I need some help from my learned and esteemed travellers. I'm writing down my thoughts and hoping someone may put forward some suggestions as to what is on the market that may meet my needs.
I have tried tenting, I have tried a conventional camper trailer, I have tried caravanning and I have had some experience with a pop out camper (Jayco Hawke style) but I still don't feel I have found what works for me.
The plan for using the perfect rig is ultimately about using our long service leave to do the mighty lap including some out of the way
places. I imagine this will involve stints of travelling day in day out (one night stops) as
well as extended stays at certain points. Other than that, a rig that we can use comfortably for a week or two vacation to the beach in the Chrissy holidays, or a weekend here and there in the bush is what the general use would be.
So, from all my experience to date this is what I would like:
*3 berth (2 adults & 1x13yo teen) preferably without having to set up a stretcher bed
*Off road capable (towed by 2009 Pajero)
*Easy set up for overnight stays (nothing where the minimal set up involves tent poles, pegs and ropes)
*Roadside access to kitchen/fridge
*Internal kitchen option including adequate storage for cooking equipment
*3 way fridge
*Adequate storage for chairs, table, bbq etc
*Dual power options (240/12V)
*NO shower or
toilet
I have previously loved the experience of touring in our camper trailer, but the downsides of one night stops included the set-up/pack-up times (especially in wind or rain), having to set up a stretcher bed for our
child, and biggest of all for me - external kitchen only, which meant having to put up the annex roof in order to
cook if the weather was bad (or sunny) which means, poles, ropes, pegs.
We bought a caravan to counter these problems (which it did wonderfully), but then had the problem of slow, heavy towing (it is an old van, but was bought as an 'experiment') and limitations of where we could go - even just pulling in to a supermarket during our travels was a challenge! My experience with a pop out camper is the slow set up pack up times getting the bed ends sorted, especially packing away wet canvas. On the up side, good storage and better towing are big drawcards.
I thought we had found the right solution in the Ultimate Camper but I just worry about the on board storage capacity, especially internally accessible storage. I have watched all the demo's and they do seem very quick to set up, but are they like that in real life? They are an expensive rig for what they are, yet from my research, there is little on the market that is similar, so you are paying for 'uniqueness' of the design.
What do people think? Is there something that exists to fulfil my dreams, or am I just dreaming??
All suggestions and
feedback greatly appreciated.