Go Camping Australia
  • HOME
  • Blog
  • Campsite Reviews
    • Kangaroo Island >
      • Kangaroo Island Tips for new travellers
      • American River camping
      • Western KI Caravan Park camping
      • Antechamber Bay camping
      • Flinders Chase camping
      • Wreckers Beach camping
      • Activities on Kangaroo Island
    • Queensland >
      • Amity Point Campground
      • Brooloo Park Campground
    • Northern Territory >
      • 13 Tips for new travellers in the Outback
      • Ellery Creek Big Hole
      • Kings Canyon
      • Yulara (at Uluru)
      • Ormiston Gorge
      • Serpentine Gorge
      • Standley Chasm
    • Tasmania >
      • Cradle Mountain
      • Mt Field
      • Fortescue Bay, Tasman Ntl Park
      • Freycinet National Park
      • Bay of Fires, Tasmania
      • Mt William National Park
    • Overland Track, Tasmania >
      • Cradle Valley to Waterfall Valley Hut
      • Waterfall Valley to Windermere
      • Windermere to Pelion Hut
      • Pelion Hut to Kia Ora
      • Kia Ora to Windy Ridge
      • Windy Ridge to Pine Valley
      • Pine Valley to Narcissus
      • Narcissus to Echo Point
      • Echo Point to Cynthia Bay
    • National Parks (Victoria) >
      • Princess Margaret Rose Caves
      • Grampians - Plantation Campground
      • Grampians - Lakeside Tourist Park
      • Grampians - Mt Stapylton
      • Grampians - Borough Huts
      • Grampians - Smiths Mill Campground
      • Lower Glenelg NP - Hutchenssons
    • Flinders Ranges >
      • Acraman Camping, Flinders Ranges
      • Horseshoe Top End
      • Spear Creek
      • Stony Creek Bush Camp
      • Merna Mora
      • Bendleby Ranges
      • Flinders Ranges - Argadells
      • Flinders Ranges - Wilpena Pound
      • Flinders Ranges - Aroona
      • Telowie Gorge
      • Mambray Creek >
        • Kingfisher Flat
      • Melrose
    • Lincoln National Park >
      • Surfleet Cove
      • September Beach
      • Fishermans Point
      • Spalding Cove
      • Engine Point
      • Taylors Landing
      • Donington Beach
    • National Parks (South Australia) >
      • Beachport Conservation Park
      • Bool Lagoon Conservation Park
      • Canunda National Park
      • Deep Creek Conservation Park camping >
        • Eagle Waterhole Camping
      • Innes National Park
      • Little Dip Conservation Park
      • Maize Island Conservation Park
      • Newland Head Conservation Park
      • Redbanks Conservation Park
    • Yorke Peninsula Free Camping >
      • Hillocks Drive Butlers Beach
    • NSW >
      • Bendalong Point Tourist Park
      • Hosanna Farmstay (NE NSW)
      • Wollemi National Park (NSW)
    • Other Places (SA) >
      • Burra (Worlds End)
      • Chookarloo at Kuitpo Forest
      • Clayton Bay
      • Lake Bonney
      • Naracoorte
      • Mt Crawford Forest
      • Piccaninnie Ponds
      • Rapid Bay
      • Saunders Gorge
      • Wirrabara Forest
  • Equipment Reviews/Advice
    • CAMPING GEAR ADVICE >
      • Best Camping Pillows
      • Best Camping Chairs - Our top 5
      • Groundsheet/Footprint for Tents - Must Read Guide
      • Water Filters for Hiking and Camping
      • Camping Showers (and how to choose one)
      • Choosing a Headlamp
      • Canvas or Nylon Tents - what to choose
      • Kids Camping Gear
      • How to choose a camping BBQ
      • Camping Coffee Makers
      • Camping and hiking stoves
      • 10 Pieces of Beginner Camping Equipment you need
      • Self Inflating Mat - How to choose
      • Inflatable Tents -- what is available?
      • Air Mattresses
    • TENT REVIEWS >
      • Cinch Pop Up Tent Review
      • Southern Cross Ultimate Tent
      • Hammock Review - Sky Bed
