailer to tow our newly imported two-person diesel quad, the concept soon evolved after dreaming up ideas for a few enhancements. It started with, “Let’s add somewhere to sleep and carry some extra water and fuel”, to “How about we enclose it and use it for storing food and cooking gear”. But our original design always had practicality and functionality at the forefront, yet it had to be strong enough to withstand whatever we threw at it to meet our preferred travelling style.
After initial discussions with Jacksons Carry Me Camper in South Australia, we soon teamed up to develop the concept further. A bundle of ideas were thrown around their boardroom over a couple of weeks that soon had that initial idea become reality. Affectionately dubbed UEE (Urban Escape Explorer), it’s vastly different from your average toy-hauler concept. Besides being a hard-lid camper trailer, it’s also an equipment hauler … all in one.
JACKSONS UEE EQUIPMENT CAMPER
DOWN
A camper trailer built for rugged expeditions, with enough room to bring a diesel-powered quad bike? Please do tell us more!
CAMPERS
WORDS & IMAGES BY GRANT HANAN & LINDA BLOFFWITCH
Opening the attic roof is optional and provides a cosy feel when closed
“In terms of safety, vision and looks, it’s hard to go past Clearview Powerfold Mirrors.”
Pat Callinan
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WHAT’S UNDERNEATH?
To carry the quad’s weight and all the other gear, the chassis uses a steel ladder frame concept that’s fully gusseted and seam-welded. A RHS straight-pull steel drawbar sits up front that’s fitted with a D035 hitch receiver, and recovery anchoring points have been added to all corners. Some tubing and alloy bash plates were fitted to protect the wiring, piping, components and equipment underneath. So this design has provided incredible strength and is the foundation for the suspension and load-carrying requirements. The concept saw the suspension intentionally designed to use the same set-up as the 79 Series tow vehicle, with an Old Man Emu 400kg leaf spring pack and Nitrocharger shocks put in place to allow moderate articulation to soak up the rough terrain. Jacksons met our request to fit the camper with the same wheel and tyre combo as our vehicle, so a set of 35-inch Cooper STT Pro and 16-inch Dynamic steel rims were fitted with SensaTyre internal sensors. There’s little doubt having similar suspension and the tyre/wheel combo has been the best redundancy insurance mod made.
Old Man Emu suspension takes care of what’s underneath
CONCEPT AND EXTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS
Setting out with the initial criteria of being a single person set-up, the camper uses a combo of steel for strength and aluminium to keep things light. The overall trailer dimensions were based on the oversized quad, so a centre ramp over was cleverly incorporated into the checker plate alloy floor to allow the quad to sit lower. This has kept the overall height in check even with the hard-lid tent fitted on top. There’s plenty of outside storage in the innovative aluminium lightweight hatches which have been laser-cut and form-folded to provide additional strength. The concept brief sees each hatch slightly unique in its internal design, with lower hatches taking care of batteries, gas bottles and the diesel refilling station. While storage behind the gullwing doors up top are used for kitchen/pantry requirements, spare parts and other camping gear. The design also incorporates a massive angled aluminium box up front which could be used for all sorts of things, and currently holds a water tank, tent steps, spare wheel and tyre. That box could be likened to the Tardis! There’s still plenty of room to add a fridge or simply use it for camping gear. The trailer’s external finish is a combination of Raptor two-pack for high stone chip impact areas which can easily be touched up, and an automotive high gloss paint has been used for contrast.
The massive storage box holds a slimline water tank with plenty of room leftover
BELOW Simplicity was the key for the kitchen, so a gas cooker and table were included, while storage box contents can be customised for each trip
LEFT The steps fold neatly away and are stored in the front storage box // RIGHT Power from the camper can help top up the vehicle’s batteries while stationary
ELECTRICAL
The approach to the trailer’s electrics was to keep things simple, and a fully fused electrical system was installed to incorporate the essentials for off-grid travel. The Redarc Manager 30S controls two Revolution 100Ah lithium batteries and supplies energy to the Redarc 2000W inverter, which can be remotely switched from inside the tent. Three slimline 110W solar panels keep the battery levels full via the BMS, which can easily accommodate a fridge installation should we choose to add one down the track. Multiple 12V outlets have been fitted throughout the tent, quad and hatch areas using a combination of Anderson, 12V cig and USB styles. There’s two-stage LEDs throughout for all the lighting along with a couple of Lightforce ROK 10W lights on the trailer’s rear, which double as reversing lights and camp lighting. A reversing camera is fitted for backing up and wired for 100 percent rear vision ability to help see approaching vehicles from behind.
