MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => Introductions => Topic started by: cancan on November 24, 2010, 08:48:05 AM
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Hi all
Have already asked one queston on here but thought I best introduce myself.
Currently have a 2 room tent, big tarp and off road trailer but takes to long to take the palm fronds off the trailer and pack everything and then set up, pull down, unpack and then throw the palm fronds back in the trailer so started thinking if I have a CT already set up I might have more chance of getting away more often.
I have a 5 star wife who will only camp on a powered site with en suite. Have to slowly work my way back to unpowered sites and then maybe beach sites and if I am really lucky maybe one day a big road trip with the family. I am hoping with a good set up this will make it easier to get the social director on board.
We managed to get some time off the week before christmas and found a last minute site at Tallebudgera but of course have left it to late to order a new CT so the options now are:
1/ Can hire a trackabout for the week to get a feel for the CT experience. There is 1 available for the week we have booked and the set up looks good.
2/ Buy a cheapie. Have found a couple of Australian made but basic set up and old for under $3000. Possibly keep it for a 3-6 months to see what use we get out of it once the new toy period has expired plus get more feel for what we will require in a new build and then once we buy new sell the oldie for hopefully same price.
3/ Had a tradesman quoting for some work on our house and he has a customliner in as new condition which he is about to advertise. It has everything that we require and more but not the exact set up that I would go for at this stage (I want 2 gas bottle holders this has 1 plus single battery on side where as I would like 2 in the tool box) but these are minor and can easily be changed down the track. This will save me 6-7k cheaper than if I have one built.
4/ Take the palm fronds off the trailer and take the tent and tarp and check out the Ct's on site and go through this process again next year.
For a new build I am down to Modcon (I like the rear folding option and also pull out pantry) or Trackabout (waiting for a call back from them as they were carpeting there show room floor when I stopped by). Both are overkill at this stage but if I get my way (cough cough) will be up for anything that I throw at it.
That's me
Cheers Cancan
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Welcome to the forum CanCan
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Welcome to the Forum, I would say that hiring one would be your best bet to make sure the better half is happy, you dont want to spend all that money to have to pass it on to someone else. Hire a decent trailer with all the mod cons and you may get the ok to proceed, well hopefully
GG
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Yup agree with GG, try the hire first.
My wife was 5 star and had never camped in her life before I met her. I made sure I got the camper setup the way she wanted it and did a few en-suite site trips to ease her in. Then we spent 3 weeks in central Aus. She now hassles me about when/where we're going next.
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Hi and Welcome to MySwag!
Hire first then buy! Thats what we did back in 2006!
The one we hired was awful... the one we bought was awesome (different brand)!
the Nurse
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G'day and welcome to Myswag. :cheers:
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G'day & Welcome, to the forum and camper trailers.
It's a good idea to hire first, my first exposure to CTs was a Trackabout that I hired for a trip to Fraser Island. I knew I'd never be happy in a tent again.
Yours wouldn't be the only wife who likes her comforts and doesn't think they're available whilst camping, but you can change this perception. I like to say "that any fool can be uncomfortable", and the camper allows one to take whatever you need to ensure your wife doesn't feel like she's slumming it.
I wouldn't go the cheapie, as this might not achieve the goal above, whereas a good hire unit is a better chance. On the second hand trailer, the issues you mentioned are (relatively) small. How long, how often and how far are you going that you'd absolutely need two gas bottles? A second battery is easily added, but if you're starting on powered sites, it might be a while before you need it. One 100Ah battery will run lights and a fridge for a weekend, or near enough.
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Hi and welcome to the forum.
When stating the good side, i can only assume you mean the south side. Lets face it; you wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Mark
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G'day and welcome to the forum.
As others have said, hiring is definitely a good option, especially this close to Chrissie.
I don't think CT's should ever be a rushed purchase. Too many options.........
Oh and Mark, there is only one good side to Brissie and it aint the Southside ;D
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G'day and welcome to the forum.
As others have said, hiring is definitely a good option, especially this close to Chrissie.
I don't think CT's should ever be a rushed purchase. Too many options.........
