First Camper Many Questions

[GrahamFamily]

We have decided to purchase a new or nearly new Camper Trailer. What are the pros and cons of both Soft and Hard floor campers? We are at the moment thinking the Soft Floor is fine but have had some people say Hard floor is the only way to go and we would not be happy with anything else? Is it really just personal preference?

There are so many different brands and makes of Campers out there. The Jimboomba Explorer Off Road is certainly looking attractive at the moment.

We would be going from having an ARB Rooftop tent to the trailer - The roof top tent is great but our daughter is 3 and starting to get a bit big to be sleeping between us especially when she likes to sleep across the bed and kick all night. Would probably sell the Roof top tent then as it would not be used.

Is there any benefit to spending the extra dollars to go to an Off Road Pop Top Camper/ Caravan IE similar to Jayco Eagle or the like?

Any Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Campa]

Hi GrahamFamily welcome to Myswag 

I would suggest hiring a few first, all different types of campers. Both Hard floor & soft floor & also a few caravans etc. Take them to where ever you would normally go camping, that way you can decide what suits you best.
 
 

Bnk

[jimquim]

Welcome to the site! I am fairly new here also so there are much more qualified people to answer your questions, but here are a few suggestions to help;

1. Cost. What do you want to spend. Ballpark figure, you will need to spend twice the money to get a hard floor compared to a soft floor for a similar spec'd unit.

2. Type of camping. Do you move daily (go a hardfloor) or prefer to base yourself somewhere (go a softfloor). I have just bought a softfloor camper as we will generally not move around too often as we have two young kids. The other advantage to the softfloors is that you will generally get more canvas space and more storage space in the trailer. Suspect that as the kids get older and I get lazier the hardfloors will become more appealing.

All the best with your research!

[Jenko67]

Hi Graham Family.. there are so many different opinions.. I agree that you should hire first.... we started with a soft floor basic camper 12 years ago and have progressed from there.

[Bird]

Hi GrahamFamily welcome to Myswag 

I would suggest hiring a few first, all different types of campers. Both Hard floor & soft floor & also a few caravans etc. Take them to where ever you would normally go camping, that way you can decide what suits you best.

Top advice, that way you can find out what YOU like and what works for you...

Also have a good look at the second hand market, theres some massive bargains to be had out there.

[dazzler]

Top advice, that way you can find out what YOU like and what works for you...

Also have a good look at the second hand market, theres some massive bargains to be had out there.

x5.

What you spend on the hiring you will save if you change your mind later.   

[GrahamFamily]

We definitely are looking at possibly hiring one and trying them out. Love to get down to the Gold Coast Caravan & Camping show but I have to work . Might just keep looking and head to the Brisbane Show when it comes around if I can get the weekend off.

We like the look of the Jimboomba Camper Trailers and Lifestile have the same walk in feature at the end of the bed so looks good. Have to make sure it is going to be good for a 3yo girl too.

Liked the look of those Off Road Adventure vans from Lifestyle I think the price will be a bit high for me at the moment they look perfect.

[Lifestyle Marketing]

Out-N-About Camper Trailer Hire use Lifestyle Camper Trailers - they are at Chambers Flat - Richard can be contacted on 0428154391 or Debbie on 0417 774385 - very nice people and they present their hire trailers very well.

Also, there is a Caravan and Camping Show up at Nambour from April 27 to 29 - most of the reputable brands will be there as well.

Our Adventure Trek Off-Road Caravans start at $35950 for the AT10 - am happy to send through all of the relevant and up-do-date spec sheets and floor plans for any of our models.....it's quite a journey your on and there are so many choices and opinions - you did the right thing starting your search here on myswag.....

Darren
darren@lifestylecampertrailers.com.au

[Blinky Bill]

As you would expect, there's some very good advice on here. The one thing I'd say is 'take your time' and remember that it's a buyers market.

We started with a soft floor (on road model) & ended up with a hard floor (off road model). Both style of CT's offer heaps of room. It just depends how much time you are prepared to spend erecting it all.

The + & - we find with the hard floor:
+ quick and easy set-up & pack-up
+ the raised floor gives you superior protection from water on the floor during heavy rain
+ flexible set ups . no awning = super fast set-up = 2 minutes & you're in bed (no ropes req'd)
                            . light awning can be left on & packed with the trailer = extra 5 minutes set-up
                            . larger awning (with walls) if staying a few days or more = 30 minutes set-up
- heavier
- more expensive

The + & - we found with soft floor:
+ cheaper
+ you always have an extra fully insect proofed room (need it or not)
+ lighter to tow or move around by hand
- no fast set-up (minimum 10-15 minutes)
- water finds it's way inside the floor area during sustained heavy rain
- difficult to set-up or pack-up in the dark

So that's what works for us two plus a dog.

Have you visited the units for sale on this site? Some bargains to be had.

Cheerio - Wayne