Caravan or Camper trailer debate or neither for trip around australia

Have a look at Cabin prices in van parks and you may change your mind.

A Van would be easiest as you drive in, 15mins to set up and sit down for a cuppa.

Trailers and expandas look a real pain from what I saw.

Nothing like taking canvas down in pouring rain either.

Depends on what you define as OFFROAD as to what sort of a van.

You will be limited by cars towing limit as well.

And might I respectfully suggest, if SWMBO has taken "afew years to agree to the trip" then 15 months living in a rooftop tent may land you in a divorce court...

Buy a caravan.

As previously stated , it depends on "how offroad" you are talking as to what is more suitable.
I travel without towing anything as a family of 4 but that is only for up to 6 weeks at a time.
With an extended trip like you are talking you may find it better to have some form of trailer or van setup particularly wth young children and inclement weather that will inevitably come your way at some stage.
You may also find it less tedious with the packup and setups ?????

ounds like a great trip

Hi,

In reality I doubt that it would work. For one thing the things that you will probably want to see and suitable caravan parks just arent distributed evenly enough around. Then there's the cost - you'd be better off getting something to tow and set it up so that its comfortable. That way you will have a lot more flexibility.

I can think of few things worse than every few weeks having to haul all your gear out of the vehicle into a cabin then haul it back into your truck after you have "recharged your batteries". Or for that matter getting a 2 year old up into a rooftop tent, especially at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Really I cant see your idea working out, and if your wife likes her creature comforts I think she might be turned off pretty quickly by that arrangement.

I think the secret to comfortable travelling, especially with young children is to have a place for everything, and then keep everything in that allocated space unless its in use. Plus a bit of space where the children can play when its cold or wet - which at times it will be.

That means either a caravan, a camper trailer or a motorhome, all set up so that its comfortable and the gear that you need is accessible. Doesn't have to be flash, but it does need to be functional.

There is no perfect camping set-up; everything is a compromise, but if you want get the most out of your 15 months I suggest having a rethink. There are quite a few folk on this forum who have done as your want to do - have a look at what they have done.

Anyway, have a great trip.

Cheers,

Val

My Wife and I travelled this beautiful country on 4 extended trips each 8 - 12 weeks and 3 trips to Flinders Isl. with a Rodeo Flatray and a camper see my members profile. was a very comfortable set-up and worked well.The only thing to consider is the daily set-up and pack up time if you on the move, also if you stay at the one place you either pack up when you go sight seeing or have a set-up where you can lift the camper of and leave it behind but be aware most manufacturers don't recommend sleeping on top without the Vehicle under and if you come back in the dark it is not easy to back the Vehicle under as you have only centimetres to play with. I have sold my set-up about 4 weeks ago for health reasons and ordered a Cub Hard floor Brumby which is quick to set up and can be left at the camp-site set up and ready.There are many other camper trailer with more room, one tray top camper comes to mind where you can sleep on top without the Vehicle under Outback campers in Victoria.

Have to agree with everyone else - a rooftop tent would be an absolute pain for all concerned. Did a bit of a trip last year and one in our group had a rooftopper and after 2 days he slept on the ground (luckily he was on his own) he said it was not worth all the hassells of putting it up and pulling it down each day - much, much, harder than using a standard tent on the ground.
Especially to keep SWMBO happy go for a caravan - doesn't have to be a new one, plus a tent for the times you want to go where the caravan cant go.
The other alternative is a good quality Off Road Camper Trailer.

Planning the trip is half the fun.

Good luck.

Jeff.

We chose a caravan for longer touring (although five months has been our longest trip away), and we don't travel with children. Apart from the inconvenience of using a camper trailer in wet or windy weather, i think you would be rather limited in packing space for your needs with a young family; even more so with your third option. Modern caravans with bathrooms (somewhat essential for young children aside from keeping the wife happy) have all the comforts you need for a home on the road, with no need to do anything when you stop apart from turn on the gas and make a cuppa. With a fully equipped caravan, you don't need to worry about booking cabins, or any bookings in peak periods - you just stop when you are ready. Use the roof top tent and swag, or even better just a family sized tent, for when you go to places where you can't take a caravan (eg Purnululu).

Our aim is to go to a caravan park about once a week to do the washing and have a good shower and hair wash. Otherwise sleeping out where you can see the stars and not hear the noise is the best part of Australian travel.

