looking at buying a camper.... need help

[mickbarb]

Hi Everyone,
Im in the market for a good camper trailer with a budget of 25K, i have seen cheaper/chinese models for 6K but my old man has always told me you get what you pay for and i only want to buy one. im not to sure wether to go hard or soft floor. The main trips in the camper are going to be weekends to dams and rivers to fish with my kayaks or tinny but we are also planning a trip through the centre next year as well as places like kangaroo island. We dont have kids yet so size isnt a huge drama but the wife likes to have ample water for showers and cooking and a fair bit of storage and also wants something that is quick and easy to setup.... so she doesnt want much at all 
I recently hired a johnnos camper, it went up quickly and didnt have any dramas with it at all and upon returning the camper, my wife seen the Evolution. It had the armour pack with all the bells and whistles for 24K on road as it was an ex demo. the main drama i had with this camper was the suspension, is 9 leaf eye to eye good or should i invest in a camper with independent suspension... is this a good camper or are there better alternatives?
my tow vehicle is a dual cab px Ranger
hope you guys can steer me in the right direction
cheers - Mick

[muzza01]

Presuming second hand is OK for you, $25k budget should get a nice second hand Cub, KK, Cape York etc. checkout the classifieds on the forum or Gumtree in your surrounding area. good luck.

[D4D]

Hi Mick, welcome to myswag.

For $25K you can get yourself a ripper soft floor. The suspension debate is like debating Ford or Holden, I have had both and personally like the simplicity of an eye to eye leaf setup. Also have a look at Trackabout, Complete Campsite, Customline. All depends on what features you are looking for.

[sunshine]

there are plenty campers and options available .....

plenty of homegrown quality ..just need to focus on what brand and options
but what suits you're needs and the locations you'll be mainly visiting ??

Johnnos evolution ...and off road work

exactly as you have stated ...  id still do a comparison on a similar trailer to compare ..bang for buck
best of luck ..but sounds like you're on track

Id throw in the mix a 2nd hand  mountain trail camper  ...heaps of storage  ..

although im biased as I own one 
cheers mick

[mickbarb]

Few more questions...
what are the advantages of a hard floor vs a soft floor? (pretty sure this has been covered before)
would you guys recommend the evolution for off road?
what the difference between to different tow attachments? the rental i had was a hylands.. what is the best
is wax converters the best tarp?
i only want an aussie made camper, ive heard nothing but dramas with some chinese built trailers

i will look up these other campers ASAP. cant wait to hook up and go see more of this cracking country

Thanks heaps for the input

[muzza01]

Hard floor vs soft floor.
The main tent of a hardfloor is setup within a couple of minutes. Which one is better? i dunno, the are differences in opinion. i prefer the hardfloor but the next guy might prefer softfloor. have a look at both and make up your own mind. The annexe takes much the same time as a soft floor. For me, the more times you setup the annexe, the quicker it gets. I picked up a few tips at our FNQ Xmas get together that will certainly save us more time next time we use the annexe.

Leaf vs independent.
 Another can of worms depending on whom you ask. I think those who own leaf and axle will prefer that and owners of independent will prefer that style.

Hitches. I use an OZHitch but once again everyone will have different opinions. I think all well known brands are very good and do what they are supposed to do. Beware of Chinese copies of the TREG. I originally had one on my CT and removed it. There is nothing wrong with the real TREG or TRigg versions.

[D4D]

I'll add to what Muzza has said, for 2 people, quick setup, hard floor is the go. When you need extra room for the family then soft floor is the go. Most people get it right by the time they have purchased their 3rd camper

[Tractor88]

Hi Mate,
We nearly settled on the Johnnos Camper Evolution with all the bells but went with a hard floor camper in the end. The range at Johnnos are excellent in my opinion and the Evolution is as tough as nails and will get you wherever you want to go. We in the end went hardfloor as we liked the idea of quick setup and staying off the wet muddy ground in foul weather. Has worked a treat thus far and we are very happy with our choice. Horses for courses. Good luck with your choice and your budget should allow for an excellent Aussie built camper as already mentioned.
Cheers.

