Alexstein - Some things that I found helpful to consider when we were doing the same as you...
At the end of the day I believe the trailer features come in second to the
actual tent.
The reason we went for a second hand (read affordable for us at the time) 'aussie built' was because the trailer was well made - that was a given - with better quality latches, hinges (when you see how much weight they have to hold up when lifting the packed up tent to access the internal tub you will appreciate the fact they will have to do the job year after year without rusting/tearing away from the base).
As others have mentioned - tricky suspension is ok for a car and maybe for quite heavy caravans - but for a camper trailer I'd rather put my money into the tent.
Number one priority are the TENT QUALITY & FEATURES which make using it a pleasure - and not a compromise - To assist with some questions to ask
- The height of the middle bow so the roof is high and cool for you. If all the walls are vertical (including the one next to the bed if possible - all give you more internal space and keeps your things off the canvas).
- Does it have windows in all sides with quality mesh so midges / mozzies don't make themselves your best friend.
- What about the zips - what a pain when poor quality zips are used and they just stop working.
- Stitching quality and the soft floor thickness/quality - will it stand up to a few sharp stones underneath when set up?
- How about how easy it is to fold it all up? Some new campers sell the fact the tent is huge and the price is low. Great if you have a huge family but really only if it sets up and packs down easy (the less poles and ropes to deal with the better) - you will have less 'robust discussions' about the virtues of camping with the Mrs!
- Think about how much use you will get out of it with a 'happy wife' and consider VALUE rather than PRICE?
Luckily for me - my mates with some quality camper trailers (whom I used to envy when I had my old tent) e.g. Customline, Trackabout, Lifestyle, Vacation, Modcon (yes all Qld made - being we're from Brisbane) gave me these 'pearls of wisdom' and encouraged me to spend a little extra to get a whole lot more for the $$'s.
I'm glad we did - compared to another of my friends who bought a 'well featured trailer' but the tent was just not user friendly so he sold it less than six months later. At then end of the day you're doing your research which is great - go to the factories and camping expos, check out how thick the canvas is and if possible watch some vids of how the tent goes up and down? (you can find some good ones on youtube) Don't rush - sometimes you have to wait to find a good second hand one (and sometimes these manufacturers do an excellent on-road version where you are getting a new and top quality tent with scaled back trailer features - that you can add to later if you get more serious) - check their websites - and make up your own mind depending on your budget and what is most important to you...
McTavish...
