Lifestyle Explorer Plus

[GMac]

Hey All

I am only new here and have picked up lots of useful infomration already.  As I indicated in my introduction, I am looking at purchasing my first camper trailer.  I have been looking at places like TP Campers and Red Hot Campers on the northside of Brisbane, as well as the classifieds.

I have now been offered, by a friend a 2006 Lifestyle Explorer plus.  It is in very good condition, canvas looks great, tub has been carpeted, lockable tailgate, 2 burner stove installed, boat racks,

He is offering it to me with a large variety of inclusions including, but no limited to -  3 way fridge (not sure of size), porto-loo, 2 camp showers, 3 gas bottles, camp ovens, gas lanterns and a heap of other extras.

I believe itis heavy duty springs but no shockies.

It does not have any battery or electrical system.  It also does not have electric brakes.

My question to all who knows a lot more than me at this time, is this a reasonable purchase for around $8000.  There seems to be a great deal of experience on this forum, so thought I would pose the question.  Thanks heaps for any help you can give.

 

[GMac]

A few pictures to help.

Greg

[rodsswag]

Great colour, love the maron.
Go Queensland 

Rod....

[Wato]

Welcome GMac
A friend of ours has a Lifestyle with a 12ft tent, tropical roof, electric brakes and a basic 12v system. They bought it new back in 2008 and paid approx 11K. They towed this to the Cape on a 4 week trip without a hassle.
Hope this gives you a guide

Craig

[brettk]

hi Gmac we have an explorer plus and we love it $8000 for second hand camper seems fairly reasonable to me  especially with the extra's

anyway that my 2 bobs worth.

[GMac]

Thanks for the info.  It has a tare weight of 550kg, I think I may need to consider electirc brakes straight up if I was going to get this one.  Just not sure.  I am pretty keen on putting a battery and some power, so just got to weigh up what the little add ons would also cost.  Either way, Can't wait to finally get the family out and about camping somewhere 

Greg

[Matto]

Hi Gmac,

My question to all who knows a lot more than me at this time, is this a reasonable purchase for around $8000. 

Yes.

I'd look at electric brakes pretty quickly, but I like electric brakes on a trailer that will be used offroad. If you're handy, you can buy an offroad brake kit like this:
http://www.etrailerparts.com.au/index.html?2547.html&1 (no affiliation with the vendor - just the first google result)
and fit it yourself. As for a battery, it depends on how fancy you want to go. For a basic but good system, I'd budget anywhere up to the $1000 mark. You can set something up for as little as a couple of hundred but if you're looking at a good foundation, then I'd work on spending around a grand. That will net you a 100Ah AGM battery, lights, monitor, pump, etc. You can start basic and build up though to spread the investment out over a period of time.

HD springs are fine - I'm in the camp that thinks that shockies are a bit of overkill for a trailer, and a well-sorted and specced leaf spring suspension will be more than adequate for you.

I'm sure the lifestyle guys will be along soon with some more brand-specific knowledge, but personally, I'd probably be happy to pick up something like that, in that condition, for that price. The extras are the icing on the cake.

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Matto

[Jon]

Personally I would try knocking him down a bit to assist in covering costs for stamp duty and brakes.
Budgets-
Electrical- $1000 for a basic set up or the same budget for a good solar set up with your own labour and scrounging materials
Brakes- $6-800 inc controller or $1000 approx installed

There might be a heap of extras but the reality is these are only worth what someone will pay for them regardless of whatever he may want for them.

At the end of the day most people only use one gas bottle and one lamp. We dont even use Gas lamps as we have LED lighting, much quicker and easier but without the homely hiss of a gas lamp.

Only you can read the seller and make a judgement.
Good luck and dont forget pics of your mods and trips.

[Homer_Jay]

Are you sure it doesnt have electric brakes?
My explorer plus came standard with them (although that was 2009)

If the trailer doesnt have brakes, I would think the camper is probably worth $7k tops, Plus whatever the extras he is offering are worth to you (may be stuff that you dont need/not the right type, do you want a 3 way fridge?? this will depend on the type of travel you are doing, eg 3 way will generally suit staying in one place for long periods/ compressor fridge (like Engel) suit the traveler who is on the move.
The cost of adding brakes/12 volt system etc can get expensive if you cant do it yourself. If this is the case, I would probably go and look new, with everything you need straight up.
I paid about $9k for mine new  (from memory) back in late 2009, with electric brakes/no 12 volt (I added this myself).

I am sure there would be some bargains out there at the moment, both new and used.

Cheers
Aaron

[poidda]

Brakes weren't standard back in 2006.  I bought a 2007 model without brakes, and I will be putting them in eventually.  I have already received a quote from lifestyle themselves for $650 to install the brakes.  (handbrake included)  Obviously the controller is on top of this.

As mentioned before it all depends if you want the extras.  Like most people we came from camping so had a lot of gear so the extras weren't a selling point to us.

They are great trailers though.

[Dreama]

Yes.
It is a fine looking CT.
it has extra storage on the sides by the look, also the step to get into bed always beats a ladder any day. The boat rack maybe handy, especially if you need it.
The other accessories are only worth something if you need/want them. I agree with the comment about the 3 way fridge. Not ideal for being on the move in your situation.

My thoughts only 

[Blueroo]

We have a 2005 Explorer Plus (with Brakes). They are a great camper, easy to set up and strong. Lifestyle give good after market support as well.
The rear boat rack is in a funny spot. Ours is mounted right at the rear so it doesnt foul on the tent when we put it up.
You should look at putting brakes on it as matter of priority. They get a bit heavy when you load them up. Maybe you could get a bit off the price to cover the cost of brakes.
cheers
Stue