---
title: Heritage | Switchback Trailers
description: Discover the history, people and practical experience behind Switchback Trailers.
---
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WHY SWITCHBACK / HERITAGE
# Heritage
A nod to the past
Southern Star Caravans, Onehunga. Family archive.
[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/compact-a-van-cover-original-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/compact-a-van-inside-full-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124655-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124635-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124703-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124427-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124457-4x3-leather.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/southern-star-archive-124550-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)
THE ARCHIVE
## 1960 Southern Star Caravans
Our grandfather, Frank Johnson, founded Southern Star Caravans in Auckland and was building caravans from his Onehunga factory by the 1960s. The family archive shows caravans outside the F. A. Johnson factory, while the surviving brochure gives the address as 25 Alfred Street, Onehunga.
Frank went on to design the Compact A Van — an innovative folding caravan that travelled as a compact, low-profile trailer before opening into a full-height four-person caravan.
The original brochure shows how the design worked: lightweight aluminium roof panels opened into an A-frame, transforming the low trailer into an enclosed living space. When folded, it was advertised as compact enough to store in a garage or basement.
Inside, the brochure described accommodation for four on foam mattresses, storage space, a Formica-topped table and sink unit, and electric lighting. Large windows and full headroom were part of the appeal: a compact travelling footprint with room to live once parked.
From the family archive: Southern Star Caravans factory photograph and original Compact A Van brochure.
The first BBQ trailer, built with Dad during lockdown.
[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-01-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-02-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-04-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-05-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-06-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-08-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-09-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-10-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-11-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/journey-12-4x3-natural.jpg?hsLang=en)
LARRY’S STORY
## From sketches to Switchback.
The roots of Switchback Trailers go back to early mechanical ideas drawn in SketchUp while still at school, followed by years of hands-on experience with trucks, heavy trailers and off-road machinery.
As Frank’s grandson, Larry grew up with a natural connection to designing and building practical equipment. That interest developed through years of experimenting with mechanical ideas, building things and constantly looking for better ways to make them work.
During lockdown, the first removable trailer module was built — a large BBQ and camping body designed to slide on and off an aluminium trailer. Loading it involved a basic winch system, removable legs and plenty of trial and error. It was far from refined, but it proved the value of a removable body on a practical trailer platform.
A second version followed a few years later, built on a much tighter scale and budget using leftover materials where possible. It introduced a better support system, improved usability and even a home made articulating coupling for off-road travel. These early builds were used in the real world, exposing both the strengths of the concept and the areas that could be improved.
At the same time, Larry’s professional experience was developing in the design and manufacture of heavy mining and industrial machinery. Working with modern 3D CAD, heavy fabrication, production systems and experienced manufacturing teams provided a completely different level of engineering and manufacturing knowledge.
Switchback Trailers grew from bringing those paths together — practical experience towing and using trailers off-road, lessons learned from early home-built prototypes, heavy-industry engineering experience, and a family history of building and inventing.
What began as SketchUp drawings and simple home-built trailers gradually evolved into a purpose-designed trailer platform built for demanding work, off-road travel and long-term use.
[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/switchback-today-1-4x3.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/switchback-today-2-4x3.jpg?hsLang=en)[](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/switchback-theme-dev/images/heritage/consistent/switchback-today-4-4x3.jpg?hsLang=en)
THE PRESENT
## Switchback today.
Switchback Trailers designs and manufactures rugged, highly functional trailers for those who demand performance from the equipment behind them.
Developed in New Zealand and shaped by real-world experience towing, working and travelling off road, Switchback trailers are engineered from the ground up around strength, stability and practical usability.
We combine practical thinking with world-class design and fabrication technology. Advanced 3D CAD, digital engineering and modern manufacturing processes allow us to refine every component before it reaches production. Precision laser cutting, CNC folding and carefully controlled fabrication mean complex structures can be built accurately, consistently and efficiently.
Our folded-steel exoskeleton construction is a good example of that approach — using intelligent geometry and modern fabrication techniques to create strength and rigidity without simply adding unnecessary weight.
Every detail has a purpose. From integrated storage, protected lighting and heavy-duty tie-down points to practical working surfaces, generous ground clearance and carefully considered towing geometry, the trailer is designed as one complete system.
At the heart of Switchback is versatility. Our removable canopy system allows one trailer platform to adapt between work, transport, trade and adventure rather than locking the owner into a single configuration.
Switchback is still a young company, but the thinking behind it has been developing for generations: combine good ideas, modern technology and real-world experience to build equipment that can genuinely be relied upon.
[Build Yours](https://www.switchbacktrailers.com/#configure-my-own)
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[SALES@SWITCHBACKTRAILERS.COM](mailto:sales@switchbacktrailers.com)