Budget camper trailer advice

Submitted: Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 11:14
ThreadID: 77946 Views:4066 Replies:6 FollowUps:9
This Thread has been Archived
Hi

We're looking at buying a "budget" CT for weekend camping trips. We won't be going off-road nor doing the great Australian trip. Have come across Blue Tongue Campers and Dingo which have entry level CT's at around $5000. Anyone had any experience with one of these or could recommend another?

Thanks

Aidan
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 11:20

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 11:20
Unless you really want brand new, it is often better to buy a late model better specced camper for around the same money.
AnswerID: 414019

Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 12:10

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 12:10
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The For Sale/Wanted to Buy Rule .

Forum Moderation Team
AnswerID: 414023

Reply By: Jude&theboys - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 14:28

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 14:28
I'm interested to hear anyone who has one of these too and I would add the GIC ones to the list? and yes will be looking at 2nd hand too although it seems not so much cheaper to buy 2nd hand than the cheaper new ones sometimes?

am spewing I have a friend who didn't know I wanted one as she had a friend bought one then decide to buy a caravan instead and sold it unused for $200 just to get rid of it! man I would have found $200 for it!
AnswerID: 414040

Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 17:01

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 17:01
If you are on a tight budget, often you will get a much better camper second hand.

0
FollowupID: 684270

Follow Up By: Wherehegon - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 17:24

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 17:24
Not sure of the GIC, the trailer looks well made but the canvas part of it is from china 15 ounze when I had a look at them at the tuff truck (they had one set up) like my old one the canvas looked very thin ?? Not saying Im write it might be great but Id find out some more info on the canvas fisrt. My trailer was made in Aus, well made but not undercoated first so was rusting within 12 months, the canvas was total crap, was literally falling apart & tearing at the seems after only 12 months of use, will only ever buy aussie canvas again.12oz 15oz means nothing, like bed sheets (as most woman would know) its the thread count that matters, myn was that thin you could nearly see through it. I learnt all this AFTER I bought mine brand new from SA only going by photos from the internet from a dealer. I believe there is a camper shop in 7hills NSW cant remember their name at the moment but they make very quality campers and trailers all made here in Aus including the canvas. I sold myn after 12 months, cost me $400 to fix just to sell it. Regards Steve M
0
FollowupID: 684275

Reply By: Motherhen - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 18:24

Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 18:24
Hi Aidan

Although we have not had a camper trailer, i support the idea of buying a quality brand second hand rather than risk a cheapie new. Choose one that is easy to erect and dismantle, as just for weekends, one that is difficult would spoil your holiday.

Motherhen

Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 414058

Follow Up By: Jude&theboys - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 09:51

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 09:51
finding a second hand one in that price bracket isn't as easy as it sounds either...unless I'm looking in the wrong place. It would seem that the 2nd hand market is so strong that it has closed the gap between 2nd hand and new - or again ebay and the trader section here may not be the only places to look? I've seen some advertised locally but at $6-7K and up......
0
FollowupID: 684342

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 11:59

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 11:59
Jude,

Getting exactly what you want can take a bit of time and effort searching. have you tried a google on something like "buy secondhand camper trailer" - that will give you a lot of hits, then you can refine it down to say your nearest capital city.

Aidan,

Have you considered hiring a couple of trailers to get a feel for what you want before you actually buy. Might just help you get what suits you rather than something that looks OK in the advert. Again a google will probably point you in the right direction.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 684354

Follow Up By: ajcooper - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 17:40

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 17:40
Hi,

We've hired a Cavalier camper before and loved it. Unfortunately our budget has changed hence looking for a second hand one.

I think we'll take the winter to find a good second hand camper for between $5000 and $6000 rather than get one of the new cheap ones for the same price.

Aidan
0
FollowupID: 684380

Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:10

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:10
Aidan, and also Jude and the boys

Drop me a line at dieselturbo42ATgmailDOTcom

I may have interesting gossip for you pertaining to Cavalier camper trailers, but can't MM you as you don't appear to be members(?)


Cheers

Brian


0
FollowupID: 684386

Reply By: Von Helga - Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 15:39

Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 15:39
AJ

I have a 14ft 7 x 4 on-road Dingo.
Great gear

Cheers
Trevor
AnswerID: 414464

Follow Up By: ajcooper - Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 16:58

Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 16:58
Hi Trevor,

Can you email details at aidanDOTcooperATgmailDOTcom

Thanks

Aidan
0
FollowupID: 684687

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 17:29

Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 17:29
Trouble is there is budget and a budget to follow ,
our 1st ct cost $2,700 2nd hand and truth be known we were probably the 4th or 5th owners , was a home built job that had 18oz canvas roof and walls , I spent close to a year doing modifications like suspension/tyres/ watertank instal/ batteries/solar /kitchenslide out ect ect , was perfect for our needs at the time ,
4 years later we trundled of to the camping show and were struck blind by an all alloy ct on "Special" for $7,900 ,so we order and by the time of delivery with our specified modifications it was $10,900 , another 5-6 months of our own mods as batteries/ solar ect ect and we had again the perfect ct for our needs or so we thought ,
Numerous trips of 10-14 days over the next 3 years and the planning for a 6 mth 1/2 lap begin and we soon decide that a hard floor c/t would be more practical so the all alloy c/t is sold at a slight profit.
Enter the 2nd hand Camp-o-Matic for $18,000 , needed some mods once again ,extra gas/ jerries/ batteries /solar ect ect ,
The Camp-o-Matic did all anyone could ask of for the trip ,23,000klm of which 10,000 was dirt , but then if the truth be known our 1st ct that cost $2700 would have done the job as well ,,,
The point of the long response is that no 1 c/t is perfect as neeeds change and even if going budget 2nd hand its better than not going at all.
AnswerID: 414473

Sponsored Links