Hire a camper trailer to tow with the D3

[simoncs]

Hi guys,

We are keen to give the camper trailer thing a go, so thought we would hire one over the Anzac holiday period and have a 5 day trip somewhere..

(any suggestions welcome - can't be too extreme as have a two month old baby, so maybe heading north from Sydney to stay warm).

My question though is, do i need to do anything to the D3?
having read loads of threads here, it seems possible, just depending on the trailer.
-So i can get a 7 pin round to flat adapter for about $25
-Depending on the trailer i might not need the electric brake controller
- So the biggest concern maybe the removeable towbar, which seems to be too low? Can i get away with it if i just stick to firetrails, or paths not too extreme?

has anyone hired one in NSW - any recommendations?


thanks

Simon

[DI5CO]

I hired a Vista RV for 2 weeks in Jan. I have a D2. Depending on power, you may need an anderson plug. With mine, I have an anderson plug, but the trailer actually had the electric brake controller on the trailer itself so I didnt need to do anything which was a bonus. I supplied my towbar & they supplied the hitch.
With the hitch, the Mitch Hitch is the one you may need.
Dave

[Ean Austral]

We have a pioneer camper trailer and the D3 tows it with ease. you shouldn't need trailer brakes unless you opt for a more caravan style trailer.

We haven't done any super serious 4wd tracks with the trailer on , but done some gravel bumpy roads and some sand driving and the plough hasn't been any trouble yet. The only time I have had it bottom out was coming out of a driveway of a servo in Alice springs.

You will need to get your lights sorted if you hire trailer has LED lights, but there is heaps of info on here about what you will need.

HTH.

Cheers Ean

[discojools]

We also hired a Pioneer last June and did the corner country.. Trailer had overide brakes and they worked really well ( I personally think better than electric brakes) Had off road hitch supplied by hire company. D4 towed beautifully including crossing a fair few washaways caused by the floods last year.

[Redback]

Hi guys,

We are keen to give the camper trailer thing a go, so thought we would hire one over the Anzac holiday period and have a 5 day trip somewhere..

(any suggestions welcome - can't be too extreme as have a two month old baby, so maybe heading north from Sydney to stay warm).

My question though is, do i need to do anything to the D3?
having read loads of threads here, it seems possible, just depending on the trailer.
-So i can get a 7 pin round to flat adapter for about $25
-Depending on the trailer i might not need the electric brake controller
- So the biggest concern maybe the removeable towbar, which seems to be too low? Can i get away with it if i just stick to firetrails, or paths not too extreme?

has anyone hired one in NSW - any recommendations?


thanks

Simon

We are going north this Easter with another forum member if you want to tag along with us your very welcome, the place we are going to is easy to get too and around 4hrs from Sydney.

You'll have no problems towing a camper with your D3, lots of hire places in and around Sydney.

Look here
Google (http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=camper+trailer+hire+sydney&oq=camper+trailer+hire&aq=3&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_l=hp.1.3.0l4.1703l8156l0l11234l19l12l0l7l7l0l73 4l6158l4-2j8j1l14l0.llsin.&pbx=1&fp=1&biw=1280&bih=841&safe=active&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&cad=b)


Baz.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

We also hired a ...
... Trailer had overide brakes and they worked really well ( I personally think better than electric brakes) ...The electric V over-ride brakes is really only an issue when you are purchasing a traler, however I have to strongly disagree with discojools preference. Over-ride brakes only apply intermittant braking as they compress the coupling then as the trailer brakes come on, this causes the coupling to decompress and the trailer brakes go off and then the cycle repeats this is the cause of the thumping you get with over-ride brakes.

Electric brakes can be set to apply more braking to the trailer than the car, therefore will pull the combination up in a straight line and have an emergency override from the drivers seat. These functions of electric brake controllers have prevented serious crashes in my vehicles on at least 5 occasions, in situations where over-ride brakes would have had no or inadequate effect.

[Learner]

I agree with Diana,
Override brakes are only superior if the electric brake unit hasn't been properly adjusted.

[simoncs]

Thanks guys, some very useful info as always. Might give the Pioneer trailer a go.
Did see a kimberley camper, with everything on it, but they want $880 for the week which is a bit steep imo

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

[justinc]

Thanks guys, some very useful info as always. Might give the Pioneer trailer a go.
Did see a kimberley camper, with everything on it, but they want $880 for the week which is a bit steep imo

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

Not really when you discover they are about $65K to buy:eek:

I hired before I bought, settled on a Cape York Trailer from Ahern Metal Industries in Portsmith, Cairns. I have just discovered they have downsized probably due to the Chinese imported rubbish available via Ebay etc but REALLY glad I have it. Built to last as long as my 110 (Forever:cool:) and easy to tow etc.

