Ordered a Camper Trailer

[awabbit6]

Well, after much consideration, calculation and deliberation, we finally ordered our camper trailer today. :D

After looking at many different products from many different manufacturers, we settled on a LifeStyle camper. We have odered their Explorer 360 with the following extras

12' tent (a must with 3 kids)
walls on the annex (a must with 3 kids)
300mm longer drawbar (to carry bikes for the kids)
high lid on the front boot (to carry more stuff for the kids)
sand floor for the annex (again kids, sand ... you know how it goes)
front side door and prepped for drawbar side awning (great idea to do it now - thanks SEQfisho!!;))Hmm ... Sounds like we've ordered a camper trailer for the kids. Come to think of it, we did! Our aim is to enjoy family life in the same way my parents did for me and my siblings ... can't wait!

Now where are we going to put this new rig??? I know! We need a shed! ;);)
18m x 9m ... Yeah ... that ought ta do it!!

Watch this space. :cool:

[Johnsy]

Must be on the same wavelength!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday, we put our tax return towards the same, and have purchased a 12' tent, with annex and optional walls, from ebay (Can highly recomend Lite RVs!!)
Have a heavy duty offroad trailer on order, and round mid Sept should be able to put tent on top, and take the rig out bush for our first trip with 2 kids!! (19mth old and 6wk old!)
All up have saved about $2000 from the RRP of a new camper trailer and am doing some fit out myself. (More money for other toys and beer!!!):twobeers:

Bring on summer!!!!
Cape Palmerston here we come........ (Followed by the 'Real Cape'):)

Johnsy

[Outlaw]

Didn't happen without pics ;)

Congrats on the purchase... got to love them

[spudboy]

Now where are we going to put this new rig??? I know! We need a shed! ;);)
18m x 9m ... Yeah ... that ought ta do it!!

Watch this space. :cool:

That is a pretty big shed!

Sounds like you've got yourself a well fitted out camper. Well done.

[Redback]

Well, after much consideration, calculation and deliberation, we finally ordered our camper trailer today. :D

After looking at many different products from many different manufacturers, we settled on a LifeStyle camper. We have odered their Explorer 360 with the following extras

12' tent (a must with 3 kids)
walls on the annex (a must with 3 kids)
300mm longer drawbar (to carry bikes for the kids)
high lid on the front boot (to carry more stuff for the kids)
sand floor for the annex (again kids, sand ... you know how it goes)
front side door and prepped for drawbar side awning (great idea to do it now - thanks SEQfisho!!;))Hmm ... Sounds like we've ordered a camper trailer for the kids. Come to think of it, we did! Our aim is to enjoy family life in the same way my parents did for me and my siblings ... can't wait!

Now where are we going to put this new rig??? I know! We need a shed! ;);)
18m x 9m ... Yeah ... that ought ta do it!!

Watch this space. :cool:

OK i'll be the dope, what's a sand floor:confused:

Nice choice of camper BTW:D

Baz.

[barryj]

OK i'll be the dope, what's a sand floor:confused:

Nice choice of camper BTW:D

Baz.

Usually a shade cloth floor. Best thing out for the awning area.

[seqfisho]

Well done Paul,

I hope John looked after you;)

Just make sure when you pick the unit up that everything is right as we have had a couple of small issues that were a pain to fix as it was around the time they were relocating factories, we were away again the weekend before last for 3 days and are still really happy with our trailer and are looking forward to our first big trip in it which will either be up to the Fraser coast, 1770, Agnes etc in the next couple of months then a couple of weeks working our way to Cooma next year via Camerons corner etc:D

the long way:p

BTW you will love the high lid on the front box and are they adding any extra bracing for the extra length of the drawbar.

[barryj]

awabbit6, nice choice. You should get heaps of enjoyment out of it.

The shed idea will be almost essential to keep the camper like new.

We found the idea that 'oh it's nice to just hook it up and go' did not work for us. Depending if we camped with facilities or without, we needed two sets of gear to take.

For example, 240 or 12v lighting, tele or no tele, drinking water supply (don't rely on any built-in water tank to be suitable for drinking as we found out once), things for the kids to keep busy with, etc.

[seqfisho]

OK i'll be the dope, what's a sand floor:confused:



Same stuff the beaches are made from:p

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Utemad]

OK i'll be the dope, what's a sand floor:confused:

Nice choice of camper BTW:D

Baz.

