Conqueror Compact Questions

[KDog]

Hello All,

Just joined the forum today after a week of lurking. My wife and I have been going thru a long journey of discovery and education, so please bear with my ignorance.

First off, our tow vehicle is a 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 TRD Ex cab LB V6 with shell and it's just the 2 of us and an old german shepherd (our kid).

We started out looking at ultra-lite TT's and after much research decided that,

a. We don't like to camp in campgrounds and have always looked for off the beaten track areas to explore.
b. Did not want to cut our gas mileage in half pulling a 3000lb air dam.
c. Can continue sleeping in tents if they are not on the ground or in the mud.

That left us looking at pop-ups until we found this site and discovered "Expedition Trailers" were not just fantasies I saw on Austrailian web sites.

So now after that long intro, I have talked to Larry at Conqueror, and ultimately I think the Conquest would have been perfect for us, but since they are gone we are looking at the Compact. I've read all the posts related to them here and still have some questions for owners and anyone who is familiar with them.

The first is brakes. Are they needed on a small trailer like this? If so can they be retrofitted? We will load it down because we have no self control, so full wet weight with mountain bikes and every accessory. 1600 - 2000lbs?

Also, with a fridge on the slide just how much more storage space is there left up front in the main cargo area?

Has anyone tried to mount a receiver on the rear? I am thinking about a hitch mount bike rack on the back of the trailer. There are ones designed to clear a spare tire.

There are tons more modification questions that I wont go into yet and to the folks who are already working on theirs , thanks for posting. If we pull the trigger on one I would gladly join the club and share what ever I can.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[Honu]

the rear area is about 38 inches wide with a depth of about 24 inches till it hits those wolf packs
the height from the top of the rim of the slide to the top inside of the trailer ceiling is about 35 inches and to the top of the door edge is about 30 inches

so figure if a fridge like the 60 figuring its about 17.5 tall since it will fit down inside lets say you would have about 12-13 inches left for space

in that video I posted about my conquest model
about half way through it shows it with the fridge and the back hatch open gives you a good idea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcSbOOU7wss

go up to the 2:10 second mark
that looks like a National Luna fridge ?
that is about 21 inches tall or about the size of the 80 Engel


I know I am going to build a slide out shelf for mine
I was chatting with Jeff the other guy who just posted about his showing up and he knows a metal guy so we might get together to come up with some things for the trailer such as a rear shelf and or read shelf slide

but it really depends on the fridge

I might go with twin 45s for mine and keep one in my rig and one in the trailer on the starboard side of the thing since the wolf packs wont let it clear then use the spot next to it for other stuff ? not sure yet

brakes ? I cant say but Jeff will I am sure chime in when he gets back from towing his around

I am not sure about the rear receiver ? I guess you could do anything ?
the rear tire is solid so you could put it on there ? but a swing away on a receiver is something I have thought of but might opt for the roof of our Fj instead ? if I do a rear tire carrier mount not sure how much a pain that would be to take them down when I want to get in the back ?


as far as other mods I say ask away I have been brainstorming like mad so the more thoughts the better even if you dont end up with one


I can say the build quality of these is incredible and its amazing base to modify from so the brake thing I cant see why one could not do it ?
and for the price of what you get still a steal of a deal if it fits the style of trailer you want

 

[sundaypunch]

I also have looked at the Conquerors. I really would like a Conquest but they are sold out. I have been trying to talk myself into a Compact but it is just a bit smaller than I would like.

The lack of brakes is another sticking point. It is a 1600 lb. trailer and would probably be pushing 2000 lbs. fully loaded. I personally wouldn't tow a trailer that size without brakes. It can be done but I prefer to err on the side of safety.

They do seem to be an excellent trailer for the price.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Sundaypunch: I believe you would be fine without the brakes on the Compact. You should watch the video link above that shows the trailer in action.
The trailers were built with safety standards in mind relative to the weight of the trailer.

Regarding size: I also believe that you would be fine in a Compact. The ONLY reason I went with a Conquest was because it was available. Had it not been, ... I would have snatched a Compact right up. If you research this trailer, anything comparable is in the upper teens.

If you do a african shilling or ruble to US dollar comparison, you would pay upwards of $17,500.00 just to get this unit into the US at wholesale pricing.

