Advice on camper trailers?

[jik22]

We're toying with doing a trip up the West coast later this year (Maybe even around Christmas) and are considering a camper trailer to make life a bit more comfortable.

I'm looking for advice on how much to budget for, suppliers I should be talking to, recommendations on what to look at, that kind of thing.

Needs to sleep 2 adults, 2 children, wife wants a kitchen built in, and I want quick setup times as we'll likely be in one place for only a day or two, plus it needs to be able to go off-road though probably only as far as tracks go.

I have no clue at all about these things (Other than the models shown on the A4WDM DVD's, where the wife got the idea from!!) so any advice greatly appreciated.

[incisor]

you can get them from $7000 -> $70000

i have a castaway softfloor, i like it, it takes a hiding without so much as a wimper.

but i really really like the ultimate camper, alas my wallet wont stretch that far...

the pioneer hard floor range are a nice unit as well.....

a couple of weekends away in a couple of different hire models will help you heaps...

[dolphint]

Have a look at Tvan by Track campers in Melboune, they are very Exy 30k+ but they also offer used models if available from 20k+ If I had the money and I don't it would be the way I would go. Cheers Steve.

[jik22]

a couple of weekends away in a couple of different hire models will help you heaps...

Actually, that my be an ideal starting point, as we have no idea how often we'd use it (Especially if the missus still prefers her hotel luxury afterwards....if it was just me and the kids I'd use a tent!).

Hopefully, a couple of the WA guys may be able to recommend a decent shop or two....

[Phil633]

Jeff,

There are quite a few people around Perth building campers now. I have been looking around for a while. As others have mentioned it really comes down to what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay.

The ones I have taken a liking to in my price range is Performance Campers in Maddington. In fact my Brother and I spent the whole day at last years 4WD show just looking at campers. In the end he bought one from Performance Campers and has been very happy with it.

There are a couple of places around town where you can hire them in different levels of fitout. I am struggling to remember their names, but am faily sure one of them is in Star Street Welshpool and another is in Osbourne Park or Balcatta.

[jik22]

There are a couple of places around town where you can hire them in different levels of fit out. I am struggling to remember their names, but am fairly sure one of them is in Star Street Welshpool and another is in Osbourne Park or Balcatta.

Thanks Phil, we're off to a place in Balcatta just to have a look at what kind of cost the spec level Elaine wants will come in at - that may be the end of her dream right there. :-)

Also been chatting to one in Welshpool, who told me I have no chance of getting one built for October, and not much chance for Christmas, and that all their hi-spec rentals are already booked out for those periods too. For the second time in a week, I'm thinking I'm in the wrong business! :D

[Xtreme]

Having towed campers for over 60,000k's and lived out of them for more than 6 months, I feel that the first thing you need to decide is whether you want a soft floor or a hard floor.

This makes a big difference as to where you can set up. With the hard floor models, rocky or uneven ground is not a problem. However, with the soft floor models, you will constantly be looking for that nice patch of grass or sand to set up on - and if you intend 'bush' camping then there's not a lot of those places around - especially when you're on the move every day or two as you seem to indicate.

[incisor]

soft floors are way more useable imho also..

[jik22]

We are fully setup and have the billy on for a cuppa within 30mins on average. Packing up much the same time. :D

For us, we want speed of setup/teardown, and a bit more comfort, but I don't see a need for a hard floor - camping mats and a tarp as you suggest would be fine, I think, as we've never needed more with a tent, even in UK weather! :D

My wife will like the idea of a "proper" bed with duvet and sheets though!!

[aston]

I feel that the first thing you need to decide is whether you want a soft floor or a hard floor.

This makes a big difference as to where you can set up. With the hard floor models, rocky or uneven ground is not a problem. However, with the soft floor models, you will constantly be looking for that nice patch of grass or sand to set up on - and if you intend 'bush' camping then there's not a lot of those places around - especially when you're on the move every day or two as you seem to indicate.

I agree:D

1 The thing that seems to be forgotten is if it has been raining what do you to keep the mud out with a soft floor

2 We have been in some terrible places where the ground is just mud or its been very rocky the sharp rocks sure bug.er up a soft floor so that next time you stop and its a bit wet underfoot the floor leaks like a seive.

The other problem that arises is where do you put the wet or muddy floor?

