call me stupid.....

I Agree totally.Even some soft floor campers are over $20000.To me, they are just ripping us off.
Our Tambo cost about $7000, brand new.It has the best fit and finish I have seen in a soft floor camper, is as tuff as nails and offers GREAT value.Then you see all these other soft floor trailers, with imported tops for $10000 plus.They have to be making a killing.
Then hard floor campers start about $20000 and go up to over $50000, no way is that justafiable.Sure they have all the bells and whisles, but have you seen what you can get in a 20ft caravan............
But I guess, while we continue to buy them, they will keep the huge prices on them.

Talked to someone whoworks in that industry recently and he said that the new C/T and caravan market is really hot with many of the popular brands having quite long waiting lists. Consequently the prices are up and only small discounts being offered. In contrast the secondhand market does not seem to have much demand and many dealers are keen to clear stock. I would assume that the private market will be similar.

There certainly were a lot of sold stickers on trailers and vans at the recent Penrith show.

It is frustrating Prado - hard to see where money goes but apparently demand is still outstripping supply.

Now I have to declare first that I am trying to avoid towing a van by any means possible !

But I have been looking at that stuff to and got my wife to pick out what she may want at last weeks melbourne show.

Then I began to break down the costs of ownership and it soon starts to look like the diesel/petrol cost discussion where things are not quite what they seem.

When you stop at a CV park you still have to pay maybe $25-$30 instead of $60-70 for a cabin , then there are towing fuel costs etc , depreciation and loss of interest on $35,000 in our case.

When you add it up it comes to around 100 days usage of a CV Park unit , and all the time you have less driving performance - its so much harder to park , and worst of all for us was that it makes it harder to stay in some little out of the way free camping sites than our current senario in which we sleep in car.

Doesn't add up in our case if you camp for less than 100 days.

Still , perhaps the day will come , and to this end I have carefully looked at the
motor bike off-road trailer we homemade for our Simpson event which came in at $1000 ex-wheels.

A similar unit could be made but a bit like a T-Van for under $3000 , with some compromises to make construction easier , and it would have an internal oven
(wife demand no 1).
It would be made such that the rear backed into one of those car tents made for backing into, which would become the soft floor component , to be used for an extended stay, further making such a project practical.

I agree the price is a shock to the system. But we went ahead and purchased a hardfloor camper - albeit we looked for one that had all the gear built in.

Most of the hardfloor campers looked so complicated that it would take forever setting up and you would need a manual as you did it. Other campers cost a lot of money but really had little camping gear as part of the unit and we would need to fit out with much more gear at added cost.

We ended up with our Travelander and very happy. Easy to open with a remote control activating a electronic arm that swings the lid over. It comes with all the camping equipment you could think of built in. I did see at the latest show they offer a very cheap version without extras like gas stove, hot water system etc for those who already have their gear.

As usual I am not affiliated to Travelander just a very happy customer.

I don't know how much they are making on these but if the demand is there...look at a the price of Toyota's! I don't know how they can justify the price of the Troopy and the 4 door 76. The extra for a Hilux over a Ford Ranger or BT-50?

We have a Trak Shak that cost us half the price of a new one and certainly can't see the point in buying new when you find a great 2nd hand one. If the price difference was only a few grand difference then we would certainly have gone new, but when you can save 10 to 20 grand that certainly buys a lot of time on the road.

Cheers,

Mark.

I'd love to have one but cannot justify the cost. As Robin said unless you're using it a lot then it becomes a very expensive toy. Why not hire one when you need one. Yes they are a tad expensive to hire compared with a soft top/floored model but the ease of erection of the hard floored types well and truly compensates.

I've got one booked to use while I'm at the Australasia Safari, had one last year and it was a dream to use and tow and well worth the expense.

I've read were people will buy one for the big trip and then sell when they get home. Occassionally you'll read were people make a profit but in most cases the resale value is such that they have a pretty cheap trip accommodation wise.

The expense of some trailers certainly can prompt an intake of fresh air....the KK for instance is well in the $40,000 bracket but the resale value a few years down the track is near new price!!! We looked at a CUB off road C/T and after reading a report from an owner (Could have been on this forum) about the poor design of the rear flap (opens when water & mud push against it) also the disasisfactiion with manufacturer we steered clear. Rightly or wrongly we purchased a Jayco outback because it suited our purpose. We very rarely go into C/van Parks & like camping basically where we please. The Jayco will go most places & easy to tow. There are some good buys out there it's just a matter of looking.

In Australia we have five percent unemployment, which is deemed to be almost ‘full employment ’ and essentially any anyone who wants a job can probably get one; an economy that is pumping along, albeit better in the resource States, and baby-boomers cashing in on substantial revaluations in their home values with excess money to spend.

There are a higher proportion of people travelling these days and a greater willingness by the baby-boomers to ‘spend’ the kids’ inheritance. A lot of this has found its way into the recreational travel business and you only need to look at the number of caravan, camper trailers, and SUV vehicle sales to confirm this. And I think there is a high propensity for baby-boomers to buy new to get exactly what they want and not have the hassle of dealing with second hand. Can’t be a bad thing in many ways as it provides jobs for people in the industry whether it is in manufacturing or the travel service industry.

Input costs have increased substantially over the past 2-3 years, and anyone involved in metal industries will attest to this, but you also have this high consumer demand pushing prices higher. In these conditions obtaining new buyer discounts will be difficult, especially with waiting lists for many manufacturers; it also means a proliferation of ‘new’ manufacturers entering the industry, some with good offerings, but many with sub-standard products that won’t last the test of time.

