Rambo’s trailer
With its sturdy construction, the tiny Conqueror is ready for Africa’s toughest – and roughest – roads. We take a closer look.
In terms of building materials and general appearance, Conqueror’s UEV range definitely differs from their other off-road trailers. Instead of metal, the panels of the bodywork consist mainly of a synthetic material – one of the reasons why the UEVs are white.
The series consists of four models. We hitched the small UEV-14i to see how it performs.
On the right
A large swing-down door opens to the inner cupboard, another separate cupboard, a 220 V socket for the power supply, a cigarette lighter socket, and the water tank’s plug.
Between this swing-down door and the nose cone and beneath the other cupboard with storage space, is a metal box next to the chassis that’s a good spot for packing tent pegs or a toolbox. On the other side, there’s another box like that.
The front of the nose cone and the sections of the trailer that protrude on the sides are covered by chequered plate that protects your trailer from stones. On the right is the water pump and gas cylinders, plus the gas geyser mounted against the inside of the door. A shovel, axe, and grass slasher are attached to the front of the nose cone.
Settle in
The UEV-14i has four corner steadies that swing down and, with the help of the air suspension’s compressor, it’s quick to get the trailer nice and level. Next, you lift the roof: there are pneumatic pistons on each of the corners
– but remember to pitch the awning before you raise the roof, otherwise you’ll need a ladder to get to it later.
To pitch the sleeping area’s tent, you have to climb inside the trailer – there’s a stair for that. The base of the bed first slides out from the inside over the A-frame – so make sure nothing is packed on top of the nose cone.
Now zip the tent to the bottom of the bed, because you’re pitching the roof next. The easiest is to lie down on the mattress and then swing the U-frame upward. Velcro strips wrap around the U-frame poles, and two loose poles fit in between to hold it all firmly in place.
The last step is to pitch the canopies of the window awning on the outside. By the way, all the windows have zip-up mosquito nets.
The shower tent extends from the top, next to the spare wheel at the back. Here there’s a tap with an extension and a showerhead for the hot and cold water. The tent’s zip door is on the same side as the trailer’s. Remember, one side of the shower cubicle is next to the spare wheel where the braai grid also goes. So, make sure your grid is clean or you’ll have to scrub the tent, too.
Jerry cans find their home on either side of the spare wheel.
What comes standard?
Some of the standard items include the spare wheel with a complete extra stub axle, a raised roof (compressor included), two water tanks (110 ℓ and 83 ℓ), a kitchen on a sliding frame, a water pump with plumbing, a 15 ℓ geyser, LED indoor lights with brightness control, outdoor lights, a shower tent, a 12 V/220 V power system with a 102 Ah battery, and an indoor basin and tap.
The list of optional extras includes: an 82,5 ℓ SnoMaster fridge/freezer made of stainless steel (R16 779), number 10 gas cylinder (R745), cutlery and crockery (R1 746), a braai grid that fits over the spare wheel (R1 449), cassette toilet (R3 432), air suspension (R25 841), and the L-awning (R6 624).
Another interior
In the open space in front of the bed there’s a folding table with benches on either side: one at the foot of the bed and the other against the back of the trailer. The table takes up most of the space, so fold it up again when not using it. The bench on the side of the bed also serves as a step to get onto the bed. Behind the step, the compressor sits in its own cupboard. Between the seat and the floor are four compartments with canvas doors – perfect for a few bottles of wine.
There’s plenty of storage space and enough cupboards for two people to go on holiday for half a month at least. The large two-door cupboard is on the right, between the back of the trailer and the bed. It has one long shelf at the top, with the lower part divided in two, lengthways. The cupboard also has a door on the outside that makes packing at home so much easier. On top of the cupboard is more space.
On the other side of the open space is a worktop of almost 1½ m that extends over the tops of the outdoor kitchen cupboards. Both these surfaces run against the side panels right up to the bed – so there’s a spot for your water bottle and cellphone when you go to bed.
As you get in, there’s a two-door cupboard right by the door – here you can store camping gear such as binoculars and cameras that you may want to get hold of quickly without getting into the trailer. Above that is a small basin with a hot and coldwater tap, and to the right of the basin there’s some storage space.
The living area is well lit by a strip of adjustable LEDs right around the roof. The switch is next to the radio at the door, which is practical, as you can switch on the lights before you get in. (The speakers for the radio are attached to the back of the trailer against the roof.) Under the radio are three 220 V plugs – one is a standard three-point plug and two two-point plugs – as well as two USB sockets.
The cassette toilet’s storage space is to the left of the basin, under the bench. To its left is the power box with Hella plug points, USB sockets, switches for the fridge, lights, water pump, and a digital meter that shows the water level, battery charge, power supply of the solar panel, and the outside temperature.
And to the left…
The layout of the outdoor kitchen is typical of an off-road trailer: there’s a fridge/freezer on its sliding frame, the stove and sink (also on a sliding frame), the groceries cupboard with a worktop next to it, and a drinks cabinet.
The pull-out drawer above the fridge/ freezer is large enough to fit your pots and pans. The shelf to the right of the fridge has the four-burner gas stove and sink. The stove’s lid becomes a windscreen when you raise it.
You wash your dishes in a single sink to the right of the stove. Like the stove’s lid, the sink and drying rack are made of stainless steel. Under the stove and sink are two drawers: on the left are the cutlery and plates (six of everything) in sturdy storage space with metal slots. Your braai tongs, spatula and the like also go here. The right-hand drawer is smaller and perfect for your spices and the other stuff you want at hand while cooking.
Water comes from two water tanks (193 ℓ in total), and the 15 ℓ geyser in the nose cone provides the hot water. In case the water pump lets you down – or when you want to drain the tanks – there’s a tap at the A-frame.
There’s no worktop next to the stove, but to your right is the stainless-steel worktop of the kitchen. Your groceries can be packed in the top half of the cupboard. The coffee mugs, porridge bowls, and glasses are on the bottom shelf, in a sturdy frame. You can pack your coffee, tea, and rusks on both sides of the cups.
Inside the cupboard are the 220 V twoand three-socket power points, plus a 12 V cigarette lighter socket. As is the case with all the other cupboards in the caravan, this one also has an LED inside and is lined with carpet. The kitchen light comes from two LEDs: one above the stove and sink, and the other above the kitchen – they’re attached to the trailer’s body.
A small drinks cabinet with space for three wine bottles and four glasses is mounted on the inside of the trailer’s door. You do the pouring on the little table the swing-down door creates.