Box trailer v Camper trailer

[latestarter]

I have been thinking about getting an off road box trailer, well more like a tradies trailer built as I have good quality gear, tents swags etc but am struggling to cart it all with recent additions. Now the issue I'm facing is that the cost of the trailer as I have spec'd puts me in the same price bracket as a good quality second hand soft floor.

Although I don't need a soft floor, I'm finding it hard to justify 8-10k for a trailer with no tent or kitchen when that gets you something substantial secondhand in a soft floor. It would essentially leave thousands of dollars of quality gear redundant. I'm also concerned that a soft floor is just a little bit more restricted as far as campsites go .... Not horrendously so, but with a tent or swag it's always easy to find a spot to roll them out.

I'm looking for reasons to go one way or the other and would love to hear from people that have done both. The tent I have is an extent centre pole type and a breeze to put up, so that is not an issue.

Anyway ....over to opinions ?

[edz]

8 to 10 K just for a box trailer is a bit rich .. Dazzlers idea might be for you, just delete the camper top and kitchen section .http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367

[weeds]

Your gear won't be redundant......we have a good range to select from

Swags
Tents (centre pole touring and a RV4)
Camper trailer
Hiking tents and backpacks

We pick and choose depending on the trip.

[latestarter]

Thanks for the replies. Edz, thanks for the link .... It's a good read and some very good points made.

Your comment on the price being steep was my initial reaction as well. That said, I guess you get what you pay for.

I do like the look of the trailers that Luke from drifta is making, not cheap, but They do look a quality product. His most basic trailer is 7.5k with the dot6 Equip trailer being the closest to what I am thinking about. That is 15.5k, still needing the kitchen added.

It's not a criticism of Drifta as when you look at all the little touches you can see how the cost quickly adds up. Anyway, I'll get there in the end

[mumbls]

Your point re trailer v's camper is something we thought about for quite some time. As a family of 6 we end up going for the trailer option, with a twist (see photos below). Like yourself we had good quality tents, swags etc and our modus operandi is to camp in one place for a week to 10 days. Most of the places we camp free but have no facilities. So we needed to carry every thing in and out. This trailer allows us to carry 300lt of water, 2 40lt gas fridges, HWS, built in kitchen with all dry goods and everything else 5 females can think to pack. The 2 main downsides to my particular trailer is its a bit of a brick in the wind (but does tow straight and true) and being rather large, a lot of crap can be packed. Apologies for the photo quality, they're the only ones I had on the lappy.

[latestarter]

Thanks for the reply mumbls. That's a nice setup.
Cheers

[gphcald]

Southern Cross Campers in penrith do a full offroad trailer for about 3 1/2 K
Good trailer heavy duty. Dont know where the 8-10K is coming from

[wedwards]

I have a 7x5 trade trailer that fits tents and gear for 2 adults and 3 kids. We have just decided to go to forward folding camper trailer for 2 reasons.  The bed - to sleep on a real mattress instead of sleeping mats/air mattresses etc was starting to get annoying as I really don't sleep well on that stuff at all - tried all sorts of things in every price bracket and no go.  Second reason was that everything we need will have its place in the trailer in a reasonably easy and accessible manner - if it doesn't have a place and fit well, it will be left behind. The reasoning behind this is that we currently travel with 2 tents (black wolf turbo canvas and black wolf 4 person), camp kitchen, camp pantry, chairs, bikes, kayaks, weber q, gas cooker, plus all the paraphernalia of games and stuff for kids , simply because we can and have the room. In effect a fairly costly "upgrade" ($20k) to camper trailer will be a downsizing and simplification for us. The ability to stop on side of the road and quickly slide out kitchen to make a meal will be essential for us when we travel Western Australia later this year as well.

Not sure if I will sell the current trailer at this stage as I do like it, but it's a hell of a lot of work on one hand, but something you can easily add to over time on the other.

Only suggestion I would have is if you know someone who can weld, it's a fairly simple task to build a decent trailer to whatever spec you want, and that could save you a LOT.

Here's a pic of us in full flight on our way to merimbula a couple weeks ago.




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[mumbls]

Just an add to my original post. Not sure of the type of camping you do/want to do. But I found having a firm idea of this will help your choice, we made a list as part of our decision making process. As said we camp for  week or more totally void of all amenities, so need to carry everything (water is a big part). We also don't tend to move to often. This makes our trailer ideal for us. On the other side, if you move often or use caravan parks. Then a camper, whatever style, may work. We found the camper didn't carry what we needed or give us the freedom wanted due to its lack of carry capacity. Both water and general stuff.   

