Offroad Caravan

Thanks Motherhen.
We travelled the Mereenie Loop and the Oodnadatta Track last year with our black top caravan. Although they were both well maintained we travelled very slowly to avoid damaging it. Felt like that was just wetting the appertite and want to do more offroad trips so would like to get a caravan that we could take most places. We will also be taking a tent for short trips into the more difficult places.

Hi Russan

You have had a taste of what is out their in our wonderful outback. It took us all day on the Mereenie Loop - but only because we met someone who had broken a spring on their camper trailer, and together with another couple who had stopped to help, we got them safely to Kings Canyon.

While most caravans will survive shorter trips on corrugated roads, every corrugation is doing damage and this will eventually show in even the hardiest of rigs after thousands and thousands of kilometres of corrugations. It can be very costly if the breakage occurs in a remote area, and none of us are immune to breakages - not matter what the rig.

I do not really recommend any brands, but want people to make the choice to suit their needs. There have been plenty of questions on off road caravans here for you to sit back and read. Taking a tent is fine for places like Purnululu where you cannot take a caravan in, but of course not suitable for taking trips such as the Savannah Way (hopefully our next bug trip), Tanami, of across the country via the Plenty and Great Central Roads.

Good luck in your choosing.

Mh

Ooops - where did that bug come from? Should read "our next big trip".

Hi Motherhen

Just for your info.

As far as Purnululu goes I believe the current position of DEC is

Single axle off road or heavy duty trailers, caravans and other towable units ARE permitted in the park

Dual axle trailers, caravans and other towable units ARE NOT permitted into the park and will be asked to leave

We have been in there in our single axle van and friends have been there in there single axle Coramel.

Hi Rowdy

Thanks for the clarification. I was just using that an example, as it was one of the few places we had to leave the caravan behind.

When we were there in 2008, all sorts and sizes of windup caravans were going in under the guise of camper trailer, and simple small caravans were not as they were "caravans". The following year they streamlined it to allow small single axled trailers (which includes caravans) in, but not big or tandem trailers. This is due to potential track damage.

Mh

Of the 4 brands you've mentioned the Trakmaster is the only well known 'Off Roader' on the list, with the Goldstream being a well respected Dirt Roader.
OJ

Hi Motherhen,

Will you be doing the Savannah Way this year?

Kind regards

Theo

And that is a problem, there is more than a few lemons out there. Good research is critical. Mothenhens advise is spot on. For those of you wanting to improve your research see my ad in the For Sale section

John