Camper trailers

[KPWISHN]

I am looking at buying a new camper trailer and would like to hear peoples opinions on whatever is out there.

I have a wife and 3 kids that will need to fit in it, a landcruiser to tow it and want to be able to take it down any track we may come across and be able to stay bush for a decent amount of time.

I don't have a set budget, however I probably won't spend more than $50k. The easier to set up, the better. It's a pain in the arse spending an hour setting up after a full day of driving.

I'm currently thinking of getting a Camprite. Anyone had one or have anything good or bad to say about them? Any better ideas?

http://www.campritecampers.com.au

[evoeata]

4WD action are always plugging the shit out of MDC campers and GNC i think they are as well. every issue of the magazine has dozens of ads for them. some of them are quite cheap for what they are, and i think they do delivery to WA if the dont have a distributor here.

[KPWISHN]

A family member has a mdc one and I have used it a few times. It was around $10k. Absolute piece of shit from my experience. Heavy, bad quality and takes an hour plus to properly setup. You do get a lot of gear for the money with them, I'm after the next step up I guess.

[scary]

Camprite ones are awesome

Have a look at the new Johnno's X series - good for 2 + 2. Write up in Camper trailer Australia this month.

We have a Johnnos Evolution soft floor and the build quality is awesome.

Otherwise Kimberley Kampers if you are looking at that kind of money

[DanWA]

CUB or UEV

Highly recommend hiring one and taking it out before buying, all the big companies do that

[KPWISHN]

Yeah, I reckon the try before you buy idea is a good one. Uev is one of the others I've been looking at. Pretty impressive looking setup. Loads of gear in them.

[Passage GT]

I don't own one yet but i do spend a lot of time window shopping, it's pretty much like anything else, you get what you pay for.
I'd be looking for purely australian built for a start.
We had some friends that recently took their family along the Gibb, got married at el questro etc, was a group of 6 vehicles, 4 of them with campers, the brand spanking new mdc did a wheel bearing 200km into their trip, it was it's first ever outing since buying it, they were less than impressed, did a bush mechanic repair and then spent some large coin getting it fixed properly in town.

[gazza750]

Personally I am looking at this one with the extras
http://www.leisurematters.com.au/portfolio/trooper-deluxe/
they are In Beechboro

[South]

Camprite are awesome, except you can't fit a 40L Engel in them, a 60L fits though, or whatever brand they sell with them. Hire one for a weekend to see if it suits your needs. I wanted one, but the awning area is very small for comfort and general play area for little kids. I've hired one on many an occasion. Storage is also a limiting factor for kids 'crap'

UEV was also on my list, but for a family they too are very small unless you get the big big model.

I ended up with a hardfloor Camp-O-Matic XTC second hand much cheaper than it should have been (gotta love divorce settlements!). Its good and it fits my family and has ample room BUT I want more luxury and ease of setup. Setup takes all of 2 minutes, pop the latches flick the roof and you are done, however unpacking all the kids shit is the biggest time consumer.

If you are spending 50k, look at an offroad caravan, a proper offroad unit so when you do unpack and pack you can just chuck all the shit back in easy, sort of in a clean manner.

Consider what you actually do offroad as well, are you taking your camper to the beach, or are you actually taking it along the canning stock route?

[KPWISHN]

CSR, birdsville, Cape York sort of stuff is what I want to do in the next few years. Been out all day today looking at campers. Pretty sold on the camprite now. Uev is huge on the outside, tiny on the inside and pretty much suited to no one after looking at them today. The Camprite is just easy, fits the family, is tough and capable. They are also small once packed up which is good for when you aren't using it.

[Darkside]

Definitely a try before you buy thing if possible. I went for the Aussie Swag as its just myself and the missus (and dogs) Is a hard floor style much like a Kimberley but a better kitchen arrangement IMHO. Is completely self sufficient on power with Solar (260w) , carries 130l of water, 4 burner gas cooker, 80l engel, little honda gennie if required. Ideal for a couple traveling. Not sure this style would suit a family unless you wanted to setup the external annexe etc. http://www.aussieswag.com.au/

A mate with 2 kids did 10 days with us at Ningaloo this Easter with a UEV. Seemed to be a better prospect for a family given the two separate sleeping areas.

[South]

Definitely go hire a camprite from Andrew @ Crikey then, get it for a week and go remote and see if it suits. It'll handle all the tracks you want to tackle, just need the appropriate tow car, that won't chew bulk fuel taking you along those tracks!

They hold their value too, if I were you I'd find a secondhand one, as they have all been the same for a very long time, the TX6 is just full of luxury electronics that you pretty much don't need.

I find it funny that the TL8 sells for more now, then they did new!, and the TL8s have not lost any value at all. I was looking at them when they were around 27k, and then they magically jumped to 36k with no changes.


Like these two clowns, they cost between 17-20k at that time!

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/shelley/camper-trailers/camper-tailer-camprite/1055075008
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/attadale/camper-trailers/camprite-tl8-2004-extra-s/1052826815

[HotAe92]

I have an Aussie Swag, and it suits myself and the missus well, though probably too small for kids.

If you have kids and want a hardfloor, and have a decent budget like you do - go the camprite.

UEV's seem to get a good wrap, but boy, they are extremely heavy! If I was going to tow something of that weight, I would go the whole hog and get an offroad camper/caravan hybrid like this:

http://www.australianoffroad.com.au/images/Eclipse/DSC00261eclipse.jpg

[family guy]

Jayco pop tops are good too like the swan off road series.

[mr_mike]

4WD action are always plugging the shit out of MDC campers and GNC i think they are as well. every issue of the magazine has dozens of ads for them. some of them are quite cheap for what they are, and i think they do delivery to WA if the dont have a distributor here.

A mate recently bought a MDC unit, i went and had a look at it this arvo. Looks pretty flash lots of checker plate, 16" alloy rims with 2 full size spares also same alloy rims. He is pretty impressed with it so far, tent has decent canvas and there is a lot of space inside.
Has very solid looking suspension with independent arms and double shocks each side, has bulk storage including water heater and 2x 300ah batteries with 12v power plugs everywhere, I counted 5 on each side externally!

Downside? Its fucking huge!!!! longer than his Triton ute and is heavy something like 250kg of downforce on the towball, but to achieve this 250kg you need to fill the 120ltr water tank that sits behind the axle line and counter balances the weight on the towball. Also due to the weight an electronic tow brake was needed and an offroad poly hitch. He has also noticed that its causing the EGT on the Triton to start to climb when towing.

Personally for $20k there is other things i would rather spend my money on, but his reasons for buying it were to try get his missus and 2 young girls to come out camping and enjoying the country with him.

[MaTMaN]

Anyone purchased a camper trailer new or second hand recently? Any other brands or experiences to add to those already listed above?

[Ghost Who Walks]

Cavalier Camper Trailers have a pretty good reputation.
I'm looking for something for when I do the lap next year,
But I can't do the camper trailer, because they are difficult to do with one person(plus after a shed load of chemo, im still not back to being 100%)
Something like this has got my attention;
http://travelbugteardropcampers.com.au/escape-pod-freestyler
Some added chassis strengthening might help, but the price is good...

[Satan]

I have an Outback Camper

http://www.outbackcampers.net.au/

locally made - great quality and good service. Avoid the china ones like the plague