MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: hillbilly on May 22, 2013, 10:31:50 PM
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G'day all, we are hunting around to upgrade our soft floor camper trailer. With an 8-10 week Kimberley trip planned for next year we want to get into a hard floor/fast set up camper. We are pretty much tossing up between a Kimberley, camprite and an ultimate.
For those with an ultimate with kids, what are your sleeping arrangements? We have got two girls aged 3 and 5. So they are too young for sleeping on their own in the underneath tent. The other options seem to be both sleeping top to toe on the lounge. Or one on the lounge and one in the bed with us, not too sure how successful this would be... Have people tried these arrangements and how successful we're they?
Any other general comments for and against welcome.
Mick
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The boss wanted one but I didn't like the idea of our daughter outside by herself. So we bought an AS. They haven't got a lot of room especially on the hard floor. Personally I would look around for a hard floor bit with bigger living space or sleeping space. Have you looked at Camprite? Or Complete Campsite?
Wayne
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Hi mate, we have an ulti, bu no rug rats so I can't help you. I will say the bed is huge and the lounge converts to a king single which is big also.
If you like I can post this question on the ulti forum, and see what response I can get for you?
Cheers
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Hi Oldmate, I would be keen to hear the results also, similar situation for us.
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My two girls 4 and 7 sleep with the better half on the bed. i sleep on the couch (converts to king single bed), more than comfortable enough for us all
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I appreciate the responses thanks keep them coming. We are looking at traditional hard floors and also camprite, but we like the inside kitchen idea.
Old mate that would be great if you could post this on the ultimate forum.
Thanks
Mick
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The AORC Odyssey can have a tent extension which zips onto the back of the tent and forms a separate room which is part of the main tent - seems ideal for your requirements. I think Kimberley do something similar.
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We had the same questions a few years back. I wanted an Ultimate, but with two kids at the time, 4 & 7, SWMBO didn't want them outside by themselves.
We ended up with a KK with kids room. There is no external access to their room so they can't 'escape'.
9 years on, last trip the young bloke was away from the kamper in my bivvy bag.......times change ;D
Tim
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What about a Goldstream?
Quick setup, plenty of room,lots of storage, and inside fcooking...
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We received our Ultimate when our kids were 12 months and almost 3.5y. For about a year our boy (12 months at the time) slept in the under-bed room, within a porta-cot. This was in winter and he was rugged up, and was kept cosy under there even when it was -5 or so overnight. Our little girl slept on the single bed, upstairs.
When our boy was about 2, he moved upstairs and we top 'n tailed the kids on the single bed. Occasionally I'd sleep on the single and the kids slept with their Mum in the king bed, though that was rare, perhaps only when they were unwell.
About 6 months ago, when our kids were about 3.5 and 6, they reached a point where they were still happy to sleep together. Since they had grown in length, they would often kick each other in the bed. I'm sure some of it was involuntary while sleeping, though I'm also sure a good part of it was due to sibling rivalry for more bed space. This prompted us to look at different sleeping arrangements, which ended up with getting a different camper.
We have since sold the Ultimate as our needs had changed, but the Ulti can definitely be used with young kids.
The under-bed room ended up being more of a play room, with the kids toys / games being in their own sheltered space. That in itself worked out quite well.
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We have kids that are older, 8 & 10, we've always quite liked the look and idea of the Ultimate. Recently we gave it really good consideration but in the end we went for the TVan, the kids have their own swags and there seems to be just enough room for them to sleep in the tent section in bad weather.
Have you thought about something like the Conqueror (440?)
To me it certainly seems like a lot of people that have younger kids or kids in general do tend to chose the Kimberley or Camprite etc
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Again, thanks for the feedback.
We don't like the goldstream/jayco type camper setup.
We love the idea of a tvan but the storage seems too disorganised. I understand there is heaps of storage room, but plastic boxs or a fridge on the floor of the camper that you have to move or climb over to access the bed would annoy me pretty quick. Please tvan owners correct me if I'm wrong.
The Aussie swag/Kk setup is still right up there as a possibility, but it is the inclement weather and inside kitchen and seating that has the ultimate in front at the moment.
Next week probably KK or AS will be back in front due to some other reason...
Decisions decisions!!!