At the prices offered, I truly believe that you could travel in this unit for 3 or 5 years and if well cared for, ... get your money back out of it if you decide to go with something larger (say if your family grew).

Kevin: check your private messages for a message from me.

Thanks
Dendy Jarrett

 

[Honu]

I am hoping to get mine on the scales

but I dont think its 1600 lbs !
I could be wrong but since I own a conqueror and have moved it around etc.. it feels no where near 1600 and mine would be even more

 

[ZR2nit]

I too am also looking heavily at the Compacts/Base Camps by Conqueror . Especailly since I only live about 6 hours from Atlanta.

I have a few questions:

Why does the Base Camp cost more than the Compact??? I'm going off of the Atlanta Conqueror website. To me the Base Camp looks smaller but the specs are the same for both models on the Atlanta site. Could anyone elaborate on this please.

Also What type of awnings does the place in Atlanta have for the Base Camp and the Compact??? I mean I have seen the pics on the Atlanta Conqueror website but is that all the awnings that come with it??? Awning wise the Compact seems better of a deal. Can you buy a wrap around type like what the Kimberley Kampers have straight from South Africa??

Okay I just watched the YouTube Video that Honu posted. great info. But do the come with everything that they had in that video. Awning wise I mean (i know that the silerware doesn't). What does the "bare" trailer look like when bought from Atlanta b/c the Compact looks pretty bare awning wise on there website.

Any help is always apprecaited,
Marty

 

[Honu]

I have the conqueror which had the heavier awning 22 feet octagon shape
the compact has more a sun fly lighter material
you can see it in the pics on the site here
http://americanmobileresponders.com/mm_gallery.htm
its lighter the sun can come through it ? since I have not felt it or seen it I am just going off what the guys that have the compacts which I am going to go see soon

not sure why the base camp costs more ?
some pics here
http://americanmobileresponders.com/usar.htm
go into the gallery section

I did not want the long setup of the tent on the basecamp but it looks cool


as far as the sides ? well I am going to see if I can get them in ? or get them made here for mine
they do not have the fridge or that cool sink thing
but the electrical box is there and everything else


since most of the RTT do not even come with the extra room off the tent stock which is quite large and nice to have at least for what I like to camp like
I figure the awning as a bonus but am going to get sides for sure
hope that helps

Chad D

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

I too am also looking heavily at the Compacts/Base Camps by Conqueror . Especailly since I only live about 6 hours from Atlanta.

I have a few questions:

Why does the Base Camp cost more than the Compact??? I'm going off of the Atlanta Conqueror website. To me the Base Camp looks smaller but the specs are the same for both models on the Atlanta site. Could anyone elaborate on this please.

Also What type of awnings does the place in Atlanta have for the Base Camp and the Compact??? I mean I have seen the pics on the Atlanta Conqueror website but is that all the awnings that come with it??? Awning wise the Compact seems better of a deal. Can you buy a wrap around type like what the Kimberley Kampers have straight from South Africa??

Okay I just watched the YouTube Video that Honu posted. great info. But do the come with everything that they had in that video. Awning wise I mean (i know that the silerware doesn't). What does the "bare" trailer look like when bought from Atlanta b/c the Compact looks pretty bare awning wise on there website.

Any help is always apprecaited,
Marty

Marty:
Check your PM's.
The Tent on the Base Camp is much larger (I believe 9X9 feet open). There is also a drop down room for two under the upper tent but it is not open to the upper tent like the drop down room on the Compact.
I can send you a picture of the Base Camp behind a buddy's Discovery II if you want a comparison of size. Truly the Base Camp from a price stand point is a better value considering what comes with it, but ... either one is a tremendous value for the mone¥.

Incidentally, the silver ware does come with the unit as does a small pump powered shower head. The fridge is not included.
The Base Camp has a huge 12 pole (heavy rubber coated canvas) over tent (large fly) that covers the entire camp site. It is not necessary to use it, but it is included. The Base Camp also has a larger kitchen.

If you are looking for a smaller footprint, ... then the Compact is the way to go.
Both take less then 10 minutes to deploy and can be put away in about 20 minutes or less.

E-mail me at: nashvillerover@comcast.net
and I will send you some locally taken pictures of the units.

Hope that helps.

