Buying first camper (2nd hand) - What to look for?

[laxation]

We're looking at buying a second hand camper, looking for advice on the type to buy, but also what to look for when inspecting.

Plan is to use it for trips usually about a week long, not taking it off road though.
Probably a lot of caravan park camping (2 little kids, priority at the moment is just whatever makes it easier!)
But we're also planning to take 2 months off with long service leave and go on a longer trip from Melb-QLD, staying at about 15 places.

We're using an Xtrail, (1500kg towing, 160kg towball) so a bit limited on what we can choose.
Have read here that Australian is better, but haven't seen anything that looks decent for sale. There was an Outback Sturt, but it looked a bit small for 4.

Looking mostly at Mars Surveyor, there's a few 2014 for 5k.

Would love some tips on what to look for when inspecting, but also if there's something I'm missing with the Mars.

[Mace]

Build quality is important.  IMO I'd go for a rear fold.  Easier set up....

Something like this.. A little more $$ and a bit older, but a top quality unit.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=58451.0

or: (which is probably the one you have looked at...)

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=51865.0

Happy hunting...   

[Bird]

Go and hire a couple of different types and see what works for you.

[paceman]

Build quality is important.  IMO I'd go for a rear fold.  Easier set up....

Something like this.. A little more $$ and a bit older, but a top quality unit.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=58451.0

Happy hunting...   

+1 on a rear fold...

plenty of cheaper rear folds on the market now... everyone loves the hybrid vans or the forward folds...

we went from a soft floor (wouldn't recommend nowadays, unless it was a quality one) to a rear fold (admittedly out of your budget), but so glad we did.

like Bird said, if available in your location, hiring is not a bad idea... only problem with hiring is limited style options and you might not have any hiring options at all.  hardly any hiring options in regional areas of the country...

something like this, maybe...

https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/items/details/1996-cub-supamatic-lx/SSE-AD-12566515/?Cr=1

[laxation]

Build quality is important.  IMO I'd go for a rear fold.  Easier set up....

I think I did look at those ones!

Issue with rear fold is they just look too small. If it was just the two of us it'd be great, but with 2 kids there's going to be no room to move in there

[Bird]

I think I did look at those ones!

Issue with rear fold is they just look too small. If it was just the two of us it'd be great, but with 2 kids there's going to be no room to move in there

depends how you camp... if you spend all your day inside or if you use it for sleeping.
Most have a good enclosed annex on them which doubles the room.

[Mace]

Issue with rear fold is they just look too small. If it was just the two of us it'd be great, but with 2 kids there's going to be no room to move in there

One of these will increase space availability.  We used bunks when the kids were young (2 and 4).

https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/sleeping/stretchers-beds/spinifex-kids-easy-set-bunk-bed/90164573?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjws8yUBhA1EiwAi_tpEUxdu3mqBO3ZTQeVOSkCMjwSX55apBEHlhqv9BkvdTVaHeRwUfu4OhoCq48QAvD_BwE

If you are constantly on the move a side fold soft floor usually requires a lot more set up and pack down time. You can set up the side annex on a rear fold to increase space availability if you set up for an extended stay.   

[laxation]

Having another look at the Sturt and have seen some with the extra kids room, which could be perfect.
Does anyone know what that would be like to set up?

We're going to be going with a 1yo and 3yo, so they won't be ready for bunks yet unfortunately (mainly the 1yo)

[Bird]

Does anyone know what that would be like to set up?

Everything gets easier the more you use it. With young kids setting up any trailer CAN sometimes be challenging depending how teh kids behave while you and missus are setting up.

[lloydus67]

Depends on your needs needs, how often you have to pack up and move on a trip, etc.
We had been camping with tents for years, with 3 teenagers, when I decided to get a trailer to make it easier. I rented a johnnos camper soft floor for the weekend and found it a slow setup and took hours to pack up. Admittedly we had a lot of extra gear.
Later on having 2 more small children and the teens grown up and doing their own thing, I thought more about a camper and decided I wanted a rear fold.
In the end I found it difficult to find one that I was happy with and in my price range. I ended up buying a forward fold brand new.
This suits my needs, but while it has more creature comforts than a rear fold, it definitely has less space both inside and outside in the annex.
If you can’t hire one, try going to a camping show, it will give you more of an overview of many campers, but not the depth of using one for a weekend.
Lloyd


Sent from me

[laxation]

Have found a Sturt but it's got a bit of "surface rust" Looks like a bit around the tailgate, some on the storage box.
Not too much.

How bad is that in a camper?

[Mace]

How bad is that in a camper?

Any pics?

 

[laxation]

Any pics?

 

[Mace]

It doesn't look too far gone.  Looks as if its been stored outside...  How handy are you with a wire brush and a paintbrush?

Id expect its pricing would reflect its condition.  What the canvas like?   

[laxation]

Handy enough to scrape off some rust and repaint!
It's reasonably priced. Not ridiculously cheap or anything. Canvas is apparently good, haven't seen in person yet.

[Bird]

What is the trailer like underneath? Looks like its been sittin out in mother nature.. Also take a good look at the travel cover condition.

[PhilWynn]

Also want to follow this question

[laxation]

What is the trailer like underneath? Looks like its been sittin out in mother nature.. Also take a good look at the travel cover condition.

Cover looks OK from the pictures.

Will get some pics of underneath as well.
It's a bit of a hike to go inspect in person

[NZMarkb]

Might pay to ask how long ago the photo's were taken
Nice photos taken 2 years ago when on holiday ??
I've been caught by that one when buying something else

[laxation]

I've seen one posted with photos from an article about the Sturt, just with the website's name cropped out!! 
That guy has sent new photos that I've asked for, so comfortable they're new enough.

Have found another one, very long drive away so would be relying on seller's description - but it looks good condition.
5 years older than the rust one, and has cable brakes instead of electric. 
Given I don't plan on going off road (nothing more than a dirt track any 2wd car can handle) does cable brakes matter? Would also save $700 installing a controller...

[paul.o]

My 2c about the electric brake controller.

Is it something that you may use down the track?

If so, then at least it's not dead money, ie. for this camper only...

Just another thing to think about!

Good luck with your search.

[laxation]

My 2c about the electric brake controller.

Is it something that you may use down the track?

If so, then at least it's not dead money, ie. for this camper only...

Just another thing to think about!

Good luck with your search.

Yeh maybe might need it, but I can always just put it on later.
Just a matter of calling the installer, he comes round and does it one day and then I'm good to go!

I am curious whether it's worth buying a 10yo model vs 15yo...

[Bird]

I am curious whether it's worth buying a 10yo model vs 15yo...

How longs a piece of string?
Depends on condition, what sort of traveling its done (4 trips to the cape? etc V 20 trips up high country)..

I think Xcvator had one of these which was a good unit...

But keep an open mind and look around... theres plenty of makes and models out there. Dont rush into it to get it right.

[Pottsy]

Laxation, where you located? What’s your budget?

[laxation]

Laxation, where you located? What’s your budget?

In Melbourne.
Looking at around 6k mark at the moment. could be swayed higher for something perfect.