Melbourne Caravan and Camping Show

[mrdenn1s]

I went along to Caulfield Racecourse today to check out the products.

I had a little bit of cash in the back pocket and we were there to purchase.

What I noticed that this year, there were no cheap and nasties. "Gee", "I" couldn't "See" them anywhere.

The cheapest CT I could find was $3k by OzTrail. A tent with no extra's on a trailer. The next cheapest CT on sale was almost $8k.

The rumours that those that couldn't provide the proper engineering certificates appears to be true. Great work by the show in protecting the consumer in this way.

Anyhow, deposit paid...and now I wait for my new toy

Anyone else go?

[D4D]

Anyhow, deposit paid...and now I wait for my new toy

What flavour?

[mrdenn1s]

What flavour?

Blue Water Tanami with a few extra goodies like:

- Extra 12v outlets, USB outlets,
- Tropical roof
- Kids room
- Shockers

They threw in some of the extras quite kindly as a show special.

I visited the factory in Pakenham a few weeks ago. Very impressed with them and their knowledge. T

hey bring the stuff in from China, but weld and put them together themselves. Use the local auto elec in the factory over the road. Chinese tent, but I appears pretty good. If it doesn't leak, then it's as good as the Aussie ones.

Only had $8k to spend and just went over by $150 bucks so I'm happy.

http://www.bluewatercampers.com.au/CamperTrailers/Details/3

It replaces my 40 year old pop top that burnt down over Xmas.

[Wandering Tassie]

I dug deep into the pocket and bought a Nova Terra Sportz yesterday. I know, it's a caravan but will still get us out there.

[mrdenn1s]

I dug deep into the pocket and bought a Nova Terra Sportz yesterday. I know, it's a caravan but will still get us out there.

That's a beast ! Well done

[oldsalt]

We bought a Hannibal rooftop tent... and two camp chairs... plus picked up LOTS of brochures for places to camp...
Had to wait an age to get in though - they need to get things a bit more organised  (the cash/ prepurchased/ eftpos queues were a shambles)... a bit of signage would have saved a lot of time !!!
Good show all the same - lots of goodies and we had lovely weather - what more could you ask for.
cheers

[Kangaron]

First time in a few year we are not going, is a great show.

[fuji]

I dug deep into the pocket and bought a Nova Terra Sportz yesterday. I know, it's a caravan but will still get us out there.

I dug deep at the Trakmaster stand and only had a few cents so I walked away. Have to sell my Aussie Swag first.

I did buy a Southern X swag.

[evolution]

First time in a few year we are not going, is a great show.

I will probably be corrected with this, but in another picture it appears to be a lock down for the main tub?


Cheers
Evo

[mrdenn1s]

First time in a few year we are not going, is a great show.

I did ask that in the factory ... it was something like a guide for where they could then get an indication on where to weld...something like that. It is not holding anything down. I asked them that

[evolution]

I did ask that in the factory ... it was something like a guide for where they could then get an indication on where to weld...something like that. It is not holding anything down. I asked them that

Fair enough. 
As long as your happy with what you bought. Ir doesn't really matter. It looks like it will serve you pretty well. Did you get the independent suspension?

Cheers
Evo

[mrdenn1s]

Fair enough. 
As long as your happy with what you bought. Ir doesn't really matter. It looks like it will serve you pretty well. Did you get the independent suspension?

Cheers
Evo

No. It was too expensive for me. Went the 50mm square axle with leafs and shocks

[JCOJ]

I dug deep into the pocket and bought a Nova Terra Sportz yesterday. I know, it's a caravan but will still get us out there.

Sweeeet!!

When do you take delivery?

[Alexstein]

I also had a good look at the blue water simpson today and was somewhat impressed. Quite a bit of kit for not a whole lot of money. Was there with my ole man who was reading into the whole rental vs buying scenario. Its got me thinking though is it worth renting over buying?

On the bluewater trailer the only thing it would need is batteries and solar and its good to go. Would swap out the kitchen personally for a drifta swing out kitchen.

[mrdenn1s]

I also had a good look at the blue water simpson today and was somewhat impressed. Quite a bit of kit for not a whole lot of money. Was there with my ole man who was reading into the whole rental vs buying scenario. Its got me thinking though is it worth renting over buying?

On the bluewater trailer the only thing it would need is batteries and solar and its good to go. Would swap out the kitchen personally for a drifta swing out kitchen.

Yeah, the kitchen is basic, but works for us. I have a 2 burner portable stove and a fold out table i can put up that takes less space that the drifter. I also have the 100AH battery and charger to give them to install for me,. The battery literally gets dropped into the box they supply. The charger, they are wiring for me with a 240v external power outlet for when we are at the caravan parks  or I want to float charge when at home

[Alexstein]

At the moment i am personally weighing up between the following

Mars Campers - HS14 - http://www.marscampers.com.au/off-road-camper-trailers/mars-campers-off-road-7x5ft-soft-floor-ranger-series-hs-soft-top-camper-trailer.html
EZTrail - Mawson (Bottom of range) - http://enztrading.com.au/products/Ezytrail-Off-Road-Camper-Trailer-Mawson-SE-with-DL230-Tent-Package.html
EZTrail - Tarwin (bottom of range) - http://enztrading.com.au/products/Ezytrail-Off-Road-Camper-Trailer-Tarwin-SE-with-NT230-Tent-Package.html
BlueWater Camapers Simpson - http://bluewatercampers.com.au/CamperTrailers/Details/3

Onto this i would look to put 2x 100AH batteries / Ctek D205S / Workbench Charger for AC Charging / 120w or 160w Solar.
And swap out the thin foam mattress they all come with.

If i had the budget i would love to go for a Jayco Swan or Dove outback buy ive probably got around 10-11k to play with give or take the tax man later this year.

[Wandering Tassie]

Sweeeet!!

When do you take delivery?

Hope to pick up in July.

[Young Camping Family]

Just got back from our first camping show. Wow, I had no idea there would be so many exhibitors and so many caravans!
Purchased our Oztents today and got a good deal, which is phase 3 of 3.
Now just have to wait for them to send them out.
Can't wait to test them out next month.

[JCAT]

Gee, I almost got a real bargain at the show today  NOT.

One stand was selling these 1 metre Led lighting strips (it was a double led strip - two leds next to each other all the way down).

The strip was attached to a nice black coloured aluminium strip with a small edge, encasing the sides of the strip, with two of those metal spring clips on it so you could attach it to a tent pole or other such thing.

It had a 3 metre cord to cig plug, with a dimmer and a nice wetsuit style travel pack.

All for the princely sum of $150 - Uh no thanks.

So similar to some of the great efforts on Page 5 of this thread

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=4587.100

[Young Camping Family]

Agreed JCAT, you need to know your prices.
That being said, I am not electrically minded so wouldn't even attempt to make a light, so I guess it depends on your interests and ability (and bank balance).

[fuji]

Just got back from our first camping show. Wow, I had no idea there would be so many exhibitors and so many caravans!
Purchased our Oztents today and got a good deal, which is phase 3 of 3.
Now just have to wait for them to send them out.
Can't wait to test them out next month.

Good purchase, I like the Oztent, so simple. My swag nearly cost as much as the oztent.