Southern Cross camper trailers ??

[LandieMan]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying a secondhand off-road camper trailer made by Southern Cross Canvas. Does anyone have any experience with this brand of camper trailer, are they well made and are they up to the rigors of a 12month trip around Australia? It looks fairly basic which suits us, but I'd be keen to know if there are any known faults or any general views on them.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Cheers, LandieMan

[td express]

Just like anything second hand, you will have to have a good look at it and find out what the previous owners have done with it. It could have been towed twice around Australia, or it could have been used twice a year at a caravan park somewhere so it is wise to learn this.

If it were me, I would be checking for worn suspension parts like bushes etc, brakes, wheel bearings, rust, and cracked welds, and if you can, get a look at it set up so you can see if the canvas is in good condition.

Southern cross are a fairly popular camper and if its been looked after it should serve you well.

If you want to tow it around the country, I would want to look for things like does it have a stone guard of some sort, does it have proper shackle type greasable suspension, electric brakes, off road hitch, good dust proof rubber seals around any opening part, water tank, jerry holder, gas bottle holders, etc.
Stuff like 12 volt set ups, good kitchens, bug screens on the canvas, and lots of ventilation are also good options to look for.

;)

[lochie]

Hi Landieman.I've travelled around Aus.with my S.C.camper over the past seven years ,both on and off-road eg Gibb river road,Louella springs,bungle bungles Cape Leveque and numerous other side tracks.The only problems incurred are as follows.1-off-road the clearance lights-white ones-will be destroyed by flying debris as the stone guard offers no protection.The solution is to make up a cover .2 The stone guard at the bottom radius requires re-inforcing as it will inevitably snap either by some- pushing on it or vibration.The camper been subjected to extreme weather conditions and has handled it well.I tow using a 300 tdi Deefer ,the camper is fitted with 750-16 tyre on landie rims so as the tyres can be swapped also means I'm carrying an extra spare.My trailer is unbraked and so far no problems.Totally, the trailer has travelled 100k's and has been an asset .Having said that other members could make similar claims of other brands,so treat as this one persons' opinion. Best of luck in your quest. Regards Lochie