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We list the winners, explain how the event works and explore the ins and outs of what was a fascinating 2020 competition.

An electronic double-fold set-up, a king and queen sized bed, al fresco dining, a huge awning for outdoor living, lockable jerry can and gas storage, and a big boat rack for toys all set this folding camper apart from the pack.

Jawa have done it again, this time with their Sirocco, a specced-up five-berth pop-top hybrid offering all of the essentials you need and luxuries you could want, packaged into a compact body and riding on an offroad-ready base.

Camper catches up with a family of recreational archers who have transformed their humble box trailer into a four-berth camper of immense functionality.

The Bushwakka Bhoma doesn’t stray far from its South African roots. During Camper’s time scooting about the hot, arid bush, the Bhoma, at rest, was bright and fresh like a cool savannah breeze and at play, tough as a rampaging elephant.

The new Jayco Crosstrak hybrid sets out to balance offroad-ability with creature comforts. With plenty of storage, off-grid capacity and a spiffy kitchen, it’s poised to take the market by storm.

By naming your hybrid range ‘Tanami’, you set expectations of serious offroad travel to far flung destinations via thousands of kilometres of harsh dirt roads. Does Austrack’s latest offering have what it takes to follow through on its promises?

The new Brumby L.E. takes the iconic camper’s offroad credentials to another level.

Following another successful Sydney Show in May, Camper’s David Cook reports back on some of the most exciting new camper trailer models of 2019 so far.

When it comes to RV finance, avoid the ‘fly in the ointment’.

With an airy, spacious interior, a queen sized bed, an internal shower and toilet, a simplistic side-fold action, and the ability to jack up the camper and drive on out, there’s a lot to love about Wedgetail's WTC Slide-on.

With three sleeping spaces, a spacious high-roofed interior, a powerhouse cooktop, 240Ah of juice, an array of locally fitted Aussie components, a dome-top tent, and immense attention to detail, the Bluewater Lachlan has a lot to distinguish it.

Tipping the scales at 1,320kg ATM, the lumberjack Sheoak is a lightweight pod camper, requiring virtually no set up, that operates as a mobile adventure base ideal for couples. $23,999 and you’re ready to head into the outback.

Sub two minute set-up, abundant storage space and diminutive dimensions recommend the new Conqueror UEV-310 V2 Lighting to the modern, mobile camper.

Its name may conjures images of cleanliness and refined finish, and that’s spot-on; but truth be told, this six-berth forward fold slide camper, with its huge airy interior, offroad dimensions and quality components, is simply begging for a coat of mud.

Following on from the brand’s 50th anniversary last year, we test out the hard-floor, rear-fold Escape in Cape Tribulation, to see what difference that level of experience makes when you’re out in the sticks.

Less than a year after arriving at CTOTY 2019 with their prototype Z10.0 Expedition Series hard body camper, the boys from ZONE RV are back with the Z12.0. This time they’ve upped the ante with a host of exciting changes.

With chin-stroking offroad grunt, distinctive recessed kitchen design, cavernous storage capacity, simple and fast one-touch set-up and a refined interior fit-out, Lifestyle’s Reconn R2 busts down the door.

Rough, rugged and ready, the Echo 4x4 Chobe Tec Hybrid Camper seamlessly blends ergonomic design with toughness.

We cooked with, slept in and dragged two prototype Zone RV Expedition Series Z-10.0 campers 9,000km from Brisbane to Esperance via Innamincka, and back, all in the name of testing. What came of it was good and bad news.

The gracious yet bulletproof exterior of the Ultimate GT360 expands into a palace. This outback tourer, 25 years in the making, will magnetise everyone who does it rough on the roads but classy at camp.

The Bushwakka Bhoma has 360 degrees of shade, two comfy double sized beds, a configuration conducive of a cross-breeze, a unique swing-around kitchen with dedicated foam storage, and a tough body riding on capable leaf spring suspension.

When you unfold and slide the two ends from the Mars Endurance, a palace on wheels is revealed, equipped to host your whole family in comfort, class and good cheer, within a holiday park or a remote bush, all for an appetising $21,990.

