camper trailers

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 18:52
ThreadID: 8037 Views:2455 Replies:9 FollowUps:6
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Hi there,

We're looking to purchase an off-road camper trailer. I have been warned away from Cavaliers. Can anyone comment on them? Or any others for that matter. Thanks.
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Reply By: Member -BJ (Sydney) - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 18:59

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 18:59
Steven do an archive search you will find heaps of posts on campers.
ps we love our Kimberley KamperRegards Bob
Where to next
AnswerID: 34890

Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:12

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:12
Steven,
I have an O'Brien trailer, very happy with it, has some very "natty" features, have a look at the website. Not to expensive either.Keep the shiny side up
AnswerID: 34909

Reply By: mickeymoto2 - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:39

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:39
I bought a tvan about 2 months ago, and find it absolutely fantastic.

First trip was a 3300km journey from warwick Qld ...moree...lightning ridge...bourke...wanaaring....tibooburra..camerons cnr....innaminka..coongee lakes..and back home on the roughest stretch of road I've been on for a long time ie..(.Innaminka to dig tree turnoff.)...Thargomindah to Goondiwindi to warwick.

Result....no dust inside tvan...perfect comfort...great to tow. Only pain was purchase price $28000 odd on road with some options. Have no regrets...manufacturer Track Trailers are fantastically helpful. I'm that desperate to go again....I con my wife to sleep in the tvan in the backyard ,until I can get some more time off work.

Regards Michael
AnswerID: 34916

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:53

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 21:53
Only pain was purchase price $28000 odd on road ...

For a box trailer with a tent on it.. Cant wait to get my Sth Cross tent $1100...
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FollowupID: 25218

Reply By: Member - Joey- Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 22:25

Thursday, Oct 23, 2003 at 22:25
Check out Adventure and Heaslip, both in Adelaide. Different design approaches but both solidly built.Joey&Verna
AnswerID: 34923

Reply By: flappan - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 08:44

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 08:44
Steven, whereabouts are you located ???

As for Cavaliers . . . I wouldn't be warned off them as such . . . the unit itself is quite good and solid . . . but for the price . . . you can do far better I believe.

What sort of budget do you have ???
AnswerID: 34946

Follow Up By: Steven - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:38

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:38
flappan,

We're in Canberra and, as far as I can tell, the only trailers available here are Cavaliers and BCNU.
As for the budget, we can afford around the $10,000 mark.
When you say 'you can do far better for the price' do you mean that there are better trailers than the Cavalier for less (if so I'm yet to find them) or.... that for a similar price to the Cavalier, there are better trailers.
Any way thanks for the help.

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FollowupID: 25326

Reply By: thomo - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 15:59

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 15:59
hi i looked at cavaliers but felt they were a bit expensive i bought a simon heard much better built for a lot less towed it around aus with no problems.
AnswerID: 34991

Follow Up By: Steven - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:40

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:40
Thanks Thomo,

I've tried to access the simon heard website but it won't load for some reason.
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FollowupID: 25327

Follow Up By: thomo - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:59

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:59
i travelled up thru broken hill to camerons corner to innaminka up to birdsville across the top off quensland back down thru NT to SA and home with my camper had no probs with the thing , the bulldust got in every were you cant keep it out mine had no brakes i dont think it needed them it had a fair bit of gear in it towing with a 75 series i paid $6500 for it brand new last year.
hope some off this helps as i know it was a bit confusing when i was looking there is a lot to choose from.
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FollowupID: 25330

Reply By: Brett - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 20:10

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 20:10
I have a Cavalier and cannot fault it.

Our last trip took in 55000km and 2 years through the Top end and Kimberly etc with the Gibb river road and Mitchell Plateau thrown in along with countless other out of the way places.

Some advantages are,

12 or 13 oz canvas which is extremly durable( and feels as thick as cardboard) and weather proof. We have been through the wet season in Darwin and Cooktown and the thing didn't leak.

The trailer is very strong with the ridgidised steel (dimpled) and the drawbar which runs through to the rear of the trailer. The suspension is simple and parts are available everywhere if required.

The windows dont go to ground level which means they dont need to be zipped up when it rains ( dirt gets splashed up the sides approx 18 inches) plus they have clear outer screens as well as the canvas inner.
The cover zips to the camper base which stops 99 % of the dust getting in and the cover is made with enoug room to store things like 2 x fold up chairs 2 x fold up tables, a banana lounge, the ladder and all of the tent poles and an inflated air mattress between the foam mattress and the bed base. Then on top of the camper(when folded up but before the cover is put on) 2 x 20 x 20ft tarps the awning and another heavy duty 9ft x 8ft tarp. The cover fits nice and neat with all of this stuff.
In "travel mode" our trailer weighs 1020kg

I could go on but all I can say Is that although our Cavalier doesnt have al the bells and whistles it is reliable and has never let me down.

PIC OF CAMPER

ANOTHER PIC
AnswerID: 35016

Follow Up By: Steven - Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:45

Friday, Oct 24, 2003 at 22:45
Thanks Brett,

Sounds like it has served you well. Do you have brakes on your trailer? I'm hearing conflicting stories as to whether they're necessary. (I know they're legally required over 750kg). Comments anyone?
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FollowupID: 25328

Follow Up By: Brett - Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 00:14

Saturday, Oct 25, 2003 at 00:14
No Brakes!!

THe trailer and camper weighed 550kg with everything removed,except for the canvas. It is up to 200kg heavier than others about but I am of the opinion that thae heavier it is the less likley it is to fail ie fatigue cracks etc.

We have a 1997 model. I think there have been a few changes to the later models with improved tailgate and different location for gerry cans etc but basically it should be the same.

ZGood luck and keep an eye on the Trading Post etc you should be able to pick up one a year or 2 old for about 4 to 6 k.

cheers

Brett
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FollowupID: 25334

Reply By: Big Trev - Monday, Oct 27, 2003 at 14:08

Monday, Oct 27, 2003 at 14:08
Check out Southern Cross, brand new betwen $7k & $8k

http://www.southerncrosscanvas.com.au/campers.htm
AnswerID: 35246

Reply By: Keith from Tambo Campers - Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 at 18:41

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 at 18:41
Steven

Saw your query re campers and a reference to many brands including the Simon Heard camper.

We are the Melbourne distributors for Heard Campers and have an offroad unit on display as well as the Tambo Camper.

The Heard Adventurer starts at around $5,500 and the Tambo $5,880. If you want to see more about the Tambo, try our site at www.tambocampers.com.au.

With both models you can add the extras that you need.

There are many different styles and price points you can research - good luck.

If we can help you with any questions, please let us know.

KeithTambo Campers
AnswerID: 35618

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