2018 CTOTY: Wild Boar Razorback Special Edition

15-30k - FINALIST

Not only looking good, but backing it up with plenty of self-sufficiency features, Wild Boar presented the Razorback which impressed just as much as last year – perhaps even more. Packed full of the essentials you need to get away from it all and maintain a level of comfort and liveability, the Razorback was much remarked on by our judges for going that step further when it comes to functionality and ingenuity.

GO YOUR OWN WAY

David Cook

Just as it did last year, the Wild Boar Razorback impressed with its quality of finish and presentation. However, it also came with the credentials of a self-sufficient camper that is able to take you anywhere you can drive your tow vehicle.

With good ground clearance and excellent ramp-over and departure angles this well-equipped camper would get you to the most remote locations. Once there the 110L stainless steel water tank, with quality John Guest fittings, will keep you going, though for longer term stays either a second tank (50L shown) or a pump system to draw from an outside source would be recommended. There is the capacity to carry up to two 20L jerry cans which would make a big difference to water capacity.

Electrically the Wild Boar is well-equipped, with two 100Ah gel batteries, and the option for a third. There is a 21A Projecta six stage mains charger for those occasions when you have access to 240V. Controlling it all is a marine grade waterproof control panel, with digital voltmeter, main circuit switch, water gauge, dual 12V outlets and a touch screen switch panel for the system’s six circuits.

The living area under the awning can be either the narrower 2000mm wide quick awning for those short-stay camps or the larger 2700x5400mm full awning. The rear shade wall appeared an excellent intermediate stage between a full canvas wall and leaving the area open to the weather.

STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD

Emma Ryan

Wild Boar takes an imported camper base and adds a healthy splash of Aussie ingenuity and quality components to deliver a camper trailer that looks and feels like a sleek, reliable unit. From the ground up, Wild Boar manufactures its own independent trailing arm suspension with greaseable joints, welded stub axles and 2.6 tonne coil springs with Dobinsons shock absorbers. The galvanised chassis is 100x50x4mm, and 120x50x4mm at the drawbar, and the rails are full length and folded into the A-frame to reduce stress on butt welds. The chassis is protected by a five year structural warranty, while the suspension is backed up by a three year warranty.

It all trucks along on 16in six stud alloy wheels with all terrain tyres (plus two spares mounted to the rear) and is connected to your tow vehicle via an Ark XO offroad ball coupling. On the underside the stainless steel water tank is protected by an alloy bash plate.

The quality of finish on the Razorback is impressive indeed, and this camper certainly wins the award for the coolest looking forward fold on show at CTOTY. The brains behind Wild Boar, Paul Burton, has a background in spray painting and doesn’t let those skills go to waste here. The high gloss baked enamel paint is available in just about every colour under the sun, so can be matched to your tow vehicle or your lover’s eyes. Camping is supposed to be fun, after all!

TOP QUALITY

John 'Bear' Willis

Brisbane’s Wild Boar Campers has raised the bar in its class with quality manufacturing teamed with high quality fittings and accessories plus touches that put its X-factor rating through the roof. Combining great aesthetics and amenities, it is certainly one of the most comfortable and liveable forward folds available.

It's only a matter of minutes to set up for an overnighter with the internal steel bows taking immediate shape and needing little adjustment. There is a tropical roof that pops immediately to attention and I was impressed with the tent quality utilising a generous 14oz cotton canvas with KPP no. 10 zips, midge mesh screens and internal and external awnings.

The switch panel is accessible in the doorway complete with USB outlets, 12V socket, Bluetooth stereo with twin enclosed speakers in the cabinetry, a new touch pad for lighting and power options and a digital voltage indicator. Overhead is a series of LED strip lights complete with dimmers. A further electrical panel in the bulkhead has 12V and USB chargers, plus light switches with comical illuminated indicators and nowadays no camper is complete without an LCD television with a flexible mount.

Outside we assembled the wide 2.7m full length annexe roof that can stay attached when packing for the road. It comes complete with three side walls as well as a PVC floor and draft skirt, plus a further two metre day annexe and separate toilet/shower tent. There is plenty of water stored in the twin stainless steel water tanks (110L rear and 50L front) that feeds the kitchen and the shower from the Coleman or Smarttek 6 portable gas hot water system.

UNIQUE DESIGN

Dan Everett

There’s going the extra mile, then there’s going the extra mile. Whichever one of those two is better is where the Wild Boar Razorback fits in. Despite being a relatively minor player, Wild Boar continues to impress us with the sheer attention to detail put into every single camper that rolls out its doors. In a sea of imported campers looking suspiciously similar Wild Boar has wiped the slate clean and started the design process from scratch. The tub is physically deeper than most competitors making it easier to leave the awning attached for pack-up, but also allowing for a more comfortable mattress up top too. The custom body even allows for extra storage in the rounded off design. It not only gives it a visual edge over its competition, but makes for a much more usable camper with a few unique features.

X-Factor is through the roof with the Razorback too, in no small part to its one-off custom paint job, Wild Boar has a range of colour options or can even match it straight to your tow-tug. Although if you’re driving a hot-pink Jeep we might recommend sticking with Wild Boar’s colour swatches instead.

At $25,900 and 1540kg the Razorback is no lightweight in any sense of the word, but does have a lot going for it. For families of four on the hunt for a custom camper that won’t break the bank the Razorback has a lot to offer.

SPECIFICATIONS

TRAILER

DIMENSIONS

ACCESSORIES

PRICE AS SHOWN

$25,990 + on road costs

Check out all the action from CTOTY 2018 in issue #122 of Camper Trailer Australia magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.