Camper trailer advice please. Update! Camper ordered!

[davethepom]

Having had word 'from above'  that a camper trailer was in order, I've been doing a bit of sniffing about.  We're in S.E. Queensland so I'll confine my search to this corner of the state. 

We have set an absolute maximum of $6k for our first off road unit and there are quite a few out there.  I'd like to buy completely Aussie made but realise this isn't going to happen this time around.  I'd prefer to buy new as the second hand market for anything is a bit of a gamble.

So far, the one with the most for the least looks like the Bilby double sunroom off road camper trailer.  Hot dipped, stainless kitchen, off road hitch etc.  They're based in Coolum, so within strike range for a look.

Edit to add link.   http://www.aussieimporters.com.au/bilby-camper-rk-cp007-ds/

Has anybody had experience with these units and are there any real lemons to avoid?

I'd really appreciate any opinions and advice.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Bird]

I'd prefer to buy new as the second hand market for anything is a bit of a gamble.

The new market can be a gamble too
I'd seriously take a good long look at the used market in that price range. There are some quality bargains to be had

[Mace]

You will probably get plenty of advise re chinese imports and looking for second hand to follow!   

ill stick to what you asked.

These are very similar/identical to other CTs assembled here made from imported componentry such as Ezytrail, Mars, Galtuff, etc/etc.

We have an Ezytrail Jackaroo Gal Offroad - identical to the bilby.

Make sure you are happy with the build standard. Get under one and have a look at the spring mounts, shock mounts, weld quality of seams connecting drawbar to frame, etc.

Ive said several times to others that the tents are very big.  If you want to move every day, look for something with a smaller tent.  Theyre great for long stays 3 or 4 days plus. We have never used all the extra rooms that came with ours.

Theyre not going to be suitable for doing the gunbarrel or tanami track, but fine for getting away in to more accesible/less rough areas.''

I personally think that theyre not a bad option.  We brought ours thinking that we may have to spend another grand or so improving it or repairing it in the first year.  We spent zilch, travelled 7000k and spent 24 nights in it.

So FWIW, my opinions.

 

[davethepom]

The new market can be a gamble too
I'd seriously take a good long look at the used market in that price range. There are some quality bargains to be had

Thanks for the reply.  That's why I'm asking those in the know mate.  Another problem with second hand, for me anyway, is that I'm too impatient to spend weeks and hundreds of kms searching through all the dodgy ones.  I might look at a couple though.

You will probably get plenty of advise re chinese imports and looking for second hand to follow!   

ill stick to what you asked.

These are very similar/identical to other CTs assembled here made from imported componentry such as Ezytrail, Mars, Galtuff, etc/etc.

We have an Ezytrail Jackaroo Gal Offroad - identical to the bilby.

Make sure you are happy with the build standard. Get under one and have a look at the spring mounts, shock mounts, weld quality of seams connecting drawbar to frame, etc.

Ive said several times to others that the tents are very big.  If you want to move every day, look for something with a smaller tent.  Theyre great for long stays 3 or 4 days plus. We have never used all the extra rooms that came with ours.

Theyre not going to be suitable for doing the gunbarrel or tanami track, but fine for getting away in to more accesible/less rough areas.''

I personally think that theyre not a bad option.  We brought ours thinking that we may have to spend another grand or so improving it or repairing it in the first year.  We spent zilch, travelled 7000k and spent 24 nights in it.

So FWIW, my opinions.

 

Thanks mate!  That's good info.  I'd be planning to just set up the first section and one roof (without walls) most of the time and one extra room and the second with roof only for loger stays.

The thing with the tents is that the smaller ones aren't really that much cheaper so I figure we might as well just use part and have the rest just in case.

Good to hear it went the 7000km with no dramas.  That sounds pretty ok for the $ to me. 

[Big Nath]

go here,

www.lmcampers.com.au (no affiliation)

Same but cheaper...

Cheers!!

[davethepom]

go here,

www.lmcampers.com.au (no affiliation)

Same but cheaper...

Cheers!!

Thanks for the link.  It does appear identical (and is cheaper) but it'd cost me $770 to get it to Brisvegas (still 2 1/2 hour from me). 

It's a 3 1/2 drive to Coolum Beach to pick up the Bilby one and I can spend the day at the beach too .

So far it's still looking like the Bilby will be the one we get.  The tent does look a bit on the large side but I'll have a chat with the guy about the set up options.  I gather you can just set up as much or as little as you like, with the choice of awning only or walls.  There are also optional mesh walls for one of the sunrooms.

I'm pretty handy with a welder and there's a couple of good (but not cheap) upholsterers / canvas guys I know around here so, if anything breaks I can just fix it...

