TrayTek Tailgater Diesel Deluxe Review

There’s a lot to love about touring, and it’s not just the destination. With a mobile camper it's also about the journey to get there. The sights, the sounds, the birds and animals, the thrill of off-road adventure and the people you meet along the way.

I have always found camper trailers ideal for accommodating my off-road adventures, and being a fishoholic, I always carry a kayak or similar craft on the roof for exploring marine opportunities. Roof toppers are OK but they can be downright frustrating with loading racks, storage of outboards, safety gear, fishing tackle, fuel, landing nets and all the rest of the gear that makes it often too hard to have a quick jaunt in an enticing aquatic playground.  Kayaks are terrific for southern waters but not safe or practical with the toothy predators of northern climates. Not to mention that as good and lightweight as many off-road campers are, they can still be a major burden for exploring hard 4x4 terrains.

I have always liked the practicality and function slide on campers and one of the top manufacturers in Australia is Queensland's Trayon. With the Traytek Tailgater Diesel Deluxe I found out that I can have my cake and eat it too! Not only can I have my ute for general commuting and work, but by slipping on the Trayon I have wonderful accommodation - and best of all I can still tow a boat!

Workmanship, Commitment, and Passion

Commitment and passion are just two of the many commendable words to describe the Trayon team. They take commendable pride in their workmanship and go to extreme lengths to ensure that they offer a range of campers that not only provide all the creature comforts in a home away from home, but that they are as light as possible with the weight distribution that won’t break the camel’s back.

Take a close look at the gross loading specifications in single and twin cabin 4WD recreational vehicles, especially the popular mid-range, and you may be quite surprised at their maximum loading weights. Many slide-ons not only exceed specifications but don’t distribute the weight over or forward of the axles creating what can be unsafe and illegal loads. Trayon is committed to providing the most facilitating campers on the market and go to great lengths to reduce the loading weight and distribute it correctly. That’s why they have been leaders in their field for over 30 years.

TrayTek is not new. The crew at Trayon always liked the product but saw some major downfalls with their weight. Like many manufacturers they could have easily copied the product and turned their hand to improving it, but these are people of honour and substance. Instead, they bought the original TrayTek company and set about improving it, and reducing the weight. They improved the construction to a standard they were happy with making the original design even stronger at the same time reducing Tray Tek's original tare weight by a massive 300 kg!

Effortless Touring for Avid Adventurers

Slide-on campers provide a terrific alternative for avid tourers. Other than the opportunity to tow my boat, I just love the free-standing ability to divide the vehicle and camper when you have arrived at a destination, and for safe storage when it's not needed! When the weekend or holiday time comes around, it only takes five easy minutes to load the camper onto the tray and you're ready to roll. Remember, if it’s easy you will use it - complicated campers can often make it all just seem too bloody hard!

Furthermore, if you're not towing you can park in normal carparks, you can access even higher grade offroad destinations, and set up a base camp separate to the vehicle when you arrive.

Further advantages include:

• Minimised storage space requirement

• No registration

• Minimal insurance

• Pop up roof minimises low profile and reduced fuel consumption

• Light personal watercraft, bicycles and other goods can be transported on the roof

• Cooking facilities both inside and out

• Added storage facilities

• Low cost accommodation

• Very easy to use without exhausting setup and packing requirements.

• I can take my boat fishing without upsetting the entire campsite!

A Camper That Covers All the Essentials

You may be surprised to learn that the TrayTek is a most comprehensive camper with a host of standard features including:

• Sink with hot/cold water and cutting board insert and water saving bowl

• 100 litre marine grade compressor fridge/freezer.

• Webasto diesel hot water/internal heater

• Solid roof with roof rack

• Private hot shower with toilet facility.

The TrayTek construction is very strong being constructed on a full aluminium chassis. The heavy items including 110 litre food grade poly water tank, 120 AMP AGM battery (lithium optional) and diesel tank for the Webasto heater/HWS are all enclosed in the structure and positioned down low, and to the front of the camper for added load stability.

Should you want to load, or unload the unit the extendable legs simply slot onto the sides of the frame and you wind them up easily with a socket on an electric drill. The sockets and legs are width adjustable to cater for different trays. There is a set of cross bars for added stability. The tailgate drops easily on its chains and can be manually closed as well, however there is a manual winch mechanism also available for those of smaller stature.

Premium Security Features for Peace of Mind

The added security of a solid pop-up roof is immeasurable, but it certainly adds peace of mind as well as tangible benefits including insulation. The TrayTek MK2 design lifts easily into place with the touch of a button that activates worm drive mechanical struts. For set up you simply fold down the tailgate/rear platform and the rear of the canvas folds out via a U-shaped bow that is then supported by a pair of internal poles. There's a folding ladder for access and lickety split, you're camping! Should you require added shade there is an Alu-Awn on the side with the entire camp set up in around three short, and effortless minutes.