Motherhen

We are in the throes of planning a 6-month trip around Australia and plan on doing the Savannah Way and Gibb River Rd, with two children aged 7 and 5.5 years. While they will be a little older than yours, we quickly put aside the idea of a tent and and even our current Lifestyle Camper Trailer is not in the running for our long-term touring needs, as I'd like a little more security from inclimate weather on a long-haul trip.

We're thinking something along the lines of a Goldstream Camper Trailer with Off-Road pack or a Windsor Rapid with RTV pack .... a bit more creature comfort, sleeping off the ground, quicker set-up/pack-up and even an external hot water shower (and possibly a m/wave!) means we could camp just about anywhere though still be living in relative comfort.

JMHO
Sass.

don't think the kids will be a problem at all but if the Mrs ain't comfy (happy) nobody will be

It must be a van.

Hi 2agrov8
we have just travelled from Perth to Cairns (well, we are nearly there!) for the past 5 months in a Jayco Offroad campervan and have found it brilliant! We have 4 kids and have tried to stay out of caravan parks when we could. We decided the 'permanently' set up kitchen etc would be better then a camper trailer and we are very thankful we made that decision. We have taken the camper along the Gibb River road and would have taken it on the Savannah Way but there was too much rain up that way. We have had no problems with it eg dust, rain etc. It has also been great for getting away from flies or mozzies and for somewhere for the kids to play if it is raining or just too hot outside.
cheers
Michelle

Hi 2agrov8,

Your vehicle choice depends on so many factors - your budget for a start.

I would have a few worries sleeping with a 2 year old in a roof top tent also a 4 1/2 year old for that matter, because of the safety factor. However having never used one I wouldnt know for sure.

Also if your wife 'likes her creature comforts' then I would be surprised if she thinks that the roof top tent is suitable. Again, only my feelings...I could well be wrong.

I would think maybe either a pop top or full height van (second hand or new)with pop out bed ends as well as a bathroom would have to be more comfortable especially in wet weather but also in windy or cold conditions. (or when children are sick)..

You have 12 months to get organised so you have plenty of time to look around. You are sure to get much good advice from this site.

Regards,

Heather

We have just purchased a second hand RTT (outback camper) but it is going on a off road custom built trailer. Love the idea of a RTT but hate the idea of packing it up every time you want to take the vehicle somewhere.
As previously mentioned a good quality off road caravan/camper would be ideal. I am guessing that your wife does not want to do "serious" 4wd stuff which is fine. I would lean towards an off road van with an en suite, double bed and two single beds for the kids, awnning out the side. After a days driving, the kids will be tied, your wife cranky from keeping them entertained all day. You want something where you can set up really quick, get some dinner going, kids showered and then you can relax. During the day you can stop for lunch in the van, stop for morning and afternoon tea at a town park with swings for the kids, you will save a small fortune in the cost of food. If your wife is like mine she will be very particular about caravan park cabins ie wants to make sure all the benches are spotless etc whereas if it is your own van, that will not be a problem. If you buy the right van and look after it you will more than likely get your money back when you return.
Having travelled with young children many years ago (oldest is now 27) the idea of a RTT and swag with a wife that likes the creature comforts, sucks.

Cheers

Mark

2agrov8,
In my experience 99% of people are either CT people or Caravan people. Usually both will always push the barrow that suits them. We are firmly on the CT side of the equation. We are on our 2nd camper and have recently returned from a 8 week cape trip with our 2 kids boy 4 & girl 2. We have a KK platinum and we all sleep very comfortably with everybody inside. It only takes maybe 10 min to set up for a quick over night stop. Weather is not really a problem once you get a good system sorted out. 7 days of rain with kids suck weather you are in a CT, van or small unit....

The main advantages of CT's are:
Relative Cost,
ease of towing,
you can go virtually anywhere,
you are "in" the environment rather than insulated from it (some would consider this as a negative lol)
CT people are more friendly ;-)

Before purchasing, rent both a van and camper for a week each, that will help you make up your mind which way to go. For what it is worth, for a year with 2 kids, wipe the roof top tent from you memory and option list. We leave in Jan for our 12 month trip, can't wait!!!