Mick
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Hillbilly
My comments below are just 'food for thought'. We have 2 kids, a 10yo boy and a 7yo girl.
Some say you don't get the perfect set up until your 3rd camper.
Our first, a soft-floor was great for accommodation and towability, but a pain to set up and pack up and was too wet if you got a heap of rain.
We are now onto a Jayco Finch, which is easier to set up, has great sleeping accommodation, is great if it is raining, has good insulation qualities with a hard roof but given we spend most of our time outside, is a pain to have to go in and out constantly to access the fridge crockery, cutlery and other cooking gear. We therefore cart around extra tables, cooking gears, fridge etc to minimise this. Also the Jaycos are just a little wide at over 2m.
My ideal camper would be:
Slightly narrower than a jayco
A wind up roof
Slide out beds (which would be north south instead of east/west)
Internal cupboards for storing clothes and occasional items
Internal seating and a table for wet weather.
Slide out kitchen and fridge under a Fiamma awning.
Getting back to the Ulti, it ticks a lot of our boxes except the outside cooking need. This is basically where we are now.
But, that's us, you probably have different priorities.
Cheers
JB
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I can never understand why people who suggest a Kimberley don't also mention the Odyssey. Both are top range hard floor campers with plenty of options: the main differences are the way the kitchen is set out and the size and access to the underbed storage. Both have the option of adding an extra room which is only accessed from the main tent.
http://www.australianoffroad.com.au/models/Odyssey-signature/highlights_odyssey_signature (http://www.australianoffroad.com.au/models/Odyssey-signature/highlights_odyssey_signature)
I have an Odyssey, my brother-in-law has a Kimberley. His wife doesn't like the Odyssey kitchen layout, my wife doesn't like where the fridge is on the Kimberley. I think the Kimberley access hatch at the rear has some merit for getting at the underbed storage (Odyssey don't do it to minimise the possibility of bulldust getting in) but the Odyssey has (in my opinion) greater storage volume.
Look at both and make your own decision.
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I too liked the ultimate but we have 3 kids so our best option ended up being a Kimberley with kids room but we don't use the kids room for overnighters, they just sleep on a mattress on the hard floor section.
Sent from Behind you...BOO
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Sorry I misunderstood the thread title.
When you said "ultimate camper trailer with kids" I thought you meant a new type with a cage in the back like the cop paddy wagons..............
:-[ :-[ :-[
>:D >:D >:D
Serious time now.
We have a jayco and I wouldn't hesitate to take it through the Kimberley.
Yes it required some tidying up and modding to "toughen" it up, but its now rock solid and goes anywhere the car can pull it.
I realise people have ideas about the glampers, but look into it and form your own opinion. You'll be pleasantly suprised.
Also the comfort level and ease of use is amazing.
Heaps in our 4B club have them now.
Good luck with whatever you decide, but I'm a bit partial to the camprites. They're an awesome piece of kit for the money.
Cheers
Brian
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We have an Ultimate and two kids, 2 & 4.
We chose this camper for similar reasons to you, we wanted an internal kitchen, fridge, seating etc....
At the moment I sleep in the king size bed (plenty of room)with the two kids and my wife sleeps on the single bed (I reckon there would be enough room on the king size for us all) I have slept on the single a couple of times and find it very roomy.
There is enough room on the single to top and tail two kids on there, however this setup is working well for us.
We also have the spare room for when the kids are a bit older, at the moment it is used for storage of bags, kids play area etc...
Seating inside is comfortable for the 4 of us if the weather is bad.
I have been really happy with our decision on purchasing an Ultimate and can't see us changing anytime soon.
Let me know if you need anymore info.
Cheers,
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Have you considered a forward fold camper?
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Any other general comments for and against welcome.
Mick
Hi mate,
Question is posted.
