New camper trailer

[rodneyb81]

Hi everyone, my first post here great site been reading lots of people's comments and looking at classifieds.... We have an 18 month old daughter and are looking at purchasing our first camper trailer. We currently have a commodore but want an off road camper next car will be going back to 4x4.

Trying to keep to a reasonably tight budget we have been looking at camel beachcomber, lifestyle explorer and customline off road setup.

We want a full enclosed annex so our daughter is kept in and has somewhere to play, mostly doing weekend camping and few week stints. My wife likes the plus option on the camel camper's as you get the walk up instead of ladder but they seem to have heavier ball weight compared to lifestyle and new customline walk ups.

Wondering people's opinion's on these suppliers trying to keep to budget around 13-14 k lifestyle and camel seem to have the best sales spin on trailers and customline most spin on canvas work think they might get other people to build there trailers.

I am not to keen on heat has anyone got any cooling options for campers ?

Thanks look forward to your comments....

Rodney

[D4D]

Welcome to myswag Rodney, lots of owners on here to get info from, have a look at the build threads.

Cooling options for a tent are pretty limited, my suggestion is to try and not let it heat up in the first place, which is hard. Some people have fitted solar/insulation blankets on the roof with some success.

[HEM19X]

Welcome to myswag Rodney, lots of owners on here to get info from, have a look at the build threads.

Cooling options for a tent are pretty limited, my suggestion is to try and not let it heat up in the first place, which is hard. Some people have fitted solar/insulation blankets on the roof with some success.

X2

As for enclosures, I have seen people with kids using a free standing screen enclosure. The kids are zipped in and it can be used as an eating area also [once you tidy up the toys etc]

Have fun

Regards

Hem

[Bird]

As for enclosures, I have seen people with kids using a free standing screen enclosure. The kids are zipped in and it can be used as an eating area also [once you tidy up the toys etc]

I would say thats a better option if you want secure and cool. Kids will always find a way out anyway...

 The steps/ladder isnt such a bad thing and opens you to 90% of the market instead of 3 trailers.

[LJs GU]

Welcome aboard Rod.
We have the plus option on our Bushman Camel. We looked around for ages for this option (originally we could only find the Complete Campsite with i,t but too 'exxy' for us) but eventually came across the Camel. I'm sure there's quite a few others that have the wallkway step, as last time I was at the Sandown show, seems like almost everyone has that option (Lost could be right though). Anyway...
The step option is great as with 3 kids that extra bit of length on the inside makes the tent area more roomier. Great if you're planning for more kids as well.
If you're getting the full annexe with the Camel, make sure you get the sand flaps option on the bottom of the walls. Unless you're on complete flat/level ground the walls will have a gap somewhere... which is an escape point for kid(s).
Also the thermal roof set up on the Camel works really well. That extra bit of canvas does help keep it cool inside.
I don't know the Customline that well to comment on their canvas, but the Camel canvas rates well... as long as it's seasoned (like any canvas I suppose)
Good luck
LJ

[earle]

We have a customline and the canvas is very good. The tropical roof is also good at helping keep the tent cool as is the breezeway near the trailer wheel option, also extra window in the back wall. They do build there own trailers which are very sturdy but not as pretty as the lifestyle.

The budget that you mention may not stretch to a walk up model once you add a few things. Add a few things like a larger tool box, electric brakes, water tank etc and you quickly add $1000's.

[rodneyb81]

Thanks to everyone for there feedback is there anymore camel owners out there with feedback on their campers particularly the plus option With the walk up. Have people got any nice modifications they have done pictures would be great thanks again to all those who have posted

Rodney

[Campa]

Hi rodneyb81 welcome to Myswag.

Have you seen this from Customline campers. It's there new walkup model. Ive used one of there 9ft tents on my camper build and cant fault there workmanship.

http://www.customline.com.au/cms-models/index.phps

Bnk

[LJs GU]

Here's a couple of threads of the mod's I've done:

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=9870.0
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=10130.0

Haven't got a pic of the lighting set up for the kitchen area, but it's just a hand held work light plugged into the battery and held onto one of the annex poles by a clamp like this:

Didn't end up going with the LED strip light type set up as the clamp style gives the flexibility of being able to put it on any pole (or even a tree branch)... plus the light doubles as a rechargeable torch/work light.
LJ

[Matto]

Hi Rodney,

I'd definitely recommend the walk-up / extenda style camper for a young family - you get a lot more space inside the tent, and it's a lot easier getting up and down in the middle of the night. They're a bit longer, and so forth, but much easier to live with. A well-designed extenda shouldn't have a much higher ball download weight - most manufacturers shift the axle forward a bit (compared to the "traditional" trailer), so that the ball weight remains around the same.