Dendy

 

[robert j. yates]

Sundaypunch: I believe you would be fine without the brakes on the Compact.

If this trailer weighs in at 1600 lbs then I have to disagree with the statement above. My Horizon weighs in at 1700lbs or so and I definately wouldn't want to tow it without brakes. While a Tacoma isn't a Jeep (which is what I use), 1600 extra lbs is still alot of weight for the stock brakes to deal with and particularly so on mountain grades where most offroad explorers find themselves. I'd be looking at trailer brakes and a good controller if it were me making the purchase decison.

 

[KDog]

Lots of good info from all of you. Thanks mucho!

I seems hard to get a accurate weight on the Compact, something about S.A. having different standards. I am concerned about the 1600#+ number. I have a small 1 ton landscape trailer with no brakes that I have had fully loaded and have felt it pushing pretty good when braking. I plan on doing the White Rim this fall and would not want that "push" on the downhill sections.

Honu, Your Conquest came with brakes correct? I would be very curious about the weight of you trailer.

Does anybody know how much brakes would cost on a trailer like the compact?

I think I could deal with the size and like the tent better that the Base Camp, but for $1000 more the Base Camp is a lot of trailer.

Cheers, Kevin

 

[ZR2nit]

Nashvillerover,
You have my e-mail address. Looking forward to the pics

 

[ZR2nit]

So if I'm correct than (which would go against every law know to man...Don't tell my wife I said that) the Base Camp comes with brakes and the Compact does not. Also the Compact is smaller thean the Base Camp???? <----Thats weird b/c from the pics the Compact looks to have a bigger sleeping area. Also do they come U.S. D.O.T certified wiring with 12 volt outlets??? What size tires come on them????? And what acessories are included??? I see it doesn't come with a fridge but what does it come with???

Sorry so many questions I showed my wife what they look like and she said see liked them and the Kimberley Kampers.

Thanks In Advance,
Marty

 

[Honu]

in the front nose cone mine came with
two extra Hella plug FL lights a funky water pump you drop down inside the water tanks and a nozzle
battery 105 amp hours not sure how new it is ?
medical kit not killer but better than some not a big deal though
the tent of course and the large awning and the poles and ropes
2 tie down ratchet straps and 2 other straps
the 4 wolf packs
mine is 12V I think they converted all of them so they would be legal in the US




some rambling and thoughs


the surge brakes are kinda cool I cant say much yet on how they work but the SA (South African) guys like them on some rigs or they seem popular and very tough

I guess my one thought when I first started looking at trailers is the SA ones and they have lots of proven miles on the conqueror line
some of the SA boards when people ask about trailers many say make sure to look at the conqueror lineup as one of the ones to compare to



I know the base camp is a older model that is discontinued while the compacts and conqueror models are still made ?
not sure what that means but just info
also the kitchen in some pics I saw of the basecamp with people at it seems like its above the knee height or about thigh height so not sure it would be comfy to work at ? might be to low for me
its super cool though the way it folds out !


I love the Kimberly Kampers but sadly sounds like their will be no more in the US also ?
same as these
get em while you can

I have not set up a base camp ! but I have seen a few comments on line and talking to Larry who sells them the basecamp takes longer to set up

I can say one reason I love the style like the compacts and the conqueror is you can get into all the doors with the tent deployed ! for me and wife thats a nice thing

also the room off the tent part is nice and large and more private
kinda like the Kimberly
the base camp you are kinda stepping out into nature not a big deal but still wife did not like that

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

What Honu said.
The Base Camp also comes with a folding aluminum camp table that is stored under the rack (quite long ... 6 feet I think) as well as a Hella Matador light front and rear. Also the Base Camp comes with the rack which (although would have to be unloaded to deploy the tent) offers a bunch of storage (i.e.: canoe on top, etc.)

Don't forget ... the also come with an ax, machete (african grass style) and shovel.

Sure, the kitchen is lower on the base camp, but it is quite large and unlike the Compact and Conquest, ... the fridge slide (to place the Engel) is within the kitchen area vs. in the rear of the unit on the Compact and Conquest.

Hope that helps.

Dendy

ps: The Brakes do work quite well. I could feel them engage when towing the trailer.
PSS: The last Kimberly I looked at was over 18K !!!

 

[SpeedAgent]

Geez, I think one post was sufficient.