Quality Trek Test 2008 Test Trek Darling River Run
Darling River Run from Menindee to Bourke.
Background:
Together with our friends we have 5 sons aged 7 to 11. When camping, it helps to keep the 5 boys very busy during the day and preferably, exhausted by sunset. We can then relax by the campfire and enjoy the night yarns. We decided on a trip where there would be some water and take kayaks with us – one for each of the boys. Now we needed to find sufficient water!
A friend of mine flies his light aircraft from Melbourne to Cape York periodically and reported that there was plenty of water in Menindee Lakes – so we decided on a trip along the Darling River starting from Menindee with side trips to Broken Hill and White Cliffs.
Menindee Lake system interconnected with Darling River
To get to Menindee we passed through Bathurst, Orange, Parkes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Hillston, Mossgiel, and Ivanhoe. The roads were mainly dirt in average to poor condition. The closer we got to Menindee, the bigger the dust bowls. The bulldust was some of the finest I had seen. However, it is strangely beautiful in this remote farming country.
Just west of the Darling is the huge Lake Menindee, or a lake it would be with some water in it. The sandy floor of the lake was dry, and had been so dry for so long that native grasses and scrub had sprung up to try and take the place of the water. I don’t know what my friend had seen from the air?!
This was not for us so we drove east below Lake Wetherell and very quickly found a great isolated campsite setting up camp on the Darling River northeast of the weir.
There was enough water in the Darling at the time of our visit. However it was obvious that the river was well down on its normal levels and had been like this for some time. The banks looked like levees. But it makes a very pretty place to be, snaking along with eagles and scores of corellas screeching overhead.
Darling River near Louth & Sunset looking out from our Camp at Lake Wetherell
The boys ran obstacle courses through the fallen trees into the water at the water’s edge. A challenge for the bigger adults....
The river was so muddy; the yabbies would have trouble finding water let alone our bait – so no yabbies or yellow belly – a very disappointing result for the entire trip.
The Ocean Kayaks were excellent in design as they are “sit on tops” and the boys could not get trapped inside them. They were light and durable and are distributed nationally by BLA see http://www.bla.com.au
A couple of final photos for fun:
Steve and son Harrison & Snag Fish on the line
Angels in front of the fire & Boys in the Mud
We hosed the boys down using the outside hot shower. The mud was greasy and sticky so it was just as well we had an endless supply of water.
Test Trek Setup
The other purpose of our Trek was to test the new 2008 Model Kimberley Kamper with the new Delta Gullwing.
In the driveway before leaving Sydney & On the road
Roadside Stop near White Cliffs
Just a couple more photos and then I will get into the details of the test feedback and results.
New Kitchen Side of Delta Gullwing & Afternoon Sun on the Kamper
New Second Bedroom that zips on rear on Extended Tent in minutes
The Hot Water shower was a huge hit with the Ladies.
We were pumping directly out of the Darling so there was an endless supply of Hot Water both in the ensuite and in the kitchen sink. The ensuite was fitted on the river side (with river views) and is made from new lightweight material
Loading
The new Platinum is 50kgs lighter than the 2007 model at 1150kgs Tare. We fitted it with 2 water tanks and the compact diesel hot water which will be standard in the 2008 Model Platinum.
The load on the trailer increases significantly with all tanks and Jerry cans full. We loaded it to the maximum for the test.
There is a very important lesson with this loading.
Normally, one of the issues with having hot water on board is the subsequent need for larger water tanks. Larger water tanks mean heavier loads.
With the Visiflow system of pumping from a stream or river, you can travel with minimum water in the large tank if you know there is water at your destination.
We dropped the hose in at Menindee and used river water for the showers while camping. We had an endless supply but no heavy load of water when we set off to the next camp.
The bush guide for drinking/cooking water is 7.5litres per person per day in remote areas.
Test Trek Loading |
Kgs | Kgs |
Platinum Tare |
1150 |
|
Tank 1 water |
70 |
|
Tank 2 water (but travelled generally with 30 litres) |
130 |
|
Diesel for hot water |
4 |
|
Jerry 1 |
20 |
|
Jerry 2 |
20 |
|
Subtotal |
244 |
1394 |
Food |
30 |
|
Tools/Pots and Pans |
25 |
|
Clothes |
30 |
|
Awnings and Hose etc |
20 |
|
Subtotal |
105 |
1499 |
Kayaks 3 x 22kg each |
66 |
|
Gen set |
20 |
|
Extra Spare Wheel |
35 |
|
Subtotal |
121 |
|
Total Load |
1600~20 kgs; |
|
The 2 Jerry cans were overkill for extra fuel. Both vehicles were city based vehicles and used unleaded so we took 40 litres of unleaded each.