JC

[Duke4]

Hi

I'm in NSW and we hired a Johnnos' Camper from Raymond Terrace, we towed it with my D4.

The only prep I had to do was take the hitch from it's compartment in the back and fit it to the rear ie there is nothing you need to do.
The camper was a basic off roader, the price was under $500 for the week during the October school holidays. It had everything we needed including annex and picnic table with chairs, you need to book well in advance as they seem to be very popular.

Regards

Paul

[outasight]

Thanks guys, some very useful info as always. Might give the Pioneer trailer a go.
Did see a kimberley camper, with everything on it, but they want $880 for the week which is a bit steep imo

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

I agree that $880 for a week sounds reasonable for a Kimberley!
Can you post some more information on where that is available please?

Regards,

Les.

[dukemasterpro]

Hi

I'm in NSW and we hired a Johnnos' Camper from Raymond Terrace, we towed it with my D4.

The only prep I had to do was take the hitch from it's compartment in the back and fit it to the rear ie there is nothing you need to do.



Considering a Johnno's for Easter, good to hear you had a good experience. Did the D4 come with the tow ball tongue? I've checked inside mine and can't see where that part is stored - either it only came with the quick release hitch or someone has pinched it during service......don't really want to buy one.

That asides how did the trailer tow ( height wise ) with the standard "plow" setup?

[discojools]

$800 per week is about what I paid for the Pioneer from the people (can't remember their name) near Caulfield Racecourse here in Melbourne I seem to remember.

Lots A, Sounds like I have always had badly set up electric brakes and perfectly setup overide brakes! I do know a few other people that swear by electric brakes.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

...
Lots A, Sounds like I have always had badly set up electric brakes and perfectly setup overide brakes! I do know a few other people that swear by electric brakes.Most of the first generation brake controllers were problematic, they required the unit to be leveled to the vehicle and merely used mercury switches to apply the braking.

The current generations of controllers like the various Tekonsha Prodigy/Prodigy2 and P3 use decelerometer technology borrowed from aviation uses like fighter jets that will apply appropriate current for the G-forces of the braking event irrespective of the angle of the unit in the vehicle and the grade or side slope the vehicle is negotiating.

My car float is fitted with 4 wheel electric braking and the braking efficiency with a fully loaded trailer is frequently better than the RRc tow vehicle unladen. I'm not including the new D4 here as the new controller is yet to be fitted. On a number of occasions I have crested a hill at highway speed to find traffic stopped in the dead ground, have thrown out the anchors and been surprised that the trailer pulled me up in incredibly short distances. Two other times when poorly balanced long wheelbase landys were on the trailer, I developed severe fish-tail events that should have jack-knifed the combination, (one time in the M5East tunnel,) and was able to pull the car and trailer up straight by activating the over-ride lever on the controller. This cant be done with over-ride brakes.

I had been using over-ride brakes for decades before I bought the Prodigy (and only because my new trailer already had one electric braked axle). Now I am a serious convert to the latest generation of controllers with well maintained trailer brakes. The second axle set of electric brakes was a later and worthwhile addition.

Sorry for my hijack, but I felt it is an important discussion.

Diana :)

[discojools]

Lotsa, I hear you.

[Redback]

I agree that $880 for a week sounds reasonable for a Kimberley!
Can you post some more information on where that is available please?

Regards,

Les.


$800 per week is about what I paid for the Pioneer from the people (can't remember their name) near Caulfield Racecourse here in Melbourne I seem to remember.

Lots A, Sounds like I have always had badly set up electric brakes and perfectly setup overide brakes! I do know a few other people that swear by electric brakes.

Are you guys serious:eek:

Baz

[outasight]

Why not? The OP did say a Kimberley "with the lot", so at $125 a day/night for what could easily be $40k + of camper at least is a fair price IMO.

$800 for a Pioneer is steep though ...

[Redback]

Why not? The OP did say a Kimberley "with the lot", so at $125 a day/night for what could easily be $40k + of camper at least is a fair price IMO.

$800 for a Pioneer is steep though ...


No camper is worth $800 a week, regardless of who make it.

This is a bit better, still on the dear side, from Shire camper trailer hire, they use Cub.

All of our prices include:
40 litre Waeco fridge (no more ice runs!) with a 200 Ampere Hour battery system to keep the fridge running whether you are stopped or travelling, 2 burner stove, all your cooking and dining needs (including all those fiddly bits like foil, cling wrap, pepper, salt, garbage bags etc.), microwave, outside dining table and chairs - amongst many other quality inclusions.

Our all inclusive rates are:


LONGER RENTALS:

1 Week (7 Nights) $595

[Duke4]

Considering a Johnno's for Easter, good to hear you had a good experience. Did the D4 come with the tow ball tongue? I've checked inside mine and can't see where that part is stored - either it only came with the quick release hitch or someone has pinched it during service......don't really want to buy one.

