Camper trailers

[Bundybird]

Just wondering what would be a good c/t for a family of 5. 2 adults and 3 kids under 7. Done the tent camping a lot and would like the ease of a c/t for a change. Not sure of prices but have a budget of about $6500. Should i go new or secondhand. I know its a broad area but any tips from you all would be a great help as the little lady gets sick of the packing and unpacking with the rugrats running around. Wont be doing a great deal of offroad as i only have a Holden Captiva. Thanks.

[boys play]

We paid $5500 for an off-road 'camper 9' (Oztrail tent) new a couple of years ago. Since fitted it out with extra storage, kitchen, spare, water tank etc. Have now just said goodbye to another $500 (parts only) for overrider drum brakes as the extras took the weight over 750kg. Been very happy with it, but it still takes us an hour to get it set up with the annex...about 20mins for an overnighter.
A budget of $6500 would get you a good second hand camper.
cheers
Ian

[cormorant]

2nd hand hard floor with plenty of storarage and outside kitchen so you can do roadside pullovers and feed the masses accessing everything.

Do a search for the campertrailer forums as they also have a for sale section and some people upgrading often let stuff go at a reasonable price and it is already sorted and fitted out. The costs of all the extras add up really fast and most people don't use them enough to wear them out.

You will end up loading it up so don't go cheap as it will be a world of pain trying to upgrade. Better to buy a heavier one to start with with correct suspension and brakes to save wear and tear on your car. Careful with your towball weights on a captiva as they don't handle the best as it is.

Rent one as a trial to see what style meets your needs but look for simple hard wearing ones so it has resale. Depends a lot on if you do many short stays or longer stays.

[Heath]

I got mine from Castle Campers.

Can't fault it.

www.castlecampers.com.au

[Triple]

Check out the market direct campers - http://www.marketdirectcampertrailers.com.au/ -Mixed reviews on them but nothing major - Off road version with 23x15 tent is PLENTY big enough for 5 and if buying from EBAY will come well under your budget. (under 5k fully optioned for T box alloy). make sure you get the spreader poles with it.

[mull dog]

have a look on myswag.org/forum . there are millions of trailers out there.

[chisel]

I'll second myswag for a look.
You should get a pretty good 2nd hand australian-made soft-floor camper trailer for that sort of money. eg. a customline, camel or similar. They start at about $8k new but usually over $10k with options.
You can no doubt get a new camper with all the bells and whistles from the likes of Market Direct or GIC .... but I strongly suggest you do a lot of reading in forums before going that way. Many have had issues. Many others are quite happy too - but make sure you do your research first.

If you going from tenting to a camper trailer I'd be wary of getting anything too big and complicated as it may well take longer to setup than your previous tent setup.

Here's another good link for trailers
Manufacturers: http://www.campertrailers.org/manufacturers.htm
For sale: http://www.campertrailers.org/camper_trader.htm

[griz066]

Check out the market direct campers - http://www.marketdirectcampertrailers.com.au/ -Mixed reviews on them but nothing major - Off road version with 23x15 tent is PLENTY big enough for 5 and if buying from EBAY will come well under your budget. (under 5k fully optioned for T box alloy). make sure you get the spreader poles with it.

Stay clear of these cheap and nasty campers

[griz066]

For everything camper trailer
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php

[Seahorse]

i got mate who builds them. very good quality.
redcliffe

[lenrok]

I bought a second hand fully optioned 12ft offroad customline about 12months ago for $5500, was 4 years old and not a mark on it! You'll need to be patient but good buys do come up! It took us about 6months to find the trailer we liked. Customline make a great trailer. Would I buy another one...for sure!

I liked the idea of having the manufacturer locally if I need mod's or wanted to buy add on's. We actually ended up buying full walls for our annex shortly after.

[GBC]

I'd go second hand for that money. Have the money ready and be prepared to do some miles. There's bargains to be had.
I don't think a hardfloor would be a good option for a family of five - too small unless there's extra rooms, but then they wouldn't be in your price bracket. Soft floor campers have more floor space for bunk beds etc.
Ideally you'd look at something like a second hand trakshak. They aren't common in that price bracket, but they do exist.

[Bundybird]

Thanks for all the top info. Just a dumb question what do you mean by hard and soft floor?

[cormorant]

Soft floor means canvas on the ground - well sewn in bottom of tent on the ground

Hard floors are usually flip over ones where the bit that flips ( roof) over doesn't touch the ground except for a couple of stands aso stays solid and dry and you don't need tent pegs etc unless setting up annex You end up with a totally solid floor ( roof upside down) and pack up is just sweep up any dust and fold it over , tuck in the canvas and clip it down.

Lots of pro's and cons in regard to set upof either. I like the hard floor as there is no tarp cover when travelling to flog about and also get sun damaged in storage . I like em so the canvas tent is never in the dirt so pack up is much cleaner even when you happen to set up on boggy ground by accident after it rains or on really stoney ground. .

I only like ones with outdoor kitchens as well- can't understand that some people want to cook inside where they sleep.


This is a hard floor

http://www.aussieswag.com.au/


List of manufacturers and ther eis also a buyers "what to look for guide"I think

http://www.campertrailers.org/manufacturers.htm

[Jabiru658]

Lots of pro's and cons in regard to set up. I like the hard floor

I agree with the 'lots of pros and cons in regard to set up' when you compare soft floor and hard floor camper trailers.

Hard floor campers are almost always quicker to set up and pull down but soft floor campers are generally cheaper to purchase and lighter to tow (which can be important if you're not using a full size 4x4 to tow with).

Camper trailers are often advertised as on road (basically a standard trailer with a tent top), light off road (suitable for the occasional made dirt road to a camp site) and heavy (or full) off road (suitable for many dirt tracks depending upon the type of trailer and the track).

Soft floor campers are further divided into two main types, side fold and rear fold. If you're intending to camp in caravan parks fairly often I'd recommend the rear folding type as they fit on to standard caravan sites easier. If you're bush camping then either type will do.

If you go down the soft camper route then be aware that the possible list of inclusions varies a LOT. Some campers are just basic trailers with no kitchen and no power and some even have no struts for lifting the bed base. Others have a list of inclusions as long as your arm and are almost homes away from home.