[Mitch92]

Depends on your needs.

I'm going to build a camper based on a box trailer. Using independent suspension, probably 7x4 (maybe only 6x4). Steel costs are quite low, <$1000. Suspension (regardless of ind. or not) and axles costs more than the steel by far! Also it is the small bits like hitch, Jerry can holders etc that all add up!

Some figures I have run:
Panels - $400
50x50x4 for chassis - ~$300 (3xlengths)
100x50x3 for the drawbar - $100
= $800

Independent suspension - ~$2000 (huntsman is cheaper, but I believe not the same quality)
Solid axle rebound leaf suspension - ~$1000 (both of these include brakes and hubs ready to go)
= $2000


Hitch - $400
Jerry holders - $100 (if you don't make yourself)
Gas bottle holder - $50 (as above)
Toolbox for drawbar - $250
Wheels x 3 - $200
Tyres x 3 - $500
Lights - $80
Cable - $20
Jockey wheel - $300
= $1900

= $4700 plus other little costs here and there etc.


I will be doing a solid roof and mounting a rooftop tent to that as the tent.

Also going to add in a kitchen, either pull out from side or from rear with tailgate open.

As you can see it all adds up! Work out exactly what you want, then maybe get prices to work on from there.

[GBC]

My trusty tool trailer with rtt. For occasional use.
Maybe the layout will assist you.
I'll be getting rid of this soon if you want to make a silly offer.

[latestarter]

Thanks to everyone that has replied.

Gphcald, I am well aware of SCT, I actually got a quote from them, it was 10k. But as I said in my earlier posts, I was after more like a trade trailer, similar to the drifta dot 6 equip, which is 15k. The trailer I got quoted from SCT was similar to the dot 6 and is probably good value as I look at it now.

That said, it still didn't have a tent and back to my original post, the issue I'm tossing up is really the value of a new trade style trailer v a quality second hand soft floor.

Yeah, if I could weld well enough I'm sure I could save a s### load.

Anyway, I really do appreciate all responses.

[BrisVegasGolfer]

Great thread.  We've had a camper for the past year, but before that we were car-based with a touring tent and a pretty minimalist setup.  We're going to sell our camper and reassess things.  We've found the camper we have is not nimble enough for us.  It's more of a base-station setup.

Like others have mentioned, it's really important to work out what your typical camping will be.  For us, it tends to be touring, with lots of overnight stops and the odd 2,3,4 night stay somewhere.  We rarely stay put in one spot for a week.  I get bored with that and my wife would prefer to book a room in a resort for that sort of stay.

The drifta trailers look very good and would suit the sort of trips I have done and want to continue to do.  The drawers and car-back kitchens they do look good too, for when we want to take just the car.  If only money grew on trees eh!

[wedwards]

Yeah, if I could weld well enough I'm sure I could save a s### load.

Seriously mate, a quick night course would have you mig welding in no time,  and a really good welder sets you back $1000 or less. Good basic trailer plans you can modify to your liking are widely available as well so you don't accidentally build something structurally unsound etc.  At the end of it you have saved thousands, have a welder for other jobs, and let me tell you it's a great skill and piece of gear to have if you have a trailer. You'd be surprised how often I make little mods to stuff.


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[JB]

Or do what I did.  Keep an eye out for bargains on eBay or Gumtree.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=45966

Cheers

JB


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[wedwards]

That was a massive bargain!! Nice work


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[gphcald]

Thanks to everyone that has replied.

Gphcald, I am well aware of SCT, I actually got a quote from them, it was 10k. But as I said in my earlier posts, I was after more like a trade trailer, similar to the drifta dot 6 equip, which is 15k. The trailer I got quoted from SCT was similar to the dot 6 and is probably good value as I look at it now.

That said, it still didn't have a tent and back to my original post, the issue I'm tossing up is really the value of a new trade style trailer v a quality second hand soft floor.

Yeah, if I could weld well enough I'm sure I could save a s### load.

Anyway, I really do appreciate all responses.

Apologies i should read the posts more thoroughly
 

[latestarter]

Gphcald ... No apologies necessary... It's all good.

JB ... Agree with other comments ...you did very well there ... And your build is great reading as well.

Wedwards ... My wife liked your suggestion ... I have thought about it, I guess it comes down to priorities  for your your leisure time. Between sports, other interests (boats / fishing) and maintenance on a near 100 year old house .... I never seem to have time to scratch myself. But, It is probably the best option.

Thanks to everyone .... I really do appreciate the responses and it's given me plenty to. Think about.

Cheers and happy new year