That asides how did the trailer tow ( height wise ) with the standard "plow" setup?

Yeah mine came with the ball and tongue, I had to keep checking in the mirror that the trailer was still there the D4 tows everything effortlessly
The trailer itself tracked fine the height was no problem it was nearly level just a slight dip towards the front, the only complaint was from the mrs, once set up it was a bit of a climb up to the bed, but then she is 5ft nothing.

[CSBrisie]

We are hiring a Kimberley at Easter (7 nights) - in SE Qld - $725pw for "the lot" or $500 odd for the basic.

http://seqcampers.loginwindow.com/uploads/loginwindow_sites/seqcampers_loginwindow_com_live/pages/SEQ%20Kimberley%20Hire%20Brochure%202011.pdf

[outasight]

Nice Stornoway - love to hear what your experience is like.

I reckon this would be the way to go for us in a couple of year's time too.
We'll never do the amount of these type of holidays to justify buying one, and I'm sure it may be the same for you, or perhaps a genuine try before buy thing too!

There's obviously a market prepared to pay reasonable money for a good product that puts this type of trip within reach, despite what Redback thinks.

Regards,

Les.

[DI5CO]

We paid $770 pw for the Vista. I think it depends on how long youre in the one spot for. We moved a bit & it was handy for a 4min set up inc the rear stabilizers. Bed ready all the time :D

[Redback]

We paid $770 pw for the Vista. I think it depends on how long youre in the one spot for. We moved a bit & it was handy for a 4min set up inc the rear stabilizers. Bed ready all the time :D

I would assume that is only the tent section and not including the annex, which evens out the setup time between a hard floor camper and a soft floor camper.

The thing people forget is, when it comes to setup times, it's all about the same when you factor in the annex, pulling the kitchen out, the chairs, your cooking gear and all the odds and ends you need when camping, trust me I know, we have been doing this for years and we tested a few before we bought our camper.

You can setup a soft floor in 5mins too, if all your doing is opening it up to sleep in, stabiliser legs included;)

I guess it all comes down to what your willing to pay and whether you feel it's worth it, personnally I don't think they are worth it, at the end of the day, they are both a tent on a trailer:)

Baz.

[connock]

Ive got a cameron camper ALL aussie made and from SA ( important to me ), Its a soft floor but the dust cover is a instant anexe over the kitchen. all up my wife and I can set up under 5 mins with cover over kitchen and 12 mins more for the full anexe.
We decided on this one because of the speed and ease of use and very important to us my wife or one of my kids can pack it up by them selves if something happened to me in the middle of nowhere.
Its got override brakes and never had bumping problem, infact work great . Imho If the weight of your trailer is like a camper these are good, for a heavy caravan I would go electric, and if you have to use your elec brakes to stop your trailer fish tailing I would look at your weights as there are strict laws for towing now , well in SA anyhow .Most hire car trailers once you put a equal sized car on trailer your over weight.

connock

[simoncs]

thanks guys

@ outasight - the kimberley was based in Wollongong - Express Tools and Camper Trailers (http://www.expresstoolsandcamping.com.au/)

having taken all the info on board i actually thought the cub campers from the Shire might be the best bet as everything is included - therefore we don't need to load the car with all the camping equipment to then pick up the trailer. plus the fridge is on the trailer with enough juice to last 3 days. So i don't need to take up space in the car.

however they have just informed me that their camper has led lights and he thought that might be an issue for the D3, which having googled seems to be the case.

so it looks like i need to buy a D4 just to go on this trip :arms:

(that is on the cards but probably not enough time between now and then )

so looks like my only option is to spend about $300 on an adapter

www (http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com/)

LED trailer module Land Rover Discovery 3 Range Rover Sport Landrover LR3 D3 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LED-trailer-module-Land-Rover-Discovery-3-Range-Rover-Sport-Landrover-LR3-D3-/190656070325?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c63fcc2b5#ht_1930wt_1243)

LED Trailer Adaptor Module European and UK - 4x4 Accessories - LED Trailer Adaptor Modules - 4wd Recovery Gear | 4wd Accessories | 4wd Equipment and Camping Gear Australia | Axe and Shovel Holder | Combo Shovel | Synthetic Winch Rope | Camping Lights (http://www.4x4equip.com.au/4wd-camping/4x4+Accessories/LED+Trailer+Adaptor+Modules/LED+Adaptor+Module+European+and+UK)

does that sound about right?

or i look at the other campers instead

[Redback]

thanks guys

@ outasight - the kimberley was based in Wollongong - Express Tools and Camper Trailers (http://www.expresstoolsandcamping.com.au/)

having taken all the info on board i actually thought the cub campers from the Shire might be the best bet as everything is included - therefore we don't need to load the car with all the camping equipment to then pick up the trailer. plus the fridge is on the trailer with enough juice to last 3 days. So i don't need to take up space in the car.

