Trackabout Camper Trailers

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 20:05

ThreadID: 68079 Views:13135 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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hardlybay

Hi,

After combing through the myriad of camper trailers on offer, I have settled on deciding between two....(until I see another variant on offer!!)

I really like the Trackabout Safari Trailer and am leaning this way. However, I like the Johhnos Trailer (the deluxe) but havent come across much info on these guys.

I have read heaps of reviews on the trackabout and it sounds well made.

Anyone out there have or had a trackabout or johhnos?

Would like to hear how they stacked up on the rough roads.
I plan to hire both models for a weekend first but I wont be doing anything too rough over the hire period.

I am a remote area teacher and have spent, and plan too spend more time in the Kimberley and Arnhem land and so need a very well built and reliable trailer.

Any comments are much appreciated.

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Reply By:- Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 21:14

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 21:14

Howdy,

I don't have either but just around the corner from Trackabout in springwood is Lifestyle Camper Trailers. I have one of their off road Platinum models and it is great, handles dirt and rough stuff with ease, comfortable and well appointed. Great price for the quality you get. Worth looking at.

Cheers
Evan

AnswerID: 360762

Follow Up By: Member - Broe (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 18:09

Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 18:09

Hi Evan,

I am in Perth and looking at Camper Trailers. I have been looking at the Cavalier but it doesn't have a kitchen, I really like the Kitchen in the Lifestyle Camper Trailer. is it as good as it looks? Also, how is setting up and packing away, fairly quick? What about wet canvas on the bed, any problems? Dust ingress? etc etc. Any information you can spare would be greatly appreciated.

Broe

FollowupID: 628652

Follow Up By:- Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 06:36

Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 06:36

Hi Broe,

The kitchen is very good. For extra bench space I knocked up a shelf that forms around the spare tyre on the back. This keeps your main bench area free so you don't have to move stuff when you want to do something on it.

Setting up and packing up is a pinch. For a quick 1 night stay just open up and 4 pegs - done in a matter of minutes. Adding the annex roof is quite easy and takes about 15 minutes by the time you add all spreader bars (not always necessary - depends on weather). Lifestyle have a great instructional DVD that you can view on their website and it really is as easy as it looks.

We packed up while it was raining recently at easter and then travelled 7 hours back home, had to leave it in the garage overnight before I could get it out to dry and the bed wasn't damp at all but then we do have a piece of marine carpet on the bed to put on the floor once we are set up, however it wasn't wet either.

Travelling outback QLD last year there was no dust entered the tent or main trailer body section which really impressed me.

I have independent suspension on mine and it tows like a dream. Many mates have commented how steady it sits even on bumpy road. Overall I am very happy with it. I have only had one problem and that was a sticky zip; I let John know and he fixed it no problems.

Hope this info is useful, if you want any more just email evanmunroe@bigpond.com

Cheers
Evan

FollowupID: 628736

Reply By: Member - RFLundgren (WA) - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 21:45

Reply By: Rod - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:54

Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:54

I have a Trackabout Safari that I bought in 2001 and then towed around Oz for 4 months including the Cape, Bungle Bungles, GRR etc.

This was made before the current Trackabout owner John bought the business.

I did have to insert another leaf in the springs as they were too soft and I did have to replace the wheel hubs as they developed cracks. That was all in 2001 (after 4 months on some very hard use).

I brought the trailer back to Trackabout after my trip and showed them the cracks and uprated suspension. I believe Trackabout uprated the springs after seeing what had happened to mine and also changed supplier on the hubs.

After 8 years of owning this trailer, I'm still very happy with it

AnswerID: 360843

Follow Up By: hardlybay - Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 20:18

Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 20:18

Hi Rod,

How many leaf springs on your trailer now?
Any problems with cracks, rust or wearing of seals to keep dust and water out?

How is the canvas after 8 years?

I am leaning towards the Trackabout after reading some pretty good reviews and speaking to other owners.

cheers

FollowupID: 628866

Follow Up By: Rod - Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 21:42

Thursday, Apr 23, 2009 at 21:42

I have 9 leaves in each spring. I don't have a rust problem as mine was hot dipped galvanised when it was made.

I did have some initial dust sealing problems. The canvas on mine is secured to the plywood base via an alloy sail rail. On the leading edge of the trailer, there was the smallest gap between the rail and the plywood which let through dust. I sealed that with silicone and never had a problem since.

The canvas is in great condition. In fact, it was the quality of the canvas work and the weight of the canvas used that swung me to buy the Trackabout initially. In those days, the canvas work was subcontracted out of the business. I believe John has since brought the canvas work in-house.

Should also mention that a mate bought a Safari at the same time (we got a small discount). He did the Cape with us an flipped his Safari upside down whilst negotiating the chicken-out track around Gunshot Creek. All at low speed. We winched it back over with no damage sustained. He still has his trailer to this day as well.

FollowupID: 628888