I think if you look around there are good bargains to be found in the second-hand market, but you may need to compromise on what you get. But I would always try and buy something that is still in warranty, otherwise it is a case of caveat emptor! Bear in mind a Camp-o-matic with a few years under the belt for $15,000 may not represent good value.....

A long-winded way of saying the demand / supply equation is not in equilibrium.

Good luck either way, The Landy

Its all fairly relevent.....cost of new medium sized boat...approx 30 to 50 K

Cost of new middle of the range hard floor...approx 30 to 50 K

Cost of new middle of the range car ...approx 30 to 50 K


How many of you out there have bought a new 4X4 in the last 5 yrs ??

Approx 30 to 50 K ??? or was it a bit more than that ??

There are plenty of people who say the prices of new 4X4's are pretty steep, but going on the sales figures, there are obviously a lot of people who disagree..

When I bought my 1st hard floor 5yrs ago ( I'm on my 2nd now ), the price I thought was EXPENSIVE, but except for dire financial straits, wouldn't have anything but ,now..

I've had people driving around in a fully kitted 100 series ( they spent 80 + grand ) saying they don't know how you could spend $36,000 on a camper ?????.......really ???

It's all about priorities in life....if you want something and you can afford it.....then go for it !!


I would love nothing more than having a hard floor camper which cost 20 K....weighed 500kg....and could take the offroad abuse of the "dearer" brands....but haven't seen one yet !!

We have hade two hard floor camper trailers ,the first s/h for 20,000 and the second new for 40,000 and on both occasions have got our money back on resale. By buying a quality unit,if you can afford it pays when it is time to sell. We dont have room for storage and live by the ocean so the unit would deterioate sitting waiting fo the next mission.

Here is the facts why the price of caravans and campers keeps going up.

Last financial years the sale of new caravan increased by 20.8% and campers went up by 28.4%. This was in a leading caravan mag last month.
We wanted to buy a new camper trailer so...a very good soft floor $28k, a Cub, top of line, $40k and another hard floor soon to be released upwards of $35k and now think we may just up grade from the Viscount to another van so for example a 2004 17.5 foot Golf Outback from $28k upwards.

Hello Stupid :-)
I'm surprised no-one else did as you requested!

I agree with your sentiments. Have always maintained that the prices for hard floor campers (and some softies) are totally ludicrous.

Whilst people can say that you recoup on selling one still has to find the upfront cash - not easy for most to come up with $30K or so. Borrow? Yeah, and pay a heap of interest on top of the purchase price. No thanks.

If I were you I'd be keeping an eye on the various second hand markets.

Found this JS - if you're interested give me a method of contact and I'll provide their contact phone number. I don't know the owner or anything about the unit. Just happened to see it on another forum.

FOR SALE: Gulk King Warrior Steel Off Road Hard Floor Camper Trailer. This trailer is registered until July 2011 & comes with Delux swing out kitchen, 65 litre lockable water tank, Quick lock rear Stabilisers, 2xJerry Can holders plus gas bottle holder. 8' zip on awning. Electric Brakes. Large Tool/storage box, Stone Guard Protector. It also has an attachable kids room or extra storage room. $10,500 ono.

Depreciation is the big factor.
If you buy an expensive camper and it does not depreciate then it is worth buying.
If you buy a cheap alternative and it depreciates considerably, then you'll lose.

That was my thinking when I bought a second hand TVan which in the last year seems to have risen in value.

And when you're on the old Age pension with no super to speak of because it didn't come in until too late for you to get much benefit and you drive a 11 year old Discovery and tow a 1982 caravan, the price of new gear doesn't matter a stuff.
It's way out of your league and there is no way you can get a loan anyway.

Disco.

I would hazard a guess & estimate that more than 10 percent of the cost of a camper trailer/ caravan/tent/ campervan is assigned to advertising

Advertising in magazines(how many are there) $1500 Plus for a page
Caravan & Camping shows Floor space is expensive.

In the end all costs are passed on.

The cost of living is high but it is expensive to die.

I wouldn't call you stupid for thinking that about camper trailers Pradomad.
So do I.
To some people it is a total waste of money.
But to some it is essential.
Pity the poor buggers that have to have one though.

Let the rich people buy brand new - they use it maybe 2 times a year for the next few years - then sell it at 1/2 the price they paid for it ... thats where you come in

these camper trailers are the IN THING right now .... in 5 years or so they will reduce in price- just be aware of this when you make your purchase

..well,..welll I did not quit expect such a response, but hanks to all of you. For the last few years I have been hiring various C/T in July and it cost me at least $ 1,000.00 each time.

SO;
I figured if I hire for another 10 years (then I retire) that is at least 10K. and the hassle of driving sometimes far to pick it up; if I buy a comfy 2nd hand (the missus likes to sleep comfy) I'm sure I will use it a lot more as I am a teacher (cooking) and I am blessed with lots of holidays. And who knows I might get my money back then?!
JS.

Yes I would agree that the price of these campers be they hard floor or soft floor is outrageous.
When we were younger and the kids were still at home we used our 7x4 box trailer that carried a couple of good quality tents, cooking facilities, beds, sleeping bags ect. With everybody pulling their weight we could set up camp in 20mins and be sitting having a beer in some very comfortable folding chairs.
If I can remember the whole set up cost around $2500.00. WE already had the trailer which was used for general purposes when we were not camping. This was 20 yrs ago so adjust the prices accordingly

I spent 25k on a 2007 17ft pop top which has more than a ct will ever have.

I can't see the value in the ct.'s, especially when I'm setup in ten minutes and I see people mucking around for an hour or more in most ct.'s, and ive owned one and been through it.

I just can't see the value although I do realize they can access more off road type areas.