Over 55's, no kids at home, in Vic, if any, what type of camper do you have?

[jpak]

Topndr, the quantum is something we have on our list of campers to look at more closely, we have a short list of campers including a couple of hard floors, campers like quantum and topaz, and crossovers.  Thank you so much for your very kind offer and we may take you up of it in March.

ranger-jules - decisions decisions decisions... all takes time and research, when we first started we looked at caravans, then stumbled on soft floors and so the story goes on.  The input from everyone here is invaluable and goes a long way to helping with the decisions, we also will only be doing weekends for the next few years, after we purchase the camper of course.  From what we have gathered here, starting with a needs list and a wants list is the starting point.  It is amazing the differences in all the campers by way of which way the kitchen faces/operates, how big a bed is needed, ease of access, for us we would prefer not to be having to climb over each other to get out of bed especially in the night time.... anyway research and try before you buy is what we are doing.

Cheers John

[jpak]

Traveller - positives and negatives, there are many and varied for each type of camper and that can also be confusing as what is ok in one type of camper is not in another.  Creature comforts is at top of the list!!!  At the rate we are going we will need all we can get!!!
We live in Langwarrin and may also take up your offer to check out camper with many thanks for the offer.

Best of both worlds,  ooops, didnt realise we had limited the question/poll categories. Not sure how to change it.
We have a an old 1963/1964 globetrotter caravan that is stored in South Gippsland and that is the place we go when we want to get away but now want to be mobile hence the search for a camper. So then we will have two too! Cheers John

[jpak]

Seen the light - thanks for your advice, we will start hiring campers later in the year because we know that this will certainly help with choices to be made.  Appreciate the reminder to do this - will save a big headache later if we chose the wrong thing for us. Certainly enjoying the search and will enjoy the trials too! Cheers John

[PeterO]

We have been researching campers for a while now and still have not come to a decision, we stared by looking at caravans then looked at camper trailers soft floor, hard floor, pop top, cross overs etc... and were wondering about other people in My Swag in our age group, in Victoria, what they have if there are only the two adults and no kids at home or camping requirements for kids necessary, what camper do you have any why, apart from the financial reasons?  We think this might help in our choices. Thanks John

We are just a step ahead of you... But it took a very long time to get to where we are now (waiting for delivery of a new KK in October). We have gone a full circle from the rooftop tent to almost buying a Bushtracker caravan only to end up with a camper trailer. If I can offer a small advice that may simplify this for you:
the governing criterion (besides the money) should be the lifestyle you want to have. We have realised that (having decided in principle to buy Bushtracker) while staying in some caravan parks over in NE WA last spring. Squeezed like sardines with no privacy, fighting for space, trying to outsmart the other guy in getting it. You will NOT get to Bungle Bungles towing a dual axle caravan. You will not get to many other places towing Kimberley Karavan or Vista Crossover because of their bulk and high centre of gravity. You would not cross the Durack river this May with any caravan (800mm deep and fast flowing when opened to traffic) because it would most likely float away with the current. It was no issue for CT, we actually followed one across. If you are thinking peace, serenity, silence, wildlife... you need tent or a camper trailer. It is really that simple.

And as someone said already - buy the best you can, popular brands hold value better, so the cost of ownership will be ultimately lower.

Good luck with your search,
Peter

[outback jack]

We are just a step ahead of you... But it took a very long time to get to where we are now (waiting for delivery of a new KK in October). We have gone a full circle from the rooftop tent to almost buying a Bushtracker caravan only to end up with a camper trailer. If I can offer a small advice that may simplify this for you:
the governing criterion (besides the money) should be the lifestyle you want to have. We have realised that (having decided in principle to buy Bushtracker) while staying in some caravan parks over in NE WA last spring. Squeezed like sardines with no privacy, fighting for space, trying to outsmart the other guy in getting it. You will NOT get to Bungle Bungles towing a dual axle caravan. You will not get to many other places towing Kimberley Karavan or Vista Crossover because of their bulk and high centre of gravity. You would not cross the Durack river this May with any caravan (800mm deep and fast flowing when opened to traffic) because it would most likely float away with the current. It was no issue for CT, we actually followed one across. If you are thinking peace, serenity, silence, wildlife... you need tent or a camper trailer. It is really that simple.

And as someone said already - buy the best you can, popular brands hold value better, so the cost of ownership will be ultimately lower.

Good luck with your search,
Peter

great post peter, couldn't agree more. horses for courses 

[jpak]

Hey PeterO, your post certainly has given us much to think about as we hadn't thought of it in that perspective of the type of travel to the extent you have mentioned.  For the next few years it will be weekends only and the odd one - two week holiday and ultimately we intend to travel as much as we can once we have finally finished working....was meant to be five years ago however that is now five years in the future.  So in the mean time we will probably only do Victoria until then.

We are heading off to the show on Sat so will hopefully have a good look at everything that time allows and make the short list shorter.  We have even decided to look at tents so that until we make our minds up about the camper we will still be able to do weekends.  Roughing it a bit doesnt bother us.  But are we opening another can of worms in regard to tent types???
Cheers John

[PeterO]

John,
That's what we have been doing until now Tent has a lot of advantages, it gives you a freedom to do what you want, no limits. But there are those trips down the ladder in the middle of night...

