Driving us crazy !!!!!

Submitted: Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:15
ThreadID: 45726 Views:3966 Replies:8 FollowUps:10
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Gday,

After months of planning and preparation for our "Big trip around the block", we are still pulling our hair out as to our best accomodation options or the 6-12 month trip. We leave in around 2 months and we need to make a decision and fast !!!!!!

We cant decide wether to take

(a) Full off road camper trailer behind our 80 series landcruiser or

(b) Smallish caravan to use as a base with an Oz tent for the harder stuff

We are taking a 1 year old baby so comfort is a desirable option for all yet I (we) still dont want to miss the "hard to get to places"

Will we really miss that many great places towing a caravan and tenting the remote places such as W28631, Kimberleys etc ?

We understand that we may have to back track a little in certain places with a caravan however would the comfort of a caravan outweigh the benefits of a camper trailer that can access more places.

Any advise greatly appreciated, espescially by those who have done it !!!!!!!!!

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Reply By: Willem - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:22

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:22
Birdy

Get a Full Offroad Camper as a small caravan will be pain. You can be just as comfortable in the camper as in a van. The camper will give you the versatility of geeting to hard-to-get-to places.

Cheers
AnswerID: 241444

Follow Up By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:31

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:31
I agree 100%

Our young fella has been sleeping with us in a tent since he was 6 weeks old, Great contraception.

This year I plan to build a off road camper as we will be doing longer trips in the future.

Steve
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Follow Up By: The Birds (WA) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 20:04

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 20:04
The camper has been our originalplan however for some odd reason I am second guessing myself ...guess we are wandering how much off road stuff to on road stuff we will really be doing, especially along the east coast (as we are from WA).

Cheers
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FollowupID: 502412

Follow Up By: Harry - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 21:02

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 21:02
G'day Willem,
Been looking through your trips and without spending hrs going through all of them, could you advise me of the location of Ngundrayo waterhole.
BigJohn needs a fire under him to get that new truck of his ready for tripping around, seems to have slowed down quite a bit lately.
Will be doing Gawler and Goog's in Sept. so your trip report will be handy info.
And thanks when you reply.
Ave a good 1
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Follow Up By: Willem - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 21:18

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 21:18
Hi Harry

I only found out the aboriginal name recently after reading a book about the place.

It is the main waterhole in the Calvert Ranges off the CSR. Ideally situated in a small dead end valley it is spring fed and lush green grass was everywhere even though the surrounding countryside was very dry. Photo taken in July 2006.

Cheers
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:28

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:28
I agree with Willem.

A full Off-Road Camper is your best option.
Have a look at the hard top models, which are quicker to put up, although also more expensive.
Bill


I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 241447

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:37

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:37
Your leaving in 2 mths and havent already been out bought it, been out and tested it, had the warranty issues resolved yet?
AnswerID: 241449

Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:44

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 19:44
Don't be an old stick in the mud Truckie, where's your sense of adventure :))))))
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Follow Up By: The Birds (WA) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 20:02

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 20:02
Good call Gramps !

Anyways I agree with you Truckster however have been waiting desperately for a property to sell to get the money to fund the trip so havnt been able to purchase one any earlier.

Went to put a deposit on a full offroad camper as we felt it was going to be our best option after much deliberation. Funny how when you go to part with a fair bit of cash that you sometimes second guess yourself if it is the right decision.

Cheers
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Reply By: Member - John G- Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 07:38

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 07:38
mmm . . .the lead time for some of the good off-road campers is greater than 2 months, unless you go for pre-loved, and that can limit your choices

Good Luck
John G
AnswerID: 241504

Follow Up By: The Birds (WA) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:28

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:28
Yep your pretty much bang on there !

9 weeks till we leave and the mob we are looking at getting the CT off can have it completed for us in 5-6 weeks.

Not much else we can do and havnt found many worth lookinjg at second hand !!
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 09:10

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 09:10
Have a good look at a Track T Van.
AnswerID: 241528

Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 09:59

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 09:59
The Birds
When I seen your post and the heading I just knew I had to get this set up '
You should enjoy this, I have not tried this idea before so if the first link don't work go to the second one and it will go to a web page and then click the large yellow text

Doug

http://members.westnet.com.au/dtilley/a-nut.wma

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AnswerID: 241539

Follow Up By: The Birds (WA) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:24

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:24
Doug,

What a crack up !!! Cant say I have ever heard that one before.

Classic

Birdy
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:32

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 10:32
You can save it to your PC if you want it just by doing a right click on the name and click on SAVE TARGET AS
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Follow Up By: Member - Poppy (QLD) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 16:21

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 16:21
C'mon Doug, where do you find this stuff, you need to get out more...LOL
Sure that turkey didn't clip you in the ear on the way through? LOL....LOL
Cheers Ray
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Reply By: Matt(WA) - Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 19:36

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 19:36
Birdy,
I am heading off next year on a lap around OZ. I am going for a few years and am going to work as I go so I am taking a van and my black wolf turbo. I can always leave the van for a few months and camp and backtrack ang get it. For me and the missus it will be heaps more comfortable when we are working somewhere for a extended period.
Matt

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AnswerID: 241661

Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 12:53

Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 12:53
In that time frame (travel time) I presume you will not work so extended stays will be minimal. I have a 16ft offroad van but I think the camper would be more suitable for the trip you could do as opposed to the trip you would do if you had the van. No backtracking and relatively good to excellent comfort (depending on make of camper) every night. Got a camper and you think it's a pain to pack up in the rain? not if you don't have a set schedule, just sit back and relax after all it won't rain forever (or rain at all if you are round here LOL).

Too many plusses to the camper option for my money.

Some people are spoilt for options, I would be just happy to be going round Oz regardless of my accomodation, LOL!!

Enjoy whatever you choose.
Trevor.
AnswerID: 242032

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