We don't have a tropical roof on the Trackabout, but have never missed it. The Trackabout tents are very high, giving very good internal volume, equals more airflow, equals a cooler ambient temp inside. I had concerns about the tropical roof flapping about and potentially breaking, which is why I was happy to forgo it. A lot of other people run them with very good results though, so I think it's just personal preference. I think you get more of a cooling effect by having well-designed canvas - good, big windows, covers over the windows (so you can still have ventilation if it's raining), vents near the floor of the tent, etc.

As for the screened annex, it's a great idea with kids. My brother has three kids, they set up the screen annex all the time, and use it as a dining room / play room. It's really good. I think you're onto a winner there.

Good luck!
Matto

[mcgreevyclan]

Rod

have you checked out Trackabout - they have a good $14k option.  Just picked up mine two weeks ago and very happy after scanning the market for 2 years or more.  They build everything onsite - trailer and tent and happy to discuss options.  Cheers and good hunting

[spargo]

We've got a Lifestyle Extenda - highly recommended..

- Definitely get an Extended trailer.

- Definitely go for a higher spec trailer such as a Lifestyle, Customline, Trackabout, Camel; which will have a higher roof than others for cooling. Basically, buy the best your $$$ can extend to. (pun intended)

- Definitely get a Tropical Roof. Have compared side by side with others in the same conditions, with the same roof height above the bed - my opinion: a Tropical roof is a must-have if you're anywhere that it's hot.

- Definitely include in your cost calcs the extra cost of getting Annex walls. We purchased the zip on walls all around our annex, and for long stays we have them on regardless of the weather. Just roll up the massive fly-screened windows on ours and it's like they're not there. Brilliant with kids, and keeps prying eyes off your gear. Just put down some shade cloth on the ground, all sorted..

Good luck!

[xmasbaby67]

Welcome to Myswag Rod...

We have the Deluxe Off Road Customline with 12ft tent & annexe and we love it.

The trailer is very sturdy and we have had no issue with ours over the past 2 years, as for the tent canvas....that is what sold us, it is top notch. Been through some really rough storms without issue!!!

They have the new walk up but not sure your budget will go that far like Earle said the mods add up quickly.  They have all the prices on their website so maybe your could pick some & then do some yourself, or add as you have the cash at hand(which is what we chose to do).

Ours was just on 13K and we got a fair bit with that but thats us and everyone is different with different needs. 

Maybe try a writing down a list of pros and cons and whichever one ticks the most pro's boxes is best suited to you and your needs.

Goodluck with your search......You will have great fun..

[rodneyb81]

Thanks lj for all your photo's how do you find the towball down weight  I have been talking to the guys in the factory if they could move the axle forward slightly to reduce the weight a lot of others only have 50 kg but there's is around 90 dry....

[LJs GU]

Thanks lj for all your photo's how do you find the towball down weight  I have been talking to the guys in the factory if they could move the axle forward slightly to reduce the weight a lot of others only have 50 kg but there's is around 90 dry....

Rod,
I lowered the jockey on the old set of bath room scales and watched as it stopped at the 20kg mark... after it'd done a rotation of 130kg.  So 150kg!!! That was with the 65lt water tank full (behind the axle) and pretty much packed for camping.
Keep in mind as well, mine has the spare mounted in front of the tool box so that contributes a fair bit.
To be honest though, it obviously does lower the back end of the Patrol but I'm not too concerned about it. May look at the air bag coil inserts for our trip next year, but they can/will contribute to cracked mounts, so 50/50 with that decision at the moment.
LJ
PS Was a bugger of a job getting the trailer in and out of the bathroom. 

[Barrabart]

G'day Rodney,

Welcome to the site,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just today i was having a look on the Customline,and i've just had another quick look...... My question is in relation to this point on their website relating to the canvas

•15oz Australian Made canvas roof and walls

Is the canvas on Customlines Aussie made canvas,,,,,, or is this a play on words ie; import canvas, sewn up in Aus?
I have seen one of the Customlines in Cairns and was very impressed with the quality of the canvas work............ so i'm thinking it's top quality Aussie made canvas??
Can someone who knows for sure,answer this query?

