What m I missing?

[jmsaintpierre]

Ok, here we go, correct me if m wrong or missing something.
I have been actively looking to buy a camper trailer. I have pondered over new vs second hand and decided that with the amount of camping we do per year, a second hand would seem more economical and logical.
So, I embarked on my search and looked up, gumtree, caravan sales and this forum. Hoepwever, this is where I hit a cross road.
We have a few requirements, being:
- must be Aust made trailer and canvas
- light weight as we only have a Audi Q5
- good condition ( obviously)
There are some great campers out there, but I seem to miss out everytime, as they are sold by the time I ring or go and visit.  The nearest I came to buying was a jimboomba camper for $8000 ( at the end of the budget). It was in great condition, but I was beaten to the mark.
I have been looking at campers ranging from 5000 to 7500, but there s always something that bothers me, or the wife, be the colour of canvas, condition of canvas, weight.....
So, I started looking at an other option. Having only a q5, it s safe to say w are not going to go to FNQ, so I probably don t need a full of road trailer.
I already have a great portable kitchen that we use when we go camping, got 6 x 20l water jerry cans, So I don t need water tanks nor kitchen.
If the trailer is less than 750, no brakes needed thus cost cutting.
I had a thought of buying a box trailer and fit a tent onto it.
So far, I am able to buy a 7x4 off road PBL trailer for $2100, add another $300 for what they call tent ready ( includes swing out tailgate, and tie downs, Jerry can and gas holder). With a bit of negotiation, I can basically drop it back to $2100.
A near by tent maker, all Aust made canvas under the name of walkabout can fit a tent, annex roof, two wall and annex floor for either $4400 cheaper canvas or $5500 for the dynaproof, or fit a customline for $5000.
So I can get a trailer and tent made in Brisbane  for between $6500 and $7600, only weighing $450kg.
M I missing something? That seems pretty good to me, brand new, Aus made, light weight....
Any advice will be appreciated.
Regards

[McTavish]

An 'A'? 

[edz]

Your not missing anything.. except a bit of time taken to organise / waiting for work being done etc ..
Dazzler laid out very similar to what you are proposing a couple of years ago on here http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367 

[tryagain]

Ok, here we go, correct me if m wrong or missing something.

It really depends on what you are after, if it's just a tent on wheels then that's probably the way to go, if you want some additional features then you need to factor those in as well.
You probably need to think why you want a camper trailer instead of a tent, if it's mainly for carting capacity and the ability to have your camping gear always ready to go then a no frills option will do you fine, If you are wanting to reduce setup times and increase creature comforts then using your existing camping gear in a trailer probably won't change that much.

I have been looking at campers ranging from 5000 to 7500, but there s always something that bothers me, or the wife, be the colour of canvas, condition of canvas, weight.....

Buying second-hand often means limited choice and compromise, especially at the cheaper end of the market. You just need to work out what you are willing to compromise on, if it's features then your new option is probably the way to go, if you think I'd think I would rather not have to be constantly lifting jerry cans for water and having to set up the kitchen from scratch every time, then maybe getting something with your ideal colours is the way to go.

[McTavish]

You will find one...  just need some patience and research.   

If you the home made job then you are going to find it hard to sell later on as no one knows what it is.   But you can put it together from new and just do the basics.

A quick look online.  I agree, good clean units are hard to find.  But you have to know what you will and won't accept.  Just stick to the basic models and you will keep your weight down which you've noted before as being an issue for the Audi...

This one is a bit cheeky using the photos off the website so difficult to determine condition - but does show they are around and under your budget.  Vacation did a Tourer (lighter version but still very capable offroad/rough roads) and a Vacationer (offroad version and therefore heavier).  PS none of these are mine...

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3901066/2009-Vacation-Campers-Tourer?cr=4&category=camping-trailers&psq=%28%28%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%26Make%3D%5BVacation%20Campers%5D%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20Used%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20New%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20Used%29%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20Near%20New%29%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

This one looks to be in good nick - but a bit over budget - but you never know if negotiable?

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3626256/2011-Vacation-Campers-Tourer?cr=6&category=camping-trailers&psq=%28%28%28SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%26Make%3D%5BVacation%20Campers%5D%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20Used%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20New%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20Used%29%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20Near%20New%29%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium

Trackabout also have a great reputation - and one for sale on here.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=49848.0

Others will be along and may even have something for sale?

