Author Topic: Camper trailers (Read 8090 times)

BeNos · « **on:** June 28, 2011, 07:20:09 PM »

Hey all
yep i guess this gets asked all the time. and ive been searching google and stuff for a while now regarding purchasing a good off road camper trailer.
ive somewhat taken fancy the the austrack extreme offroad package as dollars for dollars has more than just about any other ive found with a reputable name. id love a trackabout but i think they are a little out of my price range. though very good gear.
ive had a look on ebay and well there are some fantastic deals but dunno if i can trust a fully optioned ct with a 5k price tag. just seems way to good to be true.
id go a fairly newish second hand unit if one i like comes around but they seem to be basically fetching similar money to new ones.
in all honesty id like to keep it below 10g but would pay a little more if needed.
then begs the other question. buy a standard trailer and then build the ct side of things myself. but will i really save that much and i dunno if id get the same professional finish. i mean i can weld alright, pretty creative and willing to have a crack.
id appreciate anybodys input and suggestions and hope ive posted this in the right section.
cheers ben

GU Rich · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2011, 07:31:19 PM »

Welcome Ben, There are some great camper that pop up from time to time in the classified section. You could always pick up a base model and mod it as you go.

There are endless ideas on here. I picked up my current camper second hand and I haven't looked back.

It also depends on what you want to use your camper for, Just the odd weekend trip, Towing it into remote areas or spending 12 months living out of it. This could influence your decision.

Rich

pacs · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:33:40 PM »

Hi Ben and welcome

One of my family members was in the same vote as you and he ended up purchasing an eBay trailer mainly for the reason of the large 12ft tent and enclosed anex having 4kids and a tight budget was the disiding factor
The trailer was a bolt together job so he pulled the trailer down and welded it back together and then added a longer draw bar and toolbox and made a few more mods and now he has a great trailer that he could take offroad without the worry of it falling apart I guess the question is how prepared are you to put in some manual labor/time and spend those few extra dollars over time to forking out for something that will do the job straight up
But as Rich said some great stuff does come up on the classifieds so keep an eye out

cossonfamily · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2011, 08:55:58 PM »

Hi Ben

x2 what Pacs and others said.

You may not think so, but there is bargains to be had, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. I got my bargain 2 weeks ago and am still smiling

I havn't told my husband yet that I am having a love affair with our trailer. We got a Trackabout for a good price but had to fix the dust cover zip, so it is away getting fixed at the moment for $120 - but jeez am I missing it!

Be patient and something will turn up. But if you don't need a go anywhere trailer there is some good ones about.

Good luck with the decisions and welcome to the forum (it can get addictive)

Cheers
Tam

Silvo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:11:15 PM »

My advice would be to look for a second hand model, that is from a well known brand, with a good basic list of mods you want in the camper.

Things like electrical systems can be added easily, things like kitchens and stove seem to be a bit harder.

V8100 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:12:31 PM »

Was in the same boat with our camper and decided to build it ourself but i say build it very loosely as all I really did was weld up bed base and bolt all the goodies on,Kitchen was easy as I am a chippy. I think we came in a touch over 10k but it is top quality oz canvas and has everything needed. imho i would either build myself or buy good second hand you cannot beat oz canvas and it will last a lifetime of punishment.
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=5167.0
eddy

Bird · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2011, 09:13:00 PM »

Quote from: Silvo

My advice would be to look for a second hand model, that is from a well known brand

Another vote for that

camdyson · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:05:44 PM »

Maybe hang about campsites and find a family with screaming kids in a nice camper. Make a low offer. Bingo!

Glad to help,

Cam

BeNos · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:41:14 PM »

Quote from: GU Rich on June 28, 2011, 07:31:19 PM

Welcome Ben, There are some great camper that pop up from time to time in the classified section. You could always pick up a base model and mod it as you go.

There are endless ideas on here. I picked up my current camper second hand and I haven't looked back.

It also depends on what you want to use your camper for, Just the odd weekend trip, Towing it into remote areas or spending 12 months living out of it. This could influence your decision.

Rich

well see that alone is a small mystery at the moment.
as im looking else where to where i live. so could end up living in it for periods of time, plan on dragging it across this country side one day plus weekends i need it to be able to handle the punishment id most likely dish out.
i dont mind spending time adding bits and pieces and being a mechanic most things are pretty simple to do(elec systems, water systems and the like) but as i said i could be relocating for a while and idealy would live out of it cheap in some caravan park.
what are some good base brands to start out with though. i really like the trackabouts so if i could find a decent second handy id jump on it. though im somewhat pressed possibly for a deadline so cant wait for ever.

Bird · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:54:46 PM »

If your going to live out of it for time periods at one place I'd say go a caravan. Failing that save your bux and go a hardfloor.

How many people?

Tracey family · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:14:22 PM »

why dont you give JT a call,tell him your woes...you never know he might be able to do something for you...

scott

GU Rich · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:16:51 PM »

Quote from: Tracey family on June 28, 2011, 11:14:22 PM

why dont you give JT a call,tell him your woes...you never know he might be able to do something for you... scott

Good idea Scott, He might have some inside info on a few 2nd hand ones on the market

rich

cossonfamily · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2011, 07:09:21 AM »

Did JT end up selling the Trackabout he had advertised for $7500 in Classifieds?

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=11511.0

If JT doesn't know of anything a cple brands that come to mind that have been reviewed in camper trailer magazines with good results are - XTrail, Tambo and GIC.

What state are you in? This Trackabout with all the bling is in Victoria - http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?_N=1549+1552+1602+1601+4294960798+4294965530&R=9229949

I found my Trackabout advertised on Ebay.

