Looking for strong offroad Camper Trailer

Norm, I've got to admit that the Oddysey ZR interests me enormously. It is currently on my very short list along with a few others. I also love your SR5 with the canopy. How does it pull the van and how does it ride over rough stuff. I haven't made up my mind at this stage on the vehicle, but it will definitely be purchased and set up before I get the camper. Unfortunately, I am down in NSW, near Sydney, so can't just pop into the factory, but when I am getting down to the nitty gritty and ready to purchase, I will drive up and view one and talk to the manufacturer. I also like the look of the Kimberly Kamper, but it seems a tad overpriced to me.

Hi Sky Pilot, sorry about delay, been out with the 4WD Club.
The Hilux has no worries pulling the CT. It has a tow capacity of 2250KG (a very conservative rating IMO). Fully loaded, we are pulling about 1500 KG or a bit more, but I tend not to fill the water tanks completely (200 lt) far A to B travel; preferring to fill nearer to the camp site when we can. Also only fill the 4 fuel gerries when needed for a trip. On average, we probably pulling about 1250KG. Probably have to change down a gear up hill a bit earlier, but not a problem. I avoid towing in 5th unless down hill or sometimes on long flat stretch, but this is recommended for all vehicles I understand.

Will be pulling it all through the sand at Fraser Island in early Oct, so that will be a test, but I reckon it will be fine.

The Hilux is great. On road it drives like a car. Heaps of power (it is the intercooled TD) and drives like a petrol. Surprisingly quiet. Heaps of room in the back seats. We did a night nav run with the 4WD club recently with 3 'kids' in the back. One was 6 ft 4, another 6 ft 2. They had a ball and didn't complain about lack of space (although I was happy to be in the drivers seat!).

Off road, it is good, but not great. I have lifted it and upgraded the suspension (OME from ARB). Also removed the factory alloy side steps (which are very low) and replaced with super strong steel ones up under the sill. Removed the rear step to fit a Trail Boss tow bar (leaving the step on would have made the tow bar 2 inches lower). I've had some rear protector bars made (welded to tow bar) and they will be fitted tomorrow afternoon. Bull bar (ARB colour coded) and Safari snorkel go on this Friday.

I've built my own roller drawers (full 1500mm depth) for the back, installed a 50 Lt Reefer dual temp fridge, a 20ltr water container with hose and tap and installed some dust proofing for around the tail gate and made my own tail gate protector from marine carpet. The canopy is a Carryboy.

Inside I've put a Prodigy brake controller in the ash tray space, installed my self made roof console with two map lights and the cabin light, storage space and GME 4400 radio will go in next week end after the bull bar in done(with microphone connected via remote lead through the dash). Also have reversing camera and monitor (attaches to rear view mirror) which I'll install at same time a radio.

We went for the dual cab as the Land Cruiser, Patrol etc are bigger and more expensive than we need; and also much heavier on the juice. We like the load carrying capacity (space and weight) of the ute, and and also having a totally separate cargo area. Narrowed the choice to the Rodeo and Hilux. The Rodeo is good but we were sold on the Hilux due to the new intercooled motor, general refinement and the Hilux rep.

Overall it is great. People at the 4WD Club were initially a bit amused. It doesn't look like a 'real' 4WD, particularly with the colour. But they have been seriously surprised how well and where it goes.

Not saying it is the best off road vehicle. It is not. But for our use it is ideal. Great on road and touring vehicle. With the mods we have done, it is more than capable off road and handles the club trips we do with relative ease. It will do some serious trips over the next few years.

Long story (sorry about that), but we are just about finished on the set up and proud of what we have done(and bank account is close to empty).

As for the CT, if you want any more info on the ZR, let me know. I try to avoid the 'I've got brand x. It is therefore best and you should have one too' type responses, but happy to answer questions or provide info if asked (via e-mail if preferred).

Just a small question Norm about the 4 models of the Oddysey, the VR, XR and ZR and the export. Are the main differences between them in the equipment level? Say you already had some of the equipment like fridge, stove, gas bottles, etc. Can you purchase the lower model and then build it up with some of your own stuff and still have the same CT structurally? Probably one for the manufacturer, but I thought you'd already know the answer having bought one.

Sky Pilot, if you give me your e-mail, I can send you the spec sheets for each model. The VR (bottom model) has leaf springs. The other 3 have independent trailing arm coil suspension.
The Export has a longer drawer bar (2.4m v 2.2m) and has two storage boxes (one holds fridge which is supplied). The others have 1 storage box and no fridge supplied. Otherwise, it is finish specs. If you carry fridge in your 4WD (as I do), 1 storage box is enough. Storage space has not been a problem for us so far.