      • Mountain Hardwear Drifter 3 Tent
      • Napier 84000 Sportz SUV Tent Review
      • Black Wolf Turbo Tent
      • MacPac Apollo Tent
    • SLEEPING GEAR >
      • Jack Wolfskin Sleeping Bag Review
      • Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Sleeping Bag
      • Black Wolf Zambezie Sleeping Bag
      • Marmot Plasma 15 Sleeping Bag review
      • Sky Bed Hammock
    • COOKING GEAR REVIEWS >
      • Wacaco Nanopresso Review
      • Wonderbag Review
      • Aeropress (coffee maker)
      • Jetboil Flash
      • MSR Mugmate
      • MSR MicroRocket Stove
      • Primus Omnifuel Cooker
    • OTHER GEAR REVIEWS >
      • LIGHTING >
        • Bosch Camping Gear
        • Luci Solar Light
        • Coleman Rechargeable Retro Lantern
        • Fenix CL20 Lantern
      • OtterBox Cooler/Esky
      • Chammock Review
      • Travall Cargo Guard
      • Honda EU20i Generator Review
      • IceMule Cooler
      • Ezygonow Go Anywhere Kit
      • Water Bottle Filters - Diercon and Sawyer
      • Griffin Survivor Case Review
      • Helinox Chair One Camping Chair
      • Sawyer Squeeze Filter
      • Wilderness Wear Thermal Top
      • 3 in 1 Camping Jacket (Aldi)
      • Thetford Porta Pottie
      • Thumper Battery
  • Camping Tips
    • GEAR TIPS >
      • Portable Camping Toilets Guide
      • Collapsible Camping Gear
      • Choosing a camp stretcher
      • Choosing a Family Tent
      • 10 tips to help choose a tent
      • How to choose a sleeping bag: 5 tips
      • Choosing a camper trailer
      • How to buy a used tent
      • Double Sleeping Bag Guide
    • BEGINNER TIPS >
      • Beginners Guide to Camping
      • Packing your car for camping
      • Top 10 Camping Etiquette Tips
      • How to choose a campsite
      • 10 Beginner Camping Mistakes
      • Summer Camping Tips - stay cool
    • CAMPSITE TIPS >
      • Camping in the Rain
      • 10 tips to camping in thunderstorms
      • How to sleep well in a tent
      • Cleaning up your campsite - 4 tips
      • Camping Security: How to keep safe
      • How to keep your campsite clean
      • Condensation in Your Tent (and how to prevent)
    • CHILDREN AND CAMPING >
      • 5 reasons to take your children camping
      • Camping with Teenagers: 5 survival tips for parents
      • Top 10 tips camping with children
    • CARE AND REPAIR TIPS >
      • How to care for camping gear
      • How to Store A Sleeping Bag
      • How to remove mould on tent
      • How to fix a tear in tent
      • How to fix leak in mat
      • How to care for your tent - 5 easy tips
      • Caring for your sleeping bag
      • How to Season A Tent
      • How to Wash Down Sleeping Bag
      • How to Waterproof Your Jacket
    • MISCELLANEOUS >
      • Keeping clean when camping
      • How to prevent mosquitos when camping
      • Sick when camping - tips to help
      • Camping with Cats and Dogs
      • Camping and makeup - what to pack
      • 7 Tents you don't see too often
      • Glamping Australia
  • HIKING
    • Hiking Checklist: What you need to bring
    • Beginner Trekking Poles
    • Smallest and Lightest Hiking Stoves
    • Overnight hiking: gear advice for beginners
    • First Overnight Hike - Gear
    • Lightweight and Ultralight - What it means
    • Layering Clothes for Outdoors
  • FOOD
    • Coffee Makers for Camping
    • Camping Meals for Beginners
    • 10 tips to keep food cold
    • Camping Food On a Stick
    • Camping Breakfast Ideas
    • Camping Food Preparation for Beginners
    • Foil Pack Cooking - How to Guide
    • French Toast when Camping
    • S'Mores Australia
  • Get in touch
    • About Us
    • Disclosure Policy/Disclaimer

