What Camper Trailer should I buy?

Submitted: Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 15:55
ThreadID: 88434 Views:5412 Replies:7 FollowUps:5
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Hi Everyone,

We are regular campers but new to Camper Trailers. We are in the market for a semi-offroad or off-road camper trailer with a 9 foot tent which we plan to tow behind a RAV4.

We are in Melbourne and have seen an Outback Campers - Wimmera semi-off road camper which we quite like. Are there any other Australian made campers we should consider?

Our budget is $5000 now or $7000 by November.

I look forward to your suggestions.
Thanks

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Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:00

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:00
Why not rent a couple different ones and see how they work out for you?

Careful for those cheaper camper trailers there are many cowboys out there.

Good Luck.
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Follow Up By: Member - nick b - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 21:42

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 21:42
I would agree with " Careful for those cheaper camper trailers " we have a no name type imported canvas ,don't last , if your camping a lot look for quality.
cheers
Cheers Nick

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Reply By: Bushranger1 - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:06

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:06
I bought an Outback canvas camper trailer in 1994 & took it all over Australia for 2 years.
It was great & I had no major problems with it.

I sold it some years ago because my camping needs changed. I am currently in the market for a slide on & have been back to see Jim at Outback Canvas.

Sure there are bigger more luxuriously equipped units around but the Outback Canvas camper is good value for money & the company is great to deal with.

Cheers
Stu
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Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:09

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:09
Sorry I just realised that back then Outback Campers was called Outback Canvas.
Same Company.
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Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 19:59

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 19:59
Gday
i am with Bushranger here, we have an Outback Newel , and are very happy with it. We have had the camper for ten years now and no problems at all.
Muzbry
Great place to be Mt Blue Rag 27/12/2012

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Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:49

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 16:49
Gday Jason

We bought a 'no-name' camper trailer in the Newcastle (NSW) area (new) about 5 years ago,(oops, just remembered, 2007). It was described as an 'off road' model, and me, having little experience as far as campers go, at the time, just checked out the build quality of the trailer (I am a metalworker).

It had an Oztrail 9 tent fitted to it.

Result, bloody brilliant! It would go anywhere and never leaked. Plenty of room for what we required. Click on my profile, I think there is a pic there.
Cost $6300 including 'sunroom' (full annex).

We had a look in the same camper trailer yard a little while ago, and they were even cheaper!

It was basic ( I built the kitchen), but the trailer and tent were great. 7 leaf spring pack suspension with greasable shackles, gas bottle and jerry can fixtures,spare wheel, all the basics actually.The wheels were used, and one was buckled, so watch for that.

When we decided to upgrade to an A'van, our next door neighbour bought our camper, 'no argument about the price, just show me how to put it up!'

I think the trailer name was something like Tymyler .. that doesn't look right, can check next door if you need the exact company name.

No need for brakes on this camper, so it was under the 750kg limit, and the Rav would have no probs in general, (I recommend brakes though, even if not legally req'd).

Keep looking, they are out there.

Cheers, Dave

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Reply By: ian - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 18:04

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 18:04
Hi Jason,
Tambo Campers are strongly recommended by many owners on this forum. I am very happy with mine.
You should look at them when you looking around
Rgds
ian
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Follow Up By: Member - Bytemrk(VIC) - Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 22:31

Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 22:31
I'd second the suggestion of Tambo mine is now 7 years old..and it's brilliant.

That said, while we have taken ours all over the place - I am not sure I would be so keen on towing one off road with a RAV4.

On the black stuff would be no drama - but fully packed, mine is pretty heavy and off road I would definitely want something more substantial than a RAV4 to pull it.

So it really depends how far "off road" you intend to go...

Certainly worth a look though....
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Reply By: Member - Roger S (WA) - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 00:20

Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 00:20
HI Jason,

I would also look at Cavalier Camper Trailers, we brought ours second hand 17 years ago and have all to many locations over the years including the Kimberley for six weeks last year. It is an off-road version and has been trouble free other than breaking a spring hanger on the Gibb River Road last year.
Regards Roger.

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Reply By: Daggles1963 - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 17:08

Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 17:08
just need to work out what youll be doing first, buitumen or offroad.
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael A (ACT) - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 20:08

Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 20:08
i agree with daggies. You really need to work out your requirements both for the camping side and how your vehicle will perform with the type of trailer you would like. In the first point dont always believe the salesman - try it if you can.

The rental option may seem expensive in the short term but for long term piece of mind it is a good way to go.

i am renting a Tvan for a 2 week jaunt at xmas to see if it meets our needs and expectations. (this is out of your price range but was using this to show that it can be done for most levels of camper)

Regards
M

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Reply By: Jason D - Monday, Aug 15, 2011 at 10:08

Monday, Aug 15, 2011 at 10:08
Thanks Everyone for the great suggestions and information. I will check out a Tambo camper and compare it with the Outback camper.
Cheers, Jason
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