If I send you the specs, you can put them side by side and see the difference. HWS, ensuite, shower for eg is included in the Export and ZR, not the bottom 2)

Remember though, the things you have mentioned are not expensive (other than fridge which is only included in the Export). Deleting the stove and gas bottles won't save much and they would probably only reduce the price by their purchase (not retail) price. But they type of thing you have raised is possible.

oooooops
30 amp battery charger not 60.

Sounds good Johno. Certainly a strong camper. The weight does get up a bit. Most of the trailers I have considered so far are about 950kg empty, so they are certainly going to approach 1.5t with full load of water and gear for a trip. Your 6.5L chev V8 diesel would have little trouble with that though. I am hoping with about 400+ Nm of torque and a low camper that doesn't stick up higher than the car, I should be able to handle that weight easily too.

Woops the URL is not quite correct campertrailers.org

Paul

Forgot to say I am purchasing a safari model.
They get a great write up as well.
Check out the write up by John Rooth on the overlander website.

tracker mick
You are right about the Safari, being excellent value for money serious off-road camper trailer.
I know because we have 3 of them in our camper trailer hire fleet, they have been to Birdsville, Cape York, Lorne Hill, & Darwin. We have never had a failure or breakdown. Our clients have nothing but praise for their construction and intelligent design. John at Trackabout has put alot of research & development into building a very strong well designed serious off-road trailer.
Johno

Actually, I've just been reminded that I know someone who has an Ultimate. Haven't talked to him for a while, so might have to mosey on around. Just checked out your profile. Love your photos, you obviously have a bit of a talent that way. Will ask about the DTronic. How much difference does it really make?

Have many more pics from trips over last few years. Just wish we could get away for longer trips. The Dtronic is great. Makes a big difference to the 3l Patrol and I couldn't do without it now.

Peter

We are still using a tent, but came across a group towing utlimates last year on the Strezlecki. They look good trailers. One thing though, take pity on every one else in the camp site and don't camp near some one. The water pump is really noisy, and the one near us was getting a drink of water or something every few hours through the night. Glad when they pulled out after two nights :-).

John,

I know exactly what you mean. We have a drink container for use during the night to avoid this noise. Simple solution but a wonder that others don't think about their fellow campers.

Peter

Willie, did it have the air suspension or the coils? What tyres? I have not made a firm decision on vehicle yet. I have owned quite a few 4WDs in my life, including 2 old Rangies, one of which I did a 20,000km trip around the top end with in 1996 - it was a bit of a mechanical disaster when I stripped the teeth of both starter motor and flywheel at Turkey Creek. Cost several thousand dollars to fix and a week sunning myself at Kununurra. Currently have a 1998 petrol Prado, but will not use it as it does not have enough torque down low to pull a heavy van (or a light one for that matter). Also, have definitely decided on a diesel - Petrol is getting too expensive and I want that low down torque.

Possibly, if you had swapped the drivers, the figures may well have been reversed!

I thought that too, but wasn't game to say it. There is an optional rear difflock on the Discovery 3 for $1000 which should make it near unstoppable - in the right hands. I do however always worry about mechanical, or worse still electronic problems on imported vehicles in the outback.

It was the traction control that did not work and the thing just dug in one wheel on the front and one on the back .
The gfuy was bloody embarrassed that he had to be continually pulled out .
I don't know about the suspension type , but it was a diesel .I seemed to have plenty of power , but just kept sinking into the sand .
Willie.

BTW, I have a Track Eagle which is awsesome, but unfortunately has been discontinued in favour of the T-Van, so I have no vested interest in my comments.

What is so great about the T-van. I have seen it advertised a lot with Ron Moon saying it is great. Apart from its dead set unusual looks, how good is it?

The T-Van chassis & suspension would be unequalled ........ the rest is a matter of personal taste, I guess!

I hired a T-Van recently and would of purchased one had it of not rained and the thing leaked.
Apart from that the design is exceptional. I would love to find something that has that ease of setup and packup.

Don't want to get into an argument ... but the Outback is littered with broken leaf springs, not too many broken coils, I wouldn't imagine!

This isn't an argument, it's a disscussion :)

Good Point Shaker,

I've not seen these broken leaf springs, but I'll take your word for it.
Simple 2 part explanation IMHO.

1) There are probably 10's of thousands of cheap box trailers in this country. All of which use cheap low rating axles & leaf springs, none of which was ever intended to head off the blacktop. Some of which seem to find their way off the black top, a few of which then break.

