Buying a Camper Trailer Feedback

Our daughter and son - in law recently purchased think it is called a soft top i.e you have to peg the tent section- they needed space for 3 kids. As far as I am concerned they are a complete pain in the butt if you want travel and have a lot of 1 night stops. I would only look at a hard top that folds out and forms the base of the tent and no pegging out required for a 1 night stop.

The front page here is what I call a hard top http://www.cubcampers.com.au/
and here is a soft top http://www.cavaliercampertrailers.com.au/index.shtml.

Daughter has the latter as theirs folds out off the trailer so the tent is 14 ft long and gives a lot of space, but not for me as a overnight stopper. Takes around 20 to 30 minute3s ti set upo where was the hard topper takes about 2 minutes

Barry G

Thanks David. Camprite seems such a great solution for us with (small) families - am only assuming there must be 100's of families out there who have done differently. In short though, you've eco'd my thoughts completely. Thanks so much for taking the time to write back. Very Best Regards, EcoTourer (TheDorneys)

Hey Wilko,
I've a good Mate that has a T-Van and can vouch for how awesome they are, but even he says that for "with kids" they're not ideal. The Ultimate is awesome except for the fact that the kids are on a soft floor setup and cannot access Mum & Dad (issue for us :)) too easily in the middle of the night. As for the Kimberley's - FANTASTIC CT, but are they suitable for kids??? still trying to find out. Thanks so much for your reply!!!

I'm in a simialr mind to you wilko, Tvan has been at the top of my list for years. However now that I have kids I don't think it will be the camper I buy, I'm leaning towards an ultimate at the moment.
Due to our kids being so young our setup would be, One in the king size bed with us and the other on the convertable single bed. Once they are a bit older they would probably start to use the spare room.

I considered Camprite but the mrs wasn't a fan, she really wanted something more caravan like so I think the ultimate may be the best compromise I can come up with, internal kitchen, fridge etc.... Although I'd still aim to do most cooking outside.

She really likes the Jayco Swan type setups, but they would restrict us too much and not last the distance long term.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the reply. Have heard SO many good reports about the Trakshak but am still wary about the setup/packup time and also about rough terrain camping. Love the hrad floors as you could be above... anything!

Cheers and Thanks again,

The Dorney's

Hi Guys,

I will second the vote for the Trak Shak. I have had mine for over 13 years and have never backed away from a track because the trailer was behind me. I travel with a family of 5, the youngest was 3 when we bought it.

I can set it up by myself in less than 10 min, even quicker for an overnight stop where I leave it hooked onto the car. Beds are made and Kitchen in use within that time. The 2 pole 2 peg system does work very well.

To back that up. I took it in to work so I could set it up to dry in the yard after having packed up wet over the weekend. I was not in a hurry, in fact I chooked around a bit cleaning things off as I opened it up. Having said that it was not a super flash set up either. What I didn't know was that the boys were watching through the window and had the stop watch running, 6 minutes.

Like I say that was not a perfect set up but I could have comfortably climbed into bed at that time.

With my son helping, he is 17, I can now do it in under 5 for a nice neat set up.

Duncs

Can anyone advise as to the limitations of setup area required? The look like they (Trak Shak) need a LOT of perfectly level ground. We tend to go camping in areas where there are only nooks and crannies - perfect as far as four off the ground is concerned - but how does the Trak Shak handle less then level/rough ground???

Best Regards, the Dorney's

The Trakshak doesnt need any more level ground than any other trailer or tent for that matter. It probably needs less as the canvas floor has more "forgiveness" than a hard floor. Some people are pedantic about levelness. I have seen some setting up a c/t with a spirit level, Me as long as it looks reasonably level and you can sleep without rolling down a hill, its good enough. Remember you are in the bush and it aint perfect.

Thanks for the advice Spitster but can I pick your brains further? We like to setup where there might be some significant undulations in the ground, so if the Trakshak is on these can you still get the canvas tight and setup properly? Also, back to your comment that hard floors might need even more level ground... the type of camping we do is positively avoiding the "perfect" environment for a setup and that's where I thought hard floors would be good - surely you can just set them up over whatever is there and chock the corners to achieve a near level situation??? If this isn't the case then hard floors are certainly not for us! We're certainly not the sort to say "Hmmm, that looks like a nice comfortable CARAVAN PARK for us to rough it in" :-)

Like all camping set ups the better the site the better your result will be.