We should have carried just 20 litres and filled the second one if we found we needed to during the trip.
Towing
Good trip – towed like a dream. Optional Kamper Drawbar extension was fitted and it is great for manoeuvrability plus improved the reversing ability.
With the Range Rover loaded with 5 of us and the Kamper, we averaged 17.8 litres/100km on the better roads. When out in the corrugated and poor roads this increased by about 20%.
The vehicle / Kamper combination ratios were:
Comment |
Actual |
Design Max |
Excellent Low Ratio of Trailer mass /Vehicle loaded mass |
53.2% |
75% |
Very good Low Ratio of hitch to vehicle rear axle/ hitch to trailer axles |
35.0% |
45% |
Excellent Ration Centre of Gravity/ hitch to trailer axle ratio |
20.4% |
40% |
Excellent Ration of Centre of Gravity/ Track width |
49.1% |
95% |
Good reversing Ratio of vehicle wheelbase to Hitch/ Trailer axle |
70.0% |
|
Drawbar weight as percentage of Trailer weight |
11.9% |
15% |
The unit had standard hydraulic disc brakes and performed well stopping on dirt roads.
As usual, we try to travel with minimum clothing and food, but we still returned with surplus “emergency rations” – probably far too much.
Key New Features and results
Hot Water
We have had the diesel hot water for 2 years now with excellent results from the field (no known issues in over 130 units fitted).
However, we reconfigured the system to make it even more compact and directly installed the outside hot/cold extendable shower to make it easier to use on the fly. We hosed down (using river water) several items every day. We used the diesel hot water a total of 52 times.
It takes only 4-5mins to reach temperature and is virtually instantaneous.
Our Visiflow system managedto lift a 3.5- 4m head of water out of the Darling with acceptable pressure.
The fine filter on the cold supply to the sink meant I drank the filtered river water instead of water from the second tank of “Sydney” water on several occasions. It was a little dry to the taste but perfectly fine with coffee.
The overall vote by all members on the Test Trek is “No1 for the diesel hot water”. It saved endless time in boiling the billy for washing up, which for nine of us took several sessions.
Delta™ Gullwing
“Everything has its place” is how I would describe this new storage pack. It meant having a place for everything with less unpacking and packing time.
On the kitchen side the upper panty was excellent though we felt the production one needed to be a little higher to hold 300mm bottles. This has been done. The front door for the quick access section was also too high which has been changed.
The ball bearing locking slides (new to Kimberley) were excellent and easy to use.
We travelled with an 80 Litre Waeco instead of the usual Autofridge. This tested our energy system more than normal (and some customers may prefer a Waeco or Engel).
The fridge is now positioned lower to the ground by 150mm than prior models and this makes it easier to see in the fridge and retrieve items from it.
The larger single burner (14.5Mj) with Piezo start is a real winner. We used it for pancakes most mornings with a larger cast iron pan.
On one night we used the large Wok and it worked very well. The 2 Burner and griller was also run consecutively for boiling the pasta/ vegetables and billy for coffee.
The vertical pantry with bottle store was too small. The production unit should be able to carry 4-5 bottles including one large olive oil container.
It will be a 2 layered stainless unit twice the size (we could only get 2 sauce bottles in the Test Unit).
The overhead LED’s are now twin Flexistrips and gave good light – more on my bug test with the LED’s later.
The control panel is now expanded and in the kitchen area. See below:
We added additional pop out circuit protectors for the test unit. The switches were directly labelled and have an LED when “on” for quick reference when closing up.
There are additional switches for the Kamper Tent and second bedroom in the rear of the Kamper.
Drivers Side:
This side has the compact diesel system and then ample space for canvas, bucket, hose, fishing gear, and all the other “stuff” that a guy likes to take on such a trip. The flexible folding solar panels I use are stored in here as well. There was room to spare if a customer wanted to take a porta-potti and other bulky items.
Front Gullwing
This is the third Gullwing of the “Delta” concept. In here we stored the generator, 2 x 20 litre Jerry cans, ropes, pegs, tools and straps.