Travall Cargo Guard

Travall Cargo Barrier Review

When going away camping as a family we really do seem to take a lot of gear.     Though we have attempted to downsize or minimalise our gear, somehow, the back of the car always is completely full.          Whilst we do manage to get the gear in, I have to say, that at times, our gear hasn't always been stowed as safely as I would like.

We wrote an entire story for beginners about packing your car for camping - and when you read it, you will notice we mention the importance of safety in a car as being paramount to any trip.     If you haven't read this story, read it here. 


Why is important to stow your gear correctly?      


Unrestrained goods anywhere in the car, can become deadly missiles in the event of an accident, and an object that weighs, say 2kg in a 50kmh accident, becomes the equivalent weight of 80kg.      
​
(Note: physics gurus will know about Newtons Law of Inertia and how this all works or read these mathematical equations) 


​Travall supplied to us a Travall Guard - which is a cargo guard, specific to your car make and model for us to review and see what we thought of this removable guard. 

Want to know what we thought?    First up - read the next paragraph closely and before you read anything else on this page.


  UPDATE 

As this product has not yet been tested to Australian Standard 4034.2:2008 it is not suitable for the restraint of heavy cargo.    


This  product is not designed to compete with permanently installed barriers. It offers an alternative to those who want to transport a dog securely to the rear of the vehicle, but do not want to have to make permanent modifications to the vehicle in order to achieve this.  Travall are an international company, so have been using the terms cargo barrier and pet barrier because these terms are used widely throughout the rest of the world.    Travall  realize that this may cause some confusion for Australian customers.  The terminology used on their web site and accompanying copy will be updated today so that Australians have clarity around what they are purchasing. The product will be referred to as a guard and a cargo barrier alternative.

Note:  This review has been updated to reflect that this is a guard  not a barrier.      


Important Details



First up, the most important thing you need to know when ordering a Travall Guard, is you need to know the make and model of your car, and give the right information at time of ordering.    

The Guard comes in many varieties based on your car.    So if you give the wrong information, then the barrier won't suit.

You need to be able to provide the following when ordering:

  • Manufacturer
  • Model
  • Year it was made
  • Number of doors
  • Body type (eg SUV, Wagon)
  • Fuel type
  • Sunroof
  • Transmission

All of this is pretty simple stuff to know (or find out), and it's about getting the right guard!     There is a step-by-step guide on the website, to help you through this process.



Installation

Travall Cargo Barrier Review

Putting the Guard together is easy.     The front page of instructions (visuals only) was simplistic and gave you enough information to get all the right bits in the right places.    

The Guard is made of steel, coloured grey, and it's surprisingly light to carry (and assemble).

There is a Universal Hook Kit that comes with the Guard - its like the anchor from the Guard itself to the boot.     Crucial part of the set-up but probably the easiest. 

Getting the Guard in the car itself, was a bit more work, and we have shown in pictures below what it looked like.    


​As you can see from the photos, the car is not pristine in cleanliness, and not sitting in some showroom!!       It's the family car, covered in Golden Retriever fur and dirt from a camping trip.          

​

Picture
travall cargo barrier review
Our messy car, before the cargo guard goes in.        I know, it really needs a vacuum.
 Travall cargo barrier review
Put the rear seats down before you go any further with installation.    Car still needs vacuum at this point. 

Travall cargo barrier review
Travall cargo barrier review
The above photos shows the Guard has been put in place with the universal hook running down to the floor.   The Guard has been  put in position, with the seats returned to their correct location. 
Travall cargo barrier review
This screw top mechanism is one of the easy ways you can uninstall the Guard.     It holds the hook tightly in place. 
Travall cargo barrier review
The bottom of the hook, attaches to the car anchors (already there) - all of this helps hold the guard in place.  
Yes, the car rear  is still messy.......
Travall cargo barrier review
Travall cargo barrier review

What we liked



Easy to put together and install.      We did install it a bit incorrectly in the beginning but we were trying to install based on photos in the instructions which were a little vague.     

