CTOTY 2015: Tambo Omeo

Tambo has been on the camper trailer scene for years, and while production stopped in 2012, a year later the company returned under new ownership. It has since built on its established credibility for durable, long-lasting campers with this latest version of its premium softfloor offroader, the Omeo.

Design & Construction

Any good camper will be based on a solid foundation and the Omeo is no different. Here, we’ve got a steel tub sitting on a 50x50mm Duragal chassis suspended by eight-leaf greasable shackle springs and a 1600kg-rated axle. The wheels are steel with General Grabber LT 265/75R16 tyres, a good combination for offroading given the light truck construction and popular size. A spare wheel sits under a cover on the tailgate, and keeping the rig in check are 10in electric drum brakes.

The underside is well-protected from stone and stick damage, with wiring tucked up out of harm’s way. The 85L poly water tank is encased in steel and the rear axle and suspension are protected from flying debris with a solid, sheet-steel protection guard.

Storage

The storage situation is also well covered-off here. There are dust-sealed lockers with solid, locking over-centre latches on each side of the tub, as well as a side-swinging tailgate and A-frame-mounted, dust-sealed storage locker. Three jerry can holders sit in front of the storage locker, all protected by the winged mesh stoneguard.

Interior

At the rear, once you’ve swung the tailgate out of the way, you can pull out the kitchen on its smooth runners. The kitchen is made of powder-coated steel and has a steel three-piece extension (one top sheet and two supporting side sheets) that not only adds some bench space, but also encases the plastic-tub sink. A Lido two-burner gas stove with griller sits on the kitchen slide, which also allows space for the optional fridge. Next to the kitchen slide, also sliding out smoothly on its runners from the tailgate area, is a massive, deep pantry. There’s also some storage space in drawers below the cooker.

Once you’ve pulled up the strut-assist boat holder, it’s time to get the canvas tent open. This is a simple process and once the 12.1oz tent has been cracked open, it reveals a 2700x3200mm living space. A PVC bucket floor is underfoot, while the walk up to the queen bed has marine-grade carpet. Plenty of window openings here — three meshed internal opening windows surround the bed area while the remainder in the tent are external-opening.

THE JUDGES’ Wrap up

While it’s a tried-and-true design that won’t necessarily win the innovation award, the Omeo is a very solid, sensible camper with plenty of no-nonsense features. It is quite self-sufficient, with enormous battery capacity and a fair amount of water onboard.

Overall, this is a very well-presented camper, with excellent canvas quality and a great finish. A lack of adequate sealing where the wires pass through the body is the only downfall in regards to quality of finish. Nothing has been left to chance when it comes to build quality, though, with a solid, robust structure, beautifully stitched canvas and an excellent and well equipped slide-out kitchen.

The Omeo proved it could cut the mustard offroad, with a Treg hitch, good body protection, good offroad tyres and a simple, durable suspension all serving it well. This is a quality camper that should keep its value more than most. The X-Factor? Well, the Omeo is not the most exciting camper, but impresses me with its quality.

Check out the full review in issue #84 January 2014 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.