Games for new players - anything a newb needs to know?

[Myst]

Hi all,

new to the forum and camper trailers in general, and despite pretty extensive outdoors experience (fisher and hunter since day dot and formerly an installer at ARB), i'm new to camper trailers and new to taking the family (wife and two littl'uns, aged 1 and 3) out bush. We've got a Toyota hilux which is well set up for touring and camping, but with the brood growing as they do we need more space and the ute just isnt going to cut it any more.

We're eyeing off a trackabout camper at the moment (either Safari extenda or Dakar extenda - like the walk up feature and the extra space in those models) and am pretty happy that they fit the bill nicely, but can anyone suggest traps for newbs like us that are fresh faced in the camper trailer set? Looking in particular for suggestions on what is very handy to take to amuse the kids (and the grown-up's too!), food prep tricks that make life easier, etc etc... Also, mods to the camper trailers that you couldn't do without! 

Any and all suggestions happily received!
Thanks in advance, t he forum is  great resource and learning lots just reading the posts that i have!
Cheers,
Alan & Fliss

[KingBilly]

Welcome to the tribe.  All your answers are on the forum somewhere.  Use the search function and you will be rewarded.  The Trackabouts have a great reputation.  Almost bought one myself.

Happy camping
KB

[middojnr]

Welcome both and have some fun. You may even make a friend or two & find a new favourite camping spot.

like the walk up feature and the extra space in those models

You will never regret the walk up feature. My wife and I are on are second camper trailer and the walk up feature, along with the 12V water pump and the in-built ktichen in the tailgate, where the deciding factors in upgrading ours.

If it weren't for nature (spiders, snakes, and goannas, specifically) I'd get to go (proper) camping more often. 

Cheers,
Peter

[BigJules]

Alan, you're on the right track (pun intended). My new Safari SV Extenda arrives this week  .

Where are you located? The forum is fantastic for asking questions, checking out how others camp, but in the end nothing beats actually going camping with a few other folks. Get along to a camp, or post up a date and location and invite others. If you're anywhere near Sydney we've got a few events coming up out near Lithgow and the Central Coast/Lower Hunter.

[Lori]

To help with food prep, I make a meal plan before we leave (that way I don't overpack the fridge with food we won't use and leave less room for beer!)

Then I pre package my food. Eg) if I'm having a roast I will peel and cut all the veges and then cryovac than ready for use.
We regularly take extra kids camping, often ending up with 5 kids. For lunch we often do sandwiches, because bread for that many ppl is hard to manage, we take wraps - they keep fresher and take up less room.
Often I will pre cook dinner for the first night at home, that way I only have to reheat and eat. It's great after the trip to get there and doing setup.

This one seems to be an issue for some swaggers, but for kids entertainment we have a 12volt tv that we can mount at the end of the bed (it can face the bed or swivel to face the kids beds) or can be moved and mounted on the tailgate near the kitchen (so it can be watched outside) we find it a god send because while our kids love to run play and discover, two of them still get moments of being overwhelmed, very cranky and just need a little quiet alone time to settle back down and enter back into the world of basic humanity! It is also great for the kids wind down at bed time.
Other things that keep them entertained is a bucket, tell them to fill it with interesting looking leaves and rocks..... It works!

[Yarramundi]

Hi Alan & Fliss,  Just picked up a Trackabout Safari Extenda yesterday and very happy, and as you said, the step up with the extra room made the decision for us.  A bit of luxury when you rough it.  Enjoy!