As said they are a piece of shade cloth. About $50 at BCF will get you one hemmed at the edges and eyelets for pegs. They come in at least two different sizes.

Excellent for Qld where the ground is either sand or dust.

[mcrover]

awabbit6, nice choice. You should get heaps of enjoyment out of it.

The shed idea will be almost essential to keep the camper like new.

We found the idea that 'oh it's nice to just hook it up and go' did not work for us. Depending if we camped with facilities or without, we needed two sets of gear to take.

For example, 240 or 12v lighting, tele or no tele, drinking water supply (don't rely on any built-in water tank to be suitable for drinking as we found out once), things for the kids to keep busy with, etc.

1st rule of camping, NO TV......

Keeping kids busy is easy in the bush " Bush that way, dont come back broken".

Works for one of them anyway but we never have DVD's, Game boys or TV when camping, the kids are used to it now.

Congrats on the new trailer, sounds great and sounds like you will get heaps of enjoyment out of it.

[awabbit6]

Didn't happen without pics ;)


Nothing to take pics of yet ... just a damaged credit card!!

There will plenty of pics when we pick it up!

[barryj]

1st rule of camping, NO TV......

Keeping kids busy is easy in the bush " Bush that way, dont come back broken".

Works for one of them anyway but we never have DVD's, Game boys or TV when camping, the kids are used to it now.

Congrats on the new trailer, sounds great and sounds like you will get heaps of enjoyment out of it.

What I meant was caravan park camping with a TV, if I can call camping in an ensuite site actual camping :angel:.

[awabbit6]

I hope John looked after you.

Sure did! ;)



Just make sure when you pick the unit up that everything is right as we have had a couple of small issues that were a pain to fix as it was around the time they were relocating factories, we were away again the weekend before last for 3 days and are still really happy with our trailer and are looking forward to our first big trip in it which will either be up to the Fraser coast, 1770, Agnes etc in the next couple of months then a couple of weeks working our way to Cooma next year via Camerons corner etc.

Unfortunately (for John) I am very picky so I will definitely be giving it a thorough going over. I don't expect any problems and they are so good to deal with that I'm sure that any issues will be sorted.

Good to hear that you are pleased with yours. In fact I haven't heard anyone complain about Lifestyles trailers. Everyone who has one, loves it.
Sounds like you've got some great trips planned. We'll probably do as you have and start with some short trips and then get more adventurous.



BTW you will love the high lid on the front box and are they adding any extra bracing for the extra length of the drawbar.

I didn't think to ask if they add any bracing ... That's unlike me! Probably won't need it with the triple drawbar. The way they fit the front boot makes it act like a big gusset anyway. Will ask them though.

[DiscoDan]

1st rule of camping, NO TV......

Keeping kids busy is easy in the bush " Bush that way, dont come back broken".

Works for one of them anyway but we never have DVD's, Game boys or TV when camping, the kids are used to it now.

Congrats on the new trailer, sounds great and sounds like you will get heaps of enjoyment out of it.

Did the DVD thing once, just created more issues than it was worth, gameboy is good for car and time out (calms him down)

Good choics on trailer, tossing up between that and the Vacation camper at Northgate.

[1103.9TDI]

Just as a matter of interest, and also because I'm in the market myself, why didn't you go for a Kimberley Kamper Platinum?..........

[seqfisho]

Just as a matter of interest, and also because I'm in the market myself, why didn't you go for a Kimberley Kamper Platinum?..........

$30,000


or the lack thereof :p

[Johnsy]

seqfisho................I concurr!!:)

For just under $5000 I have a new camper trailer, and it will not depreciate much over the next few years till I have the $30K to buy a Kimberly Kamper or similar hard-core off road camper.

Made sense to me....:D

Johnsy

[1103.9TDI]

Ok, just wondering (dreaming;)) thanks....

[awabbit6]

seqfisho................I concurr!!:)

For just under $5000 I have a new camper trailer, and it will not depreciate much over the next few years till I have the $30K to buy a Kimberly Kamper or similar hard-core off road camper.


We looked at the campers at that end of the market too. It's hard to justify the $30000 when what we have ordered has everything we need and probably a little more space. I think the major advantage to the more expensive camper is that you can be set-up in 10-15mins. Might take us up to 45mins to set-up our camper, but I can cope with that - and it means the extra money can be spent on other things.