An alternative configuration would be to move the generator and jerry cans to the driver’s side and put the other items in the front. The benefit is that this Gullwing can be opened up without pre-lifting the boat loaded. It would also reduce the drawbar weight if desired.
The elevated storage floor sections are a great innovation. Starboard (as used in the Karavan) is used here to great effect. It allows you to put items like tools and pegs down low and then have the generator on the raised floor on top of that.
The Starboard under the Jerry cans has cut-outs for access. Gone are the days of stuffing bags and boxes of bits and pieces on top of Generators and other bulking items.
LED lights
We have used LED lights now for over 4 years. I have read that the “whiter” the light, the less bugs that are attracted. This is important for some when the light is above the cooking pot.
We have worked out the colour temperature of the LED and specify this to the factory that we now import from directly. The results are excellent and we now have LED Flexistrip at the sink and below the kitchen as well as 4 in the Delta Gullwing and 2 available for the awning. There are 3 more inside the tent and second bedroom.
When they are all turned on they consume less power than one old fluorescent light.
See the Bug Test in the data section of this report.
Second Bedroom
In our last 2 Treks with the kids, we have tried 2 different bedrooms that attach on the driver’s side. They required poles, were bulky and needed 10-15mins to set up.
Over the last year we have been researching designs that can be erected in less than 5 minutes and require no poles.
This bedroom is a winner. The boys can only access it through the rear door of the Kamper. They left their clothes on the floor at the rear and then slepted in their sleeping bags on thermarest self inflatable mattresses. Their heads were closest to the Kamper. The floor is PVC and sewn onto the bedroom so that the whole thing zips on like a sock. The Velcro floor comes up into the hard floor of the Kamper to make it bug proof. The photo on the right is taken from the Queen Bed of the Kamper.
The large triangular window lets enough breeze through. The bedroom is new lightweight polyester coated on the inside.
We made (and used on one river bank stay) a tropical fly that Velcro’s over the top at either end. In very hot conditions it would reduce the temperature.
The LED is on the rear wall of the Kamper and is flexible enough to stay in place while the Kamper is closed. We didn’t try to close the Kamper with the bedroom attached as we had 2 different awnings we were trialling and needed to see how the Kamper folded up with them.
We have lodged a patent for this bedroom.
SupaTropical Fly
12 months ago we developed the Supa Tropical Fly.
It is a combination of a tropical roof and awning. It stays on the Kamper even when packing. A regular 2.4m Awning can be fitted underneath. This gives a 2 layer fly for most of the awning as well as the Kamper. The fly overhangs the driver’s side by 400mm to give some shade and balance to that side as well.
End Profile of Supa Tropical Fly
On the Test Trek it performed well in winds up to 10 knots (We have a handheld wind meter for testing). From 10 to 15 knots it required the side 2 poles to be pegged down. Above 15 knots, it was not stable enough to comfortably leave it unattended. As a result we will keep working on the design and it won’t be released for sale yet.
Kwik Awning
The Kwik Awning is the best I have used. It is perfect for 1-2 day or overnight stops. In fact it will be the standard and I am sure most travellers will just keep this zipped on. It will pack away zipped on.
Its design came from the Supa Tropical Fly in that there is no need for vertical poles and ropes in winds up to 15 knots. Above that the two end triangle flaps are unfolded and can be pegged out.
The awning is now 2m wide to comfortably cover the slide out kitchen. It will be made from new lightweight material.
LED Flexi-strips can easily be added to one or both of the J poles used in the roof.
Photos are taken in Ballina at the factory after the trip
Normal position with no vertical poles on kitchen side. In its fully open position, the corners of the Awning roof are unfolded and pegged out for extra coverage. In this situation there are only 2 side vertical poles.
Solar Panels
Now in their 5th year, the folding Flexible panels purchased in USA are still my favourite
Folding Solar Panels keep the heat out of the car.
2008 Test Trek Data Sheet
Hot Water and Diesel Usage |
10 days with Hot Water system activated a total of 52 times. Each time was 30mins except for long showers where 1 hour was set for entire shower period. When near streams on 2 occasions, everyone had endless hot showers.
Typical time to have hot water in the sink was 4-5mins max. |
Less than 2 litres of diesel was used.
There were no malfunctions or fail to start.