I have set the Trak Shak up in some pretty ordinary places some times it looks great and sometimes it looks like a sack on a line, that said it has always been comfortable. Late one afternoon we got bogged in the soft sand trying to get across a creek. I was worn out and just couldn't be bothered fighting to get the car out of the sand so I set up where we were, right there in the creek. We were well above the water line so that was not an issue but it is testament to the versatillity of the Trak Shak

The biggest problem I have had has been in CV Parks. Early on when there were not many campers around park operators would try to put us on a small site. The TS needs a site about 8m x5m to set up I have had arguments with people who didn't think something as small as my trailer would open up that big.

Duncs

Ditto to that, When we stay at a Park, we generally book a van site as the camping sites are generically too small. I dont think you need to be too pedantic about undulations. It will find its own level.

Hey Outa Bounds,
Thanks for the reply. The point we are hoping to minimise (from your message) IS the packing/unpacking stuff. Really hoping we can find something that stays somewhat setup while travelling.
Thanks & Regards, The Dorney's

Hey-Ho to the Captain!,
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I agree with what you're saying in terms of ease (no softness, just practicalities with a young family :-)). Are you able to advise how "offroad" the Quantum is? We are planning on going to Cape Leque and the Bungle's, though if it turned out better overall, would be happy to Tent it fir these parts of the trip.
Very much appreciated, The Dorney's

The Quantum has been to the Cape, Bungles etc... and will go anywhere it can fit. It is made by the same people (AORC) who make the Odyessy camper trailers.

I have previously had a Windsor Rapid off-road van and its biggest issue was its size, I managed to write-off both sides, along with the awning, as it was simply too big - thats why I went the Camprite. However, I believe the Quantum would have gotten thru. As for the Bungle Bungle and Cape Leveque, you shouldn't have a problem, I will be taking my Quantum there in July :) No need for a tent at all.

My tug is the 200 cruiser, so anywhere that fits the Quantum will fit. Your Ranger should have no trouble, all up loaded weight (with over 300L water) is ~2T. But the downside is price, you will not get any change out of $80K after you get all the options like annexes, a/c etc... But when you have a flushing toilet and hot shower in the middle of nowhere, well my SWMBO thinks its $$$ well spent :)

Cheers

Captain

Hey Captain,
What we REALLY want is one person setup/packup in the mininum time in a true off-rodd camper. Just want the family to enjoy while I handle the obstacales. We LOVE to camp in out-of-the-way places so Camprite seems great and can't see how a soft floor (even as good as the Trak Shak) could rival this. Let me know your thoughts - also, if anyone know of a 2nd hand Camprie TL8 s that'd be great!!!
Regrds, TheDorneys

I reckon you will find the Camprite a great choice - I know I did. But now the hard part is to buy one!!! Its a ~14 month wait if you order one new and a second hand one pops up about once a month if you are really lucky. The only one I am aware of for sale in Australia at the moment is here TL8s for sale. Not cheap, but fitted with every conceivable extra and practically brand new.

Cheers

Captain

Thanks Rambler. Am now just trying to ascertain how "Offroad" the Quantum is, and whether my Ranger will happily tow it. As for expense, I'd rathr spend the extra $$ to get the best result, but unfortunately am not in the position where I can afford to spend without great justification - and even then to a limit! Very Best Regards, TheDorneys

Hi Ecotourer,

Have had a look at the Quatum - looks great for a couple who want all the bells and whistles plus off road capability. BUT there does not seem to be much space for children, even for little ones. Spending top $ surely means you will want it to serve you well for a few years at least. Presumably there are additional "rooms" that can be added on for additional space - in which case you are back to your original problem of time to put up and down for overnight stops?