Thanks

[Barrabart]

PS Was a bugger of a job getting the trailer in and out of the bathroom. 

Ya should leave it in there, save ya reading CT Mags in the dunny........... you can just stare at your own...................

[ralphedward]

Rodney,

If you are looking in this sort of price range the the world is your oyster.  You have so much to choose from, not too cheap, not too dear - just right .  If you have time on your side then you will make the right choice.  If you need any more advice choose a Tambo (sorry just my bias).  Enjoy the choice, hopefully it will be with and provide much enjoyment for you and your family.

Regards
Mark

[Campa]

G'day Rodney,

Welcome to the site,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just today i was having a look on the Customline,and i've just had another quick look...... My question is in relation to this point on their website relating to the canvas

•15oz Australian Made canvas roof and walls

Is the canvas on Customlines Aussie made canvas,,,,,, or is this a play on words ie; import canvas, sewn up in Aus?
I have seen one of the Customlines in Cairns and was very impressed with the quality of the canvas work............ so i'm thinking it's top quality Aussie made canvas??
Can someone who knows for sure,answer this query?

Thanks

Hi Barrabart,

My 9ft tent from Customline was made in house using Australian Wax Converters Dynaproofed canvas. 15oz walls and roof.

Bnk
 

[LJs GU]

you can just stare at your own...................

I get in trouble for this normally 

[Jacko]

G'day mate, I can highly recommend the Camels, we have a Discovery plus model and with three kids we really appreciate the extra room the plus option gives us. We currently tow with a commodore also and while the back does drop a fair bit it doesn't rub or anything like that, I did however get a new upturned towball to lift it up a bit. I don't have any pics of the CT attached but have others of some mods I've done in my build thread
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=15012.msg302737#msg302737 Just spent the long weekend at Warrnambool in extremely windy conditions and the tropical roof held up no problems, haven't been in it when really hot yet but when visiting the shows you can really notice the difference.
Cheers Jacko

[rodneyb81]

Hi what do people think about kitchens we were thinking of taking standard kitchen out we were looking at xtrail ones seemed like you got more for your money standard one is worth 790 do people think better with stainless sink or plastic container you can remove and throw away water. How do people secure there valuables into there camper trailers ?

Thanks for the weights lj

[Matto]

Hi Rodney,

We've got a stainless xtrail kitchen on our camper, with a 2 burner stove mounted into it. It's great. Doesn't have a whole heap of bench space (compared to the drifts options), but is easy to clean, and super easy to use. We love it, and would buy again in a heartbeat.

As for securing, out of sight, out of mind is my theory. But we keep our expensive stuff (fridge, mainly) in the car, where it can be locked up. Others here have security cables they can lock on, others just invest in cranky dogs.

Re the tow ball download, 150kgs sounds a bit on the high side to me??LJ - how do you ever lift that? Ours is around 90kg, fully loaded, and I find that hard enough to push around. We've got the spare on the tailgate though, so no doubt that helps. Not having a go, just wondering how you get on.

Thanks!
Matto

[FZJ]

Gday,

We have the full mesh screen set up for our camel bushman and it works an absolute treat with our escapologist.Tropical roof =winner.

my camel thread  http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=13348.15

.any questions just ask.There are some pics of the "gazebo"mesh on page 2.

CHeers

Pete

Love the camel...

[earle]

G'day Rodney,

Welcome to the site,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just today i was having a look on the Customline,and i've just had another quick look...... My question is in relation to this point on their website relating to the canvas

•15oz Australian Made canvas roof and walls

Is the canvas on Customlines Aussie made canvas,,,,,, or is this a play on words ie; import canvas, sewn up in Aus?
I have seen one of the Customlines in Cairns and was very impressed with the quality of the canvas work............ so i'm thinking it's top quality Aussie made canvas??
Can someone who knows for sure,answer this query?

Thanks

Also can confirm that Customline use Aussie made Wax converters canvas.

A story that I heard when I was looking around at CTs was that there is another manufacturer in the same rice range that exports wax converters canvas to china where it is sewn up into there tents, shipped back to oz where each tent is opened so it can be fixed before sale. Not sure if its true but sheds light on the whole 'play on words' as they still advertise that their tents are made from australian canvas.