There was a trial of “master power off” (simulate a disconnected battery) while diesel was running. When reactivated, it restarted in the start-up cycle perfectly. |
Generator Usage |
4 times with a total of 9 hours using about 10 litres of unleaded fuel. |
|
Battery Usage
10 days with following Data |
Waeco 80 Litre (older style fridge) consumes about 28 Ah per day Engel 40 litre (anniversary model) consumes about 25 Ah per day Water pump for Hot and Cold Water used (<1Ah).
LED Strips used 0.3A per strip. So for 4 strips on in the kitchen are, this was 1.2 x 4 hours for 4.8Ah a day approx.
The LED in the tent and second bedroom had 2 strips for 2.4Ah per day.
The diesel Hot Water used about 3Ah per day for 4 start-ups of 30mins each approx per day.
Total Daily usage with both fridges running: 64.2Ah With one fridge running: 39.2Ah |
Solar power from 2 x 30W flexible panels giving 2 amps each for a typical total of 20Ah per day.
Generator was run for 2hours/day with 44Ah per session (battery charges delivers 21-23Amps which is above the 20A rated capacity)
When running 2 fridges, both the solar panels and the generator was needed to match demand.
We used the generator 4 times only to minimise use and to see the depth of battery discharge which dropped to 44% on one occasion before charging.
The Range Rover has a very good alternator and provides 10-15A charge whilst driving. For a typical 5 hour journey this added an average of 60Ah per trip. |
Water Usage |
We left with a 130 litre tank and a 70 litre tank. The 70 Litre tank was used for cooking water and drinking water and used 75% over 10 days (50 litres). The 130 litre Tank was emptied to quarter full for travelling. After we connected to the Darling river, we were able to pump up a head of 3.5-4m with constant water supply for hot water. |
|
2008 Test Trek Power Usage and Battery Capacity Data
Day 1 and Day 10 had long drive sections
I recorded the Capacity left every morning and observed the typical current flows for the items. From this data, I calculated a table of what the usage probably looked like to match the field results.
Energy Usage |
Power In In Amp hours |
Power Out In Amp hours |
Net Change Amp hours |
Capacity Left In percent Amp hours |
||||||||
Day |
Start Amp hours |
Car |
Generator |
Solar |
Total |
Fridges |
LEDs |
Hot Water |
Other |
Total |
||
1 |
Full |
drive |
0 |
0 |
210 |
35.3 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
46.5 |
163.5 |
78% |
2 |
163.5 |
60.0 |
0.0 |
4.0 |
64.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
163.3 |
78% |
3 |
163.3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
20.0 |
20.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
119.1 |
57% |
4 |
119.1 |
0.0 |
44.0 |
20.0 |
64.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
118.9 |
57% |
5 |
118.9 |
72.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
72.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
126.7 |
60% |
6 |
126.7 |
0.0 |
44.0 |
20.0 |
64.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
126.5 |
60% |
7 |
126.5 |
0.0 |
22.0 |
20.0 |
42.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
104.3 |
50% |
8 |
104.3 |
60.0 |
0.0 |
20.0 |
80.0 |
53.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
64.2 |
120.1 |
57% |
9 |
120.1 |
0.0 |
44.0 |
20.0 |
64.0 |
28.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
39.2 |
144.9 |
69% |
10 |
144.9 |
104.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
104.0 |
28.0 |
7.2 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
39.2 |
209.7 |
100% |
Fluoro - LED Light Bug Comparison
Lights within 3 meters of each other.
|
|
|
See Ezy Fluoro Light |
LED low cost standard light |
KK Flexi-strip (Photo inside Gullwing Lid) |
Approx hundreds and hundreds of bugs |
Approx 20-30 bugs |
Less than 10 bugs (counted) |
Glaring light not good on eyes |
Soft light very good on eyes |
Soft light very good on eyes |
Final Production Changes
There were more than 30 changes to the Test unit design to get to the production model. This photograph is one of the Production Models as dispayed at the National 4 x 4 Show in Melbourne for October 23rd.
Congratulations to the Lead Industrial Designer, Engineering designer, Supervisors and Team Leaders who contributed to this model. It is the best we have designed and produced and is a step-up in the camper trailer Industry.
Pleasant Kamping and thanks to my lovely wife for all the help with the trip!
Bruce Loxton Ballina October 12th 2007