Cheers
Tam

cossonfamily · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2011, 07:35:59 AM »

opps dble post

BeNos · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:04:29 PM »

just a quick update. the lismore camping and 4wd show is on this weekend so am hoping jt and a couple of other camper trailer brands will be there to have a good look over.
but im also looking at the xtrail emtreme explorer camper trailers as i reckon they look well built but after a bit of reading am still suss on the quality of their tents. being imported and all. i know people say they are alright but not 100% convinced.
the trailer on the other hand looks perfect. well built, has all the features i want and is a pretty good price for what you get imo.
il see what kind of reponse in here otherwise i may start another seperate thread on the subject.
after current info mainly. as i heard the early ones had a tendancy to leak. this i CANNOT handle. i know about seasoning but i have a canvas tent now that wont stop leaking after numerous wets and dries. also does somebody know when they are going to start releasing their aussie built tents on their trailers. as it would have me sold imo.
so yeah opinions wanted thanks

Bird · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:57:22 PM »

Quote from: BeNos

so does somebody know when they are going to start releasing their aussie built tents on their trailers. as it would have me sold imo

if a company isnt doing aussie made tents now and selling trailers, I cant see them changing to something a lot more expensive..

pommiedic · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2011, 08:34:54 PM »

Ben

To keep the intial price down, we started with a good base model CT with nothing in it. We have since added a Treg hitch, A/T tyres, a drifta kitchen, a pole carrier and a front box. Building it slowly over time.

Take your time, do plenty of research and ask owners questions. We hired a couple before buying.

Good luck, you won't regret it.

dic

BeNos · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:22:12 PM »

Quote from: Lost on July 04, 2011, 06:57:22 PM

if a company isnt doing aussie made tents now and selling trailers, I cant see them changing to something a lot more expensive..

i can understand what you mean though the owner has stated on here its on the agenda by the end of this year. all things being equal.
as i say im just researching. i can get past the import tent long as it will last a good few years and wont leak.
im still open to options. and im still considering building one but i have a fair time constraint. apparently we need it by late october early november, no idea where we are going or whats involved. so needs to be basically fully setup to a reasonable standard. cause the challenge of building one with coil sprung independent suspension and everything how id like it would be cool. but time and room are my killers.

Bird · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:30:26 PM »

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cub-Camper-Off-Road-tent-trailer-camping-/290582242090?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item43a80d232a

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cub-Camper-supermatic-Trailer-2009-new-free-canoe-/150627167513?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item2312142d19

areyonga · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2011, 07:25:21 AM »

Gday BeNos, noticed you were worried about the quality of the Xtrail tent, maybe the earlier ones may have had some problems but my Xtrail Ranger tent is all good and quick to set up, I have a rear fold which suits me.

Wil

BeNos · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2011, 11:20:49 PM »

Quote from: areyonga on July 05, 2011, 07:25:21 AM

Gday BeNos, noticed you were worried about the quality of the Xtrail tent, maybe the earlier ones may have had some problems but my Xtrail Ranger tent is all good and quick to set up, I have a rear fold which suits me.

Wil

so no dramas with water leaks or the like? as this is my main concern. but it sounds like urs is fine. been thru any heavy rain in it though? they seem excellant otherwise. the xtrail trailers anyway

XTCT · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2011, 01:28:14 AM »

Quote from: BeNos on July 05, 2011, 11:20:49 PM

so no dramas with water leaks or the like? as this is my main concern. but it sounds like urs is fine. been thru any heavy rain in it though? they seem excellant otherwise. the xtrail trailers anyway

Come and see the latest tent prototype in our show room now. You might have to cut a hole to make it leak. 9ft Main batch available since mid August. 12ft main batch available around Nov

cheers

Sam

areyonga · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:15:36 AM »

The main thing to do is cure the tent before camping and I did have two small leaks around the stitching on the floor but they had taken up the next day of camping after a bit of rain and all was good. In tenting I always carry a large polly tarp and if the weather is looking very wet I throw it over the top, it also keeps the heat down in summer but mosly dont need to use it at all. The new tents Sam in using are much better than the early ones. My main interest in purchasing a camper trailer was to have the trailer able to do what I want in travel and the secondary option was for the tent as you can replace them reasonably cheaply but in this case I feel its good quality all round.

Wil

Pipeliner · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:24:27 AM »

Quote from: BeNos on June 28, 2011, 10:41:14 PM

as im looking else where to where i live. so could end up living in it for periods of time,
......... but as i said i could be relocating for a while and idealy would live out of it cheap in some caravan park.

If you are going to be living in it for some time I strongly suggest that you don't go too cheap - little things that you can live with for a week become major irritants after a month! In particular make sure you have plenty of easily acessible storage that can be locked when you leave the site. A pull-out kitchen with storage for all the cutlery, utensils and food staples (salt, sugar, tea, coffee, etc) is also a high priority, otherwise you will be spending all your time pulling out and putting away boxes. Canvas walls for the annex and kitchen area so that bad weather can still be tolerated.

Our Odyssey has all the bells and whistles (and a price to match!) and I can live in it for weeks on end - which I certainly wouldn't have wanted to do in the $9000 soft-floor camper we had previously.

BeNos · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2011, 07:39:51 PM »

i guess a small update to my decision. i ended up going a trackabout deluxe tourer. brand newie. john was just so good to deal with and very happy with the deal we came up with was fantastic in my opinion.
i went to a show and had a look at most of the ones from seq and i guess most of nsw and they really were a stand out for the money. customline campers were also very nice looking units, as were the jimboomba trailers but decided from prior feedback and also their attention to detail was brilliant. also they are just up the road from me so easy for any later work if i decide to add bits later on.
its going to be a long 3 weeks waiting for it to be built. but well worth it.
thanks to alls help on the matter

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Author Topic: Camper trailers (Read 8090 times)

pacs