New with a Xtrail Ranger

[brenjak19]

Hello Everyone!

We have an xtrail ranger....bought it in December last year and had to drive it home to Cooktown.  Unfortunately the floods happened and we ended up driving from Melbourne to Cooktown the long way round (via Bourke, Charleville, Longreach etc!)  We didnt use the camper as we have two small children and the stress on the 10 day trip would have been a nightmare!  Shortly after we got home to Cooktown...the cyclone came (luckily no damage for us)  We then moved to Normanton!

Last weekend we took the camper to Karumba for it's very first trip!  However with the what seemed like 50000 poles we had a lot of trouble setting it up and really only used about 10 poles out of the lot....we loved the camping and we absolutely love the trailer...but wish there were some better instructions or at least some pics of a fully set up one with all the poles in the right places???

I have been reading a few threads on here today and noticed that Wil (areyonga) has a ranger and has posted some pics, just wondering if you have some of it fully set up with all the poles in the right places?  I have emailed Sam too at xtrail and I am sure he will get back to me...one of the nicest blokes around and very helpful too!

Cheers

Brendan and Jakki

[Bird]

Welcome

maybe send areyonga a PM and ask him there, that way he will get a message, not everyone looks in here

Take care

[D4D]

Welcome to myswag Brendan and Jakki, enjoy the fun, we like to spend other people's money

[areyonga]

Gday Brendan, yeh it is a bit daunting at first but you dont need to use all of the poles unless the weather is going to be harsh then by having them all its like a fortress, I will PM you on some more details later.  Is your tent a 9ft or 12 ft as there are differences in the pole set up.  You will enjoy the Ranger as I do and I am planning a long trip through the Centre soon.  I have made a few small changes to mine and you might be interested.

Enjoy
Wil

[brenjak19]

Hi Wil, and everyone else that replied!

Thanks for getting back so quick....yeah we have the 9ft rear fold.....I am trying to work out how to upload a pic to my signature and the camper and car!!!  We did love using the camper...but hardly used any poles and noticed that it was not up right so to speak...wasn't on level ground for starters...we stay at the caravan park so that the missus could have warm showers!!! and the site was really uneven...we know that having it level would have been a better start....plus it seemed to be pulling to one side...when we put it down we noticed that it should have been on a bit of an angle rather than straight on the inside...if that makes sense!!!  We are going to put it up again tomorrow at the back of our work...which has a huge flat yard!!!  Hopefully Sam gets back to me with some pics too!

[dno]

Welcome to the forum Brendan & Jakki.

[brenjak19]

This is the triton and camper

[areyonga]

Brendan
The 9ft is a great tent which I often free stand without extra poles and there is a method in putting them up which you will develop after a few goes.  I originally had the 12ft tent and you really neaded two to erect it but after changing to the 9ft it is a one person operation in set up and pack up.

Wil

[Heiny]

Hi Brendan and Jakki, welcome to My Swag

Nice set up

[Tassie devils]

Hi Wil, and everyone else that replied!

Thanks for getting back so quick....yeah we have the 9ft rear fold.....I am trying to work out how to upload a pic to my signature and the camper and car!!!  We did love using the camper...but hardly used any poles and noticed that it was not up right so to speak...wasn't on level ground for starters...we stay at the caravan park so that the missus could have warm showers!!! and the site was really uneven...we know that having it level would have been a better start....plus it seemed to be pulling to one side...when we put it down we noticed that it should have been on a bit of an angle rather than straight on the inside...if that makes sense!!!  We are going to put it up again tomorrow at the back of our work...which has a huge flat yard!!!  Hopefully Sam gets back to me with some pics too!

I purchased the 12ft off rd xplorer  in December, also struggled the first couple of times with set up and what pole goes where, I watched a couple of vids on the XTRAIL web site, and picked up a couple of tips.

[brenjak19]

Thanks everyone!  Thanks Wil for the chat....hopefully tomorrow we will set it up with more finess 

[XTCT]

I purchased the 12ft off rd xplorer  in December, also struggled the first couple of times with set up and what pole goes where, I watched a couple of vids on the XTRAIL web site, and picked up a couple of tips.

TD,

I just shot a video setting up a 12ft tent all by myself. No video editing trick, fast forward etc.  I am trying to edit it with text explain on some scenes. I did the main tent in less than 5 minutes, in relax, not rushing. I then spend another 5-8 mins to put up the annex roof, again, all by myself. Poor me that I am only 165cm. If I was taller than 170cm, I could do it much faster  

cheers

Sam

[areyonga]

Sam
You will have top nail blocks of wood to your boots to make you taller, but seriously the video will be a great asset and if you get a chance make one for the 9ft as well as the framing is a little different to the 12ft but it is easier to erect.  After one has done it a couple of times and worked out the shortcuts it is very fast.

Wil

[XTCT]

Sam
... seriously the video will be a great asset and if you get a chance make one for the 9ft as well as...
Wil

Wil,

Surely will. The video is a temporary one for showing our customer only as the background is our pallet rackings which is unpleasant. Eventually I will redo the video professionally outdoor.

The reason why we do not have video mainly due to our rapid updates on our products. Now all models are basically set after numbers of updates. The new tent with tropical roof shall be final. Any plan to travel Melbourne lately?

cheers

sam

[areyonga]

Sam
Not in the near future but you never know what may come up, I would like to see the new tent.

[Old Croc + plus one]

Hi Brendan & Jakki
Welcome to My Swag Happy Trails with your Xtrail there they are great campers

[BigJules]

G'day & Welcome.

I couldn't wait 6 months for anything let alone to try out my new camper, but it sounds as though the seasons have conspired against you. You'll get the hang of it, Xtrails get a good wrap and are well made.

[hutchie62]

Hi Guys & welcome to Myswag, hope you enjoy your time here.
  Hutchie

[XTCT]

Thanks everyone!  Thanks Wil for the chat....hopefully tomorrow we will set it up with more finess  

Hi Brendan

I just got the tent set up video done, not professionally and I did not plan to video the setup, just coincidently that couple of owner asking for more info on setting it up. So I place the camera aside while setting it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGSZ7_oiO-M

Could look better if I have planned for the video taking. (I mean can get it setup much faster if planned)

Wish this helps. Side fold and rear fold has the same setup process, just different orientation of the tent.

cheers

Sam

[XTCT]

Sam
Not in the near future but you never know what may come up, I would like to see the new tent.

Got 4 prototype tents air freight to us for approval, soooo expensive freight but worth it. The new tent trick even local canvas tent manufacturer because they cannot tell if it is imported or local made. The quality of material and workmanship distinguish itself from all other import tents. It is hard to explain by words, you have to see it to believe it.

In 2012, we plan to attend interstate shows, including NSW, QLD, TAS, possibly SA and WA. You will be amazed by the quality and workmanship of our latest premium tents.

cheers

Sam