Oh and Mark, there is only one good side to Brissie and it aint the Southside ;D
Bring it on, this could open some interesting discussion.
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Hello Cancan, Welcome. I agree with the "Hire first" advise you've already been given. If you need more info this forum is a great place to find answers so don't be afraid to ask. :cheers:
Eric.
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Hi Cancan
Welcome to the forum.
Dont mind us if we take you intro thread just a little off topic.
Richard
Oh and Mark, there is only one good side to Brissie and it aint the Southside ;D
Correct it aint the Southside its the Westside :cup:
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Welcome Cancan,
Hire first, there is some beauties around brissy for hire.
Good to have another SEQlder
:cheers:
V8ute.
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We were going to hire to try but came across a second hand Modcon (Made at Capalaba) and when we looked at it, well that was it. We had to buy it. We have never looked back. (We hadn't even bought our 4by at that stage!) The previous owner had kept the camper in immaculate condition. It had all of the handy extras; the only thing I fitted straight away was a 12 volt water pump. One of the most important things it did have, a king size innerspring mattress. ;D So comfy! We will be very happy having this camper for some years to come. We have done over 30,000 ks already, bought it in 2009. Retiring at the end of this year, 20 working days time to be precise, and will be doing a lot more miles, sorry, kilometres in the camper. So just go for it and get out there! Life is far too short. :4x4: Kevin
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Welcome!
At least it's not the Northside!!! ;D
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Just to clear things up, the good side is south east...well at the moment although I do work on the northside but it is nice to cross the gateway in the afternoon although that could have something to do with being further away from work than back on the southside.
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Welcome to the forum Cancan,
I am also a new member, myswag forum really helped me with such an important purchase.
To cut a long story short, we hired a Trackabout (as a recommendation from a member) which allowed us to venture out and basically try the camper on for size (including towing it). It was the best thing we could do, once we set up we could crawl all over it and really be critical about what suited us now and what may be good for the future. After speaking to fellow swaggers, Trackabout trailers rated highly, I researched CT's for a fair while and for value, design and reliability ( Trackabout's are used as hire trailers in far north QLD and go to the cape often- a test for any vehicle or
trailer) I feel they are on the money anyway. In addition, Johnny
Trackabout is a top bloke to talk to and is happy to take the time
to tell it how it is. ( sound like I am on a commission? No, just
happy I did what I could to make a sound choice- no regrets)
Good luck with your choice.
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yeah the southside of brisbane must be the good side, they have woodridge, Inala, Eagleby, etc,all those high priced areas....
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yeah the southside of brisbane must be the good side, they have woodridge, Inala, Eagleby, etc,all those high priced areas....
Geez.... I grew up and lived in Woodridge for 20 years... (soon as I was old enough - I made a run for it)... Also married a Woodridge car thief (didn't know that until the wedding reception speeches) and then divorced him....
Meet and married the love of my life... and moved to Springwood - cos the Woodridge-ites couldn't run across 8 lanes of highway.... (made me feel safer!)... and then recently moved to paradise!
BTW, my old's (Spike45) still lives in Woodridge... but he is currently visiting the suburb's cousin in Tasmania... where they eat the fresh road kill! Ewwww......
the Nurse
PS. Sorry, way off topic of hiring a TRACKABOUT!
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Welcome from the "right side" of Brisbane :cheers:
You'll have fun here
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The only reasons I am willing to go to the southern side of the brisbane river is to get to NSW, go to the 'gabba, and to visit the manufacturer of my camper trailer.
If I need to go anywhere else over there, I always find it such a hassle getting the necessary injections.. ;D
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Greetings Cancan,
Enjoy the forum. You may have sparked a Northside vs Southside thing here. I too travel between the two for work daily.
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Welcome!
At least it's not the Northside!!! ;D
hey steady on, leave Townsville out of this. :D
truck
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The only reasons I am willing to go to the southern side of the brisbane river is to get to NSW, go to the 'gabba, and to visit the manufacturer of my camper trailer.
If I need to go anywhere else over there, I always find it such a hassle getting the necessary injections.. ;D
;D ;D ;D hahahahaha
Cancan, as i am sure you have gathered by now, this is Myswag all over. Bit of ribbing here and there but generally no massive egos to contend with.
