Camper trailers in WA

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 21:54
ThreadID: 41555 Views:2476 Replies:7 FollowUps:9
This Thread has been Archived
Gday,

Anyone towed an 'Outback Camper' (made here in WA) around Oz. How did it perform. Been looking at them and a few others and for the price they seem pretty good. Any others worth looking at in Perth ?
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Ray Mc (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 23:56

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 23:56
Gday Birdy

We've had ours now for bit over 3 years. Taken through Great Central Road, Northern Territory, Kimberley, Pilbara and Coral Coast. Very happy with the whole unit, canvas is excellent quality and trailer is 'dust proof'. Have made a few adjustments to ours (some of which are now offered as options by Outback Campers). Our friends also bought one after using ours and are as happy as us. Service by owner Rob is great before, during and after construction.

We had looked around before parting with our $$ and have seen a large number of various models and makes around the place and we are still very happy with our purchase.

We tow our camper with a diesel Pajero and tracks very well. Extended draw bar due to Pajero barn door so the door clears the spare mounted on the A frame.

Good luck with your quest for info.

Cheers

Ray Mc
AnswerID: 217390

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:47

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:47
Ray,

Been checking these out for the last couple of weeks and they look pretty solid for the price and I particulary like the extra storage capacity for water and fuel jerry cans (I drive a petrol cruiser !). The company seems relatively new so was interested in hearing feedback by travellers like yourself. Thanks

Birdy
0
FollowupID: 477875

Reply By: Member - Alan (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 00:06

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 00:06
Haven't seen Outback but re your request for others to look at - we have had a Wandering Star Camper for a bit over 2 years - and are currently away on a 6 mth tour around Oz - with 2 kids (8and 10), dinghy on the top of camper.

John and Dianne are great to deal with - and are happy to adapt camper to suit your needs. Can't recommend them highly enough.

Camper is very well made all round.

See Wandering Star Link

Regards

Alan
AnswerID: 217393

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:43

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:43
Thanks Alan. Will check out the Wandering Star. They were on my list however its nice to have a recommendation from someone actually using one !!

Birdy
0
FollowupID: 477872

Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 01:11

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 01:11
Hi Birdy,
I recently picked up a new Pioneer camper trailer made here in Perth and am extremely happy with the quallity and design--very similar to the Kimberly camper but a lot cheaper.I have been looking at campers for 2 years at the different shows etc. and the Pioneer ended up as my choice and one that Ithink you should look at if you are serious about off road travel.
AnswerID: 217404

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:42

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:42
Thanks Rambeler. Wasnt aware of the Pioneer but will definately check them out.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 477870

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:23

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:23
Hi Birdy,

Haven't used an Outback, but recently got myself a Camprite, made right here in WA at Malaga (just down the road from Pioneer campers). As we have 2 kids, the big advantage of the Camprite is its built-in 2 single and 1 double bed with all beds off the ground and very quick set-up. Throw in independent Kings springs and Rancho shocks and you have a bullet proof suspension system.

But if you havent got kids, then the Pioneer is another great camper also made in here. I seriously looked at that but with 2 kids the Camprite suited me better.

Cheers

Captain
AnswerID: 217434

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:41

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:41
Captain,

Just had a look at the camprites (TL8s). Look great and nice solid construction. How did you find it for storage as didnt look like there was too much storage space compared to the some other campers. One thing I wasnt sure of was how they when you stop for the night as you have to pull out everything thats stored on the camper floor ?

Birdy
0
FollowupID: 477869

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:36

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:36
Hi Birdy,

I know exactly what you mean about storage and it was one thing that originally put me off . However, in practise it is actually much better than my previous caravan - and that had a heap of dedicated storage space like cupboards, under seat and full roofline cupboards!!!

For a roadside stop, you simply swing the tailgate out and you have access to the kitchen. The steps turn out to be great seats and your food (packed in containers on the floor) are easily accessible while sitting on the steps. If you do want your chairs, they are easily reached.

When setting up for a quick overnight stop (ie. not wanting all chairs etc.. set up), simply open the camper and raise the canvas (<3 mins) and its here you do have several containers of food, a few chairs and a bag or two of clothes on the floor.

What I do is simply stack these at the foot of the single beds. They take up say one foot of space and still leaves heaps of room for even me to lay down (could sleep my kids head to toe if required and have a spare single bed). This completely clears the internal floor space within the camper. My camper has the set of six _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx that are under the end of the double bed and this is where most of the clothes are stored.

I actually find this much better than my previous caravan as when initially packing everything, all food and clothes have to be packed into the dedicated space in the van while in the camper you pack it in the house straight into the bag/containers directly. This may sound backward but, suprisingly, I can pack the camper much easier and quicker than the van. And having less dedicated storage space means you do think about what you really need. I reckon I rarely used more than 25% of the stuff I took in the van!!!

