we have a brand new (july 08) outback flamingo, only issues we have had so far is the indicator light wasn't screwed in at all in one hole and the side storage lockers lock is losing/lost all the sikaflex they put around it to make a neat finish. okay i'll fess up; we haven't taken it off the beaten track but along corrugated rds as the wifes falcon is used to tow it 'til our daughter is old enough to travel in the defender but as pointed out earlier these aren't recommended for offroad use as such and that is clearly defined in the warranty/owners manual. was this my choice of camper? no (perferred the pioneer models) but i don't mind it, its comfortable, will hold its value (for some reason - even a two year old model was only a thousand $ cheaper than new) and we have accumalated heaps of camping gear over the years so its a case of luxury for beaten track holidays and leaving the jayco somewhere secure for more remote camping with tents etc.

Ok guys, how about Coleman? They seem a lot cheaper than all the others, so I'm guessing they're not too impressive...

I'd recommend that you do what we did and wait until winter before buying second-hand. Demand is low, and when we shopped around sellers were willing to get rid of things rather cheaply: we talked our trailer down from $9k to $4k by phoning the owner of the trailer we were interested in each time he renewed his ad. After six weeks of being the only bite, he relented.
It's also a cheap out if you decide a particular trailer is not for you. Come spring time when everyone's thoughts turn to camper trailering, you should at least better than break even if you decide the buy is not the right one.

I just went to the Coromal dealer around the corner and they had both Jayco and Coromal campers. I must say I would rather save up a bit more and go for the Coromal Silhouette Pioneer than even consider buying a Jayco....the build quality of the two makes is just miles apart.

Does anyone know of anywhere that hires Coromal campers?

Last night we were researching our trip to Tassie...we are going to have to re-think the entire trip. I had no idea how goddamned expensive the ferry is. It is going to cost us the better part of $1000 just to get us, our Disco and a camper over and back. Now we're wondering if we should just fly down and hire a campervan, which will cost about $500 less. If we do that, we'll be able to take bugger-all supplies on the plane with us.
Another option is to just go down and across to Adelaide...but I hate hot summers and was really looking forward to some nice Tassie weather!

Don't know what to do!!!

When we went a few years ago, some people would send the car over with one adult and fly the rest of the family over from Melbourne to Hobart or Launceston.
Also the cost of transporting the car was cheap but trailers were not as the car was subsidised and trailers were charged by the metre (we didn't tow anything).
I think it was $144/person day sail without a cabin and about $220/person for a night sail in a twin cabin. Plus $50 each way for the car.
Compared to $30 or so to fly Melbourne to Tassie.

IMHO if you only have two weeks then fly as otherwise all you'll see is the highway.

__________________
Justin

1994 Discovery V8 manual with extra fun bits
Towing a Customline camper trailer

That could work I suppose...hire a camper when we get to the apple isle.

On the way down to Melbourne we'd have to either camp in our tent (that means buying a bigger tent as we now have 2 kids and it was VERY cosy before no.2!) or staying on motels.

I'll get hubby to figure the costs out. He's so funny and nerdy- he does Excel spreadsheets every time we are thinking of spending money on anything to compare costs.

If you drive Brisbane to Melbourne in two days and then have a night sail then that is only one night accommodation on the mainland.
Need to factor in how to get people to the airport though.
Heaps cheaper I think.

__________________
Justin

1994 Discovery V8 manual with extra fun bits
Towing a Customline camper trailer

I have owned a Goldstream Off Road pop top camper trailer, easy to open and set up, normally less than 10 minutes and bed ready about 15 mins to close and get going in the mornings, extra time taken for making sure canvas is tucked inside on windy days.

Extensions need small ladder to fit to main body when open, only use for extra undercover area when staying more than couple days in any one spot.

Easy to tow, easy to store

Only disadbantage was getting in and out of Queen size bed had to jump up onto small milk crate, esky etc

Storage space great

Cooking and kitchen on side

Cost when bought new in 1997 was $9000, compared to moe expensive similar style camper trailers of $15,000 to $20,000 mark.

Hi interesting about camper choices. Follow justic advice about booking esp Straun area and ferry.Know of some vics visiting with small kids who thought they would take a chance on accomodation;trip lost a bit of its shine after they were unable to get a booking for a week.

Yep, will definitely make sure we book all our sites in advance...that's why I'm freaking out now and want to hurry up and decide what to do so we can book sites as well as motels and flights if we need to.

BTW- Tassie inhabitants- does it get quite hot over Xmas? I'm hoping it's a lot cooler than up here.