Base Camp trailer for sale on Ebay

[Dendy Jarrett]

I have been to their warehouse. They had over 33 of these (comprised of three different models) back in February. Super nice trailers. They were in the process of converting some for Disaster Preparedness Trailers for TEMA.

Where do I start:
The Base Camp is a super awesome looking rig. Rack on top and all. Correct about the dome tent having to be set up, but looked like a 30 minute job- not too difficult. That trailer had the best kitchen set up of the lot.

The Compact would have been my second choice as the tent was a pop open ala Howling Moon with a drop down room that was floored. That drop down opened into the trailer so you could access the interior storage from within. The set up literally took seconds as the drop down room was connected and folded right up into the stored tent.
This trailer had a very nice kitchen set up, however it was simply smaller than the base camp.

They had a limited amount (4) of another model called the Conquest. This was my favorite as it was the same set up as the Compact, however had a larger version of the tent and had two storage access storage doors towards the front of the trailer sides.

All of these trailers are very european (if you will) and were super rugged.

I am bound by gentleman's agreement not to discuss the price that they were offering at the time, but let's just say it was no where near the suggested retail price.

On my last conversation with Larry and Dean (Dean's family owns the distributorship and they currently own Saturn of Atlanta-- as I understand it, they once owned BMW of Atlanta that, at the time, was the biggest BMW dealership in the world), I was told that there was some confusion about whether the distributorship was staying with them or not.

In the end, I was too deep (financially) into my current trailer build to justify the purchase -- even if it was a stupid good deal. My D-90 pal in N.C. did go home with a Base Camp and couldn't be happier.
They guys are super nice there, so if you have considered a trailer, I would keep a close eye on these. You may get a bargain in the process!

DJ

 

[Martyn]

DJ

That would confirm what I originally had said. That these trailers are older unsold units. The only way to really tell the year of manufacture would be to look at the VIN plates.

To fill in on the story, some time around 2002 - 2003 Stephan from Safari Trailers told us Conqueror of South Africa had changed importers to Larry in Atlanta.

Stephan was quite bitter at the time as Conqueror hadn't told him that he was no longer their importer. He told us that Larry had told the parent company he could sell hundreds of these trailers in the US for them.

Over the years I heard about the trailers sitting in one of the back lots of the Saturn dealership in Atlanta, people would call me and ask me what I thought of them. I guess Larry didn't sell many.

Early on something about Larry's e mail address caught my attention, first I thought that it was strange to have the word "plunder" in it. When I went back and searched my e mails I realized that Larry had been in contact with us for about a year posing as a buyer to the point of wanting to put a deposit down on a trailer. He must have been doing his in depth research at the time.

If the trailer is being offered at a big discount then it would be a great step up from a military trailer.

 

[ckkone]

Reserve not met for either trailer.....And, to be honest I don't care for the rant about their background or how they got into the U.S., they are nice trailers and I wouldn't mind owning one.

 

[Martyn]

Reserve not met for either trailer.....And, to be honest I don't care for the rant about their background or how they got into the U.S., they are nice trailers and I wouldn't mind owning one.

Chris

I'm just confused over your selection of the word "rant". I've always thought of it in the same vein as the Wikipedia definition;
"A rant or harangue is a speech or text that does not present a well-researched and calm argument; rather, it is typically an attack on an idea, a person or an institution, and very often lacks proven claims. Such attacks are usually personal attacks."

I wouldn't classify what I have written as being close to that. Rather it's sharing the history of a product and the individuals who have been involved with that product.

I would want to know about the history of a new trailer I was going to buy. I think we all assume that a new vehicle has been manufactured recently. If a product had been manufactured and stored, yet unregistered, I'd want to know it.

I'd also want to know how the trailer got to the USA. There are rules and regulations set by the DOT that the US registered agent for the trailer manufacturer is expected to enforce. Such things as lights, reflectors, brakes, tires, all the safety issues.

Conqueror makes a nice base trailer, if you purchased one I'm sure you would be very happy with it. Just like doing Carfax to find out the history of a used car, this information gives you a little history.

If the trailers have been stored well, have a DOT certified VIN plate, and a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin accompanies it, then you might get a great deal.