Having travelled a fair bit over many years, we have come to the conclusion that there is no "ideal" camping set-up - everything is a compromise. It gets complicated when you have a growing family as your needs will change quite quickly over that time. Difficult to plan for but a reality none the less.

Also, speaking more generally, I wonder whether most people really need all the apparent creature comforts that are offered in the glossy brochures, especially given the $$$ asked. For example the shower arrangement in the eclipse can be put together for less than $100 (and about the same time to erect i would think. And that is just one example.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that travelling around is not just about the gear required to get from point A to B. It is about your approach as well - getting out of your comfort zone, exploring places and your response to them, seeing new places with new eyes etc. Spending big $$$ alone will seldom get you that experience, and often there is as good and sometimes more enjoyment, comfort and convenience to be had in a simpler and less expensive set-up.

Apologies if this seems a bit on a tangent, but just a thought from experience.

Cheers,

Val

Hi Val,

The Quantum has optional childrens beds for up to 3 kids, above the main bed you can have a single or a double bunk, plus the table can covert to a bed.

You are spot on about compromise, there is no perfect arrangement out there and believe me, I have tried most of them over many years (tents, campers and vans). It all boils down to what suits the individual family and their budget. While one could have make do with an external shower, having one inside, plus a toilet, is simply a convinience, not a necessity. But my wife and daughter certainly like the idea of a clean toilet wherever we may be - certainly beats some of the bathrooms you come across. Plus a vacuum flush toilet is also much better for those of us who have to empty them, much easier than a chemical porta potti :)

We have found we spent virtually all of our time outside so having room inside the van was not a priority, just a place to sleep - offroad ability was a big attraction of this van. Another attraction for us was the outside kitchen, virtually all other vans have inside ones with perhaps a token BBQ outside. And if we do stay in one spot for a while, we always have the option of putting up the annexe, but even on my Camprite I can remember only two occasions when we had all the walls up - due to bad weather.

I certainly agree that just having all the "right" gear is not the be all and end all of a trip, but it sure doesn't make it any harder!

Speaking from my experience and that of my siblings, a camper trailer can be used for long extended trips, many people do it, but if budget is not a major concern (as stated by the OP), why not have the bells and whistles, especially when travelling with children?

Cheers

Captain

With all that experience I will certainly take your advice onboard, am only worried about the level setup space required for the soft floors as we love to get into more out of the way (and less than ideal) spots.

Your setup looks great and I certainly admire you for taking th kids on such a fantastic, life-forming trip. Thanks so very much for taking the time to reply, am humbled by the amount of advice people are willing to give.

Very Best Regards, The Dorney's

Thanks Guys,

KK's are now top of our list for flip overs, recently edging out Aus Offorad Campers (too heavy, not easy for one person to setup/packup). Good to hear you fit the kids in easily enough, I was just worried about setting them up, staying up later then tripping over them on the way to bed!

Your time and advice is very much appreciated.

Best Regards, The Dorney's

I'll put another vote in for the Kimberley Kampers.

We have just recently upgraded from a soft floor and ordered a 2010 model Kamper. The new tent entry allows more room for the kids to sleep on the hard floor for overnight stops, and a zip on bedroom will be added for extended stays. The new quik awning is also great for overnight stops and can be opened out further and walls added for long stays.

Overall I felt the Kimberley Kamper suited our needs best - the flexibility in allowing us to have quick overnight setups or full setups for extended stays, while still allowing the kids enough sleeping room either way without having to climb over them sealed the deal for us.

Milan.

Hi Tim & sarah,

Got to see a real live KK hardfloor for the first time yesterday. Have you found hat there is really enough room for the kids without treading on them on the way to bed? They seem very small on the hard floor area though absolutely awesome on the seup /packup side if things...

Cheers, The Dorney's

No problem - we use bunk beds (COI Leisure) which take about 5min to setup. We leave them assembled on our bed when traveelling and at camp just have to install legs and posts to beds to turn them into bunks.

With the bunks the kids only take up about a third of the hard floor area against a wall - heaps of room.

I don't think I've got any photos of this setup - but if you Google COI Leisure you may be able to find the measurements of their bunks to 'overlay' that onto a plan of the hardfloor.


Tim.