Camper Trailer Purchase
Submitted: Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:04
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Member - Peter J (VIC)
Hi guys,
Thanks for the responses re Hilux vs Troopie. I've found a Troopie RV which will do the job really
well. She's about 10 years old, and has a bit of rust round the windscreen, but is one owner and really
well specced.
We've been looking at a LOT of camper trailers, for our lap of OZ. My head is spinning !! There must be 30 plus brands out there, with very different features. It becomes hard to prioritise between a treg coupling and a marine pressure
water pump !!
I know one thing though... I can't justify spending 35K on a tent in a trailer, no matter how flash it is.
I can go into a huge list of what we would LIKE to have. Basically, we need to decide which type will serve us
well, for a 6 month trip, hopefully far away from caravan parks, if possible. Oh, and have provison for a tinnie on top.
We do plan to go wherever the Troopie is capable, so the trailer needs to be reasonably
well built and
well sprung.
I'm sure there are many out there who have shared a similar ordeal. PLEASE share some knowledge/experiences, re types / brands of camper trailers.
See you up North in '05
Pete and Mandy
Reply By: greyemu - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:21
Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:21
Dear Peter
Welcome to the troopie owners club good choice all the best for your trip. Regards Greyemu
AnswerID:
81272
Reply By: SUNSEEKER - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:50
Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:50
Having travelled the top end of Aus. for many years with every trip in a Troopy I think you will be very happy with your choice.All my trips have been with a very good quality C.O.I. center pole tent as there are a few very nice spots that no camper trailer will get in without damage but one camper that you might look at that I was quite impressed with was the Kanga camper which is a mid priced unit and seems to be very
well made and extreemly quick to set up--hope you enjoy your travels as much as I do.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:55
Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 20:55
Peter,
It takes time to find a good camper at the right price. As you said, 30 large for a tent in a trailer is a bit over the top.
Get the trading post, check out the yards etc. You'll eventually find something that siuts you at the right price. It's time
well spent. I recently stumbled on a great deal after much looking. Glad I took the time.
Good Luck,
Jim.
AnswerID:
81276
Follow Up By: Richard & Leonie - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 21:28
Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 21:28
I thought 30 thou sounded a lot but it isn't when you have to abandon your trailer because it broke in two, or you find everything in the trailer is full of dust and/or
water. I tried looking for a camper trailer in trading mags and they were all very tired old things. Whilst Kimberleys are not my choice you do not see a lot advertised second hand. In fact I have not seen one. I spoke to a farmer recently who had just bought a 10 year old second hand Aussie Swag camper and paid $14,000 for it and was very happy. The same model now cost $25,000. Seems it held its value very
well. You try ordering a new 30 thou camper/trailer and you will find about 4 or 5 months wait. Must be a lot of people see the benefits. Still its what you prefer. I see a lot of people dragging huge caravans around and I wouldn't in a pink fit.
Richard
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 22:21
Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 22:21
Richard,
Your points are
well made. I would only say that when you look at what is actually in a $30k camper it is hard to fathom how they get to 30.
There are many smaller operators who do not have the "name" who will build you a camper to suit your needs, and they don't advertise big time and don't have to factor in the associated marketing costs to their final price.
Try this with a big name operator: I asked for a custom built kitchen (I supplied the stove,), installed
water tank, box on the front and an awning. Total cost $950. One of the biggies will charge you that for a kitchen alone.
I wouldn't tow a big van either, it doesn't suit my needs; but it does for many. Horses for courses.
There are many options if you take the time to look
Cheers,
Jim.
FollowupID:
340539
Reply By: toadskin - Friday, Oct 22, 2004 at 21:35
Reply By: Glenn (VIC) - Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 at 15:00
Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 at 15:00
Peter,
Give
Tambo trailers a look. They are based in Knox near Knox City. They advertise on here. I get deliver of
mine in two weeks or so....can't wait and under $8000.
Cheers
AnswerID:
81327
Reply By: ajt - Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 at 15:33
Saturday, Oct 23, 2004 at 15:33
Peter- If you care to, could you tell me a little about the Troopy- I am also looking for one-your experience would be a great help- only if u have the time- many thanks Tony - ajt@alphalink.com.au
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter J (VIC) - Monday, Oct 25, 2004 at 06:35
Monday, Oct 25, 2004 at 06:35
Hi Tony,
I have struggled to find information about faults/traps when buying a troopie - possibly because there aren't any !! I would strongly recommend a pre purchase inspection, as a sick motor, drivetrain esp Diesel will usually cost a LOT of cash to fix.
I would strongly suggest you take a troopy away for a weekend (hire), before buying one. Pre '99 models have leaf springs allround and can be very harsh, compared to the more luxurious rigs out there. Troopies however, have bags of character and are a top performer in real 4wd conditions. A troopie with diff locks will go just about anywhere. Buy this month's 4x4 Aust magazine. They have tested a troopie against a Defender - Very interesting.
Cheers
Pete
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Pyalong - Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 09:11
Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 09:11
Hi Pete & Mandy,
Yep...the cost of good quality brand spanker c/trailer, was way too much a dint in the wallet for me too. The answer I found was to decide on which one I liked (turned out to be the trak shak...about 17 or 18 grand brand new I think), then over many weeks scoured the trading post...BUT, not just my local trading post.......use the internet to check every trading post around the country. I eventually found the trailer I was after in
Sydney, 5 years old, in good nick, and cost around 12 grand, plus an overnight trip to
Sydney (I live near Melb) to pick it up, which cost around another $200 for fuel, accomodation, beer, etc, and took a mate to make the trip less boring. For 6 months after I went to
Sydney, I still had not seen my trailer in the Melb trading post....so definately worth checking the other states as
well!!.
Good luck .....and happy hunting.
Cheers,
Mick.
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Reply By: Member - Anni M (SA) - Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 10:33
Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 10:33
Hi guys,
We too have a troopy, which we are very happy with. We have just come back from a 6 months trip, travelling up the east coast, across the country to the west coast and up through the
Kimberley. We have seen mud, bull dust, corrugations, rocks and
sand dunes. Our campertrailer hasn't missed a beat and I can highly recommend the company. We have a Challenge offroad campertrailer, which is available in Victoria. The website is www.challengecampertrailers.com. One of the things that has really impressed us is the companys willingness to try to meet your wishlist. We also know they are constantly involved in research and development. They have a display at the Caravan and
Camping show in
Melbourne this weekend, so get to Jeff's shed today if you can.
Happy travels
Anni
AnswerID:
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Reply By: 28patrol - Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 16:51
Sunday, Oct 24, 2004 at 16:51
Probably the biggest decision you need to make is soft or hard floor. We have a Kanga soft floor which suits us but friends prefer their Aussie Swag hard floor. As has been suggested, check out the camper trailor site on Yahoo. Their is a wealth of information there
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