Author Topic: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.  (Read 4180 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline zzzscooterzzz

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
  • mmm....tastes like chicken.
Ok so I might ask you good fokes to weigh in on my dilemma.

A few months back I bought a Tambo cooper and we've been out camping 3 times in it so far.  Love it.  But I want to do some upgrade/mods to it.  First, it could do with some electrical work including buying a solar panel, better battery, wiring etc etc.  {I can do all this.}
Second, it has a boat rack the guy I bough it off made which is ok but needs some work to fit my needs.  {yep no probs, I can weld}
Third, would love to build a slide out storage draw. It's a pain in the arse trying to get the tubs up the back. {once again, have the skills to do this.}
Forth, it doesn't have brakes!  This is my biggest problem.  Thinking if I add all the above, including the sliding kitchen it already has then it's going to be over the weight limit.  Plus I'd feel safer.

or

I sell it and buy the Omeo in the sale section.  ;D

Right over to the brains trust......

Ford Courier, Tambo Cooper

Offline Bird

  • Once Was Lost, now am found
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Thanked: 1834 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life is far too long....
    • My Place.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2014, 09:59:11 AM »
Work out how much it will cost you to do the mods in time and $

work out how much you would like for current trailer V what you will realistically get for it
It may take 12mths to sell do you have the spare $ to own 2 trailers + space for them???

Keep what you have and do it up over time.
-
Click to enlarge

Gone to a new home

Offline Diesel Power

  • Hard Floor Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 862
  • Thanked: 30 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2014, 10:11:04 AM »
Why don't you just purchase elec hubs, backing plates, brake controller and some cable, done.
Unless you have a small diameter round axle then you will need a square correctly rated axle and maybe heavier rated springs with square U bolts.
Then again it maybe cheaper to upgrade whole unit?
Regards
Angus.
Work - dedicated or medicated?

1999 HZJ105 GXL Auto Fully kitted. SOLD.
2008 VDJ200 GXL Auto.
2007 Custom built soft floor. SOLD.
2015 Kimberley Karavan Classic. SOLD.
2012 Kimberley Kamper Limited Edition.

Offline GGV8Cruza

  • The Cable Guy
  • Global Moderator
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 11510
  • Thanked: 551 times
  • Gender: Male
  • If 1 turbo is good, 2 must be better. VK3GJG
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2014, 10:12:21 AM »
I have had the benefit of owning and modifying both. The cooper is a great trailer but the Omeo is the next step up and the walkway is a great addition as well as the kitchen and extra room.

Have a look at the build of my Cooper here, http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1870.0 I built two kitchens for it, added batteries and solar and also added brakes to the trailer. Unfortunately some of the photos are missing due to the server upgrade but you should get the idea. My Omeo has a link in my Sig.

As Bird has said weigh up your options and see what the costs will be. Also take in to consideration the sale of the cooper and the time to sell, they are a great camper but the market is rather slow at the moment

GG

Offline zzzscooterzzz

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
  • mmm....tastes like chicken.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2014, 10:14:47 AM »
Keep what you have and do it up over time.

yer, probably the best option!


But I really want an omeo.  ;D
Ford Courier, Tambo Cooper

Offline WilSurf

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3472
  • Thanked: 88 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2014, 10:17:25 AM »
yer, probably the best option!


But I really want an omeo.  ;D

^
There is your answer.
- Kimberley Kamper Sports RV Limited Edition
- Lexus LX470 V8, E-locker, ARB Sahara bullbar

Offline zzzscooterzzz

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
  • mmm....tastes like chicken.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2014, 10:19:42 AM »
Why don't you just purchase elec hubs, backing plates, brake controller and some cable, done.
Unless you have a small diameter round axle then you will need a square correctly rated axle and maybe heavier rated springs with square U bolts.
Then again it maybe cheaper to upgrade whole unit?
Regards
Angus.


It has a square axle so should be a huge cost to put breaks on.

I have had the benefit of owning and modifying both. The cooper is a great trailer but the Omeo is the next step up and the walkway is a great addition as well as the kitchen and extra room.