And unpacking is quicker still. As everything is in 6 or so bags/conatiners, simply carry them into the house. Whereas the van required unpacking from underseat storage and food from cupboards and it seemed to take a LOT longer. Its funny that while a van seems easier to get ready in theory, it actually takes a lot longer.

Also, accessing clothes in the van required people to get off the seats and/or remove the acculmualtion of junk on them while in the camper you easily access the bags on the single bed or the slideout storage container under the double bed.

So my initial concerns about gear stored on the floor of the camper turned out to be unfounded. Must admit I am really pleased about that :)

The main reasons I choose the Camprite is the dedicated single and doouble beds with all beds well off the ground. All beds are left made up so quick overnight stops are so easy, nothing much to do once the camper roof is up. Also, the interior space seems much bigger and the built-in seats work out really well in practise - you are not sitting on the beds all the time.

While I like the idea of the hardfloors like the Pioneer, it simply didn't have enough room after the kids beds were put on the floor - plus they cannot be left set up or have somewhere to sit (not counting the bed). But if you don't have kids then that negates a lot of the Camprite advantages.

Both the Camprite and the Pioneer are excellent WA products and choosing between the two is more about what your needs are, not trying to see if their construction is tuff enough for true off road work as they both are really well made. There are minor differences (I prefer the Camprites electric brakes to the Pioneers overide discs for example) but the point is they are both up to the task.

Cheers

Captain
0
FollowupID: 477917

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:53

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:53
Hi Captain,

Interesting to hear about the storage factor. I guess once all the _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx are utilised and the back of my cruiser I probably wont need to much more space so I wont rule out one of the camprites. Seems the strongest of all I have checked out so far - it was only really the storage issue I was a bit concerned about. The other styles we are looking at are the soft floor option which fold out over the trailer. This means the trailer can be full of gear and not need to be moved out of the way when you stop. My wife likes the idea of the beds up off the ground, espescially in croc country !!!! Will keep investigating......

Thanks - Birdy

0
FollowupID: 477923

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 13:06

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 13:06
Hi Birdy,

Do your looking now, exepensive to change once purchased!!!

I initially liked the soft floor for the very reason you say, but after talking to many people I decided the hard floor (off the ground) were the way to go. Just makes camping in stony or unven ground so much easier.

One advantage I found the Camprite has it that its high enough off the ground to set up over the bl@@dy coppers logs CALM seems to place in all camp sites now, somthog I never thought of when buying!!!

Cheers

Captain
0
FollowupID: 477926

Reply By: Member - Karl - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:51

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 09:51
Hi,

I have a 'Downunder Campertrailer' - they are made in Forrestfield. I am very happy with it and excellent value and the service by Paul - the owner - is fantastic.

Might I suggest that it might be worth while hiring a couple of different types for weekend trips before you make your purchase - that way you will get the feel for the one you want. This will allow you to find out how well it goes up (and stays up), what extra features you might want or don't want etc.

I know there is a place at either Wangara or Malaga that hires the Outback and Grassroots Camping in Bassendean hires the Downunder.

What ever one you decide you won't look back. I keep mine virtually packed ready to go and it is a breeze to set-up.

We are off this weekend to Lane Poole Reserve - once there it takes about 1/2 hour to be fully set up and cuppa in the hand.
AnswerID: 217441

Follow Up By: Birdy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:39

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 10:39
Thanks Karl. Havn't heard of them but will check them out. Good idea about hiring one too
0
FollowupID: 477885

Reply By: Member - Teabag (Queanbeyan) - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:54

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 12:54
Birdy,

Mate, I'm not going to tell you what to get or what to look at as your requirements and budget is different from person to person. What I do recommend is take your time and do has previously advised in hiring one. Once you have used one a couple of times, noting what you want out of the trailer wrt Kitchen, sleeping arrangements etc. then you will be able to make a better informed decision on what Camper will suit your needs. I'm on my 3rd Camper Trailer and have finally found what suits my needs perfect but again this may not suit your needs......

Once you have broken it down to a couple of designs it then pays to ask Forums like this on the Build quality. Just take your time and research.......

Not plugging any Particular Trailer but I bought my last one from David at Camper Trailers W.A and he and his staff's service for me was second to none. I believe you can by there with confidence of high quality after sales service.......I have no affiliation with his business, just a happy customer......

I hope this helps.......
AnswerID: 217465

Reply By: lost - Monday, Jan 29, 2007 at 11:34

Monday, Jan 29, 2007 at 11:34
I own a outback camper,have for over a yr now. and if i was to buy again, it WOULDNT be an outback.(go pioneer)

The service i received after i purchased the camper, well not much can be said about that either.
AnswerID: 218339

Follow Up By: Birdy - Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 at 09:48

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 at 09:48
Thanks for the info. Curious though as to the reasons why you dont recommend the "Outback" other than after sales service ?

The Pioneer campers do look very solid. will be ringing them for prices today. Bet there almost double the price of the outback - Guess you get what you pay for ehy ???

Thanks
0
FollowupID: 478968

Sponsored Links