[barryj]

We looked at the campers at that end of the market too. It's hard to justify the $30000 when what we have ordered has everything we need and probably a little more space. I think the major advantage to the more expensive camper is that you can be set-up in 10-15mins. Might take us up to 45mins to set-up our camper, but I can cope with that - and it means the extra money can be spent on other things.

.... like a shed :D.

[seqfisho]

Hey Paul,

How long do you have to wait and what colours did you choose for the canvas?

A little teaser of one in action;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/08/56.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/08/15.jpg

[awabbit6]

.... like a shed :D.

You got it! :BigThumb:

Watch for the "Just ordered my Shed" thread coming soon! :cool::cool:

[awabbit6]

Hey Paul,

How long do you have to wait and what colours did you choose for the canvas?

A little teaser of one in action;)


Glen,
Delivery date is the 29th Sept. We'd originally planned to have it for the school holidays, but we took too long to make our minds up. Just have to use it more over Christmas ;)

Colours were one thing that weren't a big decision - Blue walls, grey roof and grey tonneau. I like your colour choice. We thought that the grey roof wouldn't show up the dirt as much.
Did you get the tropical roof with yours?

[seqfisho]

Glen,
Delivery date is the 29th Sept. We'd originally planned to have it for the school holidays, but we took too long to make our minds up. Just have to use it more over Christmas ;)

Colours were one thing that weren't a big decision - Blue walls, grey roof and grey tonneau. I like your colour choice. We thought that the grey roof wouldn't show up the dirt as much.
Did you get the tropical roof with yours?

Dont mention the tropical roof as it is a bit of sore point:mad:

When we orderd ours we were told that they put the tabs on the tent roof for the tropical roof so it cold be fitted at a later date, well this wasn't the case for us and it appears that it will be quite a job to have them installed now, although I may see what can be done as I think the tropical roof is a great idea just that funds didn't stretch that far at the time of purchase and we though it would be a simple add on down the track:mad: now not so.

[awabbit6]

The tropical roof is standard on the 360 now :wasntme:

I hope we don't have any 'issues'

[awabbit6]

Only 13 days until the camper is ready! (Not that I'm counting)

Where should the first trip be? Thinking of one or two nights only, somewhere close to home (south east QLD).

[Utemad]

Where should the first trip be? Thinking of one or two nights only, somewhere close to home (south east QLD).

How about Amamoor State Forest. Couple of sites to choose from and the creek should have a fair amount of water in it at the moment.

Great swimming spot given today's temps.

[barryj]

I have stayed at Bigriggin near Mt Barney. http://www.bigriggen.com.au/

It is close to your place for Friday pm start. It's on a creek with plenty of room for the young ones.

Only issue we had was with the possums annoying us a bit at night time (maybe we annoyed them too).

[DiscoStew]

I think the major advantage to the more expensive camper is that you can be set-up in 10-15mins. Might take us up to 45mins to set-up our camper...

We find that if we are just setting up for overnight it takes about 10mins to set up the trailer including getting chairs etc out (soft floor camper trailer) as we don't worry about pegging down or ropes. Just throw some bags in the corners.

The hard floors are probably quicker to pack up though.


We like Charlie Moreland park in the state forest up near Kenilworth for a weekend visit. and Kenilworth has a great park for the kids if you pop into town. It is opposite the cheese factory which is open for tastings as well.

[amshaw]

how about an update?? :angel: Got it yet?

[barryj]

how about an update?? :angel: Got it yet?


He's busy digging holes in preparation to plant dead wood for the fence :D.

[awabbit6]

We don't have the camper yet. They rang last week to say that they were very busy and "would we mind if it wasn't ready until Thursday". We didn't mind. Better that they take more time and do a good job rather than rush it and make errors.
Don't really have time to play with it anyway this week. As Barry said, I have 65m of 6ft paling fence to get up before I go back to work on Monday.

I have bought a Prodigy brake controller that I still have to fit to the Disco and I want to get another tow bar tongue so that I don't have to keep changing from the 50mm ball to the off-road hitch.

As soon as it's here, there will be pics! (Haven't heard from them yet, so I don't think it is going to be ready tomorrow)

[amshaw]

Looking forward to the pics ;):)

[awabbit6]

We've got our trailer!!! :D:D

It was delivered 2 hours ago. Aahh! The smell of a nice shiny new trailer.
No pics yet (it was getting dark). I'll take some on the weekend and post them.