Camper Trailers & Kids beds Query

Mark,

No little kids to worry about but one of the advantages of a soft top Camper Trailer, is the amount of extra storage space available under the cover.

So, a cheap way could be to place another double mattress, or two single matresses, on top of the bed before packing up the camper. This could be either normal mattresses, or a couple pieces of high density foam mattresses.

Similarly, if you bought the kids a Swag each, (should last them a lifetime) these could also be placed flat (rolled out) on top of the bed while travelling, therefore not taking up additional space in, or on top of, the vehicle.

G,day Mark,

We use self inflatable mattresses (Thermarest or Similar) quality and price vary.
It is worth getting good ones, as they will last along time, insulate against the cold and dry quickly if they do get wet,any good outdoor shop will help.

As for storage we throw them and all bedding on top of camper bed before we fold down tent,in fact we throw that much crap on top of bed then on top of tent, when folded, we got the soft cover made 100mm longer in the sides to accommodate.

Adam.

Hi Mark,
Mrs Mick T here. We have 2 kids aged 11 & 8. At first we had stretchers which were compact but with our impending desert trip in June we needed to cut down on weight. We now use a swag for them each. This makes pack up easy as we just throw them on top of our bed- ready made & ready to go when we pull up. We even got a girly colour for the daughter. We did debate the self inflating mattresses for a while but thought the swags were more durable & with our son getting close to the teenage years thought this was a much more sensible choice for us.

Cheers
Chelle

Hi Mark Had the basic model Camper by them. very well made. No problems in the 5yrs we had it.

Mark,

During our time camper trailering we used a "Disco Bed" bunk arrangement for our two girls using those 2" thick mattresses and Roman sleeping bags (about -5 degrees I think).

We had a soft floor camper trailer and the bunks obviously helped with the room but they were heavy, and took up a fair amount of stowage, although the mattresses and sleeping bags were stored during travel on top of the main mattress.

The plus side was that the girls were rarely cold or complaining about the comfort.

Swags on the floor would not have worked for us as there was just not that much room.

I wish you well with your decision.

Regards,
Jim

Hi Mark,

Take a look at the Camprite, it is made for a family with 2 kids and has the beds permanetly setup and all sleep off the ground.

We originally had a Windsor Rapid van and changed over to the Camprite to enable true offroad travel. You have the same size family and I researched for ages what was the most suitable and nothing IMHO comes close to the Camprite for a family. These campers are made locally in WA at Wangara, Reg and Matt are fantastic to deal with and I cannot speak highly enough of their backup service.

Click on my members rig profile below for a few pics of a camprite. While a new one is a tad out of your price range, you should be able to find a 2nd hand one within that price range.

Cheers

Captain

Mark - swagman off road campers are manufactured in Perth - very good camper - similar to the Jayco but better dust sealing we have found. They have a web site

www.swagmancampers.com.au

Easy to erect which we have always considered important - my wife must be able to fold it up is case somethings happens and I am not able to assist.

We have one but have no interest in the company which manufacturers then.

Take a look at their site - well built - easy to tow.

Taken ours to WA also along the Plenty Highway to Alice from QLD - along with many other trips over 9 years

A J

Hi Mark
Could'nt agree more with the Captain as we to have a camprite
tl8 and find it excellent with 2 adults + 2 kids.We got ours new
last year but they do appeer second hand now and again.Otherwise there are a couple of hire mobs in Perth that hire
them also.Try first maybe.