Is this a good value Outback Birdsville?

[Brucer]

Hi. I am in the process of buying my first camper and looking at 2nd aussie built/aussie canvas up to $9k. There isn't a whole lot to choose from unless one is prepared to travel hundreds of klm looking. I am restricting my range to local (Canberra) or the surrounding regions.
Anyway, I came across an Outback Birdsville and just looking for another opinion as to whether it's a good buy and what owners think of them. I notice alot of Sturt owners on this forum but not so many posts from Birdsville owners. btw I do likew the Sturt and if one were to come along at the right price I'd certainly be interested... but back to my question..
I found a 2005 Birdsville for sale locally. It's only been used 6 times and never offroad. It is in excellent condition, garaged and obviously well cared for. This particular unit has a Drifta swing out kitchen (very clean), Camel 60l water tank, lockable toolbox, full annex and inner-spring mattress. With the options I identified it's at least $14k new setup but the guy says more like $16k. No battery, 12v, lighting or anything like that.
The only thing missing I really insist on is brakes! So I will be adding those without a doubt. Asking price is $7k which I though was pretty good. Maybe not a bargain, but a fair price. What do you guys reckon?
Any tips about adding brakes? I emailed Outback Campers and their ALKO brake kit is $650 (plus fitting). I found a 2nd trailer electric brake kit (unused) on EBay locally for $180 but Outback can't confirm it would fit. Here is the link if anyone might be able to advise on that... Cheers!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251133659257?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1182

[Mace]

$7k seems a  more than reasonable price with a drifta allready fitted.

Offer him $6k or  $6500  and see what they say!  Extra bux for the brakes. 

Oh yeah, welcome to the zoo. 
You would usually get 10 replies on your first night on, but there are a few performance issues around at the moment, It can be a lottery getting a server connection!!

Here goes.

 

[Brucer]

Thanks. I noticed re poor performance lately.
I made a $6.5k offer but he wouldn' t do it.

[Crisp Image]

Hi there and welcome to the forum. Outback campers are well built. You will not go too wrong with one.
As for brakes, Fitting brakes is not that hard providing you have some good welding skills.
Remember the trailer has a tare weight of about 500kg so you can only add about 250kg to be under weight. So that is 60kg for water the kitchen, chairs, table, various tarps, food oh and a battery all add up very quickly.
Also remember to consider the cost of a brake controller for the tug in your budget for electric brakes.
I retro fitted ALKO electric brakes to my Sturt but did not have to weld the plates on as it already had them. I got my brakes for $450 from a local supplier (Cash)including the bearings and seals. Make sure you get off road magnets if you intend to go off road.

A trailer that is 7 years old and only used 6 times is still brand new really. Make sure you go over it well if you decide to buy

Any more questions yell out and someone will answer you soon
Regards
Crisp Image

[Tom]

Good price I reckon,the basic Birdsville is $9.000 .
Def go brakes I reckon.
I looked one over a while back at the factory and they are well made.
We are heading for a Sturt.
Cheers.
Titch

[Bird]

I'd say its average compared to this one - newer with brakes AND batteries and extra canvas.

Drive down Fridaynight, pickup Saturday, drive home Sunday - or see if the seller will meet you 1/2 way..

Or see if Speewa has time to tow it up there for you


http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?_N=1549+1552+1602+1601+4294962288+4294963677&R=13212987

Very well cared for camper trailer in excellent condition.
 Includes awning,
extra zip-on room,
side wall,
slide out kitchen,
 60L water tank,
12V battery system with Optima deep cycle battery,
Large lockable tool box on draw bar, Stone guard,
Electric brakes, 2 x 4.5kg gas bottles. Queen size inner sprung mattress




Make Outback Campers
Model Birdsville
Year 2008
Price $7,700*
Last Modified Date 18/08/2012

[Brucer]

Yep, that does look good, and if they were side by side I know which one I'd likely choose. I also see a decent looking Sturt on Trading post for $9000 in Vic which I didn't spot until I'd already said yes on the Birdsville.
True that I put up this post asking for opinions, and I welcome the responses, but to be honest I already said yes to the guy while I was waiting for my forum account to be activated (and then decided to post the question anyway). Sure enough I'm not yet committed (I don't actually have it yet.. handover this weekend), but I don't like to dick people around.
So I could keep looking and drive 100's of K's searching for the perfect bargain camper, or I can go with this one which is local with ACT registration, and by all accounts a fair price, if not a bargain.
I'm reminded of when I bought a 2nd hand Stacer boat off EBay a few years ago and a good boat it is for the money I paid (still have it and love it), but for ages afterwards I'd see others pop up now and again that on the surface seemed better, newer, cheaper, etc. Not many but a few. I expect same will be the case with a CT and the best I can do is to live content that I paid a fair price for a solid unit.
A few weeks back there was a Central Coast Campers walk-up model on EBay for $9500, and within a few hours drive. It didn't get a bid and I while I expressed interest, I didn't have the money available to make a bid or offer of any kind. This thing was barely used, had full annex/walls, kids room, 12V system, SMEV cooktop, LED internal lighting. But as fate would have it, it sold only the day before I was in a position to buy. I though maybe this sort of value was typical, but for the next 4 weeks I have searched and can find nothing even close for the price. So what does one do? Keep waiting and looking, or get myself a camper and start enjoying it? I figured with spring getting close, the increased demand would make it harder, so I decided to jump in, buy something decent, but not regret it no matter what may turn up afterwards. 