McT

[Mangrovematt]

We went through the same when we started looking, be prepared to travel to find what you want,We got ours from Dalby.
Widen your search radius on Gumtree, Start at the last page and work back. chances are if it has been advertised for a while they will be keen to negotiate, use key words in your search ,ie Customline camper trailer , or Trackabout camper trailer , Camel camper  trailer ,I mean MDC  (sorry that was cheap) to narrow the search for a Australian made, had a quick look then as an example there is a neat Customline on roader at Lismore 5K but it's on page 20, also a nice one at Bonogin just behind Robina here on the Gold  Coast,another Customline at Clontarf
Some thing will pop up mate, usually when you have just started at work for the day, drop work and go , then hitch up and keep going😄
Matt

[MrCruza]

Think I may have something to interest you sitting in the back yard. A basic no frills soft floor camper on a 7 x 4 heavy duty hot dip gal box trailer.

PM me for more info.

[tryagain]

It might be an idea to consider brakes in your "new diy" scenario as by the time you add water and all your gear you would be up around the weight where they are required so it might be safer to factor that in as well, there have been a few here recently who have realised that their "light weight" camper was heavier than they expected and are having to add brakes retrospectively.

[tk421]

If building your own, I'd rethink your weights and get brakes fitted. Cheaper to do it at time of build than retro fitting.  750kg - 250 for the camper, - 200 for the tent, - 120kg for the water only leaves you 180kg. Spare wheel -30kg, Camper battery -30 kg, how much does your portable kitchen weigh?  You get the idea.   

As tryagain said, what's the reasoning. If it is just carting ability then box trailer with tent is perfectly fine. That was my plan originally, Box trailer to cart the Oztent and the camping gear, but we changed tack slightly and ended up with a full Camper trailer.  You could even get away with a roof top tent on the box trailer and for an annexe use a gazebo, many do. Less weight too - as the RTT's only come in at around 80kg.

As for buying second hand, at that budget, you're probably going to have to be less picky. Colour of the tent doesn't really affect its performance or set up characteristics for example. But there are plenty out there at that budget if you look.. eg This Camel

As said, widen your search. I'm in Sydney but bought from Brisbane sight unseen, but after an hours conversation with the owner.

[D4D]

An 'A'? 

 

[tryagain]

double post

[Bird]

its never as cheap as you think....

then theres the finish... things pay appear where you want them while assembling your lego, but might not be what you hoped for while away picking up broken bits

[Paddler Ed]

its never as cheap as you think....

then theres the finish... things pay appear where you want them while assembling your lego, but might not be what you hoped for while away picking up broken bits

I reckon the safer option for me would have been to multiply my budget by 75% and I'd be somewhere approaching what I'll be into by the end... So far it's been an extra:
-$500 for electric brakes
-$200 for the the brake contorller
-$800 for sand blast and paint of the trailer (couple of iffy welds were spotted, so we've cleaned it all back to get to them)
-$250 for new lights (well, the old ones were off for painting and I needed to wire in electric brakes... and I'm going to pay someone to do the wiring for me which is $200 of that)
-$100 for new shockies as the old ones are flogged out
-$40 for a Blue Slip (now has brakes, didn't beforehand)
_____
$1890
_____
OK some of those are optional, but it's the sort of things to expect that may be needed on a 2nd hand trailer... especially a 20 year old one...

And that was on a trailer I was expecting to be able to put a top and go...

[jmsaintpierre]

Hi all,
thanks a lot for all the info.
will definitely extend our radius and may be travel as far as toowoomba. Got a friend over there that could always go and do first inspection and if good ll drive there.
By the way, what is a A? really confused 
Did not even know about vacation campers. definitely looking good.
as for weight, well, a PBL off road trailer is 290kg, a tent from walkabout at brendale is 60kg, batteries 2 x 30Kg, 100l of water at 100kg, 2 x 4.5gas bottles, kitchen 25kg, inclusive of plates, glasses, cutlery, esky and beers at around 30kg, this makes it 580kg.
on the other hand i did ask customeline to provide a quote for a back to basic camper and it only came down $1000, so not really interesting....may as well buy the complete thing.
Who knew it would be that hard o buy and find a trailer..

[MrCruza]

By the way, what is a A? really confused 

The title. What "A"m I missing?   

[jmsaintpierre]

HI mate, thanks for pointing the grammar error.. after all, i am french so as good of an excuse...
by the way, does anybody have any experience with walkabout campers?
they are on the smaller side but he s got some great ideas, such as his canteen window, which allows to exit the bed from the other side of the bed, saving the climb over the partner.
also, the set up time is drastically short as no spreader bar, just open and  push..
the awning seems attached permanently too.
any advice ?

