Which style of Camper to buy...help

[KieranR]

Hi,
My wife and I are planning a trip round oz when i finish my current job (whenever that is).  We have two very different opinions on what we would like (but we are not totally opposed to each others ideas).  We have a a 2.5 year old and plan on having another one in the future.

My tow vehicle is a Toyota hilux dual cab that is all set up for the bush and touring around, (we did the kimberley in it last year).

My thoughts are that I would like an off road camper, Something like a KK ect, quick to set up, comfortable and easy to use.  I also have a must of being able to have a boat loader for the tinny (although the tinny is set up to go on the roof of the hilux if needed).  I also like the idea of being able to pull over on the side of the road slide out the kitchen and cook up a feed on the run.

The only thing that my wife is not sure about this option is that it doesnt have a second bed for our daughter, is there an option for a added on room for more people on hard floor campers ( i think there is?)

My wife thinks she would like a Jayco swan outback, her main reasons are that it has a nicer, more useable kitchen and two beds. and more storage space available.  I personally dont think i would be able to tow a jayco up to cape york, mitchell palteau ect without causing damage to the camper due to thier size ect, although i am not 100% sure as to thier offroad ability.

So I am looking for other people thoughts and recommendations if you have any.

Have i missed any vital info out, we are not looking to sell the camper when our trip is finished, we have every intention of keeping for more trips down the track.

PS, when we decide on a camper we would look at a couple of year old camper in very good condition.
Cheers,
Kieran

[BigJules]

Hey Jason. I think this same conversation is going on in kitchens around the country, it certainly is at my place, except my wife wants and Expanda instead of a Swan.

You are correct about the KK having the option of additional rooms. There is one for sale on here now. There is also another for sale with an ensuite and the extended tent, which allows for bunks to be set up, or any sort of bed really, without the sloping rear wall impeding the space.

My argument is that a KK or similar can do anything, whereas a Jayco or similar is not a genuine offload option (from the mouth of the Jayco salesperson I spoke with yesterday). That is not to say they are food or capable, there are too many satisfied owners on here to think that.

For you: the boat loader works well on a hard floor, whereas carrying one on a pop top means you must remove the boat before setting up if there is a possibility you'll want to use it.

For her: the Jayco has more storage than a hard floor. 

I think the hard floor would retain its value for better.

Setup time for a KK might a little quicker when considering the awning walls, if one were planning to stay put for a while.

With a Jayco you're going to need to carry a BBQ because no one cooks inside.

We're planning hire one of each, even though we have lots of CT experience.

[dazzler]

Hi Keiran

We travelled for five months with a jayco swan.  It was good.  However we found we did not use the internal kitchen much and tended to cook outside which made it a bit redundant.

Our 1yo slept on the floor where the table sits and our boys slept up the other end.

We didnt have much storage in the tow vehicle and found that we ran out of room in the swan and had to put stuff on the floor.  This made setup tedious particularly chasing a little one.

If it were me and I had a jayco i would make sure that nothing had to go on the floor so the rear of the vehicle would have to be setup really well.  What my wife said she would have loved was the rear of the vehicle to have sections that held clothes, bulk food, maybe a fridge and a freezer.  That way the stuff in the Jayco was only what was needed for that day or a couple of days.

Also, we put aside some money so we could stay in a cabin every now and then just to give the kids room to run around without having to be watched and you can do the washing/drying/ironing etc plus some 'adult' time.

If you can try hiring lots of different types of campers.

[jaycamrie]

Mate i was going through the same dilema i was buying a KK right or wrong have wanted one since they first came out and like you had to have a boat rack love my fishing ,But wife had other ideas and ended up buying a CAMPRITE great for kids we have 2. all in the same room off the ground ,kitchen pulls out for quick lunch stops  we get it in june . And i just bought a custom boat loader and tinnie so boat goes on the roof of the car so win win 

[Skinnee]

what is your budget? this will help with some options. if you have the boat on the hilux then this allows more options, where would you prefer it.? Is the boat on the trailer a priority.

[jaycamrie]

forgot to add nice CAMPRITE in GYMPIE for sale on the classifieds here it is a bargain

[Kit_e_kat9]

Hi KieranR,

When I was much younger, my parents took my sister and I on a round trip in a Toyota shortie (think Roothy's Milo but shorter).  We had a roof rack, tents and everything you need to go bush camping, but every so often we got a caravan (or whatever was available) to do laundry days.  We were on the road for 3 months I think.

