Thread: Wife is fixed on getting a camper trailer

Second hand is the best option,

I looked for years and came out with a 10 yr old Trak Shak, the single double bed model. It has independent suspension, off road hitch, elec brakes, new mattress, all the cargo boxs, lift off kitchen (mounts on tailgate but can be lifted off and moved around campsite) most of the camping stuff needed eg plates, glasses bowls (on and on), good tyres etc for $6500.

I couldn't build the trailer for that price. (I was just into that stage after read about the ones here).

The only thing that I have done is added a 7m x 3m awning onto it, as it only had a small one over the door and as a family of 5 we wanted the shade area. It has one wall and we will be getting another wall soon. Even this only added on 1200 so still way under 8k for a top trailer.

The door is also in the end wall allowing us room for the kids x 3 in there and me enough staggering room to get to bed. If you have kids where the door is could be important. Doors further away from the trailer generally mean quicker to set up, but by only a couple of minutes. However if the door is close to the trailer you can move beds or bunks out and you have a clear path to the ladder and your bed

Look around and do plenty of research and you will know when you stumble on the right trailer. As most of the guys have said it is the trailer that will make the difference.

Danny

Catch-22,

Keep an eye on the 'Camper Trader' section of this site......
campertrailers.org

Best of luck, Colin

again, some top advice and even some companies and sites to have a look at.

thanks all...

I bought a 1997 "Campomatic Getaway" with coil independent suspension on Ebay a couple of years ago for 10K. Just came back from 8 weeks through NT ,SA etc including Savannah Way Hells Gate to Roper Bar, Oodnadatta track, and two months ago the Strezlecki, Merty Merty etc.
I have had NO problems and could go away again tomorrow.

I recommend Campomatic, however they are hard to find. I met a guy at Copi Hollow who had one from new in 1996 and was still rapt.
They are hard floor and small but entirely adequate for 2.
Mine does not leak even in biblical downpours.
Mine weighs about 550 Kg dry, with RRC mags and no brakes.
With an RRC you need an ORAC type coupling to have good clearance and open tailgate.
I would also be careful with large soft floors. We had one camped next to us at Yulara and a BIG wind sprung up. It was almost impossible to keep the awning pegged ( without maybe axles as pegs LOL) as it was so big it generated some serious lift. I had to re peg it 3-4 times when the owner was away.
Regards Philip A

Thanks Philip.......I had better find out where this Discovery club is...

I have been looking at campers. In the thread next to this one, "Which tent to buy?" by dm_td5, it lists some top quality tents....so I'm thinking, well, what's the real difference??

It looks as if setup time may be a little longer for a tent and you don't get the kitchenette, but given the costs, who cares....I only ever use my kettle weber anyway. Wife recons that going a tent is doing it way too ruff.....but I can't really see that big of a difference....

OK I should chip in again here having now got a good camper trailer and a good tent. I need both, there are places I can't take the trailer and then there is the issue the trailer has everything contained on it. But you are right in the main criteria is ease of assembly/disassembly.

Originally Posted by catch-22

......... Wife recons that going a tent is doing it way too ruff.....but I can't really see that big of a difference....

I love the inner spring mattress in the camper ....
... I meant ....
She loves the inner spring mattress and doona in ours ...
(better than the one at home)

Originally Posted by catch-22

Wife recons that going a tent is doing it way too ruff.....but I can't really see that big of a difference....

this is the difference---


[quote=sschmez;822042]I love the inner spring mattress in the camper ....
/quote]


a good nights sleep beats all,,,