You, and i am sure everyone else will agree, have joined the right side of the internet here at Myswag!!!
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Bring it on, this could open some interesting discussion.
x 2! ;D
Kit_e
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Welcome to Myswag Cancan. As you can see, everyone here is very friendly and helpful and somewhat witty too. haha
The hire first idea is definitely a good one. Not that we did I might add. Our only experience of camper trailers was back in 2008 from Cairns to the tip of Cape York. We were in convoy with our son and his family who were towing their new Trackabout Safari - hubby and I were tenting. We are tent campers from way back and just loved their ct. The idea of having everything packed up ready to go at a moment's notice so to speak, is awesome! So, 2 years later and we have ordered our own Trackabout which we'll have at the end of Feb. We are so excited and can't wait. Then it'll be over to the NT in July to visit said son and then a camping trip together back across the Gulf. Bring it on!!!!!
Enjoy the website.
Cheers :cheers:
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Thanks all...its a nice welcome even from the people on the other side.
Hiring first seems to be the popular choice having said that we are known to dive in head first and haven't suffered to much so far for it.
Got a call from JT today and the new trackabout showroom is finished so going to detour on the way home tomorrow and get an idea on what I can get new. Might even stop off at ModCon on the way back although been there a couple of times last week.
Looking at the 2nd hand Customline on Saturday before its advertised. Looks well priced from my research and as new condition going by photos.
Dropped the idea of a cheapie first, could do more damage than its worth if we have issues over Chrissie
and will continue to read posts and check out pictures...shame work keeps interrupting me but then have to pay for it somehow I suppose.
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Welcome to the site Cancan, Tallebudgera's a nice spot, went there for the first time in September, was a bit busy where we camped, but I now know where to go next time.
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Hi Neighbour,
South-East bayside is definitely the place to be, with the bay breezes in summer. As already mentioned hire the best optioned you can afford the boss will very happy not having to bend down and lug around things as one seems to do when tent camping. There is one thing to remember though; as you will be hiring you will need to pack your camping items, bedding, camp supplies etc into this trailer, very much the same as you now do with your tenting experience. But keep reminding yourself whilst doing this that the time taking this time is a reminder of the time saved when you own one and everything is in there anytime you want to get out there!!
It's just a magic thought not have to pack and unpack everything each time. My motto as you can see from my MySwag tag 1 million stars every night camping will be 5 stars any other night!!
Enjoy and welcome to MySwag from a fellow baysider (Wynnum).
randan.
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Welcome cancan from another baysider , this is a great forum heaps of info here
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We have now dived in and I have purchased the customline. Did get excited about a new trackabout but just didn't have enough in the budget and we have also got a lot of extra camping gear with the customline plus a price reduction which will go to getting the electrics done on the car (anderson plug and brake module).
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We have now dived in and I have purchased the customline. Did get excited about a new trackabout but just didn't have enough in the budget and we have also got a lot of extra camping gear with the customline plus a price reduction which will go to getting the electrics done on the car (anderson plug and brake module).
Congrats cancan. How exciting! When do take possession of your pride and joy?? Betcha can't wait!! :cheers:
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Congrates on the purchase Cancan. You won't be the first bloke on here to start out camping with a 5 star SWMBO
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Congrats cancan. How exciting! When do take possession of your pride and joy?? Betcha can't wait!! :cheers:
It's been dropped off to my neighbours place on Friday. He has a big back yard so hopefully the rain will go away so we can put it up a few times. It also comes with a lot of camping gear so have to sort that out and work out what we take in 2 weeks time.
car goes to the sparky on Monday to get the brake controller and Anderson plug fitted. also have to change the European 13pin trailer plug that is currently fitted.
The worst part is we are away every weekend this month plus busy every night so trying to make time to tinker is limited but cant wait....bring on the holidays.....
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Congrats on the CT, and the only good side of brisbane is the bit thats in your rear view mirror ;)
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That would have to be the Gold Coast as southsiders don't have much need to go over the river much.
Well done on your CT purchase, Customline are great Campers.
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:cheers: Welcome.......Hire one first.