As far as other comments. We love the ultimate, yes no slide out kitchen outside, but I have. Gas stove and table. Really no big deal for us. One time I was gad for the indoor kitchen was at Easter, when we had a storm come over and flood our campsite. So inside up high and dry I go to cook dinner. Mean while watching my mate ( mr mac gu) cooking for his tribe, standing in 150mm of water right up to his door. :cup:
(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss315/lux77_photos/Easter%202013%20Janowen/1259109B-8C03-4E10-AB51-E2D2BB867499-231-000000123A46A787_zps4b0b0921.jpg)
I love our trailer. Lol
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You own a cameron already, what about their latest concept camper. Yes, its a soft floor, but quick and flexible setup. Very different to what you have now.
http://www.cameroncampers.com.au/trip-in-our-cameron-cape-york-qld/ (http://www.cameroncampers.com.au/trip-in-our-cameron-cape-york-qld/)
I originally owned a 1999 cameron, probably similar to yours. Have now upgraded to a cameron concept. Quick setup (which was one of your needs), our kids can do it. Mine are now 9 and 10, and have now enjoyed 240 nights camping in it. Will go anywhere. Our setup is perfect for touring or week long stays. Weve done central aust, east coast. Next year is west coast and up north. Although we dont own one, theres also the option of a kids room that would be a great addition, that could be quickly dropped down for use when needed.
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3 replies already
Hey mate
We have a family of 4 (2 girls). We have slept all 4 In the bed for one night stays. It's pretty roomy with no complaints here. We also have slept one on the bed this ok but does get annoying when you need to climb out during the night. Our girls are little older and now they sleep in a small 2 man tent underneath. Would recommend the ultimate for family's for sure that is the reason i brought the ultimate very family orientated.
Our girls are older. When we got the camper they were 9 & 13. As such they were (and remain) fine in the 'spare room'. In fact they love it.. So do mum and dad, who get an hours peace in the van before lights out!
For a stop over we reckon (but I admit have not yet attempted) dad's on the sofa and mum and the girls get the bed (which is huge).
G'day
We have a 5 year old and 7 year old. And for over night stay's we have the two kids up on the main bed
with my wife sleeping in the middle(still heaps of room) and I sleep on the couch, which works well for us because when we send the kids to bed we put the curtin up and we can stay up a little later and not have to disturb the kids. For longer stays we set up the tent under the lid and strechers beds. we have had our ultimate for about 18 months and are extremely happy with the ease of set up and pack up and it tows like its not there. Works well with a family of four.
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We love the idea of a tvan but the storage seems too disorganised. I understand there is heaps of storage room, but plastic boxs or a fridge on the floor of the camper that you have to move or climb over to access the bed would annoy me pretty quick. Please tvan owners correct me if I'm wrong.
I had similar thoughts, but on the other hand most people who get an Ultimate seem to cook outside anyway so you might be having to go up/down the stairs to get stuff all the time (well I probably would lol). I can see pros and cons in both, and I don't have any doubts we would have been happy with either.
We plan to still keep our fridge in the car at this stage anyway. I am sure our kids would have preferred the Ultimate, going up stairs to the lounge or sitting / playing under the bed overhang which they thought was a bit like a cubby.
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Another post made
Quote
"We are also a family of four with two girls aged 2 and 4 and find the Ultimate is perfect for our needs.
I usually sleep on the king size bed with the 2 girls and my wife sleeps on the couch.
Once the kids are a little older they may move down to the spare room which is currently used for bag storage, play area etc...
We wanted a camper with the option to cook inside if the weather is bad, and find it convenient for quick overnighters. We also wanted somewhere to sit comfortably inside which is great not only in bad weather but also if you need to escape the flies!
We are about to head to the Kimberly for 3 months and am sure the Ultimate will perform well.
When I was trying to decide which camper to buy the Kimberly and Camprite were on the short list however for us the Ultimate ticked the most boxes.
I would have no hesitation in recommending an Ultimate to other families."
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Hi,
The ultimate is a fantastic unit and we almost bought it! We have 3 boys under 8 and we are now on our second hard floor rear fold.
There is no perfect camper!! The biggest gains of the ultimate over others has to be the weight saving. Our hard floor is 1600kg.
We found the hard floor suited us better than the ultimate when comparing the full list of differences and not just the sleeping arrangements. With the kids always hungry it's fantastic being able to get to the fridge and pantry with the camper closed.
We are heading off for 3 months in July and the kids will sleep on the floor for short stops and we will set up the kids room for 2, 3 or more nights.
Our friends with 2 kids under 9 have just bought the ultimate Xtrak and are also travelling for 3 months.
We will have plenty of notes to compare!!
Good luck with your decisions.
