Hi All,
After researching over many months, I am going crazy deciding on which camper to go with and I probably haven’t considered all the options in this price range yet. The Drifta DOT 7 is a very attractive option for the money, I honestly don’t know how you could go wrong? Being in a rural area it is difficult to see the camper trailers as none of the dealers are close by, and most seem to be in QLD anyway.
It will be used for:
- Outback touring (red centre this year, Kimberly’s and gulf next year) therefore must be built tough with good reliable components
- Weekend trips in very cold weather, and probably a lot of rain from my experience therefore I am hesitant to go near any canvas after bad experiences
- It will be sleeping 2 x adults and 1 x 5 year old
It must be aussie built, no imports or other nasty products.
I seem to have narrowed the decision down to the following, here are my notes… (and me thinking out loud!!)
- 2010 T-Van ($28-35k second hand):
Likes: No canvas in the primary setup and not a big deal if the annexe packs up wet, very quick setup time for a basic “get in and sleep” arrangement, strong and sturdy, good reputation, hold value extremely well, insulated.
Concerns: Second hand, they appear to be very well used. Not a great deal of covered outdoor area, unless you want to spend 30+ mins setting up the awning area. I would assume this is frustrating if you rock up to camp and expecting bad weather. Also if it’s hot, where do you gather round in shade? Again, a fair bit of effort involved in setting up if you’re stopping for only 1 night and want to enjoy a hot afternoon with the sun going down next to a river.
- New Trackabout Safari SV with touring tent ($25k to match a spec similar to the drifta dot7)
Likes: huge awning coverage over kitchen area and beside trailer provides large area to sit around with shade and protection from rain, touring package setups in around 5 mins as pictured, great reputation and first class customer service. Includes innerspring mattress, hot water, project 25a charger, led pack, landcruiser matched wheels, tropical roof, upgraded toolbox size.
Concerns: basic “tailgate” swing out kitchen on this package (unless you pay an extra 5k you get the drifta kitchen, an evakool fridge and smev stove etc). also concerned after bad weather or heavy condensation, packup of damp/wet canvas, packup time (unsure), cost is a lot to me for a soft floor with what appears to be “basic” features. leaf sprung (independent Susp. Also an extra 2.5k). Boat loader or rack also an extra 2k-2.5k from memory.
- Drifta DOT7 ($21K with more extras than trackabout)
Likes: Excellent package for the money with $$ left over to travel with or spend on the 4wd, well thought out with a place for everything, price includes evakool fridge, and in comparison to the trackabout it includes everything listed on that trailer (except for hot water) with the addition of an extra 125AH battery, solar input, volt meters, bearing upgrade & spares, table, maxtrax, similar kitchen to that of the 30K model of trackabout (drifta use to make it), rubbish bag, pole carrier, front and back kayak racks. Other options to consider are not inflated and well-priced. You could have a ridiculously fully optioned trailer for well under 25k.
Concerns: Leaf sprung trailer, have not been in the market for long, tent setup and packup times and awning times all to be confirmed although doesn’t appear to be too bad in the latest video, again wet/damp canvas fears…
Any thoughts feedback on the above trailers? Any other suggestions out there in the market?
Thanks for your help.
Matt
