What first grabbed my attention in the Wild Boar range was the scarlet model on display at a caravan and camping show I attended. It wasn’t only the colour, either; the two-pack paint job looked first-class. So it came as no surprise to discover that Wild Boar proprietor Paul Burton is a painter by profession, and runs a full blown paint shop on the premises. Sorry if you were expecting the scarlet paint job for this review camper – it’s just a conservative silver, but red is readily available.
Wild Boar describes the Forward Folding Camper as an offroad trailer, fitting it with 16in alloy wheels that ride on fully independent suspension with coil springs, twin shock absorbers and trailing arms. A look under the camper reveals corner stabilisers fitted all round and a well-strapped-up 120L stainless steel water tank with extra alloy checkerplate protection.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
The business end features an extended drawbar with polyblock coupling, handbrake and jockey wheel. There’s also a bit of extra framework to support, not only the 1730x650x1200mm storage boxes, but also the gas cylinders, jerry can holder, stoneguard protector and hand winch for hauling over the camper top. When the camper’s all folded up with the two spare wheels bolted to the rear, it has a very purposeful look about it.
Setting up the camper in its basic form really doesn’t take very long – it’s just a matter of unclipping the trailer top and winching it over. That pulls the main 15oz canvas roof and walls into position, along with the tropical roof.
The Razorback’s annexe is impressive at 2700x5500mm. We left it open for the photoshoot, but comes with a full set of walls. For a quick overnight stop, a smaller and lighter 2000mm awning (only) can be used. The Razorback Forward Folding Camper comes with a small canvas shower room that fits neatly to the offside included in the price, but not shown.
INTERIOR
One of the interesting benefits of a forward-fold camper (or at least this one) is that it comes with built-in seating. Setting up the queen-size bed takes a few minutes more but something like Duvalay sleeping bag could speed up that process, especially for a quick overnight stop.
Screened windows are fitted in all the canvas walls, ensuring plenty of airflow. All the windows have internal and external flaps, as well as external hoods. If there are no mozzies or other undesirables around, then the door side wall can be left ajar, opening up the awning side area considerably.
The club lounge provides enough room to stretch out and rest your feet, once you’ve moved the fold-down freestanding table out of the way. Under the offside seat you’ll find a basic electric panel with light and accessory switches, along with the 12V and 5V USB charger sockets. I thought this was an odd position as you need to bend down to reach it when you’re indoors. LED string lighting is fitted above the seating and bed but the bed itself has no reading lights.
EXTERIOR
Generally speaking, the electrics are well set up. Two 100Ah gel-sealed batteries, in the rear offside bin, supply the 12V load and they are charged by either a 21A seven stage mains charger or via a 50A Anderson plug. Solar panels are optional and can be connected via the Anderson plug. In addition to the interior lights, there’s also a flexible lead fitted external LED light as well, the 12V socket being located by the slide-out kitchen.
The Razorback Forward Folding Camper handled our test route quite well, with bounce under control. Underneath, all the necessary fittings and pipework is fitted well out of the way, thus giving the trailer a good ground clearance. With a Tare of 1320kg and an ATM of 2000kg, it certainly has a very good load capacity but it’s weighty and probably requires a mid-sized 4WD for safe towing.
THE VERDICT
This Wild Boar Razorback (to use its shorter name!) looks to be a well set up camper, fully kitted-out for rugged, remote travel. A careful look under camper reveals everything to be neatly finished and strapped up out of harm’s way.
The Razorback has a very user-friendly set up, suitable for overnight stops or longer stays and the forward-fold configuration is certainly an interesting break from tradition.
HITS & MISSES
Pros…
- Easy to set up camper
- Good load capacity and storage space
- Spacious under awning area
- Two spare wheels supplied
- Paint finish
Cons…
- No reading lights at the bed
- Weighty if fully loaded
- Awkward access to the battery charger panel from inside
Check out the full feature in issue #94 November 2015 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.