How we test
Every figure published on Camper News AU is sourced and dated. This page sets out the criteria we weight in a comparison, where each figure comes from, what we do not test, and how we correct mistakes.
Criteria and weighting
Comparisons on this site are built from seven weighted criteria, totalling 100%. Weighting is fixed in advance of a comparison and is not adjusted after data is collected.
Payload (ATM minus tare)
The mass available for water, gas, batteries, awnings, camp kitchen and gear, calculated as Aggregate Trailer Mass less tare mass, both as listed on the manufacturer technical data sheet.
Real equipped price
The price of the model as tested or as specified in the cited source, including factory-fitted options where listed, rather than a stripped base price.
Warranty terms
The length and scope of the structural and componentry warranty, including any conditions that limit off-road or commercial use.
Capacities
Fresh water, grey water and gas capacity, and where relevant, load rating of factory-fitted storage systems.
Service network
The number and location of authorised service centres able to carry out warranty work, independent of the point of sale.
RVMAP / ADR compliance
Whether the model carries current RV Manufacturers Accreditation Program (RVMAP) accreditation, and whether the compliance plate cites the Australian Design Rules applicable to the trailer class.
Manufacturer transparency
Whether the manufacturer publishes a technical data sheet, responds to a written request for the compliance plate figures, and discloses known recalls or bulletins.
Data source for each criterion
Every figure carries a source in the table it appears in. The table below summarises where that source normally comes from.
| Criterion | Primary data source |
|---|---|
| Payload (ATM minus tare) | Manufacturer technical data sheet or price list. Where a compliance plate figure is sighted directly, that figure is used and noted as such in place of the data sheet figure. |
| Real equipped price | Manufacturer price list or dealer-confirmed as-tested price, with the access date recorded. |
| Warranty terms | Manufacturer warranty document or the warranty summary published on the price list. |
| Capacities | Manufacturer technical data sheet. |
| Service network | Manufacturer dealer locator, checked against direct correspondence with listed service centres where practical. |
| RVMAP / ADR compliance | RVMAP public register and the compliance plate fitted to the unit inspected, where available. |
| Manufacturer transparency | Direct correspondence with the manufacturer, dated and logged internally. |
What we do not test
Camper News AU runs a documentation-based methodology. We compile and cross-check published and manufacturer-supplied figures; we do not operate a physical test fleet. The following are explicitly out of scope for any figure published on this site:
- Independent load testing, dynamometer testing or towing trials.
- Off-road handling assessment, articulation testing or track evaluation.
- Long-term durability or corrosion trials.
- Resale value forecasting or depreciation modelling.
- Build quality inspection beyond what is visible in manufacturer-supplied material.
- Subjective comfort, layout or design judgements presented as fact.
Where a figure cannot be sourced to a manufacturer document or direct correspondence, it is left blank in our tables rather than estimated.
Correction policy
Every published figure is dated to the source it was taken from. Manufacturer data sheets, price lists and warranty terms change without notice, and a figure that was correct on the access date shown may no longer be current.
Readers, manufacturers and dealers can report a suspected error tocorrections@campernews.com.au. We compare the report against the cited source and, where the source has changed or was recorded incorrectly, we update the published figure.
A material correction — one that changes a payload, price, warranty term or a comparison result — is logged on the corrections page with the date of the correction, the figure affected, and the reason for the change. Minor corrections, such as typographical fixes that do not affect a published figure, are not logged separately.
Brand relationships never determine a result, and no brand pays for placement or approves content before publication. See our disclosure statementfor how we handle commercial relationships in the industry we cover.