MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => Introductions => Topic started by: ldsparrow on January 28, 2011, 07:46:46 PM
-
Hi there,
Just saying g'day and am planning on posting lots of questions over the next 12 months while we plan our trip. A couple of years ago we spent 3 weeks 4WD'ing around the Kimberley and got the bug, so now we are starting to plan to take 12 months off and travel Australia properly. At this stage we are looking at leaving Melbourne in August 2013 and finishing up in Brisbane where we will make our new home. We are taking 18 months to plan the trip as we are waiting for our son to turn 2 before we leave, with his 2nd birthday hopefully at the Birdsville races...
Our biggest decision at the moment is what 4WD shall we get, and then what camper trailer do we pull along. So far I am leaning towards a Hilux or Navara diesel dual cab. Tomorrow we are checking out Tambo Trailers, we also visited lifestyle campers in Brisbane over Xmas and were very impressed. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated...
We have started a blog so we can document how we get there and then our trip so family and friends can follow our adventure.
www.1yearoff.com.au (http://www.1yearoff.com.au)
Anyway I look forward to being part of the community and learning everything we can before we leave.
-
Welcome!
12 months off - Sweeet! Lots to plan but there's plenty of info and advice on here to help you on your way. I wont even begin to offer advice on the truck and trailer choice - way too much out there and it's all personal anyway.
Enjoy!
:cheers:
-
Hi Idsparrow
Welcome to My Swag, Im envious of you even the 18 months before you go will be exiting. You will find loads of information on the forum and theres plenty of people that will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Have fun planning and post some pics when you find a CT and tug.
Brett
-
welcome sparrow,
i start my 12months off in 16 working days and counting :)
you will get heaps from this site as i have.
cheers terry
-
Welcome to myswag! You can't go wrong with a Tambo, simple, solid and reliable.
-
welcome sparrow,
i start my 12months off in 16 working days and counting :)
you will get heaps from this site as i have.
cheers terry
Hi Terry, fantastic, are you doing a blog so we can follow you?
-
Good on you for having the guts to make the decision, as I'm sure it didn't come lightly. Get out there and have a good look around. Our kids are in high school now, and so we are limited to school holidays for a few years, but look out after that.
Hope all your planning and preparation all goes smoothly.
-
Go with the Tambo I spent months researching before I chose the Tambo solid trailer, pick up my Tambo on the 8th.
-
Thanks for your blog, I will be watching it with interest. Also The Wrong Way Blog has lots of good stuff to it as well.
Enjoy your planning :cheers:
-
Hi ldsparrow,
I can highly recommend Modcon based at Capalaba(Brisbane). Fantastic people and a great product. We sold our old Modcon to a guy who drove up from Melbourne to buy it! Their reputation is solid. We replaced our camper with the new Modcon Solution Imperial and are extremely happy with it.
Frenchac
-
Thanks for your blog, I will be watching it with interest. Also The Wrong Way Blog has lots of good stuff to it as well.
Enjoy your planning :cheers:
We actually spent Sunday afternoon with James and Lorna from The Wrong Way Round, lots of interesting stories and marked a whole lot of must see places on our map.
-
G'day ldsparrow and welcome to Myswag. :cheers:
-
I almost have the Tambo (only a couple of days to go) but unfortunately, don't have the year off.
Tow rigs and campers - the only thing they have in common is the amount of conjecture the choice will bring. Do your own thinking (with the best of advice), re-do the maths and when you've decided don't look again.
Conversely you can take my advice and please yourself!!!! ;D
All the best - I'd love to be doing what you're planning. :cheers:
Mark
-
Hi idsparrow and welcome
you lucky, gutsy buggers ;D
My 5 cents worth :D
can not really help with the camper, (we chose an Aussieswag camper, made in Brendale QLD, should be finished soon :laugh: ), we drive a 2005 Navara dual cab
Don't get to focused on the Hilux, there a good rig but over priced for what you get, have a look at the Navara, Triton, Ranger and Mazda BT50, by the time your ready to go the VW Amok might even be an option. All these are just as good as the Hilux, just as reliable, just as tough! but are between $5000 and $8000 cheaper, and that is a lot of good accessories, both on road and off and for the CT. (and before all those toyota-holics out there get there hackles up i worked for Toyota as a mechanic for 2 years and have owned a Hilux before it was a good rig).
the best advice i can give is TEST DRIVE, take them for a good spin, both you and your partner, make shore which ever you choose is comfortable for you both to spend 5 to 10 hours on the road in, take notice of the little things, can the seat adjust to get comfy, are all the switches within easy reach, etc these might seem minor now but when your spending a good part of your life in it, its the little things that count.
I'll bet 12 months turns out not to be long enough
Enjoy Yoda
-
Hmmmmm tow rig Oiler better in the long run , CT Hire or Check out preloved more bang for the $ .
Most of the mods are done , you will always think up something else to do . Go to Swaggers catch up to see how others set up & how the CT works . You could always ask somebody to show you & tell you about their CT ;D
-
Hello and Welcome.
You can't go wrong with the combo below ...
Kit_e
-
G'day & Welcome.
Wow, a year off, sounds terrific. Look forward to participating in your trip planning.
-
Can't fault our Lifestyle Extenda Elite.
Service was great and the trailer doing everything I can ask of it.