Pioneer camper trailer purchase, have I got a winner?

[Rbush90]

Hey folks,

Been lurking around here for a bit and doing a lot of research on offroad campers. Planning a trip for 7 months working my way around Wa.

To get to the point, I think I have found my camper. It is a 2007 pioneer prospector. I am going to have a look at it when I get home from work and would love some insight on things to check out and watch out for?

I will be doing alot of corrugations on my trip and also want to put a boat on top, so the suspension will need to hold up. And be able to handle atleast 1ton. The tow vehicle is V8 troopy.

Any experiences with earlier model pioneers would be a great help.

TIA

[Racer17]

Probably like most trailers, we set ours up in the front yard as if we were going to camp in it, setup the awning, fill the water tank, check taps.
You soon notice things that need replacing.

When it was all packed up i hooked it up to the car and pulled it up on some car ramps and spend a good bit of time inspectin underneath for defects and the like.
don't take the sellers word for it, take the hubs apart and replace bearing and check brake function.

[Rbush90]

Yeh mate I would like to give it a good look over before purchasing atleast that way if things are broken I can maybe get the price down a bit. Also good point about the hubs and bearings they are supposed to be new but taking them a part and making sure wouldn't hurt!
Cheers

[LeighC]

G'day

We've had our Argyle for 6 years and it's pretty rock solid and used extensively.

Some things to check but can be fixed.

I'm not sure if the Longreach were the model they used to hire out.  If so then it could show signs of abuse.

Seals around the lid/floor could be getting old. Look for how dirty the canvas is.

Tap in sink. Plastic one will leak. We've replaced the front hand tap.

Water tank. About the age of the one your looking at you could upspec a stainless steel one.  If it's plastic then they were notoriously painfull to fill with a crap breather system.

Pay attention to the hard floor section and ribbing.  If heavy unsecured loads have been there it can separate the floor from the ribs and be susceptible to water ingress, ruining the floor. This hasn't happened to mine but a mate's parents has suffered.

They are fairly bulletproof. Apart from the last point everything else could be fixed and assist in lowering the price.  A 2007 model was probably built in Perth before the company sold and relocated to Melbourne.

Good luck

Cheers
Leigh

[Rbush90]

Thanks for that mate very good points, the water under the hard floor would be a killer! It has 2 tanks and I would imagine they are plastic.

Is it easy to find a suitable tap to replace the leaky plastic one in the sink?

[LeighC]

Is it easy to find a suitable tap to replace the leaky plastic one in the sink?

I'd think so.  Either Google Smev, call Pioneer's shop in Wangarra and see what they suggest or EBay

[rsser]

Just for info, Pioneer CTs was bought by Actco Pickering and manufacturing of Gen 2, a completely new line, started in Melbourne. 

IME their service is good and they'd be worth approaching about Gen 1 issues.

I've heard of a problem with canvas leaking.  It needed seam sealer and all was good.