Austrack Stockton XE camper trailer: Family camper spotlight

We’ve already taken a look at the Austrack Stockton X3, but there’s another member of the Stockton family that’s caught our attention. It’s the Stockton XE Camper Trailer.

Why, you ask? Well, it’s pretty simple, really. It’s because it has an internal toilet.

Now, approximately 50 per cent of the population probably just shrugged. But I belong firmly to the other 50 per cent, and the older I get, the less enthusiastic I am about crawling out of a warm camper in the middle of the night to find the toilet.

Nor do I particularly enjoy being woken up because one of the kids needs to go but is too scared to venture outside alone in the dark. Because, you know… drop bears, yetis and whatever else might be lurking beyond the awning at 2 am.

And that’s what makes the Austrack Stockton XE camper trailer worth looking at. Proper internal bathroom facilities are still relatively uncommon in camper trailers, particularly when you also want enough room for the family without stepping all the way up to a big-ticket caravan.

So, what’s the Stockton XE?

Priced at $49,990 at the time of writing, the Stockton XE is a hard-floor family camper trailer measuring approximately 6m long, 2.3m wide and 1.9m high when packed down.

Its approximate tare weight is 1910kg, with a 2500kg ATM and approximately 590kg of payload. Ball weight is listed at approximately 220kg.

Underneath, there’s a fully welded hot-dipped galvanised chassis and drawbar, a McHitch 3.5T off-road coupling, 12-inch electric brakes and six-stud hubs. Suspension duties are handled by an AusTuff independent off-road setup with Pedders twin shock absorbers.

But it’s what Austrack has managed to fit above that chassis that makes the Stockton XE stand out.

Yes, there’s a toilet inside

Let’s get straight to the important bit.

The Stockton XE has a full internal ensuite incorporating an electric-flushing toilet, a vanity sink, and an adjustable shower rose.

For families, that’s a huge win.

It’s not simply about avoiding a chilly walk to the amenities block. An internal toilet becomes particularly useful when you’re camping remotely, travelling with younger kids or simply pulling up in an overnight stop with no facilities and no trees to hide behind.

And if everyone has spent the evening around the campfire telling scary stories, nobody has to nominate a parent to escort them outside afterwards.

There’s also a hot and cold external shower with a removable ensuite tent, so you’re not limited to using the bathroom inside.

There’s plenty of room for the family

The Stockton XE sleeps six quite comfortably.

Sleeping arrangements include a king bed and a double bed, while the club lounge converts into another double sleeping space. That gives families considerably more flexibility than a traditional two-person hard-floor camper.

There’s under-seat storage throughout the lounge area, along with a portable folding table, while the camper uses waterproof composite board with a timber-look laminate finish internally. And when Australian summer camping gets a little too Australian, there’s a reverse-cycle air-conditioner. For trips in the opposite direction temperature-wise, a diesel heater is also included.

That’s another winning combo we’d be very happy to have when travelling with kids.

Cooking inside or out

One of the other family-friendly features of the Stockton XE is the choice of kitchens.

Outside, there’s a slide-out kitchen with a gas cooktop, grill plate, sink, pantry and bar counter. Inside, there’s another cooking space with a microwave, four-burner cooktop and grill. The camper also has both internal and external fridge storage.

For longer trips, having the option to cook inside when the weather turns nasty could prove just as valuable as being able to spread out around the outdoor kitchen when conditions are good.

An electric push-button awning takes care of the outdoor living space, with an anti-flap kit and three detachable walls included.

3D layout of the Austrack Stockton XE © Austrack Campers & Caravans

A serious off-grid power setup

The Stockton XE is also packing a substantial electrical system for a camper trailer.

There are two 230Ah lithium batteries providing a combined 460Ah of storage, backed by 600W of solar. Austrack’s Arizon power management system includes a 3000W sine wave inverter, 200A AC charger, 100A DC-DC charger and MPPT solar controller. There’s a touchscreen interface and mobile app control for keeping tabs on the system.

A Starlink connectivity port is included as well.

On the water front, the Stockton XE carries 200 litres of fresh water across separate 120L and 80L food-grade poly tanks, plus an 80L grey water tank.

Combined with the diesel heater, instant hot water, sizeable battery bank and solar capacity, the specification sheet suggests the Stockton XE has been designed with longer stays away from powered sites in mind.

What does it weigh?

All that space and equipment comes with some numbers you’ll need to consider before hooking one behind your vehicle. That said, it’s not ridiculously heavy either, and with an ATM of 2500kg, it will be towable behind most 4WDs.

Austrack lists the Stockton XE at approximately:

Tare: 1910kg
ATM: 2500kg
Payload: 590kg
Ball weight: 220kg
Dimensions: 6m x 2.3m x 1.9m

Austrack notes that its quoted weights are approximate, so prospective buyers should check the weights of the individual camper they’re considering and make sure their tow vehicle, towbar and combination remain within their applicable limits.

Our take on the Austrack Stockton XE

We haven’t towed the Stockton XE ourselves yet, so we’re not going to tell you how it handles corrugations, how quickly it sets up in the real world or whether that internal layout works as well after two weeks on the road as it does on paper.

Those are things we’d need to put one through its paces to find out.

What we can say is that the specification makes an appealing proposition for families. At $49,990, you’re getting a camper with plenty of sleeping space, indoor and outdoor kitchens, 460Ah of lithium, 600W of solar, air-conditioning, diesel heating, 200 litres of fresh water and independent off-road suspension.

But for me, the standout feature remains much simpler. There’s a toilet. Inside.

For families that still want the camper trailer experience but are becoming increasingly reluctant to sacrifice a few creature comforts to get it, the Stockton XE looks like one worth putting on the inspection list.

Especially if your kids are convinced that drop bears are real and only come out at night.