Thread: Trayon campers

Mod #1
The bed is held down (up when folded) by three straps that are fixed with Velcro. When I added a foam topper to the mattress, the straps were too short. I needed to make sure the straps were firm to retain the extra mattress height. So I added some webbing buckles. They are easy to release but can be tightened down really firmly.

The velco straps were not modified, so it is easily reversible if required.

C

We're on our second Trayon, having written the first one off in the high country! I've added some extra foam under the mattress rather than on top, and yes it makes the fold-up very tight, we need to remove all the bedding from the bed prior to folding up so your extra 50mm would be great but I think it would be a huge undertaking- let us know if you go ahead with this as I'd be interested to see how you achieve it. The 'Froli' mattress base seems to be a popular option but I'm sure it has the same implications for packing up.
The little bolt to hold the door open has not bothered us at all but it probably will now you've mentioned it!
I set up extra storage drawers underneath so now all 5 slots have drawers, 2 of them having secure storage for the legs. I've just made a simple table arrangement to kind of clip on the side to sit the stove on, I plan to put an extra gas bayonet on the driver's side so it can be used there as well. Also made a clip for the hot water (shower head) outlet to clamp onto the corner of the camper so it's handy for hand washing.

There's a FB group (of course) and a few good ideas there, one that I particularly liked is a bloke with an older Trayon who has added a second lift-up door on the right hand side, identical to the existing long opening but above it, to access the pantry from outside; one of the things we are finding is we have to be intentional about not spending too much of our camping time inside the Trayon so making food preparation more accessible from outside would help with that.

Thanks for the feedback POD!
First thing I assumed when I was looking at them was that I could fit a queen size mattress in there by using the spare space around the std double mattress. A queen mattress with 100mm trimmed off one side fitted, but I then realised that the camper uses the space around the mattress for the poles and canvas to fold in to when folded up. So have put the double mattress back in there for now.

I also have removed the std 2 burner stove with griller, which sits quite tall on the bench and presses on the mattress when folded up. I'm using an old 2 burner stove with portable gas bottle at the moment, so yet to use the gas bottle on board. I've always used the philosophy of using 2 small bottles so I am not caught short when one empties, being able to swap on to the other one easily. Has only having one large 9kg bottle ever caught you short? Am thinking of installing a hot water system for the inbuilt shower, yet to decide if gas or diesel powered...

Yes I'm going to make some drawers for underneath. Storing the legs there makes more sense than in the side locker, and moves the weight further forward as well.

At present I like to cook outside so tend to make many trips up and down the steps moving stuff in and out. Need to get a better organised system!

Cheers,
Chris

Mmmm, removed the panel in front of the water tank for a look see. The aluminium section on the right side of the blue Lithium battery is supposed to be rivetted(?!) to the timber floor, but it is loose. This leaves the end of battery retaining strap loose so the battery can wander around it's enclosure, exposed terminals and all.... One to fix ASAP!

Not convinced that venting the fridge to the outside is a good idea given the amount of dust in there? I'd prefer to vent it in to interior through the panel I removed, even if I put a small computer fan there to help it...

C

Our battery is in a different position, it's behind the panel opposite the steps, i.e. above the front of the long external locker. Yours looks like good use of otherwise dead space, also forward, low and central so a good place for the weight, but yes it needs to be well secured. Whilst you're in there, check the water tank straps are tight- I pulled them together at the top with a couple of oversized cable ties, one of them had fallen off the shoulder of the tank- definitely don't want that bouncing around.
Dust ingress we have found is not a problem, having no openings at the back, where the dust plume is when traveling, is great.
We have the original gas HWS in the left rear cupboard, I've also fitted a diesel heater above it. Hot running water is a huge luxury for camping! Odd that yours doesn't have a HWS, perhaps they down-optioned the rental unit?
The 8.5kg gas cylinder last us ages, haven't had it run out on a trip yet and I swap the semi-used one onto the BBQ bottle at home as it's no drama if I run that out.

Originally Posted by POD

Our battery is in a different position, it's behind the panel opposite the steps, i.e. above the front of the long external locker. Yours looks like good use of otherwise dead space, also forward, low and central so a good place for the weight, but yes it needs to be well secured. Whilst you're in there, check the water tank straps are tight- I pulled them together at the top with a couple of oversized cable ties, one of them had fallen off the shoulder of the tank- definitely don't want that bouncing around.
Dust ingress we have found is not a problem, having no openings at the back, where the dust plume is when traveling, is great.
We have the original gas HWS in the left rear cupboard, I've also fitted a diesel heater above it. Hot running water is a huge luxury for camping! Odd that yours doesn't have a HWS, perhaps they down-optioned the rental unit?
The 8.5kg gas cylinder last us ages, haven't had it run out on a trip yet and I swap the semi-used one onto the BBQ bottle at home as it's no drama if I run that out.

Both sink and rear shower mixers have hot and cold water plumbing. There are hot and cold water pipes from the shower back to under the sink, where they just cross link to the cold water pump. So yes, most of the hot water plumbing is there. Will have to work out which cupboards are least useful to use as a hot water system or heater enclosure. Being a shorter dual cab model, there is not a lot of internal storage cupboards.

Was also thinking of a Joolca style hot water system with some snap water and gas fittings in the gas bottle cabinet (front left), with the hot water system hooked up external on the camper when needed. It could be stored when not in use in the front canopies.

Yes a diesel heater is also high on the list of improvements. Possibly with the tank in the gas bottle cabinet and the unit in one of the internal cupboards?

C

The rear left cupboard seems to be the standard location for the HWS, I believe they still use that location for the newer diesel-powered combination water / room heater. I fitted the diesel heater in above the Truma water heater and run the diesel line from a small tank in the gas locker.
We find the storage in the dual-cab model quite adequate but I have removed the back seats from the 130 and also have a big trundle under the tray. I think with your big boxes in front of the camper you'll have no shortage of space.
I see you found the FB group.

Thanks POD.
Yes I've found the FB page. Let the fun begin.

That left rear locker is my go to storage for general set-up stuff. Would hate to loose it to a heater! That locker is diagonally opposite to most of the plumbing. Do you loose much water waiting for the hot water to come through the pipes?

Does your diesel heater vent its burner exhaust out through the rear, bottom or side of the camper?

Thanks for the info so far. Very informative!
Cheers, Chris.