New Melbournian, still hunting the camper trailer

[coles525]

Evening all, after hunting on here for the past week or so in guest mode I've finally joined up.  As per the subject I don't own anything yet; not do I even have a bit of knowledge regarding anything about camper vans (ie: features / wording).

I've gone to 4 or so stores in person:

1) E&Z Trading (both stores - Bayswater store no help!) - http://www.enztrading.com.au/products/EZYTRAIL-CAMPER-TRAILER-%28HARD-FLOOR%29.html

2) Jays Ausie Campers (helpful lady, website changed - ajcampers.com.au)  - http://www.ajcampers.com.au/campers/the-big-red

3) Dingo (last on a list of choices!)

4) Vic Getaway Campers (5 year trailer warrenty!)  - http://www.viccampers.com.au/ProductDisplay.php?ProdID=30

Unsure what to go for!  1 & 4 both offer hard floor trailers which I'm totally interested in, mainlt due to not wanting to actually "assemble a tent & floor".

Facts:


- Off road use for camping in forests mainly in VIC Golden Triangle area
- Between 1 and maby 3 others max to sleep in it
- Hopefully used each month on outings for gold fever!
- Extra's / included - Power plug(s), water, gas stove(s), battery connection (ie: power), tool/storage box, WATERPROOF.
- Price would rather not cost more then $10k (with extra's)

Most of the extra's are as standard, but was told that one place isn't licenced to actually connect power and/or gas, as well as a 2nd place slightly amused (smiles and quotes "we can give you a certificate" of electrical safety) when I ask if I would recieve one.

Don't know what more to add, except that I'm not really into trying to put an actual tent up now a days!

Cheers,

          Josh.

Ps:  work night shift, so I'm never usually around during normal hours.

     -  Nissan X - Trail, auto / diesel.

[Jason B]

welcome Josh.

There is a wealth of knowledge on here mate. You will get plenty for your $10k if you are prepared to look at second hand campers. 10k is fairly limiting if you are are after brand new and specifically want a hard floor. 10k will get you a great soft floor (new or used).

It really depends on what you need. You get a lot more space in a soft floor and many are easy to put up, also you will usually get more features in the trailer itself especially in the 10k second hand bracket.

Make a wish list mate on what items are essential and what are options or wants you would like and then just compare the brands and see which ticks the most boxes for the money.

Happy hunting.


Regards


jas

[Pete_R]

Hi Josh. Welcome to MySwag. As Jason mentioned, check out used campers as well - more bang for your bucks

[GGV8Cruza]

Welcome to the Forum Josh, keep looking around on the site and asking questions, heaps of info avaialble, keep watching the classisfieds and something may come up as a bargain

GG

[Bird]

3) Dingo (last on a list of choices!

Have you met Dingo man... its an education!!!! Dude speaks bout 1200 words a minute.

Since your lookin at <$10,000 I don't think you will get much in a Hardfloor for that price... Not new anyway.

As for assembling a tent and floor, they are all joined, and move out in 1 movement on most soft floors...

Do yourself a favour, look at Trackabout, Tambo and Tru Blu... IMWO, they will eat the others you have listed. Never heard a bad word about any of them.
http://www.trackabout.com.au/
http://www.tambocampers.com.au/
http://www.trublucampers.com.au/





or just bide your time, and wait for a bargain used one to come up





.

[Paul Mac]

You might like to check out Pinnacle Campers up at Ballarat. Google Pinnacle Campers to see them.

I think Mandrake was heading up there to take a look at them. They offer a hard floor camper under $10,000 with everything your looking for.

I've seen their soft floor off road campers and they look fairly smart for the money.

Cheers.

[coles525]

Thanks for everyone's input, I shall look at the other makers given as well as keep looking in the used sections.

Lost - I actually spoke to the son, who wasn't that bad.

[FJWALLY]

I went with Mars campers because I got the bones of a NEW trailer and still had plenty of $$ left in the budget to mod it up with plenty of extras as time goes by - my experience with most things is that you will always find parts of something that you don't like and will replace so the cleaner the slate the easier to justify the improvements.
my 50 cents!

Good luck with the hunting - it's very confusing at times.

[lilstookie]

We pick up our Aussie Jay's CT on Saturday and will be able to post some pics after then . We wanted somewhere localish (only 110kms away!) and able to look at others being made. When we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, Jason very happily spent an hour or so talking to us and answering questions. While it's not completely Australian made (tent is an Austrack import), I like that it's a small business and only about two trailers leave the factory each week. There is a 12 month warranty, though I have no doubt if there was any issue after that we would be looked after.
We had budgeted around $8000 but decided we would much prefer to spend a little more to get (we believe) a lot more than something like the E&Z trailers. Our trailer has come in at under $10000 with Drifta kitchen and motorbike rack as extras and we are happy with that. We are very likely to be traveling and living in it next year for at least a few months and feel that the one we have decided on will allow us to do that with no issues.

Have fun deciding....you could spend years, so just bit the bullet when you find one you like!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Snow]

G'day Josh and welcome to Myswag. 

[ralphedward]

Welcome Josh,

This site will spin you out with the amount of advice you can (and will get)  take your time as there are options everywhere, and only you know what your needs are. having said that, my recommendation is Tambo.  PM me if you want more info as to why!

All the best

Mark

[Heiny]

Hi Josh and welcome to My Swag

bubba

[speewa158]

Josh Welcome to MySwag . Now that your here we can show you almost anything you need & really dont need to see . Dont be afraid to ask no matter how silly it may sounds ( we have herd some rippers !! ) Have a poke about make a list but enjoy 

[watto11]

Hey josh welcome

[brickiematt]

.

[harvs]

Welcome Josh.
There us such a huge choice of camper trailers these days that it can be a vert confusing exercise when choosing your first CT.
I would suggest exploring the new local market first. If you can't afford a new one. At least you'll have an understanding of the various makes and models that you may find in the local second hand market. Buying a well known unit second hand will allow you some manufacturer repairs if needed. And possibly a better resale price. Others have mentioned try blu, and tambo, also worth a look is outback campers in Carrum.
Good luck, and keep us posted.