Pioneer Argyle SE has good looks, features and a five year warranty – all for a competitive price.
By DAVID COOK
Rear-fold camper trailers are a great solution for those who like to travel a lot and not spend too long in one location.
Pull in somewhere for an overnight stop and you can be set up in five minutes in a camp that has you off the ground and clear of creepy crawlies.
Pioneer is a brand that evolved in WA and is now produced in Melbourne. With a staff of 75 including a couple of in-house designers, they’re one of the bigger local manufacturers, even supplying the Defence Department. Over time the company has earned a good reputation for making a quality product that does the job. Their focus is on hard-floor designs, with the Argyle SE sitting at the budget end of the range.
Pioneer has stepped outside the standard versions of camper design with a stylish redesign that makes the most of space and gives the trailer a classy modern look. The finish is in a neat Periwinkle Grey with black and silver inserts. The camper is constructed using a mix of welding and Sikaflex bonded and pop riveted panels, with Rhinocoating in high wear areas.
The sturdy chassis rides on a Grafta independent trailing arm suspension with twin shocks and replaceable stub axles. The wheels are five or six-stud black Sunraysias with G/T Adventuro all-terrain rubber and brakes are 10in Al-Ko hydraulic override, with electric brakes as an option.
The Argyle has plenty of storage options, with a large front storage box, suitable for a fridge, generator, porta-potti or similar items, with a pair of 70L compartments for wet storage underneath. At the front is a box with perforated floor suitable for carrying up to three jerry cans, firewood, wet canvas or other dirty items. There are two other tubs, one containing a single 9kg gas bottle and hand pump.
Behind the front boxes is a slide-out stainless steel kitchen. It’s a bit smaller than some today but perfectly adequate with a slide-out preparation shelf, two-burner stove, stainless steel sink, cutlery drawer and a worklight on the flip-up access door.
The standard electrical fit out includes a single 110Ah AGM deep cycle battery, a 10-amp Narva mains charger and an optional regulated solar panel. There’s also a 240V mains outlet on the side.
Water capacity is a basic 60L stainless steel tank as standard but there is the option of a 150L tank.
The vinyl-covered floor area is 1.6 X 2m so there’s room for kids’ bunks if needed. The canvas is 14.9oz and 10.9oz Dynaproof Australian material, with windows all around. These are finished with midge-proof screens internal awnings and clears. The roofline continues out over the front box to shelter any fridge and the front of the trailer. The awning is a roomy 2 x 4.9m.
Other options include a separate sleep area and an ensuite which simply zip on.
The bed is a double foam mattress with under-bed storage area. This can be accessed internally by lifting the bed, or through the tailgate hatch on the roadside.
With a Tare of 820kg it is pretty light for what the Argyle SE offers and with an ATM of 1600kg there’s heaps of load capacity.
The Pioneer Argyle is a classy and stylish hard floor camper at a value for money price. It comes with a good range of specs including independent suspension. You have the with peace of mind knowing its built of quality Australian made materials, including the all- important canvas. Finally, it’s backed by a sizeable company that will be around to honour the very generous five-year warranty.