Thread: Camper Trailer Questions - Help

A Defender can tow a 2 person camper like it aint there... it's got one of the highest tow capacities of all 4x4's on the market.

need to know stuff like:
how many people do you intend it to sleep?
do you want internal or external kitchen?
budget??? can you stretch to $40k+? some of those listed are well into that range...

Our trailer is not what you are looking for, but weighs about a tonne. The TD5 pulls it without any problem - better than my company car which is a 4L V6 Petrol Prado.
Wouldn't imagine a TD5 having trouble pulling anything within reason.

Hi Jake.
The cook and I bought an Argyle a year ago and are quite happy with it. We have had issues with the cheap (and nasty) 12v plugs they fit as the cover just perishes and drops off very quickly. The dust and etc. then gets into them.
The bolts holding the Treg on to the A frame go rusty and I painted them with some rust proofing stuff from Bunnings and it's stopped.

We weren't happy with the canvas as it didn't look right when erected...... baggy in parts tight in others. They had it in their yard for weeks and it came back exactly the same, but looking at others from them they all seem much the same.
Overall we're happy with it as it performs well off road behind the Defender 300Tdi.
Alan.

G'day Alan,

Thanks to everyone for your replys,

Alan have you had rims standardised to the Defender.

We looked over the Argyle on the weekend. To me it was the pick in being not overly large. We have narrowed things down to two campers, either a T-Van or the Argyle.

Quality is something I am very concerned with and I did notice some rusted shavings on the lips of the doors on the Argyle. This I hope would not be an indication of poor quality. I like the Argyle and the weight factor.

I would be interested in any picks you may have hitched to your Defender.

I would very much like to hear from any T Van Owners if possible.

regards

Jake

Originally Posted by jake

G'day Alan,

Thanks to everyone for your replys,

Alan have you had rims standardised to the Defender.

We looked over the Argyle on the weekend. To me it was the pick in being not overly large. We have narrowed things down to two campers, either a T-Van or the Argyle.

Quality is something I am very concerned with and I did notice some rusted shavings on the lips of the doors on the Argyle. This I hope would not be an indication of poor quality. I like the Argyle and the weight factor.

I would be interested in any picks you may have hitched to your Defender.

I would very much like to hear from any T Van Owners if possible.

regards

Jake

T-Van, lots of money for a mobile bed, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by jake

G'day Everyone,

We currently researching into purchase of a camper trailer, We are looking towards Hard Floor Types. Anymemers with a hard floor cmaper trailer I would very much appreciate your comments on what you have or what you would like. We have started to research the following

Australian Off road Campertrailers - Odessy ZR
Kimberley Camper
Tvan
Pioneer Argyle
Cape Your Trailers

My main concerns are towing and weight. We have a TD5 Defender and have not towed with this car.
Also we are interested in set up, how do you find, or your wife finds the kitchen set.
Do you get dampness inside after a wet night and then packing up.
What is the main thing that made your descsion of purchase apart from pricing.

Any thoughts and comments are appreciated.

I own a soft floor so this is not from experience with ownership of any of the makes mentioned, but we were looking at the range of makes mentioned after our last outback trip in a softfloor before the financial's didn't quite work as we had planned

The following is my choice in order of prefference

AORC Oddessy
Cape York Explorer
Kimberly Kamper
Pioneer Argyle
T-Van

Although I would slip the Aussie Swag Ultra in after the AROC Oddessy and leave off the T-Van. To me the T-Van is too restricted in area and I would feel pretty cramped inside it, especially up north in the tropical climates, but is does have a brilliant suspension setup.

If you are keen for the T-Van, PM Grizzly Adams on this site, he has one and tows it with a 300Tdi Fender Auto, and did the cape last year with no probs that I can remember. He may have a trip report on here somewhere.

Are you buying new or used?
I recently bought a Campomatic 1997 for $10,000, and I am rapt, as I wanted a light camper.
Mine is about 500KG or so but does not have brakes or fridge or battery etc. It does however have tremendous build quality and design, with independent suspension.
The axles are 1600KG rated ALKO, however I saw someone had broken one in one of the 4WD mags last month. Going by where it broke it was a seized bearing and that is maintenance..( just so I do not get a flood of comments)

I looked at the new one on the Trak Shak stand at the Gosford show. These have fridge, battery etc and weigh 900 KG. They are assembled where else but China, but still seem to be built like brick outhouses.

The salesman said that they are planning lighter less fully fitted models. In the past, the different models apparently had different parts in them. What a nightmare.
Regards Philip A

I towed my dad's CUB hardfloor to tassie and back, 32 days on the road

It was a spacematic I think 20 foot long when folded out...must point out it was not the off road model however it was half way between a road and an offroad as it had a trans-continentalpack fitted (upgraded springs, longer draw bar and larger rims/tyres)

Good Points
- affordable (comes at a price)
- tow nicely
- no muddy floor when it was raining
- full inside kitchen godsend..bloody tassie weather in the middle of summer...cooking inside under canvas is not as bad as many make out
- two single beds made it easy making the beds, accessing storage under the beds and with two boys gave us more standing room along with not disturbing your partner getting in and out of bed
- winch system for setup foldup
- no issues with wet canvas when folded up
- awning can stay attached
- no dust issues

Bad Points (most due to build cost)
- leaf spring failed in the first year (now fitted with heavy duty springs with military loop) CUB would not cover the costs
- water leaked through some stitching even after we wet it down three times prior to use, had to apply some sealant
- had to mod the canvas bows at the rear, kept colapsing when winching
- after sales service
- wasted space under the stove/sink

As the camper will be handed down to me I am pretty happy with it now that all the minor problems have been sorted aprt from not being off road

If you go with leaf suspension check that it is quality

Go light as possible but good suspension

Get the biggest battery box available