 

[ckkone]

Hi Martyn,

I understand your point of view, you have your own products to sell. Just lots of assumptions on this thread, why not contact the seller to get the real story? They are listed as 2008 models on eBay, and if they in fact they are not than that is another issue.

BTW reserve was $8,500.

 

[Martyn]

Hi Martyn,

I understand your point of view, you have your own products to sell. Just lots of assumptions on this thread, why not contact the seller to get the real story? They are listed as 2008 models on eBay, and if they in fact they are not than that is another issue.

BTW reserve was $8,500.

Absolutely agree with you Chris, Larry can write in at anytime. I'm as eager to find out the facts as anyone else. I doubt he’s unaware of the thread.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

I can say for sure that they are not 2008 models, because I saw them in 2007 and the warehouse was full, and all of them covered in dust. I was told then that these units were several years old.
That isn't a negative, ... just an "is".

As to a rant, ... I have not only talked at length with these guys, I sold one unit for them, and have been to their digs.

They are still a great trailer and are really built for the perils of African over-landing. They were even kind enough to point out the negatives to me, ... like how the door handles all usually break in the first year and that replacement parts are not available, but if those are the only two things, ... what they hey.

Interesting to see if the reserve gets met on an re-list.

DJ

 

[Colorado Ron]

I can say for sure that they are not 2008 models, because I saw them in 2007 and the warehouse was full, and all of them covered in dust. I was told then that these units were several years old.
That isn't a negative, ... just an "is".

As to a rant, ... I have not only talked at length with these guys, I sold one unit for them, and have been to their digs.

They are still a great trailer and are really built for the perils of African over-landing. They were even kind enough to point out the negatives to me, ... like how the door handles all usually break in the first year and that replacement parts are not available, but if those are the only two things, ... what they hey.

Interesting to see if the reserve gets met on an re-list.

DJ

I dont think he was implying that you were ranting, I think he was referring to Martyn FWIW. Looks like a decent trailer.

 

[ZR2nit]

Martyn,

I just want to say I like there Trailer style camper. Does anyone know if they have the Conqueors trailer in Atlanta?? If so I may have to go and check them out. It sounds and looks perfect for the means that I need on for. It looks like it would be perfect for me and my brother.

Am I correct in saying you own Adeventure Trailers??? If not I assume you have a big stake with the company right??? I would like to know if AT have/has ever thought of making a trailer like Conqueors?? I woud buy one in a heart beat. If not does anyone know where I could find a trailer like the Conqueors??

 

[Martyn]

Martyn,

I just want to say I like there Trailer style camper. Does anyone know if they have the Conqueors trailer in Atlanta?? If so I may have to go and check them out. It sounds and looks perfect for the means that I need on for. It looks like it would be perfect for me and my brother.

Am I correct in saying you own Adeventure Trailers??? If not I assume you have a big stake with the company right??? I would like to know if AT have/has ever thought of making a trailer like Conqueors?? I woud buy one in a heart beat. If not does anyone know where I could find a trailer like the Conqueors??

Yes I'm one of the owners of Adventure Trailers.

We started out as a company importing trailers from South Africa that were very similar to the Conqueror. We found the design to be unsuitable for conditions in North America. When we started to manufacture our own trailers we changed the design. I won't go into all the rational unless you want me to.

If you are looking for something in the same genera as the Conqueror then have a look at Campa. But from what Nashvillerover says they are a whole bunch of the Conquerors collecting dust right now.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Let me make it really clear here, ... (in a luvs ya brothers kinda way). These trailers are awesome and had I not already invested a good chunk of money in a military trailer build currently well underway, I would have one in the drive way right now.
I love the AT trailer, but it is truly build small for hard core off road nimbleness.

While the Conquerers can handle that kind of terrain, ... for me it is more about lazy-man hiking and camping where others cannot. But what I don't do is hard core off-roading. The Conquerers are for sure a heavier trailer and require a lot more caution when using in off road situations. Remember, Africa doesn't have the rocky terrains and mountainous topography we have in North America.

As to the Conquerers collecting dust: This has simply come (I believe) to a lack of marketing. These guys sell cars for a living. Trailers are simply an after thought or a side market for them.

Why is it that they have had them for all this time, and this is the most chatter on them I have ever seen? Lack of Marketing!