The electrical panel is a work of art
The two 100Ah lithium batteries have all power needs covered with plenty of spare capacity for when a fridge is added down the track
WATER AND FUEL STORAGE
Water is managed by two separate tanks, with a 45-litre slimline Boab tank mounted upright inside the front storage box that’s gravity fed. A second 53-litre tank sits inside the trailer under the quad and supplies pressurised water to the pantry hatch. The trailer even comes with a 70-litre diesel tank to take care of keeping the quad fully fuelled, which is also used to top up the vehicle and sits behind the rear axle using a compatible constant delivery pump.
TOP LEFT Re-fuelling the quad or vehicle has been made easy with the inbuilt 85-litre fuel tank and pump
TOP RIGHT Simply pull the hose out and flick the pump switch and you’ve got fuel at your fingertips
BOTTOM The rear door acts as ramps for getting the quad in and out
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TENT AREA
A major highlight of the trailer’s unique design is the tent section, which provides some luxuries that truly sets this equipment trailer apart from others. Tent entry is accessed via some quick release custom-style steps that lead to a large dressing room area. And there’s no need to slouch in here as the tent height will easily allow for any tall folk to stand up comfortably. This area is perfect for changing and storing clothes/shoes, but large enough to easily throw down another mattress for kids if needed. A custom-made oversized double inner-spring mattress provides a good night’s sleep and all bedding can be left in place while mobile. Plenty of bedhead space allows for further storage, while double-switched overhead LEDs and a couple of telescopic lights provide lighting. Several 12V outlets for charging have also been fitted. The tent is top grade 8oz Australian canvas with YKK zips and the design incorporates large midge flyscreens, so there’s no problems with airflow. A double opening attic roof has also been included to provide additional headroom and ventilation. The interior has been finished off using marine-style carpet to provide a tough yet refined appearance.
An inner-spring mattress, big windows and plenty of ventilation has sleeping arrangements covered
There’s plenty of room up top
LEFT The design concept met the brief so the set-up and pack-down is a one-person job // RIGHT The over-centre raised floor design for the quad helped keep the overall trailer height to a minimum
THE VERDICT
This custom-built UEE is one tough built trailer, yet its inclusions make touring somewhat luxurious when it’s got your camping and toy hauling needs covered in one. Jacksons have completely nailed the brief we gave them, and the end product is like nothing else available on the market. This is one versatile and capable camper trailer that is far from average and so much more than your typical toy hauler. And when it can easily be adapted to carry other toys, camping gear or anything else you’re wanting to transport in a fully sealed environment, the UEE is one kick-arse concept turned into reality.
SPECIFICATIONS: JACKSONS UEE EQUIPMENT TRAILER
MODEL: Urban Escape Explorer (UEE)
TARE: 1540kg
ATM: 2500kg
SUSPENSION: 400kg constant load OME leaf springs and Nitrocharger shocks
BRAKES: Off-road electric, 12-inch
LENGTH: 3950mm (including drawbar)
WIDTH: 2170mm
HEIGHT: 2270mm
PRICE: POA
MORE INFO: carrymecamper.com.au
SET-UP
Simplicity in the design is where setting this camper up is ahead of the game and can easily be done by one person in next to no time. For quad access, simply drop the rear tailgate which doubles as the ramps and open the over-centre latches. Then slightly raise the tent lid and let the gas struts do the rest of the work. Setting up the tent is just as easy and literally takes less time than restocking the average beer fridge. Simply attach the custom steps once the tent floor is in position and lift the tent lid slightly until the gas struts kick in. The tent is then raised using a tent swing arm to take up the slack, which is held in place using a couple of internal poles. Popping the attic up is optional, as the bed area has plenty of headspace without it. And if kept closed, we’ve found it provides a cosiness on cooler nights. Outside, the ARB side awning provides shade and shelter.