however they have just informed me that their camper has led lights and he thought that might be an issue for the D3, which having googled seems to be the case.

so it looks like i need to buy a D4 just to go on this trip :arms:

(that is on the cards but probably not enough time between now and then )

so looks like my only option is to spend about $300 on an adapter

www (http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com/)

LED trailer module Land Rover Discovery 3 Range Rover Sport Landrover LR3 D3 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LED-trailer-module-Land-Rover-Discovery-3-Range-Rover-Sport-Landrover-LR3-D3-/190656070325?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c63fcc2b5#ht_1930wt_1243)

LED Trailer Adaptor Module European and UK - 4x4 Accessories - LED Trailer Adaptor Modules - 4wd Recovery Gear | 4wd Accessories | 4wd Equipment and Camping Gear Australia | Axe and Shovel Holder | Combo Shovel | Synthetic Winch Rope | Camping Lights (http://www.4x4equip.com.au/4wd-camping/4x4+Accessories/LED+Trailer+Adaptor+Modules/LED+Adaptor+Module+European+and+UK)

does that sound about right?

or i look at the other campers instead

That's a bugger, I'm assuming the Kimberly will have LEDs as well if it is a fairly recent model.

Baz.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

...
however they have just informed me that their camper has led lights and he thought that might be an issue for the D3, which having googled seems to be the case.

so it looks like i need to buy a D4 just to go on this trip :arms:

(that is on the cards but probably not enough time between now and then )

so looks like my only option is to spend about $300 on an adapter
...I was under the impression that the D4 had the same problem so bought an adapter (which I haven't tried yet). It was only about $150 from a guy on the Central Coast, the link: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190647349606'ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[Redback]

I was under the impression that the D4 had the same problem so bought an adapter (which I haven't tried yet). It was only about $150 from a guy on the Central Coast, can't send you the link as the filters here at work prevent ebay and shopping online.

No Diana the D4 is OK with LEDs.

Baz.

[discotwinturbo]

I was under the impression that the D4 had the same problem so bought an adapter (which I haven't tried yet). It was only about $150 from a guy on the Central Coast, can't send you the link as the filters here at work prevent ebay and shopping online.

Diana,

D4 will make all LEDs work on my trailers. I still had to get the adapter to turn off parking sensors and for the tow assist to work as it should. Since installing it the transmission works differently, so for me towing heavy weights, this adapter has been vital.

Brett....

[gghaggis]

To clarify - there were two independent issues with the D3 and trailer LED's. One was the intermittent pulsing of the LED's by the car's electronics. The other was the inability of the car to detect a trailer connection, so no disabling of the parking sensors or triggering of the trailer-tweaked suspension control.

The D4 doesn't suffer from the first issue. But the second is still a problem. Hence you still need a load (shunt, light etc) of some sort. The "LED tamer" type boxes achieve this - although there are much cheaper ways of accomplishing it (on a D4).

Cheers,

Gordon

[Lotz-A-Landies]

To clarify - ...
... The D4 doesn't suffer from the first issue. But the second is still a problem. Hence you still need a load (shunt, light etc) of some sort. The "LED tamer" type boxes achieve this - although there are much cheaper ways of accomplishing it (on a D4).

Cheers,
GordonNow you tell me!

Why weren't you here earlier in the month?

[DI5CO]

I would assume that is only the tent section and not including the annex, which evens out the setup time between a hard floor camper and a soft floor camper.

The thing people forget is, when it comes to setup times, it's all about the same when you factor in the annex, pulling the kitchen out, the chairs, your cooking gear and all the odds and ends you need when camping, trust me I know, we have been doing this for years and we tested a few before we bought our camper.

You can setup a soft floor in 5mins too, if all your doing is opening it up to sleep in, stabiliser legs included;)

I guess it all comes down to what your willing to pay and whether you feel it's worth it, personnally I don't think they are worth it, at the end of the day, they are both a tent on a trailer:)

Baz.

The Vista is a hard top type van. No Canvas. Unless you use the awning thing that attaches to the side which we used only twice when we stayed for 3 days in one spot. Kitchen slides out & you just need to connect the gas.
The Crossover- Sophisticated and rugged caravan (http://www.vistarv.com.au)

[simoncs]

The D4 doesn't suffer from the first issue. But the second is still a problem. Hence you still need a load (shunt, light etc) of some sort. The "LED tamer" type boxes achieve this - although there are much cheaper ways of accomplishing it (on a D4).

Cheers,

Gordon

Damn and i was going to tell the wife we needed a new car to solve the problem :p

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Damn and i was going to tell the wife we needed a new car to solve the problem :pDon't let the truth get in the way of a strategy! ;)