Trailer FAQ
What sort of trailer should I assemble my Tail Feather 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 $2,000 and $3,000 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.
For further information about trailer registration requirements in each of the states and territories.
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?
Assuming an "Open Trailer" with no sides, the trailer dimensions are as follows:
Length 2440 mm; Width between the mudguards 1530 mm; Distance between corner tie down rings 1630 mm.
Four tie-down points, one in each corner.
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.
Please note: 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 $2,000 and $3,000 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.
For further information about trailer registration requirements in each of the states and territories.
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?
Assuming an "Open Trailer" with no sides, the trailer dimensions are as follows:
Length 2440 mm; Width between the mudguards 1530 mm; Distance between corner tie down rings 1630 mm.
Four tie-down points, one in each corner.
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.
Please note: 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.
