Camper Trailers - Any Helpful Info

[BF MKII UTE]

Hi all
I'm interested in getting set up with camping gear for quick and easy weekdend trips etc. Problem is putting up a decent canvas cabin tent on my own (as my Mrs has arthritis) will be time consuming and a bit difficult at times (wind etc.). However camper trailers are meant to be so easy for one person set up.

Has anyone got one, had one that can tell me anything about them? And what accessories have you added, wished you added etc?

I'm not interested in the new style silk style tents - easy to erect but not a long term purchase. I prefer to pay a bit more now for excellent quality long term. (This is why i drive Fords).

Thanks
Alan.

[aquahead2001]

G'day Alan,

There are plenty of great camper trailers out there but as they say, some are more equal than others! Also when you say camper trailer do you mean the jayco dove style box with the wind up roof and the pull out ends? Or do you mean the trailer mounted tent system with all the clever hinged and levered erection and support? As they are "Camping Trailers"...

Also depending on what you actually do with them, some set ups may actually be a pain. Condiser how often you will set up and dismantle. the more you do it, eg everyday your travelling, the less you'll want to do every night and morning.

If you plan to drive somewhere and stay there the good old camper trailer will be great, if you are setting up and knocking all down the next day, then you'll want something that requires the minimal set and dismantling.

Mate, I'd suggest that you have a look at the caravan shows, maybe buy a few of the caravan magazines on the market and also go to a couple of dealers before you actually make up your mind on what you need.

I'm a regular caravaner but with a family of 4 (2 medium sized ferals), we seem to cart a pile of junk. To the beach - Surf boards, bikes, boogy boards, wetsuits, chairs, sunshades, tables and onand on. To the bush and river, all but the boards. We havea pile of friends who we travel with and most started with camper trailers.

As soon as the kids arrived and the junk started to multiply the campers ended up not only packed solid but also covered in bikes, boards, and so much stuff. We're also camping for a week or two so we come prepared...

I ended up with a small poptop van, it's been great for us as most of the junk can be thrown in and away we go. But of course it's bigger than the campers and needs a medium to large car to tow. Falcon or bigger. Funny thing though, it weighs the same as the camper trailers my friends have.

It all comes down to your circumstances, only 2 adults, well your not carrying a playground with you! Off road? Look for ground clearance and dust & water sealing. on the move every day? Something that sets ups quickly.

One of my old work mates ended up going through three vans before he finally found one that suited him. Yeah, it's costly but how much is comfort and convienience worth?

I hope this helps and you enjoy the caravaning experience!

[fordxrtfan]

Depends if you want a 4WDtrailer or not, "Kimberly Campers" are quite good (also quite expensive) there are some cheaper ones on the arket which are also good though, depends on what you want personally.
Caravan shows are great, also look at mags in yor newsagent.
Cheers

[Binnie]

hey

how set on getting a camper trailer are you? Cos you could get a camper bus like a pre converted toyota coaster which requires minimal set up (plugging in power, hooking on the areal, pluing out the awning) all very easy one person jobs. Not that expensive for an older model.

[Bill_R]

I'd think about hiring one for a weekend before you commit yourself. I see plenty of them here (I live in a holiday resort) and most seem to be hired. they usually have minimal fuss setting them up. I know there's a place in Byron that both hires and sells them but it's a bit too far from you. Unless you feel like along drive that is. I also see heaps of hired campers here. Many more than a year or two ago. It kinda makes sense to hire when you think of how long you'd use it for each year. I've always thought an option would be to buy with a number of people and take turns.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Bill_R

I'd think about hiring one for a weekend before you commit yourself. I see plenty of them here (I live in a holiday resort) and most seem to be hired. they usually have minimal fuss setting them up. I know there's a place in Byron that both hires and sells them but it's a bit too far from you. Unless you feel like along drive that is. I also see heaps of hired campers here. Many more than a year or two ago. It kinda makes sense to hire when you think of how long you'd use it for each year. I've always thought an option would be to buy with a number of people and take turns.

Yep I agree, hire one firts and see if its what you want, a few hundred for a weekend, they're pretty good and come fully equipped.

[BF MKII UTE]

Thanks guys. Yeah thought about hiring first, but didn't think of looking at mags from newsagent. Been to different dealers - so many differences and prices.
Not interested in a large caravan or converted bus as i really dont have the storage room. Will only ever be the Mrs, dog and myself staying in the camper (tent on trailer type) Trailers seem to be around 7x4's or 6x4's. Missed the caravan camping show here in SA - was at FPV open day in Vic.
Towing not an issue with the ute either.

Thanks
Alan.

[jonk]

I've got a Cavalier camper trailer I bought ten years ago for $5000, the same model is now worth $15,000. I badly want to sell mine because they are a pain in the neck, don't buy one !

I'm going to change it over for a 'pop top caravan'. They are much better value for money, safer and more secure plus they are so much easier to setup. It takes an hour to setup at best at each campsite whereas a pop-top is so much easier and is the same height as a camper trailer, with more built in to them than you'd ever get in a trailer.

Also, setup is taking into account the use of the annex and floor for it. Trailers aren't worth it when considering that some pop tops are comparable in price to trailers, I know because I went to Caravan and Camping show at Wayville showgrounds, I was gobsmacked what they're asking for these trailers nowadays. I also know that the owners of Cavalier have been quoted as saying the trailers are like a 'licence to print money' - the employ their sons in the business who all drive brand new top of the range cars, when I found that out I vowed to stay right away from trailers forever.

[jonk]

I meant to say setup 'isn't' taking into account setting up the annex and floor.