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Offline whitey001

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recommendations and ideas
« on: November 13, 2014, 04:31:57 PM »
Just joined up as we have decided to upgrade from the tent to a camper trailer. Have started to look around but as many others, limited by family budget constraints. Garage space is also a limiting factor.  Just wondering what others would recommend or suggest to look at to meet the following criteria:

Up to 10k max budget (ideally 8k)
7x4 trailer (might be able to sqeeze 7×5 with changes to garage)
Fit 2 adults and 2 kids 7&9
Ability to seal awning including floor
enough space we don't try and kill one another

Most stays will be powered caravan park sites so full/serious off road ability not required
Will be towed by a 3.6 Subaru Outback (750 unbraked/1500 braked)
long weekend trips away and 1 to 2, 1 week trips annually

Wife would like new but I'm open to new or used options.

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Offline muzza01

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2014, 04:38:48 PM »
For 4 people I would defo be looking at a soft floor camper.  I guess you have the option of getting a new imported CT or a 2nd hand Ausssie one.    There are so many 2nd hand bargains out there that $8k will get you a real good camper. The advantage of 2nd hand is that usually the CT has been modified by the previous owner to include better options such as water, power, lighting etc.

$8k is a great budget that will easily get you a good CT with plenty of accessories.  Good luck and welcome to MySwag.
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Offline gronk

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2014, 07:03:04 PM »
Ability to seal annex including floor ?   that might be hard .. what are your thoughts there ?? or do you mean the inside floor area ??...

I personally would go used, and as said there are lots of good ones around your budget..

Most soft floors are very similar ...bed on top....bunks/beds down below for kids...kitchen on the tailgate..

Whats not similar is the ease of putting one up...or down....and this small ( major really ) point can be the difference between enjoying camping or feeling like parking the thing in the garage and forgetting it..

You need to do some serious looking around and don't be afraid to ask advice about any particular camper....but also expect some unhelpful comments !!
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Offline whitey001

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2014, 08:57:48 PM »
By sealing the annex I mean full wall/floor to make another room without water or rain coming in. 

Surfing the net (again) and it looks like I'll be making a few trips to Johnno's to check out their used/ex hire ones for sale

Al.
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Offline bobnrob

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2014, 07:42:00 AM »
I don't know about Aussie made, but our import had an annex floor that velcro'd to the annex walls to seal it all up.
Our import was also a major pain in the derriere to put up with all the extra poles needed   :(  mostly for the annex...ok though if we were staying in the one spot for 4-5+ days.

Also be aware of size limitations in van parks. Some CT's you'll need to book the neighbouring site if the camper is to large  ;)
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Offline Bird

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2014, 08:20:40 AM »
Look in the Forsale section here... plenty of quality trailers that are cheap and suitable.
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Offline muzza01

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2014, 09:23:48 AM »
Whereabouts in OZ are you from Whitey?
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Offline whitey001

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2014, 12:14:48 PM »
muzza01, I'm in the South East suburbs of Melbourne.  Quickly ducked up to Johnno's this morning to see what they have and after seeing a "proper" canvas camper vs. the cheaper ones I've previously seen I think our budget may change if the wife still wants new. 

Talking to Scott up there and there were a few other details/suggestions he made that could influence what we are looking at.  [queue thinking music]..........

Plenty more to see and check out.  The looking has only just begun.

Al.
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Offline muzza01

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2014, 12:23:18 PM »
Well you are doing the right thing, check out and compare as many different CT's as you can. There are quite a few members in your neck of the woods that would be happy to show you the differences.
Good luck with your hunting.
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Offline Bird

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2014, 12:33:00 PM »
Go check out Tru Blue in Mordiallic too.
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Offline NewieCamper

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2014, 01:13:15 PM »
We got a 12' tent soft floor. A good size, easy to put up/down. The size is good for us with three kids, 9,7&2. The annex has full floor and walls. Haven't used the full walls yet, only the screen walls once. When we camp it's an outdoor thing so I don't reckon the annexe walls will get used. It was purchased 2nd hand and has a few little extras. It towed ok behind my old forester, but slows it down a bit much so the big car is the choice for dragging it around.
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Offline dazzler

