Going backwards?

[1302toby]

I have a 2012 jayco eagle outback which is great for a family.. But recently have been thinking of going back to a tent and off-road box trailer. We have a ten year old freedom touring tent and could get a larger version for more room if needed. Pros of tent, six pegs and a centre pole and done. Cons, no indoor space, cooking areas etc..The jayco takes up a far bit of space intake carport whereas a trailer can be used for multiple purposes. We have a babyq, stove and hot water system to transfer if needed. I know the freedom tents are bulletproof and assume others like southern cross are too. Am thinking box trailer with water tank, slide out kitchen etc would be just as comfortable with more portability and more everyday use. Has anyone else done this or am I just thinking stupid?

[Garfish]

The thing I would miss going back to tent is a bed.  Especially with older knees getting up from floor is getting harder. 

[Bird]

I have a 2012 jayco eagle outback which is great for a family.. But recently have been thinking of going back to a tent and off-road box trailer. We have a ten year old freedom touring tent and could get a larger version for more room if needed. Pros of tent, six pegs and a centre pole and done. Cons, no indoor space, cooking areas etc..The jayco takes up a far bit of space intake carport whereas a trailer can be used for multiple purposes. We have a babyq, stove and hot water system to transfer if needed. I know the freedom tents are bulletproof and assume others like southern cross are too. Am thinking box trailer with water tank, slide out kitchen etc would be just as comfortable with more portability and more everyday use. Has anyone else done this or am I just thinking stupid?

Plenty of people doing this... lot of money sittin in the driveway there... not so with a box trailer.. and if you already have all the tent etc, then go for it.

[Skinnee]

Unless you spend big you are only camping under canvas anyway. Have owned a soft floor , ultimate camper. Given we only get out a few times a year due to our job commitments it's hard to justify $$ in the driveway.

We are back to tents  and are looking at Drifta DOT base trailer for dual purpose use. Looked at some cheaper Offroad trailers here in SA but didn't like the quality and options they come with.

[1302toby]

Yep, lots of dollars in the driveway doing nothing.. And jaycos seem to sell pretty well and quickly too. Might be time to give it a clean up and get rid of it.

[Greeny]

If you're looking for dual purpose use, sell the van and buy a soft floor that you can remove the tent from and effectively be left with a box trailer.

That's what I do with mine, although it takes 4 guys to lift the tent off it's worth it. I've also just learnt that CT's are designed for the extra weight and don't like being towed empty, so be weary of that.

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[Marcus73]

I've only been thinking of this myself of late. I currently have the camper plus another trailer and the majority of my trips are overnighters or at best 2 nights. Seriously considering selling both, buying an offroad trailer, fitting a water tank, front box for some electrics and either a rooftop tent or go back to swags as the camper only really gets slept in and used carry gear. One trailer, one rego, dual purpose = $'s in my pocket.


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[GeoffA]

Go back to handling everything 4 times??? Not for me......

[jayjay]

The rationale all sounds good..... until you remember why you bought the campertrailer in the first place.......
I have to say- I really do like my bed in the CT- and being up off the cold hard ground has lots going for it!!

[Skinnee]

Go back to handling everything 4 times??? Not for me......

I would agree with you if it's just tents, but tents and a box trailer with a Drifta camp kitchen wouldn't be much different for a family. Hard floor and box trailer need to be loaded with food and clothes, only real difference is the tent/ bedding is already there.

Takes us 30mins to fully setup our Oztent and beds, (flys, awning , side panels). You wouldn't get much change out of a hard floor in that time with a full set up.

[speewa158]

Set up time for a Hard floor , roll out , place chair , grasp can         
As 2nd can is being replaced your still watching a tent go up & on we go
                       What ever floats your boat                   
& the leckie blanket running off the inverter
   & the LED lights at the flick of a switch
      & it follows me where ever we go                             

[GeoffA]

I would agree with you if it's just tents, but tents and a box trailer with a Drifta camp kitchen wouldn't be much different for a family. Hard floor and box trailer need to be loaded with food and clothes, only real difference is the tent/ bedding is already there.

Takes us 30mins to fully setup our Oztent and beds, (flys, awning , side panels). You wouldn't get much change out of a hard floor in that time with a full set up.

....perhaps, but who does a full setup? I know we don't. Minimal setup for us always....

Having a dual purpose box trailer is the problem (and I still have mine). If it's kept empty for other uses, it needs to be loaded before you can go camping. Then it needs to be unloaded when you get to the camp site, reloaded to come home, and unloaded again when you get home. Way too much handling for me.

I understand that some space and dollars could be saved by going down that path, but the time and effort to do it all would grow old very quickly for me (and it did).
It's where most of us started, and the reason we got dedicated campers. There is no perfect solution.....

 

[D4D]

I wouldn't say it is going backwards, you're just evolving your camping setup.

We have 4 modes of camping:
1 - Swag, for overnight trips on my own
2 - Oztent, for overnight/weekend trips with my son
3 - Camper, for family trips
4 - Cabin, for family trips

Bottom line is, whatever mode/equipment you choose it needs to be efficient to pack and setup, and suitable for the job.

[speewa158]

lts bad enough having to hook up & chuck in the food , cloths &  .Having to pack everything each time leaves you open to forgetting something , & you know whom would get the blame                     

[GeoffA]

The rationale all sounds good..... until you remember why you bought the campertrailer in the first place.......
I have to say- I really do like my bed in the CT- and being up off the cold hard ground has lots going for it!!

Agree with that ^.

Not interested in sleeping on the ground any more.....

 

[Rumpig]

Bottom line is, whatever mode/equipment you choose it needs to be efficient to pack and setup, and suitable for the job.

X2 on this...have seen some pretty ordinary tent and camper trailer set ups over the years that people use, ones that take up way to much time to set up and pull down when you should be sitting back relaxing instead.

[feisty]

Would be hard to go backwards I reckon..... how many nights do you use the camper in a year? If not many then probably worth selling it but if you use it I a lot I'd keep it.
Just come back from camping with work mates. One has an old track camper. Not sure what year but the sticker has a 7 digit phone number on it. He picked it up for 5 grand and it is brilliant.  Yeah it's old and the canvas isn't as clean as it once was but a great bit of kit considering. Might be worth downsizing to something like that.

[paulo]

What about when it rains and is cold and miserable.

And then if you get rid of it, and decide you want it back, more $$$, and you have to find one to suit.

To answer your question, I think you're thinking stupid.

[chillipepperz]

How about hiring a camper for those times you want the comfort and convenience?

Cheers!
Andrew

[Alan Loy]

Would be hard to go backwards I reckon..... how many nights do you use the camper in a year? If not many then probably worth selling it but if you use it I a lot I'd keep it.
Just come back from camping with work mates. One has an old track camper. Not sure what year but the sticker has a 7 digit phone number on it. He picked it up for 5 grand and it is brilliant.  Yeah it's old and the canvas isn't as clean as it once was but a great bit of kit considering. Might be worth downsizing to something like that.

We just moved from tent to an Outback Canning that we picked up for $6500.  Much quicker, more comfortable and it doesn't owe us much. 

It parks in the same space as a normal trailer

[doc evil]

Box trailer,  bolt/slide frame with a rooftop tent........
Frame could slide on or jerry rig a way to hoist off.
best of both worlds. Off the ground and comfy bed.