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What is the best size to buy in a camper trailer?

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 11:22

karicher

Hi,

Me again! Before, I start, I would like to say Thank you to everyone who replies to my posts here. I have been asking questions for some time now while I try and work out the best Camper Trailer for us. I really appreciate everyones help and advice.

This time I am wondering about sizes of Campers. We have 3 kids, so I always presume we need the biggest one possibel. But really, we only sleep in the tent and I am wondering if the smaller ones are easier.

I'm currently looking at the TRack About and it is 10ft. But, you can upgrade to 12ft.

I would like opinions on different sizes.

Thanks guys!

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AnswerID: 285105   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 11:30

Member - jjt98 (QLD) replied:

Hi Karicher,

I'm not sure you can 'upgrade' to a 12' without replacing the whole tent. As far as size goes, I would recommend the 12' with having the 3 rug rats. That extra 3' makes a lot of difference once you've got bedding etc.
The only down side to the 12' is it does take up a lot of space when in a conventional caravan park (some sites are too small) but if you are spending most of your time 'out back' then the 12' is the way to go.

Good luck & happy travels
Cheers
Jason

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Reply 1 of 7
AnswerID: 285139   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 14:55

Hairs replied:

I must Agree with Jason about caravan sites are small when it comes to a 12 ft camper. We find our selves facing that problem all the time. We have three kids under 10 and the room that it provides is great especially on wet miserable days. I think its about 5.4 x 4.8 plus a 1.8m draw bar that does not leave much on a site in a caravan site. And then we have to park the LC 80's. Not so squeeze. Our annex walls have full length windows & Fly screens. I have set it up to be free standing, (extra spreader poles and the like). In really heavy winds it still needs roping down. We're so use to setting it up that we even duck of for a night down by the beach.
Back to your original question about size. As in the other thread, some one mention to hire one. this seems like a good idea. To buy one is not cheap, better to buy what you want, rather than find you have bought the wrong size.
Best of luck and have fun.
Reply 2 of 7
FollowupID: 550043   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 21:35

karicher posted:

What brand do you have with the 3 kids? Are you happy with it?

FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 550200   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:19

Hairs posted:

Hi Karicher,
We have a bitsa. I've changed things over and over the last few years. I've modified it to suit our needs as things have changed and the kids have grown up.It's a 7" x 4" Trailerworld trailer, with at 1.8M draw bar.Tool box on the draw bar with tarps and accessories in it, 9kg gas bottle next to the Jockey wheel. 6" pvc pipe for the poles and spreader bars. Two gerry can holder, one either side, 1 3Kg gas bottle near rear tailgate. 7' pull out kicthen, 80 ltr water tank in trailer. I have just extended the side wall of the trailer to get it to the right height for the tent top, 1080mm. The trailer has wind down caravan legs The tent i bought on Ebay for $1590 delivered.
A 7x6 tarp goes over the top if we stay anymore than a couple of days somewhere. http://home.exetel.com.au/hairfysh/My%20World/Camping%20Pics/
New%20camper%20without%20Trailer/index.html
Here are a couple of pics without the trailer under it. All up now it has cost some $8000.00 and we're very happy with it.I'm sorry I don't have any pics with it sitting on our trailer.
Hope this helps. I do like the idea of Martyb's with an extra room just of the side of the draw bar. It is a bit of wasted space on a site. We'll probaby modify this as things change and we find better ways of doing things.
It's addictive this camping thing.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 550203   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:28

Hairs posted:

Hi Karicher,
Sorry here is the Ebay address.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Explorer-12-Camper-Trailer-Top-Tent-New-Design_W0QQitemZ180211773066QQihZ008QQcategoryZ9882QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers.
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 285152   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 16:01

Sand Man (SA) replied:

Karicher,

There are numerous brands and models to choose from.
May I suggest you look through the Manufacture's listing on the Campertrailers.org Website to give you some ideas.
Campertrailers.Org

One very flexible Camper is the Trak Shak. The Hybrid Majestic model will sleep 4-6 people, has two queen size beds and another room can be attached underneath.
Trak Shak



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Reply 3 of 7
FollowupID: 550000   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 18:23

Hairs posted:

Hi Sand Man,
Thanks for posting the link to Campertrailers.org. Very informative.
I'll spend days, no weeks in there.
Can some one tell the Cook where I am.

Cheers.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 550019   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 19:49

karicher posted:

Thanks heaps. I'll take a look at campertrailers.org now.

I love the Trak Shak but it's out of my budget. I phoned today and they said it starts at $29,000! Our budget is about $13,000.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 285176   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 17:47

Member - Greg O (NSW) replied:

We have just ordered a Camprite. Have the same problem, no TV and three kids. It was the only trailer we could find that sleeps all of us off the ground and is quick to put up. It can also go just about anywhere.

The footprint is pretty small meaning it will fit in most campsites and the service has been great.
Reply 4 of 7
FollowupID: 550020   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 19:50

karicher posted:

For some reason I thought the Camprite was only for 4 people. I'll have another look. If i remember right, I think it's out of our budget :( All the good ones I like are.


FollowUp 1 of 6
FollowupID: 550024   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 19:58

Member - Captain (WA) posted:

Hi Karicher

The Camprite can be fitted with bunks (factory option) on both single beds so that you can sleep 4 kids if required.

Cheers

Captain
My 200 GXL TTD + Camprite
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FollowUp 2 of 6
FollowupID: 550040   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 21:28

karicher posted:



Yep, looks great, but out of the budget I am sorry to say :(

FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 550312   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:22

karicher posted:

hi Captain,

What does canvas look like on a well travelled and well used camper trailer?

