Narrowing the search - now need help

WOW, and away we go!!!!

I have a tambo Cooper soft floor camper trailer..
Some friends of ours are in the same situation as you.
One question/statement you left out... How much you wanna spend????

Tambo cooper XT with extra bedroom would suit just fine. I have had mine since 2004 and it is still going strong.. Done plenty of short and long trips(2+ months).
With most features you need, it will set you back around $14,000.
That will include an extended tent area, extra bedroom, fully enclosed awning, water tank, side lift, tool box, kitchen, stove, treg hitch, 12volt power, extra gas bottle holder and stone guard..

Trailer and canvas made in Victoria.

It takes about 30 minutes for the full setup..

Hope that helps..
Matt

Wow - sounds great! We've had our camper trailer about 12 months and have been away quite a few times - now we have it set up its so easy to just hook up and go (although it still takes me best part of a day to pack clothes and food for four).

We have a soft floor because I thought it had more room in the end, but you really need to shop around and see what will suit. I found the caravan and camping show to be an awesome help, so if there's one of those coming up near you I'd get in there.

Whatever you decide, the features that I found an absolute must have are:
My fantastic swing out kitchen - its worth every penny.
The decent size water tank underneath - also worth every penny!
The water box with tap on the side of the trailer - where the kids continuously get drinks and wash their hands without needing to come traipse dirt/mud/etc into the kitchen every time. Also, on the way home, when we have stopped for a feed, we can wash everyone's hands and faces with ease.
And the huge toolbox on the front.

Last bit of advice: Check out Camper Trailer Australia Mag. They review several different Camper Trailers every month and I have found it a wealth of awesome information.

Good luck and above all - have an awesome time!! :)

We spent 3 yrs on the road with 2 kids and we had an O'Briens offroad trailer. Aboslutely brilliant. They can make it to suit your needs. I would say the quickest to set. Look here http://obrien.obrien.fastmail.com.au/f_default2.html
You can also look at our site to see where we took it. http://www.kidsandall.webs.com/
They have various models from on road to full offroad and in between, depending on what you want and you can change anything to suit your needs. Very friendly and great service and after sale service.

Josh

Check out the Tvan's, have to be one of the very best and will fill all you want it to do. New ones are expensive but shop around for a second hand one and they will keep on going for many years.

Gay
Try outback campers in Carrum Downs. I have had one for 10 years now and never a problem.

It seems lots of people who use this site have Tambo campers. Our model is about $8000 these days. Still happy clients after about 50,000 kms. I would not worry about gal and such as it doesn't seem to matter, but do concentrate on good quality canvas as that is the really important thing.
Have fun
ian

Check out Australian Off road campers in the trader on this site!

Go second hand, especially if you are going a bit more up market (hence better quality). Most camper trailers don't get a great deal of use (unless they are an ex hire one)

We have purchased both new and second hand. If you are only going to be able to use it 2-3 weeks a year second hand good brand/ quality has worked well for us.
Electric over ride brakes are better especially down steep slopes, but will require a controller fitted to your vehicle ($). We have hydraulic overide discs which work well, after having had electric drum. But what ever you do, make sure you have trailer brakes, even if the seller claims they don't.

Gal/Painted, to some extent depends where you plan to go. If primarily inland, painted is fine.

Hi,

From experience of travelling with groups of C/T i have found that suspension is the biggest thing to look into.

I have independent coil springs and shockys fitted to mine. The unit has done over 80,000ks in some pretty horrific conditions and never had any problems, have replaced shockys once.

Have travelled with lots of spring set ups from many different brands, and have not come across one that has gone the distance, unless you go the heavy duty ones, which then add weight to the unit.

My view, some will disagree, but my unit is over 12 years old and has never failed.

My unit is able to carry 12 jerry cans and has done so many times, it is leagal for 1.2 tonnes.

Cheers Col

Thank you everyone for your replies - I am certainly learning alot - even lots of new terms - treg hitch, etc etc.

We have now decided that we are going to definitely pull the kids out of school for 2 terms next year and head away for 5.5 months - at the beginning of the week we thought we would go on hols for now more than 3-4 weeks, now the big trip is planned.

Expect many more questions from me - currently have camped for a couple of weeks in total!! Neither of us is at all mechanically minded so steep learning curve ahead but excited nonetheless.

Thanks.