CAMPERS
JACKSONS UEE EQUIPMENT CAMPER
A camper trailer built for rugged expeditions, with enough room to bring a diesel-powered quad bike? Please do tell us more!
WORDS & IMAGES BY GRANT HANAN & LINDA BLOFFWITCH
When originally looking for a simple trailer to tow our newly imported two-person diesel quad, the concept soon evolved after dreaming up ideas for a few enhancements. It started with, “Let’s add somewhere to sleep and carry some extra water and fuel”, to “How about we enclose it and use it for storing food and cooking gear”. But our original design always had practicality and functionality at the forefront, yet it had to be strong enough to withstand whatever we threw at it to meet our preferred travelling style.
After initial discussions with Jacksons Carry Me Camper in South Australia, we soon teamed up to develop the concept further. A bundle of ideas were thrown around their boardroom over a couple of weeks that soon had that initial idea become reality. Affectionately dubbed UEE (Urban Escape Explorer), it’s vastly different from your average toy-hauler concept. Besides being a hard-lid camper trailer, it’s also an equipment hauler … all in one.
SCROLL DOWN
Opening the attic roof is optional and provides a cosy feel when closed
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
ADVERTISEMENT
WHAT’S UNDERNEATH?
To carry the quad’s weight and all the other gear, the chassis uses a steel ladder frame concept that’s fully gusseted and seam-welded. A RHS straight-pull steel drawbar sits up front that’s fitted with a D035 hitch receiver, and recovery anchoring points have been added to all corners. Some tubing and alloy bash plates were fitted to protect the wiring, piping, components and equipment underneath. So this design has provided incredible strength and is the foundation for the suspension and load-carrying requirements. The concept saw the suspension intentionally designed to use the same set-up as the 79 Series tow vehicle, with an Old Man Emu 400kg leaf spring pack and Nitrocharger shocks put in place to allow moderate articulation to soak up the rough terrain. Jacksons met our request to fit the camper with the same wheel and tyre combo as our vehicle, so a set of 35-inch Cooper STT Pro and 16-inch Dynamic steel rims were fitted with SensaTyre internal sensors. There’s little doubt having similar suspension and the tyre/wheel combo has been the best redundancy insurance mod made.
Old Man Emu suspension takes care of what’s underneath
CONCEPT AND EXTERIOR DESIGN ELEMENTS
Setting out with the initial criteria of being a single person set-up, the camper uses a combo of steel for strength and aluminium to keep things light. The overall trailer dimensions were based on the oversized quad, so a centre ramp over was cleverly incorporated into the checker plate alloy floor to allow the quad to sit lower. This has kept the overall height in check even with the hard-lid tent fitted on top. There’s plenty of outside storage in the innovative aluminium lightweight hatches which have been laser-cut and form-folded to provide additional strength. The concept brief sees each hatch slightly unique in its internal design, with lower hatches taking care of batteries, gas bottles and the diesel refilling station. While storage behind the gullwing doors up top are used for kitchen/pantry requirements, spare parts and other camping gear. The design also incorporates a massive angled aluminium box up front which could be used for all sorts of things, and currently holds a water tank, tent steps, spare wheel and tyre. That box could be likened to the Tardis! There’s still plenty of room to add a fridge or simply use it for camping gear. The trailer’s external finish is a combination of Raptor two-pack for high stone chip impact areas which can easily be touched up, and an automotive high gloss paint has been used for contrast.
The massive storage box holds a slimline water tank with plenty of room leftover
BELOW Simplicity was the key for the kitchen, so a gas cooker and table were included, while storage box contents can be customised for each trip
LEFT The steps fold neatly away and are stored in the front storage box // RIGHT Power from the camper can help top up the vehicle’s batteries while stationary
ELECTRICAL
The approach to the trailer’s electrics was to keep things simple, and a fully fused electrical system was installed to incorporate the essentials for off-grid travel. The Redarc Manager 30S controls two Revolution 100Ah lithium batteries and supplies energy to the Redarc 2000W inverter, which can be remotely switched from inside the tent. Three slimline 110W solar panels keep the battery levels full via the BMS, which can easily accommodate a fridge installation should we choose to add one down the track. Multiple 12V outlets have been fitted throughout the tent, quad and hatch areas using a combination of Anderson, 12V cig and USB styles. There’s two-stage LEDs throughout for all the lighting along with a couple of Lightforce ROK 10W lights on the trailer’s rear, which double as reversing lights and camp lighting. A reversing camera is fitted for backing up and wired for 100 percent rear vision ability to help see approaching vehicles from behind.