[Crisp Image]

OK then so the hard part is done. I admire you for not messing about with a commitment made. Your word is as good as a contract.
So now the easy part. Get it out there and enjoy it. Remember every time you use it it cost you less per use. Use it once it has cost $7k use it twice and the cost per use is $3.5k and it goes on.
soon it will cost you very little per use.
Don't forget to post some photos of your adventures.
Regards
Crisp Image

[Bird]

Sure enough I'm not yet committed (I don't actually have it yet.. handover this weekend), but I don't like to dick people around.

You can always say your finance fell thru.

Your never locked in until the cash changes hand... I work in the theory look after #1. Specially if its going to save you a few grand in the long run.
I've had people sell things from under me while I was driving 7 hours to pick them up to only be handed my deposit back and told to **** off home.

Anyway, buy one nad get out there an enjoyu it as Crispy says

[Matto]

... but for ages afterwards I'd see others pop up now and again that on the surface seemed better, newer, cheaper, etc.

Same as buying a new car, etc. It's always the way!

I admire you for not messing about with a commitment made. Your word is as good as a contract.

+1 to that.

I've had people sell things from under me while I was driving 7 hours to pick them up to only be handed my deposit back and told to **** off home.

Made you feel pretty crappy too, didn't it? Just 'cause everyone does it, doesn't necessarily make it right.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Honestly, I think this original one that you've basically bought is a good buy. Sure, it may not be the absolute cheapest, but as Crisp Image has already alluded to, an extra couple of hundred bucks over the lifetime of the camper is not going to make a spot of difference. This one was local, you could see it, chat with the owner, etc - that's worth the money to me.

Brakes can be added easily. I would want them on any camper I had, just because they work so well offroad. But it's something you can most certainly add down the track. My brother bought an eBay kit and welded it on himself - the F-I-L is about to do a complete axle-swap because he can't be bothered finding the welder in the shed (it could be anywhere...). So you've got heaps of options. Same for the battery + 12v - you get to it it out yourself to your standard, as and when you want to invest. Can spread the cashflow out a bit, and means you end up with what suits you rather than what suited someone else.

Anyway, buy one nad get out there an enjoyu it as Crispy says

As Lost himself would say, "x 11-billion" 

Also, because no one else has, keep in mind that:
 

Cheers!
Matto

[Brucer]

That's true Lost. There is understandable self interest and then there is plain a$$hole as you have described. I suppose it would be worth an uncomfortable phone call to save a $1k or more, and hope that karma doesn't bite me back by the "better" CT turning out to be a lemon. I shot off an email to see if the seller would meet me half way and if he says yes then I'll take it from there.

[LJs GU]

Remember every time you use it it cost you less per use. Use it once it has cost $7k use it twice and the cost per use is $3.5k and it goes on.
soon it will cost you very little per use.

Factor in re-sale value and it's even less...

[Brucer]

The guy was prepared to meet me halfway if I wanted to buy (nit just to look), so we went over it in detail over the phone. I decided while newer it had seen much more use than the local one I had already looked at (and agreed to buy). A good deal without a doubt but I chose to stick with my original decision.
I picked it up today and I'm very happy. The whole thing is like new and I can't wait to get away on our first trip.

[Crisp Image]

Well done! now you need to change your signature line.
Get out there and have some fun.
Regards
Crisp Image

[Mrs smith]

At the end of the day you've bought what your happy with,
and thats what counts.

Well done. 

[BigJules]

They're well made, I had one for a few years. The hitch annoyed me so I changed it for a DO35. No brakes is a real omission by Outback, as they're so heavy in construction that it's inevitable that you'll need to fit them.

[Matto]

Great work Brucer - I'm sure you'll get years and years of good times out of it. They've certainly got a good rep.

Look forward to seeing some photos of it - you'll need to start a new thread in the My Camper section to show it off!

Cheers!
Matto