Here's Why Australia's Kerfton Will Always Stand As the Perfect Outdoor Family Camper

Folks, campers come in all shapes, sizes, and capabilities, and often, it's nearly impossible to strike the perfect balance. Well, Australia's Kerfton is the sort of crew that seems to have achieved such perfection, and their one and only unit is where we find it. Just so there's no confusion, both the camper and manufacturer share the name Kerfton.

While the name Kerfton may not sound familiar to you, all you really need to know is that this family-owned team was started by Barry Trippit, a gentleman with over 30 years of engineering experience and one who has shared a love for the outdoors ever since he could remember.

Suppose you've had a chance to check out the image gallery. In that case, you are very well aware of what the result of a love for the outdoors and mobile living mixed with engineering can give birth to. Furthermore, Barry seems to be a family man because the Kerfton is considered a "family camper."

Now, these units have been granted numerous awards, and to win an award for anything outdoor in a place like Australia means you really hit the spot; Australian standards of outdoor living are on a whole different level than the rest of the world. It may have a whole lot to do with the fact that nearly everything is fighting for survival out there.

First off, allow me to point out that Kerfton doesn't give out many details on their website regarding their camper, but a series of videos do. I recommend you check those out as they'll give you a very in-depth look, deeper than I ever could with just the five to eight minutes we have together. Overall, these babies are 4.3 m (14 ft) long during towing, and while stationary and set up as a campsite, it's going to show up with 4.8 m (15.7 ft) of length. Why?

Well, if you've seen the magic that is a Kerfton, you noticed that the rear of the unit houses a wonderful outdoor galley. Once you've secured your spot in the campground or the middle of nowhere, you'll unfold the Kerfton's sides into place, exposing a large living space, and soon after, whip out that galley. Speaking of the living space, once unfurled, you're looking at a height of 2.7 m (8.9 ft) from just 1.7 (5.5 ft) while folded.

One other aspect we need to consider regarding the way a Kerfton functions has to do with that whole lateral unfolding action. Because of this design, upon arriving at your campsite, you'll be able to double this unit's width and, in the process, create an interior that includes sleeping space for up to four guests or two adults and two children.

Personally, I love the result of what Kerfton has achieved here, and frankly, how can you not? Not only is there plenty of sleeping space, but with the whole central shell body, Kerfton was also able to integrate several storage options, not to mention systems needed to keep you alive, fed, and clean while exploring the greater outdoors.

For example, along the exterior of the Kerfton, we'll find things like access to water tanks, up to 149 l (39 gals) combined, pumps, a diesel-powered furnace that also doubles as a water heater with the help of some glycol, gas bottle holders, and an outdoor shower, along with more storage for things like a portable toilet, and access to electrical controls along with fuel gauges and all that jazz. Best of all, solar input is integrated into the unit, so grab those portable and juice up those 240 Ah (120 Ah per battery) of battery power.

As we near the end of our exploration into the amazing machine, I'd like to invite you onto a little daydream that's perfect for a Saturday morning. Picture yourself in the possession of one of these mobile habitats, driving along with your family in the truck. Suddenly, one of the kids sees a dirt road that branches off from the highway; you veer right as the trailing A-arm suspension can take the abuse.

Before long, you find yourself in the shade of a forest treeline, listening to the sound of wind rustling through the treetops and birds chirping from their incognito concert halls. You take a deep breath, turn and smack the hood of your truck, and let out a resounding "Whoo!" Your significant other and the kids jolt at the sound and then start laughing.

From here, you already know what needs to be done: set up your temporary home and enjoy lunch with the local ants begging for dropped morsels, s'mores on an open fire, talks of what's really out there in the night sky, and sleeping sessions filled with the freshest of air. How could you not fall in love with this sort of lifestyle?

As for the all-important question on everyone's mind, how much can we expect to pay for a new unit? Well, like most other campers, that's going to depend heavily on the features in store, and sources have spotted these babies going for as high as $78K Australian for the Elite version. The Classic is priced at around $50K Australian, so roughly $32K American. But there's a catch; this is pricing from back in 2021, so expect things to be a tad different these days.

Nonetheless, with its ability to handle off-road journeys, double in size, and all the while offering the essential we need to break away from the traditional neighborhood, the Kerfton camper will always hold a place in my heart, and honestly, it should in your too, especially if you already own one. Feel free to let us know what that's like. Which reminds this bugger only seems to be available in Australia, so good luck getting one - mic drop.