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2014, 01:30:47 PM »
Why not hire a few different types

(apologies if someone else mentioned that)
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Offline Bird

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2014, 01:32:13 PM »
Quote from: dazzler on November 14, 2014, 01:30:47 PM
Why not hire a few different types

(apologies if someone else mentioned that)
Best advice yet. find what works for you and doesn't work

I actually looked on ebay just now theres tons of Jayco's even for weekend hire...
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Offline whitey001

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2014, 04:21:14 PM »
Wife is really liking the Outback Campers.  Checked them out and very impressed with the quality and service from the guys down there.  Just moved to the top of the shortlist.  Also close by for any further "extras" we decide on.

Al.
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Offline Nay-DMAX

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2014, 06:05:02 PM »
I agree with hiring some if you can.  We are 2 adults and 2 dogs they sleep on the camper floor.  We have a 9ft soft floor camper if you needed more chairs 12ft might be better some get too big.  We have the walls floor and tailgate cover we have never had the annex floor on or the tailgate cover and probably twice had the full walls on depends on the weather. Ease of setup does make getting out and about more appealing. We have a pretty good set up plan going now that doesn't usually involve fights  :cup: good luck with your search
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Offline Snapman007

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2014, 09:13:17 PM »
Quote from: Nay-DMAX on November 15, 2014, 06:05:02 PM
We have a pretty good set up plan going now that doesn't usually involve fights  :cup: good luck with your search



Lol, don't spoil everyone else's enterainment.
 :cheers:
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Offline Alan Loy

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2014, 04:35:19 AM »
Quote from: whitey001 on November 15, 2014, 04:21:14 PM
Wife is really liking the Outback Campers.  Checked them out and very impressed with the quality and service from the guys down there.  Just moved to the top of the shortlist.  Also close by for any further "extras" we decide on.

Al.


According to this thread there are 30 Outback owners on here with more who have owned them in the past.  All the comments I have heard have been positive.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1231.0;topicseen
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Offline mheloy

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2014, 05:24:44 AM »
bookmarked... good luck on our journey whitey

Are Johnoss and Outback Campers made in AU?
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Offline Nay-DMAX

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #18 on: November 16, 2014, 04:43:00 PM »
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Offline whitey001

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #19 on: November 16, 2014, 07:14:59 PM »
Looks good but not sure if we have the space for a 12ft tent to open up at home to dry etc.....  (now where did I put that tape measure???)

Al.
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Offline fuji

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #20 on: November 16, 2014, 07:22:03 PM »
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Offline Nay-DMAX

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #21 on: November 16, 2014, 07:42:26 PM »
Quote from: whitey001 on November 16, 2014, 07:14:59 PM
Looks good but not sure if we have the space for a 12ft tent to open up at home to dry etc.....  (now where did I put that tape measure???)

Al.

We are lucky we are in rural Vic but we would still have to set it up in the open if it was wet.  We have so far not set ours up at home after trips have been pretty lucky I guess, do you have friends or family with space to set it up? It would be a good by at that price if it has been looked after in the couple of years since new.
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Offline whitey001

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #22 on: November 16, 2014, 08:12:54 PM »
Trying to work out options now.........

Al.
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Offline Nay-DMAX

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2014, 08:18:36 PM »
Quote from: whitey001 on November 16, 2014, 08:12:54 PM
Trying to work out options now.........

Al.
:cup: :cup: :cup: good luck
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Offline xcvator

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Re: recommendations and ideas
« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2014, 09:01:29 PM »
I'm a bit biased coz I have an "outback campers" unit BUT the backup and after sales service from Jimmy and his crew is nothing short of excellent. I've had a couple of problems and they were fixed asap with no dramas, the quality and weight of canvas used is almost too good  :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:
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