Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
Section Image

Camper trailer advise

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:13

Member - jjt98 (QLD)

Hi all, Can anyone give me some final advise on a camper trailer before I buy one?
I'm looking around the $8-9k mark, off road (cape york tough), 9' tent, kitchen etc etc I am heading to Bundy this week to take a serious look at Armadillo Campers unless someone has any other advise. I have been looking (procrastinating) for a few weeks now.
Cheers
Jason

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
ThreadID: 54189 Replies: 7
Views: 1209 FollowUps: 12
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 285341   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:19

Steve from Top End Explorer Tours replied:

The only advice I would give is make sure you have a 2 tonne rated axle, this will give you larger bearings and you won't break that stub axle, I would have the same wheels as the car as well.

Cheers Steve.
Top End Explorer ToursTop End Explorer Tours
Member: Lapsed Membership
Reply 1 of 7
FollowupID: 550176   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:37

Member - jjt98 (QLD) posted:

Thanks Steve - note taken.

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 285348   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:48

MEMBER - Darian (SA) replied:

If it is as tough as they claim, it seems plenty of trailer and kit for the money (I ran over the list on their site). My guess is following the first bush trip there would be quite a few small issues to remedy - many makers have little actual bush experience on issues like suspension reliability, dust ingress and keeping stones off things that matter. 2 to 3 weeks is a very short lead time - do you know of any other Armadillo owners you could get some advice from ?

Click Image to Enlarge
By the time I'm too old to go bush, I'll have all my gear set up just right !
Reply 2 of 7
FollowupID: 550194   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 14:53

Member - jjt98 (QLD) posted:

Thanks for that Darian - They have tweaked the trailer recently after a trip THEY did & werent happy with a few things. I think it is good value as they haven't been operating long. The only down side is that they only have a 12' tent & I really want a 9'.
Thanks for looking
Cheers
Jason

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 550383   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 01:19

Member - Pedro the One (QLD) posted:

Hi Jason.....

A point I forgot to mention to you in my previous comments to you on ArmaDillos .....

the steel frame of the bedbase has been painted without a priming coat and literally flakes off at the slightest rubbing ..... which you cant really prevent when you are fitting the top to your own trailer.

Because the top is now fitted and hinged, rectification becomes a major hassle.

Overall, this was the only real quality control issue with the tent.

Would also appreciate your feedback on the 'tweaking' done by Steve, as I may be able to 'tweak' mine.......
I like my shade and my cuppa ...... really !!
Click Image to Enlarge
There is no right way to do a wrong thing !!
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 550454   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 11:34

Member - jjt98 (QLD) posted:

Hi,
They are making the annex walls 2 piece instead of 1 & are attaching awnings to the windows & the cover will be a zip-on with velcro overlay. The tent will also flip out on the other side keeping in line with caravan pad sites.
I'm heading to Bundy on Wednesday to have a good look at them & order one (trailer and all).
Cheers
Jason

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 285367   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:02

Member - Kevin J (QLD) replied:

Try www.Campertrailers.org

KevinJ
18' Galaxy Off Road
Click Image to Enlarge
Tredescant
Reply 3 of 7
AnswerID: 285372   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:10

Member - Oldbaz. NSW. replied:

Hi Jason, its a difficult choice. If time permits & you can get to one of the larger Camping/leisure shows, I suggest you do that & compare as many as possible in your range. Having said that, & doing it myself, I then bought a decent leaf sprung, unshocked,
unbraked 7 by 4 offroad trailer, bolted on a 9ft Chinese Oztrail
tent, built my own kitchen, added wheels to match my Jackaroo.
Registered, insured & ready to go & got change back out of $5k.A
similarly equipped package was going to cost me near $10k.
A 14k outback trip followed (Tanami, GRR etc) & everything worked perfectly.
I would look more closely at construction details & build quality
than at the toys & gizmos on offer, there are heaps out there &
all have their followers. Good luck.....oldbaz.
Morning Tea..Tanami 07
Click Image to Enlarge
oldbaz
Reply 4 of 7
FollowupID: 550217   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:58

Member - jjt98 (QLD) posted:

Yeh good advise Oldbaz. I thought of 'building' my own. I'm confident the trailer i'm looking at is well built - had a mate check it out last week - it's just the tent I have a question on. Do most tents fit off road campers ie floor to bed hight?
Again, thanks for the advise.
Cheers
Jason
Ps. That video is a classic :-)

