Hard top camper trailer to sleep 6

petro

there is a Trak Shak for sale on this site, in the trader section...
You will never go wrong !
We have one, and love it

Cheers
Bucky

We had an Aussieswag which was fantastic for us an 2 kids. But if you want 6 beds then I reckon the Track Shack would be a better option.

Petro

Sounds like you wrote a description of a TVan

Can't go wrong there

Chris

Hi Petro,

I looked around for ages for a good family camper and found the Camprite to meet my needs the best. What I have found was most campers are either designed for a couple or have the issue of extended setup to accommodate the family. The Camprite is the only camper that is designed for a family and has all the kids off the floor.

While all the campers you have mentioned are very good, I too looked at them but slowly crossed them off my list. All the hard floors have the problem of kids bed setup, the Ultimate had the kids in a separate tent area underneath, the soft floors need flat ground and the Tvan is really a couples van. The final two campers left on my list were the Adventure and the Camprite. I loved the kitchen and awning of the Adventure, but after setting up the "case" tent (not that easy - make sure you do that if serious about it!), the kids were back on the floor and you had to make your bed every night.

So while the Camprite has the issue of no quick awning (does have a beach umbrella holder as standard), it ticked every other box for me. I could go on for ages about its good points and how great they are, how they can carry kayaks and bikes that can remain in place when setup etc... but I think that the most telling thing is both my sister and my wifes sister have each bought a Camprite, along with another family we also go camping with.

A Camprite is not perfect by a long shot (no camper is), but it certainly has proven to be very suitable for our requirements and I have yet to see a more suitable camper trailer on the market for a family. But if you are wanting to buy new, hope your not in a hurry as the waiting list is over 12 months long!!!

Cheers

Captain

I really think you need to look at something like a Jayco Expanda or Windsor Rapid.

Just some ideas.

Jim.

Petro.
Sounds like you're looking for a 'Tent Trailer'.
If you really want a Hard Top and quick set up, then a "Camper Trailer" like a Jayco Swan or similar would probably fulfill your needs.
ozjohn.

Petro,

I have had a Trak Shak for over 13 years now. When I first got it I had 3 kids; 8,4 and 3.

Up until recently all the kids have travelled with me on many trips of upto about 10 weeks.

On most trips we move daily with nothing more than 3 nights in any one spot, but we have used it for up to 2 weeks in one spot.

Those who say the Trak Shak is too much work to set up should stay in motels. I can be in bed 6 minutes after pulling the handbrake on. Generally though it takes about 10 to 12.

Our pattern is to pull up and take the kitchen off the back of the trailer. We set that up in a suitable spot and Mum starts cooking tea while I set up the camper. With a pre-cooked meal that just has to be reheated I am usually sitting sipping a beer before tea is ready, but not always.

We leave the beds made all the time and have never had wet beds to get into having packed up wet in the morning, but we have delayed our start to let it dry out, never missed a day travelling though.

The Captain's set up works really well for him, my set up works really well for me and others have campers they love too.

The most important thing you can do is have a really good look. Look at everything 2 or 3 times before you make a decision. I looked at the Trak Shak and others for six years before I bought one.

Talking to people who have them is a good start, this post is sensible. But, you will only know what they are like to live with when you live with one. Get out into the caravan parks and campgrounds and have a look at what is there. If you see something interesting ask the owner. I have never been told to shove off, most people love their campers and are happy to talk about them with you if you ask nicely. Many will let you have a look inside and at the way they use the storage space, but wait to be invited before sticking your head in.

Looking at a shiny new camper in a showroom and listening to the speel of a silk tongued sales rep is no substitute for seeing how they really get used.

Even the well constructed arguments posted on a forum like this can be deceptive.

Duncs

Hi Petro
we have been doing exactly the same as you...looking for the perfect camper trailer! We also have 4 kids (age 7-13) so we need to sleep 6.

Our original choice was the Adventure, for the same reasons your wife wanted - easy access to the kitchen for and lunch stop and it was under cover. But then we went to the Camping Show in Perth and actually saw one and watched them set it up and decided the way the bed had to be pulled out, turned around and then set up was way to much effort! Also, all the kids beds couldn't just be left on top of the main bed, there just wasn't room.

We also looked at the camprite, but hubby was a bit concerned about storage and it didn't look too easy to put the fridge on the back.

We are planning on travelling for 5 months, from Perth to Cairns, so we really needed something with a certain level of 'comfort', another fridge or extra fridge space (with 3 growing boys you need heaps of food!) and somewhere they could do schoolwork without too much trouble.

So we have finally decided on a Jayco Hawk (or similar Goldstream). Mainly because: the kitchen is always there, no need to set it up; if it is raining, windy, too many flies etc, you can get out of it easy; we can all sleep in it for an overnight stop.

But if we were not travelling for so long, we would have definitly gone for a 'proper' off road camper trailer, and probably a TrackShak because they sleep 6. But because we are travelling on our own we figure we won't be doing any extreme tracks and if we want to go somewhere the camper can't go, we will unhitch and just take the car.

Cheers
Michelle