The electrical panel is a work of art
The two 100Ah lithium batteries have all power needs covered with plenty of spare capacity for when a fridge is added down the track
WATER AND FUEL STORAGE
Water is managed by two separate tanks, with a 45-litre slimline Boab tank mounted upright inside the front storage box that’s gravity fed. A second 53-litre tank sits inside the trailer under the quad and supplies pressurised water to the pantry hatch. The trailer even comes with a 70-litre diesel tank to take care of keeping the quad fully fuelled, which is also used to top up the vehicle and sits behind the rear axle using a compatible constant delivery pump.
TOP LEFT Re-fuelling the quad or vehicle has been made easy with the inbuilt 85-litre fuel tank and pump
TOP RIGHT Simply pull the hose out and flick the pump switch and you’ve got fuel at your fingertips
BOTTOM The rear door acts as ramps for getting the quad in and out
TENT AREA
A major highlight of the trailer’s unique design is the tent section, which provides some luxuries that truly sets this equipment trailer apart from others. Tent entry is accessed via some quick release custom-style steps that lead to a large dressing room area. And there’s no need to slouch in here as the tent height will easily allow for any tall folk to stand up comfortably. This area is perfect for changing and storing clothes/shoes, but large enough to easily throw down another mattress for kids if needed. A custom-made oversized double inner-spring mattress provides a good night’s sleep and all bedding can be left in place while mobile. Plenty of bedhead space allows for further storage, while double-switched overhead LEDs and a couple of telescopic lights provide lighting. Several 12V outlets for charging have also been fitted. The tent is top grade 8oz Australian canvas with YKK zips and the design incorporates large midge flyscreens, so there’s no problems with airflow. A double opening attic roof has also been included to provide additional headroom and ventilation. The interior has been finished off using marine-style carpet to provide a tough yet refined appearance.
An inner-spring mattress, big windows and plenty of ventilation has sleeping arrangements covered
There’s plenty of room up top
SET-UP
Simplicity in the design is where setting this camper up is ahead of the game and can easily be done by one person in next to no time. For quad access, simply drop the rear tailgate which doubles as the ramps and open the over-centre latches. Then slightly raise the tent lid and let the gas struts do the rest of the work. Setting up the tent is just as easy and literally takes less time than restocking the average beer fridge. Simply attach the custom steps once the tent floor is in position and lift the tent lid slightly until the gas struts kick in. The tent is then raised using a tent swing arm to take up the slack, which is held in place using a couple of internal poles. Popping the attic up is optional, as the bed area has plenty of headspace without it. And if kept closed, we’ve found it provides a cosiness on cooler nights. Outside, the ARB side awning provides shade and shelter.
LEFT The design concept met the brief so the set-up and pack-down is a one-person job // RIGHT The over-centre raised floor design for the quad helped keep the overall trailer height to a minimum
THE VERDICT
This custom-built UEE is one tough built trailer, yet its inclusions make touring somewhat luxurious when it’s got your camping and toy hauling needs covered in one. Jacksons have completely nailed the brief we gave them, and the end product is like nothing else available on the market. This is one versatile and capable camper trailer that is far from average and so much more than your typical toy hauler. And when it can easily be adapted to carry other toys, camping gear or anything else you’re wanting to transport in a fully sealed environment, the UEE is one kick-arse concept turned into reality.
SPECIFICATIONS: JACKSONS UEE EQUIPMENT TRAILER
MODEL: Urban Escape Explorer (UEE)
TARE: 1540kg
ATM: 2500kg
SUSPENSION: 400kg constant load OME leaf springs and Nitrocharger shocks
BRAKES: Off-road electric, 12-inch
LENGTH: 3950mm (including drawbar)
WIDTH: 2170mm
HEIGHT: 2270mm
PRICE: POA
MORE INFO: carrymecamper.com.au
CLICK TO VIEW NEXT ARTICLE