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
FollowUp 1 of 1
Activities Index
Coconut & Lemon Radiance Facial Coconut & Lemon Radiance Facial
Sydney - NSW
Save 50%! A new seasonal treatment has arrived. Experience the most amazing results instantly!
Islandive Islandive
The Whitsundays - QLD
Island Dive invites you to experience the adventure of sailing, snorkelling over coral reefs, swimmi
Private Surf Lesson Private Surf Lesson
Gold Coast - QLD
Have the ultimate one on one surf lesson with a real surfer.
Grand Sydney w/ Captain Cook Luncheon Cruise (247) Grand Sydney w/ Captain Cook Luncheon Cruise
Sydney - NSW
Discover Sydney in a day!
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 285376   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:26

Member - Rotord replied:

As Oldbaz said , matching wheels and tyres are good , but also try to match track width of the trailer with the track width of the tow vehicle .
Reply 5 of 7
FollowupID: 550218   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:00

Member - jjt98 (QLD) posted:

Thanks Rotord - Bit harder than normal as I have a Disco, so matching up wheels & track widths may prove difficult.
Thanks again
Jason

Click Image to Enlarge
Lovin' Life......Think Successful & You Will Be Successful.
(Think outside the box)

www.OutbackTouring.com
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 550339   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 21:35

goldiedingdangdo posted:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on the wheel department but 2 ton axles and Disco's dont match with alloy wheels.
The 56P wheel offset can also be an issue sometimes.

Ian
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 550342   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 21:40

Steve from Top End Explorer Tours posted:

2 Tonne axles and Disco's don't match.

Please explain.

Cheers Steve.
Top End Explorer ToursTop End Explorer Tours
Member: Lapsed Membership
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 550447   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 11:22

goldiedingdangdo posted:

Steve,
The disco's have insufficient clearance on the hub centre to allow the wheel to fit on the hub. Even using the smaller slimline hubs you need to machine approx 3mm to allow clearance. The old TD1 series are ok as they have the larger (5/165PCD) The TD5 went down to 5/120PCD and very little clearance for braked hubs.

Ian
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 285385   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:17

Member - Lance S (VIC) replied:

jjt98, try tambo trailers, very basic, plenty of extras u can add on as u save the dollars , and tough, worth a look. I might be biased but i think they r a great trailer.

cheers,

Lance
Penticost River & Cockburn Ranges
Click Image to Enlarge
Home Away from Home
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Reply 6 of 7
FollowupID: 550226   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:21

Member - Lance S (VIC) posted:

and well in your price range.
Penticost River & Cockburn Ranges
Click Image to Enlarge
Home Away from Home
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 285391   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:48

guzzi replied:

These are also worth a look, very happy with mine.

http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/index.php

Also Camel and Trackabout are also worth alook

http://www.camelgroup.com.au

http://www.trackabout.com.au

These 3 are all in the Slacks Creek area, less than 5 mins from each other.
Reply 7 of 7
FollowupID: 550299   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:03

T-Ribby posted:

I have a Camel light offroader (5 leaf springs) and this has done some hard work offroad. The trailer construction is as solid as a Russian brick outhouse and they didn't skimp on canvas quality either. They only mod I made was to put on Federal Ecovan LT tyres and I built a slide out ply kitchen and trolley. Love it.
cheers
T.R.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 550300   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 20:05

T-Ribby posted:

Correction "has done some hard work on rough roads"

T.R.
FollowUp 2 of 2

 Page Sponsors

WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd Premium Listing
Portable refrigeration provider WAECO, is celebrating 10 years in Australia in 2009. Established in high-technology headquarters in Germany 35 years ago, WAECO has developed a wide range of mobile technology for people on the move.
1 JOHN DUNCAN COURT   VARSITY LAKES, QLD, 4227
Phone: 1800 21 21 21
More info | Website | Driving Directions
ExplorOz ExplorOz
Become a Member of ExplorOz; buy or sell in Trader; buy Maps, Books, DVDs, camping accessories, and ExplorOz wheel covers, shirts, hats and stubby holders from the ExplorOz Shop; and book Activities &Tours or buy someone a gift certificate from our Activities section. Become an ExplorOz Member for just $60 in your first year, and $40 when you renew.
PO BOX 967  HILLARYS, WA, 6923
Phone: (08) 9403 3737
More info | Website