Cheers
Dave
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I can never understand why people who suggest a Kimberley don't also mention the Odyssey. Both are top range hard floor campers with plenty of options: the main differences are the way the kitchen is set out and the size and access to the underbed storage. Both have the option of adding an extra room which is only accessed from the main tent.
http://www.australianoffroad.com.au/models/Odyssey-signature/highlights_odyssey_signature (http://www.australianoffroad.com.au/models/Odyssey-signature/highlights_odyssey_signature)
I have an Odyssey, my brother-in-law has a Kimberley. His wife doesn't like the Odyssey kitchen layout, my wife doesn't like where the fridge is on the Kimberley. I think the Kimberley access hatch at the rear has some merit for getting at the underbed storage (Odyssey don't do it to minimise the possibility of bulldust getting in) but the Odyssey has (in my opinion) greater storage volume.
Look at both and make your own decision.
We have an Odyssey as well. Expensive but good.
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Again thanks to everyone for your replies, too many to individually address.
Like I have said earlier we are not yet decided on a ultimate yet, but are still deciding between an ultimate, camprite and kk. The aorc is not in the running purely due to the lack of access when packed up.
The biggest issue with the camprite is the lack of them on the east coast. And also the kitchen when swung out is very small!
Re the cameron concept camper. We love our cameron except the time it takes us to set up for an overnighter. Also the A frame dust cover is great, but it means setup is a two person operation, you physically cannot remove the dust cover with one person. We do also like the idea of being off the ground.
I'm sure most of the time we too would cook outside but being able to prepare in a fly free environment is a big plus. A portable gas cooker and probably a weber q would go with us most places.
Like has been said before everything is a compromise, but all this is great input Thanks again.
Mick
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Off road caravan is another option, Saw heaps around while travelling last year. Most had an off road caravan, next pop were cheap camper trailers (soft floors), then KK's, very few ultimates (saw six in total travelling around Australia).
I have an ultimate camper. Mostly cook outside using a webber 120 even in the wet, but we brought it due to the king size bed and up high off the ground, most others are doubles (camper trailers).
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When we were living in Nannup (SW WA) I did see a few Ultimates drive through and probably even a KK or two. I don't recall ever seeing a TVan though and couldn't tell you the different brands of caravans that might have passed through (which there would have been a few).
Webber, I keep hearing about the popularity of those, I'd have a job to convince my Husband as he doesn't seem to like them much.
It goes to show that everyone is different, for me the king size bed in the Ulti isn't really a selling point, Hubby would just complain that I'm even further away lol
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When we were living in Nannup (SW WA) I did see a few Ultimates drive through and probably even a KK or two. I don't recall ever seeing a TVan though and couldn't tell you the different brands of caravans that might have passed through (which there would have been a few).
Webber, I keep hearing about the popularity of those, I'd have a job to convince my Husband as he doesn't seem to like them much.
It goes to show that everyone is different, for me the king size bed in the Ulti isn't really a selling point, Hubby would just complain that I'm even further away lol
Hahaha yet the king size bed was the selling point for my wife. The further from my snoring he better she reckons. I don't think it will be long before she buys me a swag, so i can sleep outside. ;D ;D
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Some more comment from ultimate forum
"Hi Guys,
We are a family of 6 (2 boys & 2 girls), but the older three are 18+ and the yongest is 12. Since owning the Xtrk have only ever had two of them with us at any one time. All have their own swags which they setup under the bed. If the weather doesn't look that crash hot and/or for longer stays, I have the rear awning and walls which I can set up as required.
On one ocassion in FNQ we were caught one night with a torrential downpour that soaked the two boys 22 and 11 at the time. For the next few nights (until we could get things dry) the 11 yo slept with us in the bed and the 22 yo on the couch.
I think it all depends on the age of the kids and how they go either sleeping under the bed or in the annex. Either way we're very happy with the Xtrx's flexibility.
Cheers,"
"Our kids (boy, girl, boy - ages 15, 13, 11) all sleep in their own swags. However on a recent trip to Bendethra there was a huge storm and their site got flooded. We dragged the younger two in with us - one in the bed, one on the lounge. The 15 yo slept through the whole thing and stayed in his swag.
You will have no trouble fitting very young ones in the camper."
"Hi
We're also a family of four. Pigeon pair 4 &7. We all sleep on the king size bed all the time. We have no issues. Get them to go to a shop and lie on a king size with kids in the middle. My kids and wife are small."