In their pursuit of premium manufacturing Trayon use only Bradmill canvas with high quality midge proof screens and YKK zips for longevity. Should the heavens open up, or for your total privacy the TrayTek also features both clear and solid canvas window screens with plenty of ventilation aided by the fact that the whole unit is above ground level to keep creepy crawlies at bay.

Outside the unit the triple layer polymer insulated walls are electrostatically painted for a tough yet attractive finish. There are four lockable compartments for access to storage, electronics, winch and plumbing facilities, as well as a fold out table near the stairwell that serves as a handy mount for a portable twin burner metho stove (upgradable to gas).  The same unit can be carried back into the bench mount inside the unit to make that early morning or late-night cuppa. There’s twin touch awning lights outside, and on top of the roof is a 200 watt of solar panel connected to the battery via a regulator. This can even serve as a charge back to the towing vehicle if wired correctly.

The drop-down ladder makes access quite easy. As you enter you are immediately confronted by the PVC shower in front and the cabinet containing the 100 litre marine grade compressor fridge/freezer to the left which you can easily access through the doorway from the outside of the camper.  Underfloor is a large storage compartment and of course there’s a shower base with drain to the outside on the other side. The shower hose and rose connects to the sink tap. The shower tent is just a little small for this big heifer but whatta ya expect!

Versatile Living Space That Adapts to Your Needs

Overall, the internal fit out is compact but very livable with storage in both side cabinets, a multi-use sink cabinet with cutting board inserts, molded bowls and utility cupboards. The electronics hub comes complete with solar regulator, 12 volt and water monitors and power outlet. The electronic system can be opted to a full Redarc BMS and charger if required and an inverter is also optional. There was no USB in our demo unit but I believe it is now standard equipment.

My first impression was that the Queen bed takes up a lot of space, but I then realised that it pivots upward when you're not sleeping revealing a dinette with slide out table and storage under the seats. Trayon have minimised weight with a foam mattress with breathing liner, but options are available if required.

With trailers currently being excluded from some 4x4 experiences a slide-on becomes even more enticing to serious off-roaders, plus it's often handy to have access to your towbar. It also leaves the rear end free for bike loaders. Trayon have done a marvelous job at making the Traytek far more attractive to the growing slide-on market by reducing hefty original 850kg right down to an easily palatable 540 kg. The entire unit also sits in line with the outside of the tray without overhang for terrific clearance in the bush.

The Wrap

I can honestly sit here and sprout a heap of reasons as to why I not only liked the original Trayon Campers, but why I love the TrayTek Tailgater. It adds to the Trayon range of slide-ons to fit both single/extra cab and dual cabin utes. Trayon are a proud, family owned and operated Australian Made manufacturer priding themselves on manufacturing in Queensland with as many locally sourced components as possible. They are that confident in their products that they offer a whopping 10-year warranty!

Be assured in the knowledge that this is no “fly by night” outfit, in fact it is a close family affair who have been manufacturing Trayon slide-ons since 1994.

My peers once asked me to state which of any campers I would buy if money were no option. I felt a bit of a smartarse answering, “I haven’t built it yet!” Well, I’m happy to declare that the Traytek Tailgater is as close to MY personal ideal camper as I think I’ll ever see.

But that’s just me……………….

Hits

• Compact

• Lightweight

• I can tow a boat

• Very accommodating

• Sensible accessories

• Above the ground

• Set up base camp and still have vehicle

• No Registration required

Not So Much

• Shower tent a bit small for Big Bad Bear

• I would take the gas option

Specifications

Tare: 540kg (dry-weight)

ATM: Not applicable

Body: Internal Aluminium frame with external electrostatically treated walls mounted to a fully welded aluminium base

Style: Slide-on tray back camper to suit single-cab, extra-cab utes

Dimensions

Tray size: 1950mm long X 1830mm wide (or wider) with a headboard clearance requirement of 900mm

Accessories

Gas cylinders: (optional)

Water: 110 litres

Cooktop: 2 burner portable metho

Kitchen: Sink with insert cutting board, hot cold mixer and water saving bowl, 100 litre marine grade compressor fridge/freezer.

Battery: 120AMP AGM (lithium option)

Hot water/internal heater: Webasto Diesel

Roof rack for roof loading

 Supplied by Trayon Slide On Campers, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Find the camper that's right for you and your family online at OnlyVans.com.au!  We have an excellent variety of off-road campers for sale if you'd like something similar to the TrayTek Tailgater Diesel Deluxe.

And if you are still researching your options, we have plenty of great deals on caravans for sale, including used caravans and caravans from private sellers. You can also find motorhomes, camper trailers and pop-top caravans for sale. No matter how you like to travel or your family size, we've got you covered. 

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