FollowUp 4 of 6
FollowupID: 550331   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 21:22

Member - Captain (WA) posted:

Hi Karicher,

Canvas generally softens a bit with age, new canvas is fairly stiff whereas older canvas is relatively easy to fold. You will always get dirt and grime in high traffic areas and the roof of the camper (bird droppings, tree sap etc...) will never clean off like brand new.

Red dust tends to colour the canvas even after washed but the main thing is that there should be no areas that are very thin from wear ie. set the camper up in daylight and you can see varying amounts of sunlight (shadow?) thru the canvas.

Canvas will last for ages if looked after right, the main thing not to have is areas of mould/mildew from being packed up wet and left folded without drying.

Remember that a brand new camper will become "old" very quickly with a few trips. Ours was still like brand new after ~5 trips but now with ~30 nights away in ~10 trips you can tell its not brand new but still in excellent condition.

Not sure if this helps, its very hard to describe but really easy to see the difference.

Cheers

Captain
My 200 GXL TTD + Camprite
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Its not what you drive, but how you drive it!
FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 550341   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 21:38

karicher posted:

Thanks Captain.

We looked at a 2nd hand Camper today. 10K. Would cost me 18K to buy the same now.

It was a 2004 model. It certainly had no Mildew/Mould and we didnt notice any areas thin from wear.

It just had marks/colours on it. Mainly on the roof. Hard to explain as I have never looked at any other used campers. I guess it just had that well used look without being worn in anyway.

There was a small hole in one of the window flyscreens that they said a mouse had chewed its way through to get the biscuits on the table inside. But they said they would fix that.

They said it has never leaked and no dust ever gets in to anything.

The owners were lovely and have kept it well maintained.

They have traveled a lot over the last few years. They estimate they would have spent about a year in total in the camper. They have up graded to a new off road Jayco Eagle.

I guess I'm used to buying "new". But, it suits our budget and has everything we need.

I would have prefered it to be slightly bigger with the kids. It's 13ft in total. Probably just have to get a set of bunks for the kids to make more room. Could use the top bunk to store the bags on.

What a stress. Have to hurry as it probably wont be on the market long as I am sure there are others who wont be as fussy as me!




FollowUp 6 of 6
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AnswerID: 285207   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 20:06

Member - nigel P (NSW) replied:

Hi again Karicher,
As per previous post the tent size is also sensitive to the door placement. If the door is in the middle (eg camel, trackabout) you absoultely have to go to the 12' to get enough sleeping and corridor room, even with a bunk arrangement.
Go to a show or showroom and try putting down some sleeping mats, even mentally, and then allow some room for bags etc and 'll see what I mean.
nigelyou;
Reply 5 of 7
FollowupID: 550041   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 21:30

karicher posted:

Good point. I had not considered that. Now that you mention it, I think the Cavalier one we looked at was like that.

Can you tell me any brands that have the door placed in a different position?

FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 550281   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 19:12

Member - nigel P (NSW) posted:

Hi Karicehr,
jumbuck, Ding are 2 that I know of
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 550283   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 19:12

Member - nigel P (NSW) posted:

Hi,
jumbuck, Dingo are 2 that I know of
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 285235   Submitted: Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 22:46

MartyB replied:

Hi Karicher,
We have 3 kids and we have a camper trailer that opens out 9ft.
We also have an extra room added. This extra room is approx 2m * 2m and is beside the draw bar.This fits the 2 boys, the daughter has plenty of room in the 9ft room beside us. Our camper has the normal one door into the annex and another door on the opposite wall that opens into the extra room.
I am happy I went this way instead of the 12ft, reasons are. We have more room than a 12ft. We fit onto caravan park sites better. If only myself and one or two kids go away we don't have to setup the extra room. Most of the 12ft campers tend to sag. Having seperate rooms means the kids can have their own space (less arguments). The area where the extra room site is normally wasted space so we don't take up any more room than a normal camper. It was cheaper going this way than the 12 ft option. The only disadvantage is that the annex would have been 3 ft wider with the 12 ft option.
If you want I can send some pictures, just let me know your email address.
from Marty.
Reply 6 of 7
FollowupID: 550314   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:24

karicher posted:

Thanks, that would be great.

tiger@netspeed.com.au

What brand is your trailer?
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 550338   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 21:32

MartyB posted:

Hi, Email has been sent.

from Marty.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 285429   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 19:57

Brew69(SA) replied:

How old are the kids?
We have an 8ft tent which was chosen for the speed of set up. It sleeps 2 kids and 2 adults but really thats it limit. The kids rarely sleep in the tent as they have swags now.
If we had purchased a larger tent it would have meant longer set up time for no reason as the kids just don't want to sleep inside anymore.
Beer is evil.........And i am an evil man.
Reply 7 of 7
FollowupID: 550308   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:20

karicher posted:

Kids are all young. 3,5 & 7.

We looked at a second hand camper today. It's a 13foot. I am presuming when you say 8ft, you don't include the bed on the trailer.

I was a bit worried it may be a bit tight, but hubby thinks that since you only sleep in the tent part it would be fine. Could always have 1 set of bunks I guess. It came with a full annexe, so if weather is bad, we would use that as living area.

How old is your camper? What are the normal wearings on canvas for a trailer that is well travelled?

FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 550386   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 05:30

Brew69(SA) posted:

Yes the 8ft is just the tent extension.
Bunk beds would work well for the kids.
My camper is 18 months old so the only issue i have with the canvas is the red dust. I consider the canvas to still be as good as new. We have probably spent about 50 nights in it.
l
Beer is evil.........And i am an evil man.
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