Camper Trailer purchase

Seems Not!!!!!!!

Yep .... I got me one for Xmas !!

Firstly, haven't yet used it in battle .... I'm in FNQ and the roads are ratspit for a coupla months yet .....

Set it up in the yard for a test run on Boxing Day and was very impressed with :

SIZE.... it is very big with the awning set up. With the awning and walls attached it will be humungous for space under cover.

SET-UP ...It is relatively easy to set up the first time, things seem to follow a logical process. Trick will be to remember how it 'came out' so that you can reverse that process effectively.

CANVAS .... The whole canvas top appears to be quite well made, albeit a relatively light grade canvas but all stitching appears OK and it all 'puffs up' asthetically well.

BED ..... Your actual bed area is huge ........ the mattress is just "acceptable" - I will be augmenting mine with my own self-inflatable [ mattress, that is !] and will eventually add an egg-carton foam underlay.

Base is nice and firm, with a good thickness of ply under .
HOWEVER, the steel box-section framing paint job is bloody awful .... the paint just flakes off it when fitting it to the trailer.
Petty, I know ... but to deal with it for repainting [which you shouldn't have to do anyway] requires the top to be removed from the trailer and then laid on it's side to get access to these areas . ..... this top weighs in at 150 kgs !!!
I haven't yet resolved this problem.

EXTERNAL TRAILER ACCESS .....You also need to put in some thought about your hingeing arrangements, if you are going to need to gain external access to the trailer contents other than via the tailgate.

Like, some deep thought .... as you need to work out where your hingeing will go whilst the top is loose on the trailer, then find an easy solution to the hole-drilling exercise ..... the tent needs to be erected to do this ... bugger of a job !
You'll see what I mean when the time comes.

NO gas-struts are supplied ..... so unless your missus has arms like Arnie, and bends easily to your will .... gas struts are a neccessity.
There is about 70 kgs of downward pressure from 45 degrees angle of the bed, [yep, I measured it!] I have the specifications if you want them.

AWNING set-up ....Awning wall is zip-fastened and is supplied in ONE PIECE ie: two ends and front wall all in one> Personally, I will be getting an upholsterer to make this into THREE SEPERATE pieces, zippered and velcro-flapped ...... much more user-friendly .

The awning roof is a really good part of the overall !! But it can be left off for overnight stops, if you wish. Simple matter to put on.

LASTLY, ALL THE SEAMS WILL LEAK !!!! Yep, that's right, ALL.
This is NORMAL with most new tents. Easily fixed, though ....

Fully set it up in your yard, minus the awning walls, and give it several soakings with your garden hose, on medium sprinkle, NOT JET. Do this several times and the hole that the cotton threads go through will eventually swell, the holes will shrink and all will tighten up.
I personally also have 'beeswaxed' each and every seam on mine, on account I hate DRIPS in a tent.



BAD POINTS:
The Assembly Instruction Sheet would be more appropriately used astoilet paper. My Beagle could draft a better set!!

No mention of pole fitting details on the above .... some are tricky.

Bedbase frame painting is P-poor! Wasn't primed or undercoated!

Tube ladder is murder on bare feet .... sell it to some-one and get a K-Mart kitchen folding 2Step !!

Personally believe that Gas Struts should be part of the whole.

GOOD POINTS :
Heaps of room, both in main tent and with the awning,

Quality appears reasonable, bearing in mind that we didn't pay $4000 - $5000 for it, like some.

Really great ventilation and cooling with the large window screen openings.

Ideal for stays of a few days or longer ..... I would recommend a largish silver tarp as a fly to give greater cooling/shade/protection ... and all that jazz.

GOOD points beat BAD points, though.

Overall, I am quite impressed with this unit and can't wait to give it a try-out in the field.

Also, my general use will be on goldfields/beaches/ etc up here in generally sunny FNQ. And, mostly it's just me and the Beagle.

Dependent on where you are going and how many 'residents' etc .... your needs may be different.

Anyway, hope this helps..........

Jason,

Whatever Camper you end up with please take this advice from someone who builds them for a living.

Never put any sealant of any nature on the seams. Canvas takes time to "weather". That is the process of getting wet, swelling and then shrinking. Hosing it down won't do it. It needs to sit, set up in your yard, and get at least 5 thorough soakings in good rain, thoroughly drying out after each soaking.

It will eventually seal and be totally waterproof and never need any further attention.

Jim.