Nearly 18 months ago I decided I needed a camper trailer after being gob smacked by what was on offer.  The BF and I settled on an Aussie Swag Camper Trailer and we love it.  We don't have little tackers (does an 18yo with his own tent count?), but there is always enough room on the hard floor for 3 dogs and their beds (1m x 1m "pillows") and still have heaps of floor to get changed on.  It guarantees that they are up off the ground in inclement weather and don't get bitten by any "nasties".  We loved the idea of being able to get to our stuff whilst the camper was closed without too much hassle (open a rear door and pull out a draw) and the front boxes can certainly fit some stuff in them.  Set up and pack up is rather quick and easy for one person (a must for us in case of emergency).  I love the kitchen facilities and being outside, you can pull up, pull it out and be cooking in seconds.  They come 4x4 capable.  I'm just a bit biased alas.  Hope you didn't notice.

My parents used to have a poptop caravan (as they used to be called) with the pull out beds and mum often complained of not enough room for 4 people, but we spent many wonderful trips in it until dad got sick of fixing the lid cranking apperatus.  They do have alot of floor space, but really that's what they have ... floor space.  All storage is under seating or in cupboards.  If you want anything out of them, you must crank the lid up.  If you want lunch on the side of the road, you must crank up the lid and set up the table first.  The fridge is inside.  I personally got "sent in" on so many occassions to remove things from cupboards and fridge so that we could lunch outside after dad lifted the lid a bit to get the 1/2 door open.  They aren't 4x4 capable.

Whatever you decide, you must be happy with it.  List the Pro's & Con's of each and barter with what you require it to do and be capable of.  Remember that all those 4x4 tracks can be done without your camper attached if required and there is usually another way around that a less capable vehicle can use.  Most tracks around our great land are paved with the black stuff and you'll be able to see so much, but some of the most popular places to visit are 4x4 only.  Weight up your options before you part with your hard earned.

Good Luck with your choice.  It's going to be one of the best trips you could ever do.

Kit_e

[JCOJ]

We too have an Aussie Swag and we have two boys aged 4 and 6 (were 2 years younger when we got this camper).

We put them on the hard floor on top quality inflatable matresses with a thick wool thing that goes on top for extra comfort and they think their beds are super comfy.

We also have the side kids room but only put it up if we are staying somewhere for 3 nights or more. 

Set up time is 10 mins (even with the main awning), and way less if we don't bother with the awning.

[KieranR]

Thanks for the replies,
Dazzler, The hilux is set up perfectly for what you have described and that is our intention to use the same way as you have suggested, we have an Engel 40L and 47L ARB and I have storage boxes for dry food ect in the back aswell.  on our kimberley trip last year we used the Engel as a dedicated Freezer and the ARB as the fridge, That setup worked well.  Unfortunately living in the Pilbara doesnt allow us to hire Many campers as there is only one mob (i think) that hires and i have been told by friends not to bother as they are not the best.

JC.  Mate i love my fishing aswell, especially the barra (I'm from NQ originally), so already have a boat, I'm not set on a KK as i'm pretty thorough in my research and I will get whats right for the family,  funny you mention the Camprite, I have a mate up here who took posession of his camprite in about aug last year and he loves it, i must admit after having a look through his i was very impressed..not cheap though!!  I actually caught up with the bloke who owns camprite when i was up at elquestro last year when crossing a water crossing, nice bloke, dont remember his name though, the camprite is definately on my list to look at.

Skinee,  We have allowed ourselves a budget of 30k, The boat can go on the hilux if needed, or the trailer, i would prob prefer on the trailer, the ute will probably perform a bit better without a tinny acting as a big wind block..maybe

Kit_E & Jkohn, thanks for that, i will definate ly have a look at those campers, sounds like 2 very happy customers.

I had a chat with my wife last night about things and she mentioned that although she loves her cooking and a kitchen, she's ok with the kitchens that come on the hardfloors and she would prefer to be cooking outside seen as though we will be camping.

Thanks for all the help so far

[Tim - Stratford]

G'day Kieran,

I'll vote for the KK - we're on our second one we like them that much so I'm a bit biased 

There's some great second hand ones about and it seems the secondhand market has slowed a bit so you should be able to knock most sellers down a few dollars.

Some good points about the KK in our eyes are the large fridge (standard on platinum) which is very 12v economical, outside cooking and kitchen for roadside stops. Lots of storage and go anywhere chassis. Quick setup and packup (depending on options) and dealers in every state.

The downside is wet canvas (same prob with Jayco style camper but to lesser degree and other hardfloors), can be heavy and can have a considerable towball down weight depending on front box and the way they are packed.

I suggest you read heaps of magazines, talk to heaps of people and keep posting - until you work it out....good luck!


Tim

[eldo]

i had a similar issue a year or so back, wife wanted to save money and get a soft floor, i wanted quick setup, with a 2 and 4 year old running around i new i wouldnt enjoy camping if i spent hours on setup. got hold of a good second hand KK, kids sleep on the hard floor on little beds and i get the double with the mrs, if im lucky. you can get an add on section for KK, depends on which year model you get, but i dont think you will need it.