I'm afraid I have to agree with everyone else who has replied so far. I can't see the idea working in the long term.
We are doing our big trip early next year with three kids, aged 7, 5 & 1. After looking into all options, a caravan was the clear stand out. We would have liked an offroad one also, however our budget has not allowed for that, so we've settled for an on road van with all the comforts and space that we need (actually renovating it to our requirements), then when we want to go places we can't take the van, we'll stay in a caravan park for a few days and leave the van there while we go 4wding.
A caravan with a toilet, shower and solar setup means you shouldn't need to stop at a caravan park for any extended period of time to 'recharge'. It may recharge your wife's batteries but the bank balance will dwindle fairly quickly! I think your best bet is to think along the lines of having something that ticks enough boxes that everyone, wife and kids, can live in it full time without needing to 'stop and recharge'. After all, it will be your home for 15 months.
I have no idea of your budget, which makes all the difference, but just in my humble opinion and this is the order we made decisions in -
1) Choose the best accommodation to keep everyone happy (eg, we knew we needed caravan with shower/toilet)
2) Then figure out what vehicle you need to tow that accommodation
3) Then figure out where you can go with it. :)

We figured we are going to have to compromise on some places we'd like to go. Eg, we can't do any longer 4wd tracks like CSR, etc, which we'd like to, but have settled on doing those types of tracks in another trip (like when we're grey nomads!) and keeping this trip for all the stuff we can do with the kids and the inevitable big van that comes with travelling with kids. :)

Have lots of fun in your planning! Best of luck.

Thanks everyone for all the info. We are looking at serious 4WD. My wifes comfort only becomes an issue because it is such a long trip 15 months. We just got back from a weeks camping on Moreton Island with just a tent and we all had a great time even with the rain. It sounds like the kids comfort will be more of an issue for us. I'm going to look into some of the above mentioned pop tops. Thanks guys and girls for your help. Back to the drawing board.

Have a look at the Jayco Expandas. I have a 16' Outback hardlid model. Goes from 16' to nearly 23' when set up. All the body area is living space, no bed to get in the way. You have a big bed either end and you can get bunks down one side as well. Will easily sleep 6. The new hardlids mean no bedflies and the canvas stays pretty well dry.
Graham H reckons they're a hassle. Mine takes 5 mins from unhook to opening a beer. You just need a system!! :)
A mate of mine who has had a cub hardfloor camper for years has just bought a 17' expanda after a couple of trips with us and seeing how easy it is.

I think it really depends purely on your destination ? Had a Tambo CT (top unit and as strong as it gets) But now a swag guy as to be honest the towing around (anything) I found at times far to restrictive. As some have said I don't think there is the perfect set up ....................... nice to pull up to a camp and have the full amenities of a van to use ...................... but getting it there is a pain. Decisions decisions ? ........................... but it's nice to have them
Happy Trails

Hi 2agrov8,

Your situation sounds very similar to ours. We (wife and 2 kids, 8 and 9) are also planning to do the Big Lap in early 2012 and I have been researching the right rig set up now for about 18 months. We have always been into camping and have had a camper trailer and then moved up to a Jayco Off Road Pop Top. The main reason we went to the Pop Top is because my wife is also a Princess and I would not get her into the Outback without a few creatures comforts.

Never forget the famous peace motto "Happy Wife, Happy Life". I can tell you that even going away for a week or so in our camper tralier or pop top is a chore. Set up and pack up times are a real pain, and that's not even when its raining.

For the time frame that you are talking about a caravan is the only way to go, the problem is that the good off raod ones are not cheap. I have done all the factory tours of the major brands , Bushtracker, Kedon etc, and pretty much decided on a new independant company called Spinifex. These vans however cost about $120k. We are selling everything to do our trip, house, business, cars the lot, so we can have a comfortable setup. Also, I know the D-max is a powerful truck but not sure if it's able to pull one of these big off road vans, they weigh in at about 3.5 tonne fully loaded. Best of luck with your research, might see you one the way round, Hado.

The only camper trailer on the market to suit you would be the trackshack. They have 2 queen size beds side by side, a great kitchen set up and are very reliable of road. Cheaper to buy and tow than a caravan, but still giving all the creature comforts. They stand up really gret in bad weather, and give you greater flexability on where you go compared to a caravan, and the kids will love it.

Cheers Col

We did this for 6 months with our kids in a Prado and TrakShak. My wife was certainly not a typical camping person and she also loved her creature comforts but we had a ball! Our 'comforts' were good chairs, Coleman hot water and a porta-potti. Of course a cold beer at the end of a day was pure bliss and being able to make a nice coffee in the middle of nowhere with our stovetop espresso and milk frother was pretty good too.

Anyway, we have a website of our trip in the link below.
our website

Keep researching and get away for some weekends to test out different set-ups. Hire places would be good to use for different campers and caravans.

Mark.