[Bookleaf]

Just a note about brakes.  I get the impression jmsaintpierre that you may think that electric brakes may be needed and hence extra expense to add a controller to your car.
Trailers with a all-up weight over 750KG need to have brakes by law. These can be mechanical or electric. Trailers over 2000KG, must have electric brakes.  Most manufacturers install mechanical "over ride" brakes when the all-up trailer weight is over 750Kg as these are cheaper and need no modification of, or addition to, the car. 
In the area you are looking at the trailers will have an all-up weight well less than 2000Kg so you should have no need to consider brakes as they should be already part of the package.  Just make sure they work!
The only thing that should be of consideration (and I see you are aware of this) is the total towing capacity of your car and the cars allowed tow-ball weight.  Most trailers aim to have a tow-ball weight about 10% of the total trailer laden-ed weight, but it does vary.

[Hoyks]

For the money, these look OK
http://www.austrackcampers.com.au/product/austrack-semi-off-road-camper-trailer/

[tk421]

Found your camper.....

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=49533.0;topicseen

[jmsaintpierre]

Hi tk421.I did see that trailer, but it s in NSW, near illarawara so a tad far to inspect..

Hi hoyks: austrak are chinese tent i believe (could be wrong) so i did not consider them. If i were going to go for an import tent, i d go the lifestyle option, being brusbane built trailer with a import tent from lifestyle specs.. but thank anyway..

Bookleaf: you r pretty spot on about the brakes.. i am reluctant to invest in a brake controller to be added to the car, as audi will charge me another $1200 for it, so i thought i d go without brakes as less than 750kg but will consider the mechanical override brakes..Though, i did bring it up with a manufacturer and told that it was the same price... and more issues/maintenace down the track..

There s heaps of good campers around , if i had a big four wheel drive...but unfortunately, stuck with the audi q5 (please don t say buy a 4x4, we covered that before  )
So far, i really like the lifestyle campers but they seem a bit heavy.Next are the custimline and track about and vacation..
Camel definitely a strong contestant, but with not being here anymore and taken over by an importer, i am reluctant..
cheers

[Paddler Ed]

What can the Q5 tow unbraked? That'll be a deciding factor as well.

I was looking at putting mechanical override brakes on, but as mine has independent suspension that option wouldn't work (easily) as the brakes would apply differently as the suspension compressed.

I've used mechanical overrides on most of the trailers I have towed in the past, and the only time they play up is at the point that the towcar has no grip for braking as the trailer has nothing to push against as such...

[chisel]

Bear in mind that when it comes time to sell your 'custom-made' camper might not be what others are looking for.  So you might lose more than you would versus buying a 2nd hand australian made camper.

[tryagain]

Bookleaf: you r pretty spot on about the brakes.. i am reluctant to invest in a brake controller to be added to the car, as audi will charge me another $1200 for it, so i thought i d go without brakes as less than 750kg but will consider the mechanical override brakes..Though, i did bring it up with a manufacturer and told that it was the same price... and more issues/maintenace down the track..

There s heaps of good campers around , if i had a big four wheel drive...but unfortunately, stuck with the audi q5 (please don t say buy a 4x4, we covered that before  )
So far, i really like the lifestyle campers but they seem a bit heavy.Next are the custimline and track about and vacation..
Camel definitely a strong contestant, but with not being here anymore and taken over by an importer, i am reluctant..
cheers

From my underastanding most hire units have a simple brake controller mounted on the trailer, might be an option to look into as it would then open up a lot more possibilities for buying. As I mentioned earlier there seem to be alot of posts i've read of people going down the light camper option to avoid brakes only to have to retrofit them later so make sure you double check everything (some of the weight you quoted seem rather optimistic) and then allow a decent margin for things you have overlooked. I personally would be more concerned about the safety aspect than the legality if you are approaching the weight limit and go for a braked option if I were getting close.

How about this one, seems to tick the box's and has the brake controller on the trailer already.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/marburg/camper-trailers/jimboomba-off-road-aluminum-camper/1120934477
It's aluminum so should be reasonably light and comes in within budget before bargaining, would be even cheaper without the boat.

[mrw82]

I borrowed a mates home made camper with a 'walkabout' tent on it. You certainly won't be disappointed in the quality of the walkabout product if you go that way.
We had a bit of an incedent where a ground mat got a couple of holes in it, took it in to Craig and he knocked a new one up on the spot, at a very reasonable price.

Not sure if he's in the videos himself, but Craig is one of the gall boys, of kedron caravans.

[Bird]

Hi tk421.I did see that trailer, but it s in NSW, near illarawara so a tad far to inspect..

You could always arrange others to inspect for you.. been done plenty of times on here.
Many bargain trailers are had interstate.