Which caravan camper toughest for off road?

Hi JohnWD,

I have a Windsor Rapid 13'6" offroad van (see rig pic photo) and have found it very good for my family. However, I don't think that any true caravan style camper would comfortably do Cape York. Something like the Ultimate Camper would be about the closest to a van that may cope with Cape York (Iknow the Kedron boys took a true van up there, if you saw the video on what they had to do, you wouldn't do it with your own!)

The biggest issue is simply size and weight. But having said that, I have had my van in some pretty rugged places. You find things like indicators, TV aerial holders etc... get knocked off (once again due to size). One of the main things to look for is, IMHO, a rugged chassis (6" recommended), independent suspension and good clearance. There are a multitude of others things too.

Based on my personal experience, I find my van has the strong 6" chassis and good independent suspension but rear ground clearance is compromised. However, I MUCH prefer my type of setup than the Jayco series. You can easily do roadside stops without opening the ends, you do not need to put plastic over the bedding if the canvas sides are wet, awning is opened in seconds, not a bag awning like Jayco, you have a metal roof above you, not canvas, not air conditioned! etc...

There are some previous posts from ex-Jayco owners who got very tired of winding the van up every night when on the move for long periods. But there are also MANY happy Jayco owners out there to, so don't discount that option. IMHO the Jayco is more suited to the one or two week type trip, but there are those who have literally lived in them for years.

But do you need extra beds (only two of you or a family). If not, it opens more possibilities as there are many offroad vans set up for two but without extendable ends. But if shopping for a family, there is little choice but the Windsor Rapid type, Jayco type and Coromal type extendables.

Anyway, hopefully this is enough to get you thinking. Post your email address if you are after more info or even some pics.

Cheers

Captain

Hi John

I tow a Jayco Penguin behind my L/C and it's quite capable off road. Having said that, I must say that it has the "Outback" pack and an articulated hitch. The outbacks have an underslung axle, shocks, bigger brakes, 16" wheels (option) and a heavier chassis (or maybe just the drawbar).

I'm not trying to say that it's a real offroad camper but it is certainly capable in quite rugged terrain. Corrugations you say? Well... I wouldn't even think of taking it to the Cape. I think it would fall apart internally. In general I think they are a great trailer but , as with most things built to a price, they will have some limitations.

A lot of people travelling to the Cape leave their camper trailers a fair way up (help me here someone - where?) and travel the rest of the rough stuff with a tent.

Mike

Try this website JWD

http://www.tracktrailer.com/AllTerrain.html

If they are anywhere near as tough as a T Van they should be bullet proof.

Andrew

Johno

Having just returned from the Cape I'd suggest a van type trailer will give you nought but grief. The road/track is not that bad but width will bring you undone.

We re-arranged the side/guard of our CT exiting one of the creek crossings.. I don't recall which one but the fact remains, a trailer wider than the towing vehicle will add considerably to the job.

I think the fact remains that they're nice comfy rigs, but will restrict where you can go.

Cheers and good luck

John,

Check out the Ultimate site - ultimatecampers.com.au
and take a look at the campertrailers group on Yahoo.

I have an Ultimate and it will go anyhwere the car goes and it loves corrugations.

Cheers

Peter

JohnWD, I tow a golf camper-trailer with the off road pack. It also has the orac hitch for great safety off road. Golf is a bit more expensive than jayco models but well worth the money for the independant suspension - no cross axle. It also a 6" chassis with the drawbar forming part of the chassis rather than simply welded to the front. We have towed this across the Gibb River Road, The Gulf Track, Fraser Island, and many places in between. It has never failed us - apart from cupboard door catches opening on the corrugations! This was an easy fix. This van would do Cape York but only on the Development Road not the OTL. My family and I, two and two, spent five months on one trip and found it to be perfect. It is now 8 years old and has spent many nights in the bush all over our great land. The other comments above re number of occupants and size are all very relevant.

Hi John,
we have a goldstream off road pop top and have done a lot of off road trips with it and had no major trouble the only problem we have had is a stray stone took out the electric brakes once, bugger. I dont think it is the trailer so much as the way you drive that brings you unstuck, if the road is corrigated drive accordingly and run the correct tyre pressure on the van to suit the conditions, drive with care and you can take a camper trailer anywhere
pmacks

Thanks to everyone who responded to my query. Fantastic response and information - just what I was after. AND this web site is so good that I am becoming a member!!

Cheers
John

John,

Iv'e been towing a TrakShak for the past eight years. It has been to Cape, Deserts of NW Victoria, Flinders Ranges a couple of times Lake Eyre, Simpson Desert and countless weekend trips to the Blue Mountains. About 35,000k in 4wd.

Apart from suspension bushes the only thing I have broken is the wire cable for the overide brakes.

It sleeps 5 comfortabl and the beds stay made. It has a portable kitchen that I can access simply by opening the tailgate of the trailer. This can be accessed from inside the camper if need be or it can be removed and positioned anywhere you like. It also has the capacity to carry 12 jerry cans and has heaps of storage space.

It weighs just 660kg empty. It is also relatively short so it is manouverable and it has great clearance.

It has converted SWMBO from a caravan park camper to a bush camper. It is now nicknamed the escape pod.

Duncs

Ultimate - tout simplement

Hi John,
Our Goldstream is a gold wing off road camper, we have towed this every where from central australia ( odanadatta simpson plenty hgy ) just to name some as well as a lot of beach work ( cape palmeston fraiser island ) we have not changed any suspension settings or shocks from standard but we have added 3 jerry holders two at the back and one at the front and a second 9kg gas bottle the camper has not missed a beat, this model has the front boot and the lounge as well as the wardrobe. The wardrobe is a bit of a waste of space but it does come in handy for storing the broom, bucket and such. We always seal the door when travelling in the out back and have added a compressible seal around where the roof joins the body when wound down behind the standard one and as a result we do not get any dust in the van when travelling. Ours has a ball weight of 180kg when loaded which at first troubled me but after talking to people in the industry this is not a concern and the unit tows very well indeed and is very well behaved behing the patrol ( petrol ) all in all we love our van and have been very happy with it. we leave in 1 month for two weeks in out back nsw and are planning to do the cape next year and yes we will take our camper there as well
Hope this helps
Pmacks

I had a Jyco Swan but sold it.

Pain in the butt. Difficult to maneavour off road and a ton of weight. Bed slides warped after corrugations and it became difficult to pull beds out. Axle buggered up after bearing went in wheel - I had to replace shole axle!

Now camp - much easier and can go anywhere.

Trailers add about 3 litres + per 100km to fuel economy.

I get the feeling you are talking more gravel roads however and therefore the circumstances may be different.

My choice would be:

1. Campomatic

2. Pioneer