Installation time - about 15 minutes.    We took a bit longer, as we did something wrong, but then we had a lightbulb moment, and realised our mistake and it won't happen again! 

It's very simple to remove if you don't want it in for every trip.   I have left the Guard in my car, despite not going on a trip, because it fits in so well, and you forget it's there until the time comes when you try to throw something over the back seat into the boot, and it bounces back at you.     

Having a non permanent cargo guard is important.   Should we require, the guard can be taken down/out rapidly, without any tools required. 

You do feel safer with a lot of gear in the car, and if you had a pet that you transported, that pet is safe in the rear, and not trying to get over any seats.   For those of you travelling with a dog, this might be the way to go. 

The Guard required no modification to our car, and didn't need any tools or mechanical knowledge.  That's a big plus for me.

What we didn't like



We were very impressed, so it's hard to find fault.      

​The guard was perfect for our vehicle (giving the right details at the start is key), and it does look good in the car.  Not obtrusive.

We haven't put ourselves in an accident to test gear or groceries or pets flying around in the car, and don't intend to anytime soon, but I feel a lot more confident knowing that we have a barrier.


Rookie Mistake:       When installing, we inadvertently had our rear seats pulled forward quite a bit, towards the front of the car.   After installation of the guard, we were surprised that there was quite a gap between the rear seats and the Guard.      We couldn't work out why there was this gap, and thought it was "lost" space for gear.       And then it clicked with us!   The rear seats had been positioned in such a way to maximise space for a bike, and never returned to their actual, more comfortable (eg. greater leg room) location.      No wonder the kids were always squashed.      Fixed that, and everything was right with the Guard and the seats.



Delivery and Cost


Availability and further information at  https://www.travall.com.au/

Prices are around $215-245 dependent upon the make/model of your car.  You can see the range at the website.

Our Guard was shipped from the UK, and it took about 3-4 days to arrive, which is pretty impressive, as I have had goods that come from Melbourne to Adelaide that take weeks!!   So I was incredibly impressed by the speed of delivery. 

​

Overall Verdict

  
Now that we have a guard , it really does bring peace of mind.  Something like the Travall Guard is so simple but very effective.

If you do any travelling and carry gear in the back of your car, without a guard it might be something you wish to investigate for yourself.   NOTE:  Heavy gear should not be carried in your car with this Guard until Australian Standards are met.     As always, we encourage you to make your own investigation about the suitability of this product for you.     

Cost wise - I think its very reasonably priced. 


​
UPDATE AND REMINDER: 

As this product has not yet been tested to Australian Standard 4034.2:2008 it is not suitable for the restraint of heavy cargo.    


This  product is not designed to compete with permanently installed barriers. It offers an alternative to those who want to transport a dog securely to the rear of the vehicle, but do not want to have to make permanent modifications to the vehicle in order to achieve this.  Travall are an international company, so have been using the terms cargo barrier and pet barrier because these terms are used widely throughout the rest of the world.    Travall  realize that this may cause some confusion for Australian customers.  The terminology used on their web site and accompanying copy will be updated today so that Australians have clarity around what they are purchasing. The product will be referred to as a guard and a cargo barrier alternative.



This item was provided to Go Camping Australia for the purpose of this review.        For further information about our Product Reviews disclosure policy,  we encourage you to read here. 



Latest blog story

Disclosure Policy (affiliate program information included).


​​



Stay in touch with Go Camping Australia.  



Subscribe to our free newsletter here
Go Camping Australia - All rights reserved 2014      No re-use of any written content or photos without permission.   

BACK TO TOP

© Go Camping Australia | All Rights Reserved