THE TRAILER
The Tare weight is still 1500kg which reflects
the quality, size and facility of the complete
package. The GVM has been increased to
2400kg with Dexter 12in electric brakes plus
breakaways to allow for larger load weights
which will be expected with twin stainless-steel
tanks with a combined 160L capacity, plus the
usual camping and recovery gear, clothes, food
and drinks. Underneath is a full 75x50x3mm
box section sub-frame with independent
trailing arm suspension, locally supplied Lovell
coil springs and dual Ridepro custom shock
absorbers each side. There's also custom made
polyurethane bump stops, Primal 16x8in alloy
wheels and your choice of mud or all-terrain
265/75 R16s.
The Macquarie has also been upgraded with
strong Manutek stabiliser legs and out front is
an ARK X-Series 750kg-rated jockey wheel plus
Anderson plug, hand brake, forward winch post
and the increasingly popular McHitch 3.5 tonne
Uni-glide trailer coupling. There’s a strong stone
guard with replaceable mesh plus a huge tool
box that also secures the twin 4kg gas bottles
plus numerous jerry cans if optioned. Bluewater
has made camping easy by including hot and
cold water fittings plus a gas bayonet on the
125x50x4mm A-frame drawbar, which feed the
Smarttek 6 portable hot water system for the
ensuite and sink.
Out back the rear end has had a total new
design featuring a full width pole compartment
with a shelf divider for the selection of alloy
poles, plus there is a pivoting bumper that
retains the spare wheel and a very handy
tool box that is ideal for those quick on-road
necessities. This also allows some fulcrum
effect for those who are smart enough to
balance their load and drawbar weight. The
undersides have twin rated recovery points
with a slide fitting for an optional push bike
carrier and there is still a good recovery angle,
so the bum of the trailer isn’t dragging in heavy
undulations. The water tanks are fully shrouded
for protection and fitted with sturdy bungs
and fittings, however I would like to see a solid
elbow on the water tank supply line which
would reduce the chance of ripping the hose
from the tank fitting. It’s a minor point with
major consequences if it were to occur in a hot,
remote destination however Rob guaranteed it
would be fitted as standard in future.
Another point of innovation is the water tap
on the rear undersides that not only serves
as a water outlet, but it has a two-way valve
and pressure reducer allowing mains supply
to be connected if you are in a caravan park
or similar. It allows you to bypass your water
tanks all together. There is also an easy tank
crossover valve to choose your desired water
supply and Bluewater have chosen a quality
SeaFlo 42 series water pump and John Guest
water lines and fittings throughout for longevity
in service.
DRIVERS SIDE
We find the twin 100A AGM batteries securely
mounted in a lockable compartment to the rear
with the electrical control panel just in front
of the wheel arch. This cabinet contains the
isolator switch, individual analogue water tank
indicators, voltage and rate of charge indicators
as well as a five-gang fused switch panel for
the fridge, pump, lights etc. The large front box
has tonnes of smart storage with a voluptuous
compartment forward as well as a separate
locker with a large drawer beneath an upper
shelf where long poles such as fishing rods can
be housed securely, but easily accessed.PARTY SIDE
The kerb side of the Bluewater Macquarie is
where the party really starts. There is a large
fridge slide up front that is capable of carrying
a full 65kg of load, and some of the largest
available portable coolers. It has pressurised
venting to the fridge compartment and all“IT’S A PLEASURE TO SEE GOOD CANVAS
CONSTRUCTION, AND IT ALSO HELPS YOU SLEEP WELL
AT NIGHT KNOWING YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY THE
SECURITY OF A PROPERLY WA
TERPROOF ENVIRONMENT”
The best canvas this side of Kansas helps
ensure a dreamy night's sleepThe ioungle area — spacious and delightful
and, thanks to the Macquarie's pole system,
sets up hassle free