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Blue Tongue Campers is a camper trailer company founded by Karl Geddes and Andrew Walter in the southern Sydney suburb of Kirrawee. The company has been a leader in the traditional camper-trailer market for over a decade, and its products are built tough for Australian conditions. While Blue Tongue initially offered all-Australian manufactured campers, they now feature locally made trailers with imported tents to keep prices down. The company's range of moderately priced side-fold soft floor campers offers various extra features, such as increased storage, fridge slides, and luggage and bike racks. Blue Tongue's first hybrid camper, the XH15, is a 15-foot (4.7-metre) caravan with a rugged off-road appearance and high ride height. It is packed with features, including an island bed, 2000-watt inverter, grey water tank, and ample battery capacity for extended free camping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Blue Tongue Campers |
| Founders | Karl Geddes and Andrew Walter |
| Location | Kirrawee, Sydney, Australia |
| Product | Camper trailers |
| Price range | $19,000 - $50,000 |
| Hybrid camper | Blue Tongue XH15 |
| Camper size | 4.7m in body length, 6.5m from front to back, 2.2m wide |
| Camper weight | 2100kg before load, 2700kg ATM, 600kg payload capacity |
| Camper features | Queen bed, dinette, LED lights, 12V and USB outlets, storage drawers, external awnings |
| Kitchen features | Stainless steel, sink, three-burner stove, LED light, large fridge slide, two-tiered pantry, stainless bench |
| Accessories | Folding solar panels, hot water, diesel room heating |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Tongue Campers' first hybrid
Blue Tongue Campers has been a leader in the traditional camper-trailer market for over a decade. Its first hybrid, the Blue Tongue XH15, was released in 2020 and is a hybrid caravan with an in-built kitchen.
The XH15 is 15 feet long, or 4.7 metres in body length, and 6.5 metres from front to back. This makes it relatively small by today's standards, although its rugged off-road appearance and high ride height make it seem larger. It is also quite narrow at 2.2 metres wide, which is advantageous when towing along narrow, off-road tracks. The camper has a queen-sized bed, which can be accessed from three sides as it expands sideways rather than rearwards. The mattress folds in half across the bed, rather than lengthways, and Blue Tongue has said this will be changed for production models. The dinette converts into a twin bunk and the cushions are firm. There is no ladder to the top bunk, with the occupant stepping up from the main bed.
The Blue Tongue XH15 also includes a small shower and toilet cubicle, a dinette, a small sink, and plenty of storage. The dinette lounge provides a comfortable space to eat away from bugs, and the bunk above it folds up to improve access. The camper has a 2000-watt inverter, a grey-water tank, and enough battery capacity to free camp for extended periods.
The Blue Tongue XH15 retails for $50,000 and is a great value, highly capable off-road camper.
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Australian-developed design
Blue Tongue Campers, founded by Karl Geddes and Andrew Walter, is a Sydney-based camper-trailer firm that has been a leader in the traditional camper-trailer market for over a decade. The company was launched to provide the market with high-quality, moderately priced campers. Initially, Blue Tongue Campers manufactured all-Australian campers, but they found it challenging to balance customer demands for local materials with competitive pricing. As a result, they transitioned to using locally made trailers with imported tents to keep costs down.
One of Blue Tongue Campers' unique designs is the Overland Grande forward-fold camper, based on an Australian-developed design. In this design, the top of the camper body folds forward, with the bed resting at the front and the rear half dedicated to a lounge, storage, and additional sleeping area. This design offers various comfort features that elevate it above basic camping options. For example, it includes a queen-size bed at the front, a comfortable lounge seating up to six people with a portable table, and LED strip lights. The trailer also has four storage drawers under the internal lounge and internal window covers, allowing for protection from inclement weather.
Blue Tongue Campers has expanded its offerings beyond traditional camper trailers to include hybrids. Their first hybrid, the Blue Tongue XH15, is a 15-foot caravan with a rugged off-road appearance and high ride height. Despite its compact size, it offers various features, including an in-built kitchen, a queen bed, and a dinette that converts into a twin bunk. The Blue Tongue XH15 is a great value, highly capable off-road camper, retailing for $50,000.
In addition to their forward-fold and hybrid campers, Blue Tongue Campers offers a range of other options, such as the Overland XR Series 2, which is a rear-fold, hard-floor camper. This series is known for its versatile design, ample storage, and well-equipped kitchen. The kitchen features a stainless-steel setup with a sink, a three-burner stove, and ample storage compartments. The Overland XR Series 2 is also more affordable than similar Australian-made campers, retailing for approximately $20,000 less than comparable specifications.
Blue Tongue Campers has established a reputation for providing high-quality, budget-friendly camper trailers, and their Australian-developed designs, such as the Overland Grande and their hybrid models, showcase their innovation and commitment to meeting customer needs.
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All-Australian manufactured campers
Blue Tongue Campers, founded by Karl Geddes and Andrew Walter, is a Sydney-based camper-trailer firm that initially launched with all-Australian manufactured campers. The company's workshop is located in Kirrawee, in the southern suburbs of Sydney.
