Member - Tim - Stratford (VIC) replied:

Tim,

We've got a Kimberley Kamper and two kids, 10 & 8. For a quick overnight stop we find the hard floor a little cramped but 'livable'. We use 'COL' brand bunks to save on room for the kids.

When we setup for more than a night we fit the kids room onto the Kamper - heaps more room for the kids to spread out...as they do!

Whether you have enough room with your two will probably depend on what bedding arrangements you make. If your two are happy on bunks then this is a great space saving idea. We wouldn't have much room left to move if there were two 'flat' beds or lilo's on the floor for the kids.

Rocky_QLD replied:

Hi Tim

We have a soft floor camper that has an extended tent section, the previous owner had young kids so was ideal for their use. There is only the 2 of us so there has always been plenty of room. We can set up in about half an hour for a basic set up but the screens to the annex take about another 20 minutes, we don't always use these only when setting up for a few days. We will be putting it up for sale after Easter as we have a new Pioneer Argyle SE on order.

Regards
Rocky

Redback replied:

The big differance between soft and hardfloor is room, the softfloor campers have more room, but the hard floor campers are easier and quicker to put up for overnighters, although not by much.

For extended stays they pretty much take about the same time to setup, it's not so much the erection time but the other stuff you have with you (ie) the annex, chairs, tables, food and other junk you drag along with you, lol.

It really comes down to personal choice, and how much room you need and what you want in a camper and price also, hard floor campers are much more expensive than soft floor campers, in fact most hard floor campers starting price, is as much as you would pay for soft floor camper.

Hard floor campers start at $20,000

The most you would pay for a soft floor camper would be less than $20,000

Baz.

Member - Bruce and Anne replied:

There would be more room in a soft floor, and if your buying new have it made to what size you need. The soft floor is going to be cheaper also, and don't forget you can carry soft stuff,bags etc under the cover, on top of the tent, which give you more carrying space.
Cheers Bruce.

Teabag (Queanbeyan) replied:

For your purpose IMO is the Camprite Camper trailer......I know the Eastern States distributer and am sure he could organise something for you though he is in Canberra but I'm sure would meet you half way for demo? Made in W.A and are very good for family.....

www.campritecampers.com.au/

Member - Captain (WA) replied:

Hi Tim,

I have recently been thru the same question for my family (2A + 2C 7,9) and ended up buying the Camprite. I reckon its the best compromise in a camper for a family. Has proper beds for all that are left made up and you can setup literally in minutes.

It's technically a "hardfloor" with all sleeping well off the ground and has plenty of room inside. I have the optional walls for the standard annexe so when desired you can have a huge amount of tent space. I have since fitted racks to the camper and carry two kayaks which do not have to be removed when setting up.

Click on my "members rig" below if you want to see some pics.

Cheers

Captain

Member - Lance S (VIC) replied:

G'day Tim, we (2A & 3Kids, 8,10,12 )have a Tambo Cooper C.T ( located in Wantirna ) with a soft floor with a zip on bedroom for the kids, we put the kids mattress' on top of ours for easy storage, with all the extras we only paid 13,800. Camper takes about 5-10 minutes to set up, bedroom is another 15 minutes for longer stays. We couldn't be happier, but campers are like tyres and fridges, everyone has a different opinion.
Hope this helps,
Lance

Member - Duncs replied:

Tim,

We have had a TrakShak for over 10 years now. 2 adults 3 kids they are now 18,14 & 13. Heaps of room and we can set up for an overnighter in less than 10 min. To do the full show takes about half an hour, it simply involves a few more pegs and guy ropes. For a short trip I usually only put in hte pegs that the weather determines. If there is no wind 2 pegs is enough.

Pack up takes about the same as set up. The slow part with kids is getting them out of bed and getting their bags packed.

Most campers these days tow pretty well but you need to consider that too. Ball height and weight are important.

Duncs

tdv replied:

We have an Aussie Swag hard floor. With our rugrats 5 and 3 sleeping on bunks. The bunks stay virtually set up (just remove a few posts) and fit neatly on top of our bed. Sure they take up space on the floor but are only there to sleep on. We spend most of our time outside except for sleeping. Set up time was the main sway to hard floor as well as being able to choose a camp site that didn't require huge amounts of flat space. We can be set up for an overnight stop with the stove on in well under 5 minutes. Even if we put the annex on for a longer stay it is about 10 minutes. We also have a zip on kids room but have never used it. Maybe if the weather is very wet it will come in handy?

Hire one of each and see how you go.

tez

D-Jack replied:

The only major advantage I can see with a hard floor is keeping the kids off the ground in severe rain. I guess they are slightly quicker to put up as well, but wouldn't be by much. They are heavier, more expensive, and provide less room in their basic form. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 rug rats. We have a Sar Major top, 11foot (excluding king size width bed), no poles to add. Awning is permanently attached and folds over roof when not required. We have full annex, and ordered extra/larger windows all round. The main tent area is reserved for sleeping and clothing/bedding storage, and we use the annex for all other. 3 - 6x6 windows open to give an almost fly screen only feel when it is warm, or it can be completely sealed up when raining and cold, although we always have something open to let in light and air.

We did have a 14ft Cavalier prior but found it was wasted space as we lived in the annex and only used the main tent for sleeping, so I wouldn't recommend going too long. Kitchen full length of trailer pulls out, all food that doesn't fit in it are stored under neath it in tubs, we have room for chairs, tables, high chair, pram, play room, etc, all while someone is cooking at the kitchen.

I'm not recommending the Sar Major trailer, we had one custom built elswhere, but the canvas tent part is awsome.

I'm not telling you what to get but the soft floor and size we currently have suits the 4 person family perfectly at this stage. Cost $10000 new vs $20000+ new. Don't disregard the soft floor just because its cheaper. I believe the Tambo campers are also pretty good at a good price, would have considered one if we had not had Sar Major so local to us in Adelaide.

D-Jack

Member - Bucky (VIC) replied:

Get a Trak Shak !

10 minute setup / pack up ,, we have marine carpet inside,,and use double layer shadecloth as a ground sheet ,, and if it rains you can move the chairs inside and relax with plenty of room.
Will sleep your family comfortably. and it will go anywhere you are game enuf to travell.

Cheers
Bucky

Brian B (Brisbane) replied:

G'day Tim,

Like others have said the soft floor campers are generally roomier but slower to put up and the floor is absolutely on the ground.

Hard floors IMO are quicker to set up and everyone is off the ground but they generally are not as roomy. Hard floors usually are dearer to buy.

We have just changed from a soft floor off road camper to a Goldstream Star 2 offraod camper and it suits our needs.

A number of other factors such as your budget etc will also influence your decision.

A lot of places hire them so maybe consider hiring a couple you have short listed to see what absolutely meets your needs.

Happy hunting.

kiwicol replied:

the trak shack also has 2 queen size beds so no need for buncks for kids. Col

Gronk replied:

If you have kids, go the soft floor..
If only two of you and you can afford it, go the hard floor..

The only time you need the extra room of a soft floor ( apart from kids ) is if its really cold or its raining !! We spend most of our time outside in a chair or beside the fire !!

But thats why there are about 50 different makers of trailers because nearly everybody has their own ideas on the subject !!