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The aorc is not in the running purely due to the lack of access when packed up.
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I wouldn't put too much emphasis on rear access. Ours doesn't have it either, and we haven't found it to be an issue.
We just don't put anything inside the camper that might be needed while it's packed up.
It'd be handy to have, but not a deal breaker......
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I wouldn't put too much emphasis on rear access. Ours doesn't have it either, and we haven't found it to be an issue.
We just don't put anything inside the camper that might be needed while it's packed up.
It'd be handy to have, but not a deal breaker......
I agree with that also. Same with the ultimate for on the rd cooking and fridge access. We have the car fridge itch drinks and daily lunch, so no need to open trailer for fridge, and have a butane burner to cook snags if wanted.
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You can crawl into the Ultimate while it is packed up to gain access to the fridge and cupboards.
I never set mine up to pack before a trip.
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I agree with that also. Same with the ultimate for on the rd cooking and fridge access. We have the car fridge itch drinks and daily lunch, so no need to open trailer for fridge, and have a butane burner to cook snags if wanted.
Yep. There are ways around different issues. Comes down to how you want to do it.
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Another camper you may be interested in is the Pioneer Onyx camper trailer. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned already. The onyx model has a queen size bed and a zip on bedroom among the many other features. It also has external access when packed up and IMO a great kitchen set up however, it doesn't have an internal kitchen. The hard floor area is big enough for a bunk stretcher bed arrangement if you didn't want the additional bedroom. I certainly consider it comparable with the AORC and the KK and it's now manufactured in Melbourne having been acquired some time ago by a fabricating company in Dandenong.
Worth a look anyways.
Cheers.
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You can crawl into the Ultimate while it is packed up to gain access to the fridge and cupboards.
I never set mine up to pack before a trip.
X2
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You can crawl into the Ultimate while it is packed up to gain access to the fridge and cupboards.
I never set mine up to pack before a trip.
X2
X3
We did the same with ours - no biggie. I'd often crawl in (or send one of the kids in) to get something from the fridge for roadside stops etc. That is also how I'd pack the fridge before leaving, by crawling in. We'd never open the camper up to pack it.
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We've got a camprite, bloody love it, two young kids, they have their own beds and our whole setup is off the ground and set up done in 5 mins, can put bunks in the kids beds if we decide to have more kids, but the missus reckons two kids exactly like me is more than enough.
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Hahaha yet the king size bed was the selling point for my wife. The further from my snoring he better she reckons. I don't think it will be long before she buys me a swag, so i can sleep outside. ;D ;D
Lol seems I'm the snorer in the family anyway :D
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We have 3 kids, albeit in their teens now. We have had 2 KK's in the past and then moved to an Ultimate. Kids room underneath accommodates 3 easily. Other combinations inside using the lounge/bed with younger kids are also pretty easy.
For us, the Ulti is the most functional and comfortable, has the most storage space and is much easier to put up and down. KK was much more time consuming and labour intensive; that was our experience anyway. I normally cook meat outside on the Weber, everything else gets done inside. 5 of us can sit around the lounge when it's raining. The king size bed is brilliant.
As others have said, fridge access is no issue when closed. Even if you did want to use the kitchen on a roadside stop, it takes all of 1 minute to open it up and erect the tent half over the kitchen using 2 internal spreaders. Another 2 minutes to bring it down and fold. No dramas and very little effort required.
It will go anywhere my 4wd will and can handle anything you throw at it off road. The weight saving is a real bonus and results in much less fuel used.
We have had the Ultimate for 2 years now and we would never go back to a hard floor camper again.
Good luck with your decision.
Cheers
Baz
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Thanks again everyone for their responses, great food for thought. There's plenty to think about but we have got plenty of time to work out which one we want. At least I know whichever way we go it will be quicker and easier then our big soft floor!!!
Mick
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We had a soft floor (Adventure and then All Terrain), setting it up I don't think takes that long really (all the other camping gear is what takes up time, probably more so when packing up...waiting to cook brekky, doing dishes etc). I guess the main thing with hardfloors and the Ultimate is that it would be easier when it's raining.
I love the fact that Ultimate don't have poles and ropes (well for the most part, I guess some extras that I haven't looked into might require that).