Trailers

Sounds to me like a "quality" 6 x 4 with leaf springs would be fine. The budget models are just that, and would probably fail out there somewhere. They seem to be made for the rubbish tip runs only... thin metal, minimal welding, extra cheap hardware. Some makers do what looks like an ordinary trailer, but is quality build in all respects (and heavier). Something you could own for 25 years. Costs more of course.
My plan would be to buy quality, fit buddies to the hubs, and then take a complete spare hub (bearings, seals etc) and grease, with gun. That would be my "piece of mind" formula for the roads you indicate.

Personaly I use a off oad trailer (Camper) but in travels I have seen many people using standard trailers to carry there camping gear in, I would imagine that as long as you were careful this wouldnt be a problem, My folks tow a on raod camper off road and have only had to redo a couple of locks.
Hope this helps

Canvas, you have asked a question a bit like the "how long is a piece of string" one. Who made the string and the qualities of the materials making the string are all important.

I have a 6 x 4 trailer that used to carry kayaks around Victoria but the moment you send the trailer and all your goodies and expensive camping gear a long distance, the greater the risk. It also depends on how you drive. I saw a bit of the Leylands driving in the Flinders the other day and they would have little trouble. The Flinders is remote from say, Victoria, and Arkaroola is too, but not so much from Port Augusta.

The risk is that your camping gear may be left stranded til you get back to retrieve it if you broke something.

What could break - well, the tow hitch depends on what it is and how it is fitted. The drawbar frame depends on how it is welded to the frame and how strong the metal is (how thick the steel wall). The frame of the trailer is made for suburban roads and you suggest the shocks of corriegated roads shook your Subie. Will the forces tear the welds off the trailer frame from the spring mounts? Is the tow bar on your Subie strongly enough fitted too? The springs are quite likely to be slipper springs - actually bounce off the frame rather than have proper mounts (shackles) each end.

Would the trailer have good tyres or second hand ones with little tread, are the bearings heavy enough to take the load.

You could get a relatively new trailer, take sufficient spares, take little weight and have an absolute ball for a trip or two, but maintenance and quality are the things I would have to things I would have to look to. I learned a bit how much risk I placed my wife and self in a car without a proper spare, just think but also learn about your equipment.

Be wary

I think John said it.. Normal 6x4's are pumped out everywhere these days, and theres reasons they are only $300 new.. IMHO you wouldnt get quality for that bucks.

I bought a second hand Koala Camper Trailer without the camper setup off a bloke for $1500. Very good quality, and only 2 yrs old...

Canvas,

If you live in or near Adelaide, it would be worth you paying a visit to Cameron Canvas, they make 6 x 4 onroad, mid strength and heavy duty offroad trailers.
I reckon what you require is a mid range trailer, not heavy duty, and sounds like it is what you would need for peace of mind when travelling those corrugated roads.
They are at Lonsdale.

Geoff.

Highly recommend shackle type springs over the slippers any day. See so many expensive units around with the latter which chuck them in the air on every bump.

Yep,
I reckon that the advice you have had is pretty good.
Shackles not slippers on springs.
Heavy duty bearings (if you can get them on an on-road jobbie) and grease them occaisionally.
Time spent on maintenance is time well spent ( even crawling under to look for breaking welds or other damage is a good activity)
Don't try to do more than your rig can handle.
An on-road trailer is lighter and with a light vehicle towing it you will get in less trouble than if you buy the sturdiest off-road and break your vehicle towing it.
The roads to Arkaroola are sweet- well made and maintained. Serious corrugations, speed and too heavy loads are the gear wreckers.

Cheers,
Camper

G`day Canvas, You have posed your self a question that can be answered only with the passage of time. All the advice given so far is based on the experiences gained from doing it.Up at William Creek one time and we saw high priced camper trailersitting in the garage there,the trailer was sitting on the ground waiting for a new axle/suspension to arrive from Pt. Augusta.We prefer independent axle suspensions for the trailers we build.They cost more but are much softer on the towing vechile,but we feel that matching the diameter of the trailer wheels to that of the towing vechile is paramount along with quality of material and workmanship.
Keep wandering
Regards Bob