Have a look at the build of my Cooper here, http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=1870.0 I built two kitchens for it, added batteries and solar and also added brakes to the trailer. Unfortunately some of the photos are missing due to the server upgrade but you should get the idea. My Omeo has a link in my Sig.

As Bird has said weigh up your options and see what the costs will be. Also take in to consideration the sale of the cooper and the time to sell, they are a great camper but the market is rather slow at the moment

GG


I'll check out your cooper build mate.  Mine has the upgraded full length slide out kitchen which is a great kitchen setup.
Ford Courier, Tambo Cooper

Offline Bird

  • Once Was Lost, now am found
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Thanked: 1834 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life is far too long....
    • My Place.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2014, 10:20:09 AM »
yer, probably the best option!


But I really want an omeo.  ;D
so do you just want people to say sell yours and buy a the other one?
-
Click to enlarge

Gone to a new home

Offline zzzscooterzzz

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
  • mmm....tastes like chicken.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2014, 10:28:17 AM »
so do you just want people to say sell yours and buy a the other one?

Nope,  wanted peoples honest opinions on whether the costs of the upgrades are worth it.   

Will go working out what some costing. 

Sometimes what I say I WANT and what I NEED are two different things. 
« Last Edit: August 14, 2014, 11:32:37 AM by zzzscooterzzz »
Ford Courier, Tambo Cooper

Offline lino6

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 2053
  • Thanked: 65 times
  • Gender: Male
  • How repugnant
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2014, 10:41:57 AM »
Sometimes what I say I WANT and what I NEED are two different things.

Aint that the age old debate!

Personally, I always have the best intentions when it comes to modifications. But in reality most of the time it is easier to get something already done. I would love to start doing all sorts of stuff to my camper, but I never seem to find or make the time to do it. I'm at that stage now where I think I will just make it work as is. As I said though, this is just me.

I think if you sit down and weigh up $$ vs time vs what you need/want the decision will probably make its self (one way or the other). Just don't get sucked in to doing something that suits someone else and not yourself!
SWMBO reminds me of a Prodigy song....
Driving - Mighty 89 2.8td Rodeo
Towing - Aussie Jays Big Red (with her DMax http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=33442.0)

Offline Black Diamond

  • "IF IT HAS TITS OR WHEELS IT WILL GIVE YOU TROUBLE........"
  • 2017 National Meet Volunteer
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 5915
  • Thanked: 87 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Cruisin through Life in the 80.......
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2014, 10:43:42 AM »
Sell it and Buy the Omeo  :cheers:
1996 80 series Cruiser
2005 Coota Camper - The legend lives on.....

Offline cetacean

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 396
  • Thanked: 22 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2014, 10:47:49 AM »
Personal preference really.Some people love tinkering/modify in their spare time which is fantastic if it floats your boat. Me, I'd rather work a bit of extra overtime/on-call, pay someone to do the major mods and spend my spare time camping or fishing  :cheers:

Mazda BT50, Trakmaster Sturt X-- Country, Stacer 369 Seasprite

Offline zzzscooterzzz

  • Learning the Ropes
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Gender: Male
  • mmm....tastes like chicken.
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2014, 12:06:56 PM »
Personal preference really.Some people love tinkering/modify in their spare time which is fantastic if it floats your boat. Me, I'd rather work a bit of extra overtime/on-call, pay someone to do the major mods and spend my spare time camping or fishing  :cheers:

This is something I'm finding as I get older or is it I'm just  getting lazier.  ;D
Ford Courier, Tambo Cooper

Offline scott13april

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 131
  • Thanked: 3 times
Re: I have a probem! Well several but we'll deal with just one here.
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2014, 01:38:20 PM »
Having had both models, it depends on your needs, family size, length of camping stays etc. I added brakes to my cooper, it's cost me roughly $400 in parts and $400 in labour to get them installed including handbrake. My decision to upgrade to omeo was based on cost to upgrade to better kitchen and drawers on cooper, about $1500, and wanting a slightly bigger tent (4 or us). It's a quicker setup than cooper due to better storage and kitchen, but not by much as the tent itself takes longer due to size. If you can afford it, need the size, then go for it, if not adding drifta kitchen and drawers will make your life easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk