Recommendations for sub $25k soft floor

[Liege]

Hey guys,

My wife and I have decided to move on from our chinese import hard floor trailer, only due to size. We have a little one and another on the way and need a bit more space. We're fairly keen on a new 2014/2015 Johnno's Tourer but want to see what other good products are out there. We like the Johnno's for the ease of setting up, this is particularly important to us and the amount of storage on the Johnno's walkup trailers seems great.

So hit me with your recommendations, we have cash and are ready to buy!

Cheers

[J.R]

I'm a bit biased,

Lifestyle Elite starting at $19k drive away, add in some extras including independent suspension, and you still get change out of $25k..

They have a hybrid hard floor/roof variant based on their Elite trailer around $23k.

You have a heap of options with $25k to spend.

Good luck.

[J.R]

Just had a quick look.

Lifestyle elite breakaway is a pretty good set up for $23k if your chasing great storage and ease of set up.

No good if you have kids though.

[xcvator]

pm sent

[evolution]

if you can find a rear fold soft floor with a larger tent that would be my option.
That way if you pull up at a van park you don't have to worry about the concrete slab, most of them are really quick to set up and give lots of room.
There are a heap of good quality soft floor campers in your price range. I would still be looking second hand though as you would get into a high end Outback, trackabout, complete campsite, etc etc

Cheers
Nick

[Jakster1]

Hey mate I can recommend johnnos campers. Other campers are constantly amazed how quick I can packup my offroad deluxe by myself when they're still friggen about with theirs, dismantling poles, folding canvas, fighting zippers etc
Misso keeps the kids busy and its a 1 man job (2 would be even easier and quicker)
Quality of workmanship and materials used is up there as is build strength and I really have no gripes.
I did however have to do a fair few mods, mainly electrical as it was a pretty bare bones setup in that regard.
It goes well and I love it😄
Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought a cheaper one with all the bells and whistles already included but it's never let me down in any way whatsoever so those thought go by the wayside fairly quickly.

[Desert lover]

We just love our Challenge Meridian for ease of set up and pack up.  Has a 12 foot tent so there is more room inside - we have taken it north/south/east and west across aus with not a hiccup.   Also have found Gareth and his crew in Adelaide extremely helpful with any questions/queries we have had. 
Can't do better than excellence in our opinion and we have found Challenge to be an excellent camper.
no affiliation other than being extremely satisfied Challenge owners.
Cheers,
 

[Liege]

Jakster, I have a question regarding the Johnno's trailers, how do you find the canvas/tent in high winds? one of my concerns is that there seems to be no bracing between the 3 internal hoops and the way the canvas is stiched on, it seems you can't just bang some 'C' clips on it. I really wanted to go to the JCT-x-R15 with independant suspension but can't justify the extra 5-6K, considering you lose a gas bottle holder and I don't think much of the upgraded kitchen

I really likes the walk up trackabout campers, very similar to Johnno's, a little bit more $$ (but a little bit more included) but not many in the secondhand market... I'll keep an eye out though.

Please guys, keep the suggestions rolling

[barrel01]

I have a 2007 Johnno's and have never had any problems in high wind, the internal poles have never caused an issue and I agree Jakster about ease of set up and pack up.


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[Jakster1]

Jakster, I have a question regarding the Johnno's trailers, how do you find the canvas/tent in high winds? one of my concerns is that there seems to be no bracing between the 3 internal hoops and the way the canvas is stiched on, it seems you can't just bang some 'C' clips on it. I really wanted to go to the JCT-x-R15 with independant suspension but can't justify the extra 5-6K, considering you lose a gas bottle holder and I don't think much of the upgraded kitchen

I really likes the walk up trackabout campers, very similar to Johnno's, a little bit more $$ (but a little bit more included) but not many in the secondhand market... I'll keep an eye out though.

Please guys, keep the suggestions rolling

No problems in high winds. Our fave camping spots are on the beach where it often gets windy and living in nth QLD We're no strangers to summer storms and monsoonal weather and I can't say I've ever been concerned. Once the tent is folded out you stand the internal poles and with the guy ropes in place shes Rock solid.
Another thing which appealed to me when buying was the size and weight. We like to go up the harder tracks to get to the campsite, also soft beach sand, so size, weight and strength were important. That's why I didn't get a step thru style camper it's extra half a meter in length and however much weight. Although a step thru would be nice but it's all About compromise. All depends where your going with it and your own expectations.

[Johnnos3003]

Hey mate I can recommend johnnos campers. Other campers are constantly amazed how quick I can packup my offroad deluxe by myself when they're still friggen about with theirs, dismantling poles, folding canvas, fighting zippers etc
Misso keeps the kids busy and its a 1 man job (2 would be even easier and quicker)
Quality of workmanship and materials used is up there as is build strength and I really have no gripes.
I did however have to do a fair few mods, mainly electrical as it was a pretty bare bones setup in that regard.
It goes well and I love it😄
Sometimes I wonder if I should have bought a cheaper one with all the bells and whistles already included but it's never let me down in any way whatsoever so those thought go by the wayside fairly quickly.

No problems in high winds. Our fave camping spots are on the beach where it often gets windy and living in nth QLD We're no strangers to summer storms and monsoonal weather and I can't say I've ever been concerned. Once the tent is folded out you stand the internal poles and with the guy ropes in place shes Rock solid.
Another thing which appealed to me when buying was the size and weight. We like to go up the harder tracks to get to the campsite, also soft beach sand, so size, weight and strength were important. That's why I didn't get a step thru style camper it's extra half a meter in length and however much weight. Although a step thru would be nice but it's all About compromise. All depends where your going with it and your own expectations.

very bias but x 2 too the tee

Jakster, I have a question regarding the Johnno's trailers, how do you find the canvas/tent in high winds? one of my concerns is that there seems to be no bracing between the 3 internal hoops and the way the canvas is stiched on, it seems you can't just bang some 'C' clips on it. I really wanted to go to the JCT-x-R15 with independant suspension but can't justify the extra 5-6K, considering you lose a gas bottle holder and I don't think much of the upgraded kitchen

I really likes the walk up trackabout campers, very similar to Johnno's, a little bit more $$ (but a little bit more included) but not many in the secondhand market... I'll keep an eye out though.

Please guys, keep the suggestions rolling

I gotta a little sucked into the interdependent suspension thing too, but the solid axle is fine at the end of the day its just a box trailer.

Trackabout? or AUStrack? AUStrack is off shoot from Johnno's not sure how it ties in exactly but the trailers are almost a carbon copy very well built. Their tents look good for a Chinese tent but the Johnno's Tents are better in my opinion.

I think the worst thing about Johnno's are the kitchens.
 
overall they are a good unit I would try to buy one that is a few years old and save some cash to set it up the way you want it. Prob wouldn't buy an exhire one tho.       

[DaveCQ]

For that money you will pick up a secondhand Trackabout Extenda. Awesome family campers which are hard to beat on quality/value for money.Set up time is no issue. Heaps of room, heaps of storage, great kitchens.
Disclaimer....I am biased as a Trackabout owner ......but researched extensively before buying......Good luck deciding.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Jakster1]

I think the worst thing about Johnno's are the kitchens

I replaced the hand water pump with electric tap and also take a baby q weber with us.

The stove top works well but if anything the 4 burners are a tad too close to each other but who uses 4 pots at once anyway. The evolution has a different kitchen setup with a wok burner and BBQ. Built in which looks ok too. Everything has its pros and cons.

[J.R]

Trackabout? or AUStrack? AUStrack is off shoot from Johnno's not sure how it ties in exactly but the trailers are almost a carbon copy very well built. Their tents look good for a Chinese tent but the Johnno's Tents are better in my opinion...




With $25k in your Sky Rocket, why would you even consider an imported tent.

So many great Aussie made campers out there for much less with good canvas tents.

[Liege]

Have been researching all suggestions and one thing that has stood out is that there are none for sale secondhand.. Must be good campers! For the price we're looking at we want a 2012 or later, the newer models. Lots of 2006'ish campers for the $12-15k range. So looks like well probably end up buying new.

[J.R]

With $25k burning a hole in your pocket.

You can pretty much take your pick with any reputable Australian company and buy brand new.

At least you can order what you want and you won't adopt any body else's problems.

[DaveCQ]

Have been researching all suggestions and one thing that has stood out is that there are none for sale secondhand..

Wait till after Xmas holidays is over. They will then pop up on the secondhand market.

[feisty]

very bias but x 2 too the tee

I gotta a little sucked into the interdependent suspension thing too, but the solid axle is fine at the end of the day its just a box trailer.

Trackabout? or AUStrack? AUStrack is off shoot from Johnno's not sure how it ties in exactly but the trailers are almost a carbon copy very well built. Their tents look good for a Chinese tent but the Johnno's Tents are better in my opinion.

I think the worst thing about Johnno's are the kitchens.
 
overall they are a good unit I would try to buy one that is a few years old and save some cash to set it up the way you want it. Prob wouldn't buy an exhire one tho.     

Agree re the independent  suspension. I have it but wonder if I really need it.  Spoke to the salesman recently regarding an upgrade and he said they are dropping the non independent suspension pioneer. Everyone thinks a solid axle is too old school.

[Liege]

Independant was something i really wanted, I have it on my current camper and love it, i think it sits well behind the truck and doesn't bounce wildly on the ruts. Unfortunately all the aussie made campers with independant seem just a touch out of our price range.

[J.R]

Not really.

Lifestyle Elite will give you everything you need including independent suspension for less than $25k.

I know I keep mentioning Lifestyle, but that's ony because I know they do one within your budget as it's what I was looking at a few months ago.

Trackabout, Johnno's are a couple of more that offer what you want within your budget too.

I'm sure there are many others too.

Have you actualy rang anybody or still dreaming.

Many members have provided advise and have pointed you in the direction of aussie made campers for you but it seems you haven't taken anything on board.

I know it's a big commitment, there are heaps out there, it's now up to you.

Ring some of the companies we have mentioned, I reckon will find one with all the fruit including independent suspension.

[Bird]

Lets be honest, 25k your choices are endless in softfloors - even more if you look used. Right up to top shelf...

Why are you looking at soft floors at that price range? Theres plenty of good used hard floors for 25k and they are 1/2 the time to setup and pack away..

You should have a look at Keiths  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45000.0 - Easy to setup? and him being old, his is air operated - and sets itself up.. and its hardly been used as you can see in the photos.
None easier. and plenty of room.

Everyones trailer takes different amounts of time to setup - specially when new due to unfamiliarity and quirks..

I regularly set up ours on my own, once parked and unhitched - the 12 foot tent is up in minutes.

The awning as for most people is the bitch... the physical size of the canvas and moving/lifting/zipping on your own is really sShit

If I was you, I'd be going a used hard floor instantly.

YMMV

[evolution]

Lets be honest, 25k your choices are endless in softfloors - even more if you look used. Right up to top shelf...

Why are you looking at soft floors at that price range? Theres plenty of good used hard floors for 25k and they are 1/2 the time to setup and pack away..

You should have a look at Keiths  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45000.0 - Easy to setup? and him being old, his is air operated - and sets itself up.. and its hardly been used as you can see in the photos.
None easier. and plenty of room.

Everyones trailer takes different amounts of time to setup - specially when new due to unfamiliarity and quirks..

I regularly set up ours on my own, once parked and unhitched - the 12 foot tent is up in minutes.

The awning as for most people is the bitch... the physical size of the canvas and moving/lifting/zipping on your own is really sShit

If I was you, I'd be going a used hard floor instantly.

YMMV

Or a new hardfloor 
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45870.0

On a serious note though. Everyone is different and has different opinions for what suits them.
You are best off looking at a few and setting them up/ packing them away and see how you would pack one.

Cheers
Nick

[Liege]

Hey Guys,

I've contacted quite a few manufacturers and have received info and prices from a couple and waiting for one or two to get back to me. I appreciate all the suggestions and advice.. it's more about not knowing what brands are out there.. I had never heard of elite or trackabout until the start of this thread. I had no need to know, I already have a hard floor camper.

Bird, we currently have a hard floor camper and have looked at photos of Keiths outback. The reason we're switching to soft floor is purely living space, we will very shortly have 2 children under 2, so we need space for two portacots (wife is insisting) and still want to be able to move around especially on wet days. We were "this" close to buying a Cub Spacematic Drover but decided the 1.8 x 6m (3m floor) space would not be enough for us to be comfortable. it's really the lack of width that is restricting. We did not make the decision to part with our hard floor lightly. And i don't want to be putting extra annexes up everytime we stop somewhere for one night.

Nick, Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately the only manufacturer/supplier local to us seems to be johnno's. This morning my wife and I discussed waiting until February for the Newcastle camping show or heading to sydney for the day but we would realistically only get to see 3 shops. I would like to have some idea of the brands I'd be interested in before I start looking at second hand ones as I don't want to waste their or my time, if it turns out to be nothing like what we are chasing.

appreciate the interest and suggestions being offered.

[GGV8Cruza]

Check out this list for the trailers that are owned by members, http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1231.0

I have had two Tambo's and they are a great soft floor trailer in your budget

GG