I haven't seen anything else for the same kind of $.  Making Tracks Camper Trailers look ok too but the galv model is dearer and doesn't have all the inclusions either.

I'm keen to get one soon so will go for a look on Monday week.

[jwb]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=18315.0

above is the link to a unit taking up space in MY yard. ( storing for a mate who has upgraded to a Jayco )

price drop from the advert price due to some item/s now not included. good solid unit

just wasting away IMHO.

good luck with your search

Cheers

[davethepom]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=18315.0

above is the link to a unit taking up space in MY yard. ( storing for a mate who has upgraded to a Jayco )

price drop from the advert price due to some item/s now not included. good solid unit

just wasting away IMHO.

good luck with your search

Cheers

Thanks mate.  I'm pretty sure I'm going with a new one.  I'm going to make space inside the shed for ours.  That way it should be right for years.

[griz066]

I'd prefer to buy new as the second hand market for anything is a bit of a gamble.
I'd really appreciate any opinions and advice.

Cheers,

Dave.

Dont overlook the used market there are some quality campers out there within your budget, for instance I just sold mine on ebay for that money, All aussie made and all tricked out. The couple who bought it said that they were looking a 3 or 4 that were within their budget of around 6k.

Look [/Here]

[griz066]

Just found [This on ebay]

[griz066]

Just found [This on ebay]

[Paul (SA)]

If you are keen to go off road and stick to around $6k then really consider going the used trailer route. I am not sure a lot of trailers new for around $6k would be up to the ongoing punishment of going off road - esp with the weld quality.

[davethepom]

Dont overlook the used market there are some quality campers out there within your budget, for instance I just sold mine on ebay for that money, All aussie made and all tricked out. The couple who bought it said that they were looking a 3 or 4 that were within their budget of around 6k.

Look [/Here]

That looks really good mate!

Thanks for the ebay link too.  I wouldn't buy anything without a good look and can't get away too far atm to inspect.

If you are keen to go off road and stick to around $6k then really consider going the used trailer route. I am not sure a lot of trailers new for around $6k would be up to the ongoing punishment of going off road - esp with the weld quality.

I hear what you're saying Paul!  Thanks for the reply.  We're going to go and check out the Bilby Monday week and I'll crawl around underneath for a good look.  If it looks crappy, we won't go near it.

The 'Making Tracks Camper Trailers' non galv models are made in Brisbane (not the tent, just trailer).  I'm not sure about the galv one as it isn't specified.

I'd plan to give whatever we get a fair caning during the warranty period anyway.  I like to go to Sundown NP (Burrow's) a fair bit and the 4wd track down to there gives your fillings a good shake .  It'd soon expose any dodgy welding.

Cheers,

Dave.   

[Gra]

Mate,

I've got a Making Tracks camper with the Gal body and chassis. The chassis is made here by Nathan trailers. The galvanised tub is imported but, it's identical to the local version. They're a great trailer, ticks all the boxes and structurally very sound, have no fear.

The tent is Chinese. Again, they are well made; 15oz roof and annexe, 12 oz sides on the main tent, all ripstop canvas. Good stitching, solid fittings.
There's a few things that annoy me that I will fix over time. Struts are in a stupid place for example. Actually, that's probably my only issue and I should have dealt with that before they made it. You do have an opportunity to order custom fabrication because the trailers are made to order.
Frankly, I reckon they're a great value camper. Prior to this I had an awesome Cameron Canvas job but it wasn't an offroader, and had no annex, so I sold it and bought the Making Tracks. I recommend them. Great value for money and at the end of the day, the Nathan trailer sold it for me, I can live with the tent having a "made in china" tag, they've come a long way in recent years and I reckon it's more than acceptable.

My buck-fitty.

Regards, Gra.

[davethepom]

Well, I've left a deposit on a Bilby...no mean feat as the little buggers are quite fast!

After a good look at the Bilby single sunroom CT up in Coolum, and talking about it over lunch at the surf club (very nice!), we put the deposit down.

It ticks all the boxes (galv, brakes, kitchen etc.) and looks like quite a nice unit.  The welds look ok and the canvas looks really good.  If we were more cashed up, I'd have probably gone with an all Aussie made unit, for a number of reasons, but we're not.  I think this unit will get us out there camping more often and in more comfort than the tents and, importantly, soon.

A big thank you to all who took the time to reply with links and advice!

Thanks also to the owners of the used units who PMd me.  There were some nice units offered.

We won't be ready for the Fraser run this year but are aiming for that next year after a few trips to suss out what else we need.

Cheers,

Dave.