Blue Tongue Campers has been a leader in the traditional camper-trailer market for over a decade, and its products are designed to withstand the rugged Australian environment. The company's first offering was an all-Australian-made camper, but they soon encountered economic challenges as customers were reluctant to pay the extra $5000 for local canvas. As a result, they transitioned to using locally made trailers with imported tents to keep prices competitive.
Despite this shift, Blue Tongue Campers remains committed to quality and customer satisfaction. Their products are known for their sturdy construction, with features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tyres, dual-shock trailing arm independent suspension, and fully galvanised chassis and drawbar. The company has also expanded its range to include hybrid campers, combining the comforts of a caravan with the advantages of a camper trailer.
One of their popular models, the Blue Tongue XH15, is a hybrid caravan with a unique design. It measures 4.7 metres in body length and 6.5 metres from front to back, making it relatively compact for today's standards. Despite its compact size, its high ride height and rugged off-road appearance give it a larger feel. The XH15 offers a comfortable queen bed, an in-built kitchen, and a dinette that converts into a twin bunk.
Blue Tongue Campers has established a reputation for providing high-quality, budget-friendly camper trailers, and their products are often praised for their value for money. The company aims to cater to families by offering affordable yet feature-rich options, such as the Off-road Trekka, which offers increased storage, a fridge slide, luggage racks, and bike racks.
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Imported tents
Blue Tongue Campers are made in Australia, specifically in a workshop in Kirrawee in Sydney's south. The company was started by two men, Karl and Andrew, who previously worked in the construction industry. They build their campers with the "builder's ethic" in mind, aiming to use the right tools and components and provide excellent customer service.
The one non-Australian aspect of Blue Tongue campers is the tent, which is imported. The tent comes in three options, all free-standing and requiring only pegs and ropes for stability in windy conditions. Option 1 has a 25-square-metre tent with a side awning that can accommodate four or more people. The tents are available on any of the Blue Tongue range and are popular with "grey nomads" and those seeking a fast and easy setup.
The Blue Tongue range features seven different campers, ranging in price from $3500 to $10,500. The tent remains the same across the range, while the trailer underneath varies in features and specifications. For example, the Trekka model offers increased storage, a fridge slide, luggage racks, bike racks, and a drawer for accessing internal storage. The trailer also has a heavier-duty construction and a more durable finish.
The company's campers are designed for Australian conditions and offer good value for money. In their first year, they sold over 300 campers, and production has since remained at a healthy level of 300-400 units per year. While most sales are in New South Wales, they have also found a market in Queensland and Victoria and plan to expand their reach in the coming year.
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Australian-made competitors
Australia has a rich tradition of outdoor exploration and adventure-seeking, and its camper trailer manufacturers have responded to the unique and rugged Australian landscape by offering a variety of innovative trailers to suit different camping needs. Although there are now many imported products on the market, Australian-made camper trailers are still considered to be some of the best and are often the trendsetters.
There are several Australian-made competitors to Blue Tongue Campers. Wedgetail Campers, for example, produces award-winning, high-quality, and innovative off-road camper trailers that have been tried and tested over harsh terrain all around Australia. Their campers come in seven different sizes with plenty of customization options.
Cub Campers is another Australian company that produces premium trailers designed to withstand tough conditions, focusing on both compact and family-sized models. Patriot Campers is known for its high-quality off-road campers with modern features and innovative designs, such as a literal staircase. Trackabout Campers also stands out for its unique and patented awning system.
Bruder is a manufacturer of luxury expedition campers, engineered with cutting-edge technology to handle challenging landscapes, while Kimberley Kampers offers environmentally conscious and technologically advanced campers that are energy efficient and sustainable without compromising on luxury. Ultimate Campers combines lightweight construction with impressive aerodynamics to deliver unparalleled off-road performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Tongue campers are designed and manufactured in Australia. The company was founded in the southern Sydney suburb of Kirrawee by Karl Geddes and Andrew Walter.
Blue Tongue campers are made of a combination of locally made and imported materials. Initially, the company used all-Australian materials, but they found that customers were not willing to pay the extra $5000 for local canvas. As a result, they started using locally made trailers with imported tents to keep prices competitive.
Blue Tongue campers are highly regarded in the camping world for their quality and affordability. They are known for their innovative designs, such as their forward-fold and rear-fold concepts, and their range of features. Blue Tongue campers are also praised for their versatility, storage, and kitchens.
Some popular Blue Tongue campers include the Overland Grande, the Overland XR Series 2, and the Trekka. The Overland Grande is a forward-fold camper with a unique design, offering a queen-size bed at the front and a lounge/storage area in the rear. The Overland XR Series 2 is a rear-fold, hard-floor camper known for its versatility, storage, and kitchen. The Trekka is Blue Tongue's newest offering, setting a new standard in affordable family campers with its increased storage, fridge slide, luggage racks, and bike racks.
