TAIL FEATHER CAMPER KIT
The Tail Feather Camper comes as a DIY kit that you assemble on your own 8' x 5' trailer (2440mm x 1530mm).
The Camper Kit weighs 250kg so when combined with a trailer, the total tare weight is about 500kg. This makes it light enough to be towed by most four cylinder cars as well as some hybrids and EVs.
The Camper Kit weighs 250kg so when combined with a trailer, the total tare weight is about 500kg. This makes it light enough to be towed by most four cylinder cars as well as some hybrids and EVs.
Suitable Trailer
The Tail Feather has a ball weight of just 50kg, being the mass transferred by the camper onto the rear of your towing vehicle.
When determining whether your small or medium car is capable of towing a Tail Feather refer to your vehicle's handbook.
When determining whether your small or medium car is capable of towing a Tail Feather refer to your vehicle's handbook.
- Ball Weight (needs to be greater than 50 kg)
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) of a braked trailer (needs to be greater than 700kg (allows for up to 200 kg of equipment, even more if you have a Corolla)
Suitable Tow Vehicles
The Toyota Corolla is a good example of a suitable tow vehicle. It has a "ball weight" rating of 130kg, and can tow a braked trailer with a Gross Vehicle Mass of up to 1300kg. However, most similar sized vehicles have a GVM and "ball weight" rating much less than the Corolla, so it's important to refer to your vehicle's handbook for towing specifications.
Please note: Some medium, and most large vehicles can tow an unbraked trailer up to 750kg. Most small vehicles however, will require a braked trailer as their unbraked rating is generally less than 400kg. Many hybrid vehicles and some EVs have a towing capacity of up to 750kg.
BYD Seal Touring 2026
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Toyota Corolla
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Trailer FAQ
What sort of trailer should I assemble my Camper Kit on?
The type of trailer you select to assemble your camper kit on will largely depend on your towing vehicle, your budget and the sort of travel you intend to do. There are hundreds of steel trailer manufacturers around the country. As with most things, you usually get what you pay for. The cheapest trailers usually come standard with second hand wheels and tyres, no brakes, no jockey wheel, no rear corner supports and no spare wheel. What appears at first glance to be a cheap trailer may set you back between $3,000 and $5,000 by the time you add all the necessary "optional extras".
Do I have to register my trailer?
Yes, any trailer with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonne must be registered with the relevant State Authority. If you are purchasing a new trailer from a trailer manufacturer, they will be able to provide you with a registered trailer. If you are purchasing a second hand trailer, you may be required to present the trailer for a vehicle inspection.
How do I secure the Camper Kit to the trailer?
The Camper Kit is secured to your trailer using a combination of turn-buckles, "D" shackles and chain attached to tie-down rings on your trailer. Your trailer will require four tie-down points.
What dimensions must the trailer be?
Standard 8' x 5' trailer is 2440mm x 1530mm with 300mm sides. The trailer doesn't need to have sides, it could be an open trailer similar in looks to a motorbike trailer. Trailers with 400mm sides are not suitable for the Camper Kit. You might be able to make it work by building a 100mm false floor.
Does my trailer need brakes?
Brakes are not required on trailers with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 750 kg or less. As a safety precaution we recommend brakes be fitted to your trailer.
What kind of trailer floor is required?
An 18 mm marine ply floor, or solid metal (steel or aluminium) floor is suitable. Steel floors can have some flex in them, so may not be suitable if they are made of thin gauge steel.
Does my Tail Feather Camper need to be fitted with a fire extinguisher?
Yes, because the Tail Feather Camper is designed primarily for human occupation whilst stationary, it must be fitted with a fire extinguisher.
Can I pull a Tail Feather Camper with my small car?
You vehicle Owner's Manual will state the towing capacity of your vehicle. In some instances, a vehicle will have two towing capacities listed, one for towing a "braked" trailer, and another for towing an "un-braked" trailer.
Please note: Towing a trailer or caravan greater than your vehicle's towing capacity is a serious offence and can result in a hefty fine and loss of demerit points.
What is the ball weight?
The ball weight is the weight the trailer puts on the tow bar of your vehicle. A well designed and loaded trailer should have a ball weight that is approximately 10% of the laden weight. The design and construction of your trailer determines the ball weight. The further back the trailer axle is placed, the heavier the ball weight. If your trailer tongue is difficult to lift when the trailer is empty, it will be very heavy when loaded. The ideal ball weight of an empty camper is between 45 and 55 kg.
What causes a trailer to sway?
The primary cause of a swaying trailer is too little weight on the ball. If you can lift the front of your loaded trailer with little effort, it is probably too light. This can be corrected by shifting the load forward within the trailer or adding weight to the draw bar, such as mounting a spare tyre, gas bottle or tool box.
The type of trailer you select to assemble your camper kit on will largely depend on your towing vehicle, your budget and the sort of travel you intend to do. There are hundreds of steel trailer manufacturers around the country. As with most things, you usually get what you pay for. The cheapest trailers usually come standard with second hand wheels and tyres, no brakes, no jockey wheel, no rear corner supports and no spare wheel. What appears at first glance to be a cheap trailer may set you back between $3,000 and $5,000 by the time you add all the necessary "optional extras".
Do I have to register my trailer?
Yes, any trailer with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonne must be registered with the relevant State Authority. If you are purchasing a new trailer from a trailer manufacturer, they will be able to provide you with a registered trailer. If you are purchasing a second hand trailer, you may be required to present the trailer for a vehicle inspection.
How do I secure the Camper Kit to the trailer?
The Camper Kit is secured to your trailer using a combination of turn-buckles, "D" shackles and chain attached to tie-down rings on your trailer. Your trailer will require four tie-down points.
What dimensions must the trailer be?
Standard 8' x 5' trailer is 2440mm x 1530mm with 300mm sides. The trailer doesn't need to have sides, it could be an open trailer similar in looks to a motorbike trailer. Trailers with 400mm sides are not suitable for the Camper Kit. You might be able to make it work by building a 100mm false floor.
Does my trailer need brakes?
Brakes are not required on trailers with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 750 kg or less. As a safety precaution we recommend brakes be fitted to your trailer.
What kind of trailer floor is required?
An 18 mm marine ply floor, or solid metal (steel or aluminium) floor is suitable. Steel floors can have some flex in them, so may not be suitable if they are made of thin gauge steel.
Does my Tail Feather Camper need to be fitted with a fire extinguisher?
Yes, because the Tail Feather Camper is designed primarily for human occupation whilst stationary, it must be fitted with a fire extinguisher.
Can I pull a Tail Feather Camper with my small car?
You vehicle Owner's Manual will state the towing capacity of your vehicle. In some instances, a vehicle will have two towing capacities listed, one for towing a "braked" trailer, and another for towing an "un-braked" trailer.
Please note: Towing a trailer or caravan greater than your vehicle's towing capacity is a serious offence and can result in a hefty fine and loss of demerit points.
What is the ball weight?
The ball weight is the weight the trailer puts on the tow bar of your vehicle. A well designed and loaded trailer should have a ball weight that is approximately 10% of the laden weight. The design and construction of your trailer determines the ball weight. The further back the trailer axle is placed, the heavier the ball weight. If your trailer tongue is difficult to lift when the trailer is empty, it will be very heavy when loaded. The ideal ball weight of an empty camper is between 45 and 55 kg.
What causes a trailer to sway?
The primary cause of a swaying trailer is too little weight on the ball. If you can lift the front of your loaded trailer with little effort, it is probably too light. This can be corrected by shifting the load forward within the trailer or adding weight to the draw bar, such as mounting a spare tyre, gas bottle or tool box.