[Silvo]

I'll add to what Muzza has said, for 2 people, quick setup, hard floor is the go. When you need extra room for the family then soft floor is the go. Most people get it right by the time they have purchased their 3rd camper

LOL.. fair comment.. i owned a soft floor, then a hard floor, now the "hybrid" (van).

this one had better stay put.

25k will find you a nice camper.. try a few different ones out if you can to see what you like.

my wife wanted something fast to setup, hard door, and bunks already mnade up for the kids. point is that everyone's needs are different.

[mickbarb]

could you guys recommend a hard floor camper to hire? i could go towards newcastle or sydney.
i will try and hire one this weekend coming to get a better feel of the different types
one last question, a mate of mine has a camper with a gas cooker in the kitchen but doesnt use it as he thinks it will ruin the canvas, he sets up a little webber outside the annex... to me this sounds fairly odd. is he right?

[muzza01]

Does sound a bit weird about ruining canvas. My wife absolutely loves the stovetop, sink, etc. makes things much easier to setup and prepare food.

[Pipeliner]

could you guys recommend a hard floor camper to hire? i could go towards newcastle or sydney.
i will try and hire one this weekend coming to get a better feel of the different types
one last question, a mate of mine has a camper with a gas cooker in the kitchen but doesnt use it as he thinks it will ruin the canvas, he sets up a little webber outside the annex... to me this sounds fairly odd. is he right?

No.  Assuming the kitchen has been designed properly for the camper using the cooktop will not affect the canvas.

[nuthermug]

Have you had alook at the Cameron camper easy concept , proberbly the easiest softfloor camper to put up , by the way I have 0ne for sale!

[mickbarb]

could you send some pics and pricing for the camper?

[nuthermug]

I will set the camper up and take some photos when  the weather is a bit better it,s raing at the moment. The price is $20,000 with extras if your interested Iwill email the info you require.

[mickbarb]

thanks. looking forward to the photos. email is michael.barber1@bigpond.com

[mickbarb]

can you get a hard floor and put extra rooms on? the wife wants to know in case we end up with some tin lids

[D4D]

can you get a hard floor and put extra rooms on?

Yep, typically an option at time of purchase, a bit hard to retrofit if you don't have the matching zips/Velcro.

[briann532]

Gratuitous plug here...............

But I have a Jayco Hawk all setup for outback touring with heaps of fruit, solar, instant gas hws etc etc for sale after christmas.....

$25k and you can have it all.

Brian

[xcvator]

And just to really stuff up the conversation there s something like this 
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=21005.msg367463#msg367463 

[Goose]

The Johnno's have a big vent on the sloping side wall, that is basically above the kitchen so I don't think gas fumes on the canvas is much of an issue.

[mickbarb]

would it be worth buying a cheaper used model of caravan and then speccing it up with kitchens, bigger tanks, storage etc?

[nuthermug]

Email sent Mickbarb, my camper has a dpor drifta kitchen , water tank and large storage/toolbox

[Renfrew]

Try the following website

http://www.qorf.org.au/_dbase_upl/2.ShopOnline.pdf  Plenty of links to caravans, campers, motorhomes etc.New, secondhand, dealer location & specials.

Only way to shop.
JohnG

[shakey55]

Hi kick. 25k will get you a great camper.

I bought my first camper late last year after a very long time comparing, looking, asking questions etc.

I eventually bought a Central Coast Camper (Central coast NSW), walk up version.

Total cost $20,000 on the road. Brand new, all Australian built, and owner Terry is canvas maker and builds the tents insure and will discuss modifications. Check out his website and give him a call.

http://www.centralcoastcampers.com.au

PM if you have any questions I can help with.



'shakey'