Go and spend some money and by a hard floor and it wont matter where you stop.

Cheers Aston

[LoveMyV8County]

I recommend you subscribe to the Yahoo groups mailing list Track_Campertrailers.

It is very active and full of people from all walks of life discussing the pros and cons and hints and tips of camper trailers, including plenty from WA.

[Mark86]

Hi Jik22,
we bought a brand new Cavalier camper soft floor from Camper traliers Wa in 06 in balcatta where you might be heading they do hire them out as well good idea to hire in case you don't like. We like ours we have two kids and find the soft floor very roomy we increased the size of ours from 9ft to 14ft plus annexe and slide out kitchen. The other option we took was the treg type hitch best thing i did you can go nuts with options but we kept to the $10000 mark. We have toured all down south and up north since with no probs only trouble we had to wait 8 weeks for delivery.

all the best Mark:)

[cartm58]

Hard Top advantages are flip the lid 1 person job as gas assisted struts and canvas for living area is self erecting just secure the wing uts to hold internal poles in place and your set up within 5 mins. Hard top means o pegs no rocks no mud no cleaning floor when you go to pack it away.

You can have zipper extensions to outside for shade areas front side and rear.

Storage area under queen size bed

Cooking external to trailer

Prices will vary anywhere from $9000 to $40000 new reasons vary from suspension technology to what the market will pay but at end of day its a 6x4 box on wheels.

There are different approaches to the layout of these things you need to find the one that suits you the best given your family sleeping configuration.

Other point to consider is what are you doing, touring well thats lots of packing and unpacking on daily basis so you wont something quick and convenient to set up and you want something with good carrying capacity Staying at one spot you want something with loads of living space via extensions and add ons.


Personally l wouldnn't bother with new go look at second hand yards significant cost savings to be had

I sold my Goldmark off road hardtop trailer for $3,500
after deciding we werent using it as often as we need to justify it keeping it on the driveway

[incisor]

I agree:D

1 The thing that seems to be forgotten is if it has been raining what do you to keep the mud out with a soft floor

same way you keep it out of a hard floor, you wipe your feet...

[Bytemrk]

I have a soft floor Tambo:


I while I do like some of the hard floors....I have had no dramas finding suitable spots to camp with the soft floor... ( any yes it does get usede bush camping.. not just spots like below..)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/243.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/750.jpg

One big advantage of mine over many hardfloors if you have a family... is space.. I can easily sleep 5 adults in mine.. if you didn't use stretchers.. I think I could squeeze 4-5 kids on the floor as well as the missus and I up top..

Juat another thing to consider if you have kids..

Mark

[Mark86]

Wish you didn't post that pic up Bytemrk now i want to to hook up the camper and head off.

Mark:D2898

[discodazz98]

We have had our soft floor camper trailer for about 4 years now camped all over in various plaaces and conditions, never had any problems.We use a cheap blue tarp under the floor and a piece of rubber backed carpet from bunnngs on the bed base and floor of thetent section. It is a Customline Camper heavy duty Off road we paid $6500 brand new, with two teenage girls and the missus to keep happy we have never had any problems with room.http://customlinecampertrailers.com/

[Bytemrk]

Wish you didn't post that pic up Bytemrk now i want to to hook up the camper and head off.

Mark:D2898


hehe..

Gets like that doesn't it:p

Mark

[tdi130dualcab]

We have a cameron canvas (SA built) soft floor camper with a "larger" floor area (11 foot) and a king size bed on the top. Also has extended annex and screens, and a massive slide-out kitchen.

If "motivated" you can have the basic camper setup, kids swags rolled out (we have 3 of them) and the kitchen out and billy on in about 5 min.

Pack up is not much longer (takes a bit longer with the annex and screens)

Have towed it probably 25k (NT, WA, QLD) with probably 10K off road, and been through dry, wet, and camped in some heavy storms.

Hard floors do have a few good advantages, but the soft floors do have the advantage of being able to have a larger floor area and are considerably cheaper.

When checking them out, important to check out the quality of the canvas work (when we were looking we saw some appauling ones could see straight through the stitching) and how easy to a: set up, and b: put away.

Last bit, if you intend doing a bit off road, I would recomend trailer brakes, we have basic cable-disc brakes on the trailer, and they have been a godsend on a few trips.

Cheers