A spacious, air-conditioned interior with an ensuite combines with offroad pre-requisites in Blue Tongue’s first foray into hybrid campers, the XH15.

The Lumberjack Sheoak is an absolute featherweight, requiring no set-up and costing $23,999. On its way to remote bush locations, it completely bypasses three common problems — weight, set-up time and price. Good times only!

Inspired by a gorge with 14 river crossings, Condamine Campers’ hybrids bring versatile set-up options, a unique ensuite, an ultra-functional kitchen and offroad nous to the camping table.

Simplify camping with the budget-friendly Marlin Deluxe Escape, a basic trailer weighing 750kg when fully loaded and costing less than $10,000.

This lightweight, offroad-equipped capsule by Jayco is set to launch users into a simpler, more pared-back mode of camping – for just $23,990.

Equipped for long stays off-grid, built to get you there, and comfortable enough for you to linger, the Trailblazers Stuart sets the bar high for hybrids.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Renegade 12ft hybrid. We put one through its paces to see if we can find its kryptonite.

With sleeping for four, a payload over 1,000kg, self-levelling suspension, lithium power, and next to no set-up, the uniquely constructed ZONE RV Z-12.0 Expedition Series is a dream come true for remote area tourers on the go.

With a diverse array of permanent sleeping fixtures, a whopping capacity for off-grid resources, and a fold-out end to expand living space, this is a family camper to reckon with.

The Marlin Escape Deluxe wowed our judges with its refreshing simplicity. A side-fold, soft-floor base, expanded upon with quality componentry tailored to suit the customer, this featherweight trailer costs just over 10k, but is set to generate memories you’d pay millions for.

The Swag X10 Trekka is a nimble hybrid-style camper made with the intention of easily changing focus as lifestyle priorities evolve over time.

Camper Trailer of the Year 2020

North Coast RVs have the Aussie market in their cross hairs with the release of the Sniper X.9. This fresh-faced Queenslander rides high and smooth on alternative suspension, pops up in the blink of an eye, and tips the scales at a slim 850kg Tare.

Cub’s newly rejigged Brumby L.E. puts this once workmanlike brand into the finely finished end of the market, with a suite of features that hit the offroad market square on the head.

It’s not often you find a 15ft hybrid with a north-south full-size queen bed, but then this Goldstream is not your regular hybrid.

Quick set-up, ample storage, plenty of comforts and the ability to handle offroad make the Rhinomax Defender a super-tempting high-end hybrid.

Track’s new T4 hybrid van takes on the Anne Beadell Highway to prove its credentials.

Patriot break down the door with their new X3, a family-focussed side-folding camper with internal living. The X3 blends the toughness of the X1 with an abundance of luxury.

240L of potable water, 18kg of gas, a 300Ah battery capacity fed by 300 watts of solar, a comfortable interior living space and the largest ensuite for its class combine to make the Austrack Tanami X13 an alluringly self-sufficient hybrid.

The results are in for all categories following on from Camper's flagship event.

Versatility of sleeping arrangement, Aussie-made construction and componentry, and dexterous offroad dimensions will have you whipping the Patriot X1-N along whatever goat track takes your fancy. Camper reviews the limited edition Desert Ops version.

Tired of towing? Wedgetail’s slide-on campers mount straight onto the tray of your ute. The company is holding true to its tradition of camping convenience and precision finish, most impressively in the top-of-the-line ‘WTC’ model.

The Road Vehicle Safety Act is materialising, with the ‘Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1’ being opened to public comment in September. The bulletin revealed some relatively minor changes to how trailer manufacturers will have to go about their business.

Mars Campers’ Saturn 16 is primed to have any growing family intent on off-grid forays ‘over the moon’.

With endlessly adaptable interior fit-out plus the option of adding a second axle, the Reconn R4 Hypercamper occupies a unique space in the crowded top-end market.

Production of the camper reviews that determine the composition of Camper Trailer of the Year is well underway. We explain how it all works.

With so many campers to choose from, deciding which to buy can be intimidating. This guide drills down on the important questions to ask so you end up with your dream setup.