The great off road caravan debate, plus, take the tinnie or not?

Don't forget Track Trailer Topaz or Australian Off Road Campers Quantum & Eclipse.

We did the big trip for 2 years. 2 Adults 2 kids 8 & 11 towing an off road camper trailer.

We like you could not decide whether to take a tinnie or not. Our friend talked us out of it & I am so glad they did. Would not have been worth the hassle of carrying it. We borrowed or rented a boat on the very odd occation that we needed one.

Either way you will have the time of your life. Enjoy your travels.

I always take plenty of tinnies as I like VB and in some places you can't buy it

Some idea of what you are going to pull it with may help.

Hi Hado,

I would personally take a tinny as I would make sure I used it 100's of time during a trip around Oz. I would design my itinerary and route around the usage of the boat.

Cheers Wilko

Hi Hado

We (travelling without children) chose a Bushtracker to be certain we got out of the deserts in one piece. We have a wonderful country to see, and much of the inland is long and corrugated dirt roads. This is where we wanted to travel. To do this, we had to upgrade from our Patrol which could pull the van OK, but a fully laden van for the big lap would not have been legal. Hence we purchased an F250 before taking long trips.

I am not mad keen of fishing, and most of our travel is inland and through dry areas anyway. I reason that with the money saved (including extra fuel) we can go on a charter every now and then. Whats more, they know the waters, and know just where to catch fish. A much better idea in my opinion.

If you would like a bit more detail about choosing a rig, email me

Motherhen

@ westnet .com .au

If you are going to look at everything that comes along Haydo I would not take a boat. There is alot of equipment, additional weight & increased fuel usage when carting one & if you are just going to put it in every so often is alot of trouble. IMHO you'd be better just to hire or take a fishing charter.
If your main aim is to go fishing there are obviously many great locations to base camp from & makes carting one 20,000km worth the effort.
We carted a boat up the Canning so we could fish the Kimberly. It all took up so much valuable space & overloaded the car & all for 3 days fishing. Great fishing but for me now we will either be touring or taking the boat not both.
Cheers Craig.............

We have not done the Big lap but have done plenty of QLD, NSW, VIC and SA over the years on various trips - did we take our tinney, yes, on 2 trips where we specifically wanted to go fishing. What did we do in other places, surfcast, hired boats or did fishing charters.

We are in the early stages of planning to do the Big lap in 5 or 6 years time when we retire and the boat does NOT feature in our plans.

If you really really want to take a boat, get a Porta Boat and a 5hp motor. A lot less drag, smaller motor to find a home for, etc.

Stevesub

6 months and 23,000 klm , took the tinny [3.6mt-12ft with 10hp mariner] on top of the landcruiser towing our c/t , used boat 2x , once at Innaminka and then on the Daly river in the NT, 12ft boat -16ft crocs ,,, save your fuel costs [at least 1-3klm per lt] and put it towards renting or charter ,,, give the kids a real thrill like helecopter fishing at ElQuestro.

Hi Makintraks,

We are travelling oz now (me,wife and 4 four year old) and had a 23ft van with a 100 series cruiser. although the van is none of the brands you mentioned, we still went on dirt roads etc. We are half way around and have had a change of hearts. We have now bought a jayco expanda (waiting for the critisim), and a diesel hilux. We have dropped a tonne in weight with towing the van and the hilux economy kills the 100 series.

We were finding that the big van was to big or to high to fit under trees or up tight tracks, to get to camps we wanted to go. Yes the expanda is not as well made as the brands you mention but at a third of the price i dont care. I am modifying the jayco to go on dirt roads now and i dont think it matters what you take as long as you drive to suit the conditions, that generally means slowing down and take your time.

We have more room in the expanda than in the big van but there are trade offs with both models. Also we have found all the things we wanted in a van have changed so much as you really only sleep inside it, most of the time is spent outside doing stuff. Really consider the difference in size of the vans and tow vehicles needed, the fuel bills add up after a while, we now try to keep the weight down as muchas possible.

Good luck Troy

Hado, (we need ya back opening for the Aussies....)


Mate, I reckon your probably sorted for answers about the Tinnie, but I might as well way in.

Unless your a mad keen fisho and you are planning your trip around fishing destinations, then don't worry, also if you are relativly inexperianced in relation to boating, then launching a Tinnie and traversing unknown waters is a recipe for disaster I reckon.

I've got a friend just getting towards the end of 'The Big Lap' with his family (wife and two young boys) and he reckons his biggest regret was not having a Tinnie along!!! But he is a pretty keen fisho, so it's Horses for Courses I reckon.


Cheers.........Browny

The question as to whether to take a Tinnie or not often comes up, or is often thought about by those doing the ‘big lap’. Personally I think the reality is that there are those who fish all the time and would not be without their tinnie, and there are those who ask the question whether it is worth taking a tinnie or not.

And I think therein lies the distinction, if you are asking is it worth taking one you probably are not a mad keen fisherman and it probably isn’t worth the hassle....if you know what I mean.

But enjoy your trip!

Cheers, The Landy