Our Redback Country Explorer 9yrs On

**Redback** · 12th March 2013, 05:03 PM

We ordered our camper September 2003, picked it up march 2004, this is the first camper to have the walkway at the front, Ray Clark and Aaron from Redback developed this design with the idea of making it easy to climb in and out of bed as Ray suffers from Arthritas, we asked if we could have 700mm sides so we could fit a 3way upright fridge in it, Ray had no problems doing this for us and at no extra charge too, nothing was a problem for Ray, Aaron(canvas guy) on the other hand was a pain.

Easter that year we went to Big Yango in Yengo NP, to test her out for the first time, this is where we found some poor quality stitching and workmanship, also they had supplied us with the wrong tent also, after numerous phone calls and a visit to Redback at the show, it was finally sorted and we got down to using and modding it.

First trip was to Big Yango in Yengo National Park (Key required for entry $200 deposit)
Yango camp

The first kitchen I made, a slide in one, way too heavy though.

Second kitchen, with sink, 12v pump and 3 way fridge, 12volt and 240V setup with a 100AH battery.

Walkway

Our first big trip with the camper after sorting the dramas of the tent, was the Simpson, this is at Birdsville van park

The Blanche Cup Oonadatta Tr

Next addition was an awning extension, and hot water unit, the awning was made by Kerry, this can be fully enclosed, with walls and front in either mesh or full canvas.

Hot water unit, Arrid smart charger and 240v plugs.

Gunshot 2009

Random shots

It's been a great camper, tough as nails and built extremely well, tows like a dream, can't complain at all about the trailer, we have taken it everywhere, where ever the car goes, so does the camper, we have done some tough rutted tracks, some have even required a winch up.

It has also been an evolution through 3 vehicles, the Ford Explorer, our old Disco 2 and now our new Disco 4.

Baz.

**Redback** · 24th July 2013, 03:56 PM

OK small update, I fitted new rims and old KM2s to the camper today, also we are in the process of re-waterproofing the tent, we have cleaned the canvas and PVC floor in preparation for hopefully doing it this weekend, according to the instructions it needs 48hrs to dry and cure to the canvas, we are using a product called Bradproof and is designed for old canvas.

But here's a pic of the new rims, Gecko 17 x 8 with 245/70/17 BFG KM2s for the sum of $85 per rim, already had the tyres so they came in handy.

Baz.

**Bundalene** · 24th July 2013, 05:05 PM

Planning for another big trip Baz?????

**Yorkie** · 24th July 2013, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bundalene

Planning for another big trip Baz?????

Yeah, where you heading?.

Nice rims.

**Redback** · 25th July 2013, 07:04 AM

Not for a while yet unfortunately, just the D3/4/RRS weekend with a bit of luck, Kerry might be able to come to this.

The D3 rims don't fit the hubs

I didn't realise the centre hole tapered that much, I even got some centric rings to allign the rims onto the hub and 15 wheel nuts at $10 a nut

Oh well you get that

Baz.

**Yorkie** · 25th July 2013, 09:13 AM

bugger, i was going to ask what you were doing with the old rims.

**Redback** · 30th July 2013, 11:12 AM

OK so camper is done a dusted, the whole process took two weekends, we bought 10ltrs of white vinegar and two 100ml bottles of tea tree oil to clean the camper, this was the first weekend job, we used around 8ltrs of white vinegar undiluted (it's up to you if you want to dilute it)and 200ml of tea tree oil mixed in, put it in a spray bottle and sprayed in on and rubbed it in with a flat mop, hosed it off(we did this as our canvas was really dirty) let it dry before re-applying with the spray bottle and let it dry on the canvas, then the following weekend we applied the bradproof with a paint roller, for the places we couldn't get too with the roller, we used a paint brush, waited 48hrs for it too dry, putting the awning over it overnight to stop dew getting on it and then put everything back in and folded it back up, late sunday arvo.

It's a lot cleaner that it was, there's still some dirt on it(red dirt from the Simpson) but heaps better than it was, and it doesn't smell of smoke anymore, so the white vinegar and tea tree oil have done a great job of deoderising the canvas, all up well worth the effort.

All ready for another 9yrs

Baz.

**ozscott** · 31st July 2013, 10:31 AM

Nice mate. I have used a good quality off road camper and they are good value. We have just taken possession of a Golf Pop Top and cant wait to do some customising and get away with it. Good write up.

Cheers

**Redback** · 31st July 2013, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Nice mate. I have used a good quality off road camper and they are good value. We have just taken possession of a Golf Pop Top and cant wait to do some customising and get away with it. Good write up.

Cheers

A Golf Pop Top, good strong campers/caravan they are, should be pretty easy to tow too, especially for a D2.

Baz.

**ozscott** · 31st July 2013, 01:04 PM

Thanks Baz - yep they are nicely built and finished - plenty of clearance and IS - the chassis come out in line with the floor pan (ie the bottom of the rail is level with the bottom of the front wall of the van) not below like a lot of vans. Only weighs 1.1 tonns, so well short of my near 2 tonn Vagabond boat. Mind you I will probably add a few hundred kg's in annex, batteries etc!

Cheers and happy holidaying!

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