As to the claims that they state that these are 2008 models: I checked the links to ebay that have all currently ended. Never do they claim these as 2008 models. They simply state that they are "new", ... and they truly are new units. (just a little dusty!)

If you are as close as Alabama and serious about a trailer, ... I would for sure go check them out. Be prepared for some serious drool factor!

Who knows, I may end up with one of these yet!

Thanks for letting me clear up my previous statements (none of which were intended to be negative).

Dendy

 

[ckkone]

I emailed the seller and asked for the reserve, I was told $8500. The seller also indicated they would set up a private auction for an agreed upon price less than $8,500. How much less I don't know but it looks like they are taking offers. Only real advantage I see to the AT over these is the suspension, but really the trailer will flex through the hitch in serious offroad conditions. A better suspension will be a big plus on dirt roads, washboard and highway, which is realistically where the trailer will spend most of its time. I think both are great, but they are both too large of an investment for me thats why I bought a used Kamparoo.

 

[flywgn]

We are former owners of a Conqueror. We met Stephan Goetz and his wife at the Pomona Off-Road Expo October 7, 2000, the first year Stephan was importing the line under the name of Safari Trailers, LLC. Ours was the second Conqueror sold in the U.S.

As it was the only truly off-road camping trailer we had seen to that date, we fell in love with it and purchased it right off the Expo floor—with the understanding that I would pull the unit to SEMA and to two other shows. At first, Stephan wanted to take orders for future delivery, but we insisted and the offer to purchase coupled with an offer to assist in the initial marketing was enough to sway Stephan’s mind.

We loved the trailer. The tent was not easy to erect, but we managed to, with practice, get our set-up time down to about 15 minutes. The steel rods that supported the tent were incredibly sturdy and we never felt winds—at all. On one occasion in Death Valley friends camped next to us in a conventional ground-tent remarked about the horrendous winds during the night. We confessed that we had felt nothing.

Our version did not have ‘small’ tires, as mentioned in a previous post, the tires were BFG 32X11.50X15 ATs, the same tires that we currently have on our AT Horizon®.

The Conqueror had some nice amenities: a Minus 40® fridge/freezer, a two-burner Coleman propane stove, portable shower and privacy stall, two camp chairs, a 5-foot long camp table, stand-alone wash stands (kitchen and personal), a small fly for overnight use, and a HUGE fly that covered the entire trailer with room to spare, for camps of longer duration. There were several other items which made the unit extremely comfortable.

I did like the forward side doors into the main cargo compartment. These were in addition to the lift-top and the rear tailgate, and made for easy access to the storage.

Within hours after we sold the trailer (four years after purchase) we had “Sellers’ Remorse”. We knew that we were not ready to give up our back-country treks and set about to purchase another.

Unfortunately, sometime in 2004 or early 2005, Stephen was compelled to give up his vision of developing the Conqueror line in the U.S. I contacted him with the purpose of acquiring his inventory and the distribution rights, but there were complications, so I abandoned the idea.

We were still without a suitable replacement for “Connie” (What can I say? We name everything.), until we found the Horizon® at a show in Phoenix. We ordered ours (“Harry”) with the Chaser® suspension and a few of the other goodies and have been enjoying it for the past couple of years.

I have not seen any of the recent Conqueror® trailers, but if ours was any example, I would not hesitate to own one again. We had it over some rough roads throughout the U.S. southwest and Baja California, and did not experience any problems. “Connie” lives in California and is attached to a military H1. We hear she’s fine.

Allen R

 

[adventureduo]

Which one did you like better? Connie or Harry? How do you feel they compare being pulled behind your rig? We have a Horizon and to me, it seems like the Conqueror's just come with way more options.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Hey, and I'll point out that when I went to Atlanta and viewed the inventory, there was only one Engel Fridge and it had been used as a demo. None of the units were furnished with the fridge. All the electronics (and a nice management system) are in place and the spot for the fridge exists.
It did come with two camp chairs and a folding table, but no shower or privacy hut.
As I stated earlier, the Compact and Conquest (not shown on the website, but simply a larger version of the Compact) were the easy ones to set up. The Base Camp was designed just for that, ... a base camp and requires more set up time. From a "cool" factor, ... the Base Camp is the one that has the killer looks with the rack and all.
DJ