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Offline PeterO

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Another Newbe
« on: October 04, 2011, 01:52:46 PM »
Hi everyone,
Greetings from Sydney's Northern Beaches where there is just as cold as anywhere else at the moment  :D

Currently awaiting delivery of our first ever camper trailer. My dealer promises end of October, so fingers crossed. While we have been keen offroaders since 1994, I have never towed anything in my life, so I am up for some testing times, I know... :D

Looking forward to getting some good advice and drawing from your collective experience.

Cheers
Peter
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Offline Janbo

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2011, 01:54:48 PM »
Welcome, I hope you enjoy the forums... There is so much to learn!!
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Offline Gunna Do

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2011, 01:56:21 PM »
Welcome.

Plenty of members down your way to hook up with when the camper arrives.
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Offline Redback

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2011, 01:56:35 PM »
Welcome Peter, hope you enjoy the forum, what type of camper are you getting and what are you towing it with.

Baz.
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Cheers Baz.

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Offline D4D

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2011, 02:00:24 PM »
Welcome to myswag Peter, what camper did you buy?
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Offline Black Diamond

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2011, 02:05:27 PM »
Welcome to the forum Peter, love the northern beaches of Sydney  :cheers:
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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2011, 02:46:03 PM »
Quote from: D4D on October 04, 2011, 02:00:24 PM
Welcome to myswag Peter, what camper did you buy?

Thanks for kind words everyone, can't wait for our new baby... Anyway, after exhaustive research and many shows all over the country (any excuse to get away...), we decided on Kimberley Kamper. It wasn't easy to decide between KK and Odyssey, but after some careful thinking KK got the nod.

The tow vehicle is 2003 100 series turbo diesel manual. Had it since new, initially as a company vehicle and now privately owned since retiring in 07. I hear auto does a better job when towing, but I will need to live with that. I will be doing all modifications for towing this Friday - Anderson plug, change of the power plug to round and installation of the brake controller, all as per instructions from Kimberley.
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Offline Redback

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2011, 02:53:18 PM »
Great vehicle for towing, loads of torque, great camper also, might want to look at airbags or heavy duty springs for the back also.

Baz.
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Cheers Baz.

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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2011, 03:30:48 PM »
Did that at the beginning during usual "conversion" to off road use (bull bar, snorkel, winch etc) Got a pair of heavy duty Lovells at the back with Bilstein shocks. KK has 120kg ball weight, but I expect the car's cargo area to be lighter by hopefully similar weight (jerry cans, generator, fridge etc all go to the camper) Also, our 60kg rooftop tent will be in the garage on the next trip. Now this may not be such a simple calculation, but that just shows how little I know at this stage  :D

I'll suggest air bags to my mechanic on Friday and hear what he has to say. I hope I'll be OK, spending enough on this toy already... :'(
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Offline Prado BB

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2011, 03:58:01 PM »
welcme PeterO, would love to see some pictures, you can start with the cruiser ;D ;D
 :cheers:
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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2011, 05:30:42 PM »
Here is how we travelled till now... (French Line near Colson Track junction) At our age it has become too many trips down the ladder during the night, so we decided to go camper trailer. ;D
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Offline D4D

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2011, 05:31:57 PM »
That's a great looking setup, what brand of roof top tent is that?
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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2011, 05:41:10 PM »
It's Italian Autohome. Very quick (under 30 sec) to put up. Short on privacy though, unlike local brands it does not offer annex rooms or something like that where you could change in relative comfort. But it is light, aerodynamic, and zero maintenance unit, it has done an awesome job for us until now.
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Offline GGV8Cruza

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2011, 06:35:46 PM »
Welcome to the Forum Peter, that will be a great combo to get out and about, keep us updated on your travels

GG
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Offline Signature035

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2011, 07:46:47 PM »
Welcolme to Myswag Peter,
From just a few beaches down the road.....  :cup:
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Offline Tim - Stratford

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #15 on: October 04, 2011, 08:48:25 PM »
Welcome Peter,

Another KK owner - WooHoo!  ;D  I've replied to your questions in my thread - but I'll add, to agree with Baz, airbags may be needed. I've also got a 100 series with Lovell/Bilstein HD combination - the poor old girl's behind sags by about 3" now...might be time for new springs although I think airbags may be the better alternative for when not towing.....anyway - enjoy this site and your new kamper...and don't forget photos of the new toy, trips and modifications.

All the best,


Tim
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Offline dno

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2011, 08:22:28 AM »
Welcome to the forum Peter, nice looking setup you had. Will be waiting to for the pics of the new setup. 8)
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Offline ralphedward

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #17 on: October 05, 2011, 08:41:48 PM »
Welcome to the forum Peter,

I had a couple of reservations about towing (like you) but with advancing years the idea of tent (floor level camping) got the better of me.  I've found that no matter where I go my camper follows and is no harder than previous travel.  I don't know about the type of camper that you've bought (mines a Tambo) but where ever I point the Paj I know the trailer will follow without any discernable difference.
regards

Mark
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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #18 on: October 06, 2011, 09:03:10 AM »
Mark,
I started going off road in 1994, purchased my first 4WD (Nissan patrol GQ LWB diesel, what a car!) in 1995 and never looked back. By now there are only few major destinations that I haven't done, the most notable being the mighty Canning. I always looked at towing as a limitation of my ability to get anywhere I wanted. I believe this still applies. There are some tracks out there that are simply not for trailers (Vic High Country comes to mind >:D). IMHO the promo from Ultimate Campers claiming that the only limit that can be applied to their campers is that of the driver's and towing vehicle's ability is just nonsense. But today I no longer go extreme and I can safely say that the only limitation for me to get anywhere with the trailer is my lack of experience with towing. I am happy to trade "extreme" for comfort, that's what happens on the other side of 55... ;D And let's face it, Simpson or CSR are extreme enough for most of us and you _CAN_ do them with a trailer.

I know I need to practise a lot - reversing down from failed attempt at the sand dune without jack knifing, thinking ahead about being able to turn around if I need to, reverse parking etc etc. Scary stuff, but I am keen and looking forward to it. I am giving myself 6 months to train and then will be looking for some victims to go and do the Canning with us. FINALLY!!

Here is our crossing of Jardine in 1995 - pic taken my my mate who was already on the other side.

Cheers
Peter
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Offline ralphedward

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #19 on: October 07, 2011, 06:03:58 PM »

Peter,

You'll be allright,  towing is easy and as you say, 'if you're not going extreme then everything will be fine'. Yep for sure if you want to go extreme then you had better make sure you're set up for it (the extra dead weight that is), but if you get yourself a good, built for purpose, camper then you will really have a lot less limitations than your mind can currently conjure up.  The best (camping)decision I ever made was to get my Tambo as it has allowed me to get out more often in far more comfort than I could have previously considered.

I hope you soon become a convert!

All the best

Mark
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Offline PeterO

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #20 on: October 07, 2011, 08:13:35 PM »
Me too Mark, waiting for the delivery... My KK should be here end of October, can't wait!
Cheers,
Peter
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Offline Heiny

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Re: Another Newbe
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2011, 11:48:18 PM »
Hi PeterO and welcome To My Swag :cheers:
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