Those familiar with the Hardkorr name may know them best for their range of cutting-edge lighting and electrical systems. But over the past decade, Hardkorr Campers has built an equally enviable reputation on the back of an innovative range of rugged, feature-packed caravans and camper trailers.

Speaking with Tony Taylor, National Sales Manager of Hardkorr Campers, at the recent 2024 Caravan and Camper Excellence Round-Up hosted by OnlyVans.com.au, we discussed how Hardkorr Campers came to be, and what’s in store for the next year. Like many of the people I spoke with over the three days at Rosedale Estate, Tony’s path into the caravan industry was a roundabout one, but fuelled by a passion for camping, off-roading, and the outdoors at every step.

New Releases: The Xplorer 2.2 and Overlander GT-4

Tony tells me that since Hardkorr’s foundation, the business has gone from strength to strength, and its latest offerings are sure to delight serious off-roaders and adventurers. Sitting behind him in the dappled light under a gum tree are the HKC Xplorer 2.2 camper trailer and the Overlander GT-4, a 3.5m hybrid that is sure to impress even the most fastidious buyer.

While the Xplorer 2.2 is a staple of the Hardkorr range, the Overlander GT-4 is an upcoming release that seeks to marry the practicality of Hardkorr’s trailers with the space and amenities of their existing hybrid range. In place of solid walls, the Overlander GT-4 features two side slide-outs, offering an adaptable layout that can be adjusted to suit its owner’s needs.

Meeting the Demands of Modern Adventurers

“We’ve utilised a lot of the space. You’ve got a lounge area. If you only need one bed, you’ve got a lounge on one side and a bed on the other,” Tony says.

“It’s just a natural progression. Back in the day you started with your camper trailers and soft-top tents, then hard-shell tents and forward folds. The forward folds have run their race, and everyone’s started moving into the hybrid market.”

At a time when the hybrid market is seemingly saturated, Tony tells me, brands need a way of standing out while still responding to consumer demands.

“We’ve taken the feedback from customers on what they want, what they need, and we’ve put it into this, to sort of be the next step, the next evolution in where things are going to go.”

“It’s got a gourmet-style kitchen, a massive fridge in there, upright fridge at the front. It’s pretty much got everything your modern family are interested in.”

Patented Design: The Xplorer’s Central Staircase

The Overlander GT-4 is not alone in its evolution, however. The latest generation of the Xplorer 2.2 sports a unique central staircase leading to the rooftop tent, an addition that Tony says has won praise from customers of all ages, while also giving them an edge on the competition.

“We’re the only ones with it, we’ve patented the idea worldwide.”

In-House Expertise: Hardkorr’s Competitive Edge

 

And although customer feedback plays a role in determining the approach, it is clear that Hardkorr’s decision-making is informed by its own experience as much as anything else. This allows Hardkorr to connect with the fundamental needs of its customers in a way that some brands cannot.

“If the thing is functional for you, it’s going to be functional for the customer, and you can’t be afraid to change something,” Tony says when I ask him about the importance of designing from experience.

This personal touch extends throughout the Hardkorr business and is what Tony credits, in part, with their appeal. While most brands in the industry rely on third-party products to fit out their designs, Hardkorr is in the unique position of being able to do everything in-house.

“All our campers have got all Hardkorr gear in them. It’s kind of a one-stop shop. When you buy a Hardkorr camper, it’s all our batteries, inverters, and solar. You don’t mix and match bits of this with bits of that.”

A Global Impact: Hardkorr at the 2023 SEMA Show

The benefit to customers is that they are not only dealing with a complete and complementary ecosystem but with a company that understands every square centimetre of their campers, inside and out.

“If somebody rings up, they’re talking to the manufacturer, they’re talking to us.”

Last year, Tony and the team took both the Xplorer 2.2 & 2.0 to the 2023 SEMA Show in the United States, a region that Tony believes “is a bit of an untapped market.”

“The Xplorers were received very well because it was just something they hadn’t seen before.”

The Simplicity Factor: Hardkorr’s Core Principle

So, does that mean Hardkorr has its sights set on America? Not yet.

For now, their focus is on delivering designs that are driven by one core principle: simplicity.

“We’ve gone along the lines of making everything simple: quick setups, easy to use… That’s what people want. You don’t want to turn up somewhere and spend an hour setting up, you didn’t go there to set up.”

That’s a message that is sure to ring true with many campers, and an attitude that seems all but guaranteed to see Hardkorr Campers on the shortlist for prospective buyers throughout the summer and beyond.

To explore the full Hardkorr Campers range, head to www.onlyvans.com.au/for-sale/make/hardkorr


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