2) Older 4bys, say 60 seriers Cruiser with leaf springs all round. If people are still taking them outback, chances are finances are pretty tight. If finances are pretty tight, chances are maintence is not a high priority, therefore the 20 yr old springs have a much better chance of breaking in the tuff stuff.

These are 2 huge generalisations, but you probably get my point. Solid axles and leaf springs can be the cheapest way to hang your wheels, therefore all cheap trailers / vehicles use this method. Therefore more of them exist & break particularly in the outback, where many of them shouldn't have been in the first place.

Having said that, a properly set up solid axle leaf spring vehicle is every bit as strong and will go anywhere an indepentant vehicle will go. Some would say they'll go further. IMHO it doesn't make much difference on a trailer, both types of suspension (specified & setup properly) will do a very good job. (BTW - I'll still take the Live Axle ;)

Thanks,

Aaron.

As it works out, I had already downloaded and printed out all your photos then Aaron. Very impressive. Almost a studio look to some of them. I think advertising wise, sites that have large quality galleries showing their CTs being used have a distinct advantage over the many that just have text - its so boring to someone looking for a camper. I can't wait to see the Pilbara and the Oddysey ZR in the flesh, preferrably in the same place at the same time. Unfortunately, as it turns out, all the Camping and Caravan shows this year over here are over, so I'm going to have to wait a while I think. The Dubbo agent (400km away) is supposed to be getting one soon, but how long that'll last in the shop is another thing. There is the Melbourne show, but that is 1100km each way, so it is unlikely that I will go to it.

Thanks Sky Pilot, the pics certainly make a big difference. Before I bought my Pilbara, the Adventure guys had some really average images that they used to sell the trailers. But I'm certainly not complaining about going on camping trips and getting paid for it though ;)

The Dubbo guy should be keeping them in stock AFAIK if you're ever in the area. Where are you based?

There is a fundamental difference between the Oddysey style (hard floor) and the Adventure style (soft floor) that might make your decision process a little easier.

The hardfloor type campers (Oddysey, Kimberly, Campomatic, etc) are extremely quick to setup (usually less than 2 mins) with just a floor to flip over, but lack internal space, storage & undercover area compared to the soft floor models.

On the other hand softfloors (Adventure, Trak Shak, etc) take longer to setup (The Adventures are about 4mins for the bedroom) but provide much more space all round. The caveat here, is that if you are staying somewhere for a couple of nights, you might decide to put up the awning etc. Once you go to this stage the Adventure will probably be quicker than the hardfloors, taking about 15mins to setup with everything ie, main bedroom, enclosed kitchen area, shade sail over fridge etc. The main reason for this is the adventure only uses 3 guy ropes to do the full setup.

So the question then becomes (when comparing hard & soft floor) are you looking for pure speed for overnighters, or more space for yourself and gear?

Hope that is somewhat helpful?

Thanks,

Aaron.

Gidday Aaron, Do you have an email address I can access to contact you re the Pilbara, I am very interested and have been looking at their website and will attend the 4WD - Camping Show in Melbourne on the weekend to have a look. Rgds, Dean

Hi Dean,

You can get me on aaron@fc7.com Say hello to Frank (the owner & designer) for me at the show. He's the old short guy on the stand. (Hope he doesn't read this ;)

If you're going to be at the show you might also want to head up to the Grampians (3hrs approx) the following weekend to check out the Annual Adventure get together. I'll be there, along with the Adventure boys & girls plus other owners. Not sure how many other owners will be there, probabaly 10 or so.

Adventure Get Together

Thanks,

Aaron.

Well 55, we had a good look at the Coota Camper as well. Great piece of kit and looks to be super strong. In the end, we were turned off by the weight. Fully loaded, it must be at least 1800 KG. But if you can handle the weight, they seem terrific.

Well 55, what a mean mother of a camper. It is a very impressive strong looking camper with lots of storage space and am also impressed by the price. What do you tow it with? The pictures showing the F250 towing it on the site seem to be about right for a vehicle to tow it. How does your towing vehicle cope up hills and what sort of drop in fuel economy do you get when towing it?

Not to sure of the loaded weight, as every time we go away some things are left behind and other things added, but I guess around the 17 - 1800kg would be in the ball park.

I have a 4.2 turbo intercooled Patrol. it tows it with ease using 5th on the flat and 4th in the hills. Up around Mudgee and back to Bathurst some of the big winding hills in 3rd, more for taking our time and not pushing it.

If required I can keep to the posted speed limit, but when touring 90 - 95 is my best speed for fuel using 16 - 17 lt per 100k, normally when not towing I can get around 12 lt per 100 on the highway.

Very brave Brian. Barbara might here about that!!!