Anyway, our experience with Maggiolina by Autohome:

Fiberglass pod, about 50kg, requires Rhino type roof racks. Super easy opening with a handle - you wind it up and it's ready in under a minute. Your bed is always made up - no fuss. Folding it back takes about 5 minutes as you need to go around couple of times to tuck the canvas in.

It is aerodynamic and fairly light, but our fuel consumption has gone up by about 10% at steady 100kph (11.5 to 13)

No annex room available, so you are hitting privacy limits with changing etc. We have solved it by purchasing one of those instant shower tents for $45. They expand automatically and it takes 5 seconds to fold them back once you've mastered the method... I've heard about marriage breakups caused by this thing. 
They can be used as a change room, shower and a toilet - pretty neat for the money.

Autohome is quite expensive though, mate of mine has bough an ARB rooftop tent for less than half price complete with annex room. Initial reports are very positive, he's a happy camper!

Cheers
Peter

[Jason B]

We are just a step ahead of you... But it took a very long time to get to where we are now (waiting for delivery of a new KK in October). We have gone a full circle from the rooftop tent to almost buying a Bushtracker caravan only to end up with a camper trailer. If I can offer a small advice that may simplify this for you:
the governing criterion (besides the money) should be the lifestyle you want to have. We have realised that (having decided in principle to buy Bushtracker) while staying in some caravan parks over in NE WA last spring. Squeezed like sardines with no privacy, fighting for space, trying to outsmart the other guy in getting it. You will NOT get to Bungle Bungles towing a dual axle caravan. You will not get to many other places towing Kimberley Karavan or Vista Crossover because of their bulk and high centre of gravity. You would not cross the Durack river this May with any caravan (800mm deep and fast flowing when opened to traffic) because it would most likely float away with the current. It was no issue for CT, we actually followed one across. If you are thinking peace, serenity, silence, wildlife... you need tent or a camper trailer. It is really that simple.

And as someone said already - buy the best you can, popular brands hold value better, so the cost of ownership will be ultimately lower.

Good luck with your search,
Peter

x 3 once you have worked out where you would like to travel, you will be able to narrow your search down considerably. A hard floor camper will give you reasonable comfort and the ability to travel to the harder to reach locations. We have a KK and they are fantictic and fast to set up for overnight stays. The big annex is a PITA to set up (30mins) and we only use it if we are staying in one spot for a week, and I dread the thought of trying to get it dry if we were forced to pack up in the wet.

The small awning is better and the new quick awnings are better again. Don't be put of buying second hand there are a lot of good campers out there and the known brands to hold their value well.

Regards

Jas

[morgue]

Morgue,  your post says hard floors have good and not so good points, in your opinion, what are the not so good points?

Tow ball weight, KK/ ACOR / Aussie Swag, they are pretty heavy on the ball, due to their extras they seem to cram on the tow bar, but surprising Pioneer are quite good...again depending on the model.
Carrying capacity, in some respects, the hard floors can be limited, some makes only about 300kg from Tare weight. Plus if you want to carry oversize objects, then it is on top.
But for Touring ...ease of set up...they are hard to look past.
 

[Trish59au]

For ease of set up, considering age and fitness / health, you can not go past a hardfloor / Jayo camper set up...looking at budget, start off at approx 15K and work you way up to about 60k, that will cover the new and second hand market.
You have a lot of home work to do, take your time, kick at lot of tyres.
At present the soft floor will suffice, it does the job...but my camper eyes are elsewhere....
After 4 years looking...when the minister of finance gives the OK(I'm working on that)....I'm getting one of these...www.modcon.com.au/model_details.php?m=4 
It ticks all the boxes that are important to me.

I agree with you morgue...the Modcon ticks the boxes for us too but we prefer the Quattro and after seeing it again today I am certain it is the one for us.  Unfortunately I am the minister for finance and we have to wait too

jpak you will just have to do your own research until you find what suits you that's half the fun...this site is a great place to start

[PeterO]

The big annex is a PITA to set up (30mins) and we only use it if we are staying in one spot for a week, and I dread the thought of trying to get it dry if we were forced to pack up in the wet.

The small awning is better and the new quick awnings are better again. Don't be put of buying second hand there are a lot of good campers out there and the known brands to hold their value well.

Glad to hear that - it confirms my gut feel. We have gone for the Kwik Awning and just added the L Wall at the front as a wind protection. Can always add more if needed, but we want ease of setup.
Peter

[Jason B]

Glad to hear that - it confirms my gut feel. We have gone for the Kwik Awning and just added the L Wall at the front as a wind protection. Can always add more if needed, but we want ease of setup.
Peter

Congrates on your purchase Peter they are a fantastic unit. The new kitchen also looks great. I will upgrade mine in the next couple of years (Mine is a 2005 LE). The small awning and the quick awning are the same size and are easy to set up. We leave the awning attached to the camper all of the time. W

We don't use an awning at all for quick overnighters, this way you are set up and cooking or in bed in 5 or 6 minutes. The big awning comes into its own in bad weather and for longer stays as we have 2 small kids and it gived them plenty of space. However I always stay until it is dry and have not had to pack it up wet yet. it is a crazy amount of canvas to cart around.


Regards


Jas