MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: CruiserNut on June 30, 2011, 02:57:50 PM
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Hi all. I've also posted this on Exploroz:
I'm interested to hear what other large families are using for camper trailers, or any idea's people have.
I have 4 kids (4yo to 12yo) and want a camper that's very quick to setup/pulldown and will sleep all 6 of us. I'll be using it for bush tracks, desert trips, beach and road touring with overnight stops. Towing with a TD 200 Series cruiser.
I've been steering away from traditional soft-floor campers as I borrowed one and it took ages to setup and the kitchen was still out in the rain (took another half hour to setup extra annex >:( ). However it was very solid and would handle any off road track.
I've also been keeping away from the Jayco and similar wind up roof campers because of their size, weight and I doubt they'll handle the off road track's I'll be throwing at it. Also, have to set these up just to access the kitchen and food :-[.
Am I dreaming or is there actually something out there that'll work?
(I havent found anything yet).
Cheers
NUTS!
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What is your budget?
http://www.trakmaster.com.au/
That will tell you if your dreaming or not.
Manyh campertrailers have the kitchen out in the open. Most caravans/many hardfloors dont.. but most hardfloors dont have much room without extra rooms being zipped on - so theres your time again.
http://www.completecampsite.com.au/ do some nice things with 16ft tents on them
Some softfloors the tent can be setup in 1-2mins. The awning is always going to be a bitch if you remove it each time, but if yoru smart about it, you leave it attached and then its only 5mins with 2 people 8)
YMMV
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There are campers and there are campers. My soft floor can be setup for 6 people, including extra room, awning, kitchen etc in about 20 minutes. I doubt there is a hard floor camper that could fit you all, without requiring extra rooms as well, that could be set up sooner.
In general one gets more internal space with soft floor campers, which might be important for bags, changing etc.
Perhaps you should try hiring or borrowing a couple more, to get a broader experience? Can you come along to a Myswag meet, where you can see a bunch of campers being used?
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Ok, good point (budget).
As strange as this sounds, it depends. A mate got a soft floor camper 'with the lot' on solid Gal trailer for $6500 new....I'd be very happy with that price, but it took ages to setup the tent. But for a quality built trailer with good features that suits me well, I guess I'd pay up to around $15k mark?
Some softfloors the tent can be setup in 1-2mins.
Is anyone able to tell me which ones? or how to tell by looking at it?
There is just so many soft-floor campers on the market - how would I know which are quick and easy to setup and which take ages?
I went to the caravan and camping show in Rosehill recently and was amazed at how many were there.
Thanks
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One that has caught my eye layout wise is Trak Shak. hard top camper with 2 x double (queen?) beds off the ground and huge tent with enough room for another 4 kids. All goes up with 3 ropes for over night stays. More ropes if windy or longer stay. The kitchen can be used insiide or moves out under the awning if you wish. The whole camper is set up for versatility.
www.trakshak.com.au
There is one for sale on the camper trails for sale thread at the moment. Plus been a few on ebay lately that looked alright.
No affiliation and don't own one - just a design I like.
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6 people?
Heavy duty offroad?
Access kitchen easily?
Sounds like you need a camprite.
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My KK sets up for 5 people in less than 5 minutes which includes adding the kids room on. If we just want a quick over nighter the kids sleep on a matteress on the hard floor and there is still enough room for one more but would be getting a bit squeezy, this only takes about 1 minute to set up.. My kids are 12,7 and 4. I believe the new kids room on the 2011 model is even bigger than mine.
Cheers
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Remember that once you get used to it any camper will be quicker to set up. A well designed soft floor can be quite quick for the main tent, as you say its the awning which can add the time. A 12ft tent would give you space for 2 sets of bunks for the kids. Some manufactures are also now offering a quick awning in addition to the one that is more substantial but takes longer to set up. As an example check out the overnight awning that customline offer http://www.customline.com.au/cms-options/index.phps (http://www.customline.com.au/cms-options/index.phps)
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But for a quality built trailer with good features that suits me well, I guess I'd pay up to around $15k mark?
there are plenty around. You just have to go look at them yourself. What takes Darren 1minute may take others 45mins. + getting used to it can make a world of difference.
There is just so many soft-floor campers on the market - how would I know which are quick and easy to setup and which take ages?
see above.
I went to the caravan and camping show in Rosehill recently and was amazed at how many were there.
dozens more where they came from... most companies dont go to the shows., http://www.campertrailers.org/manufacturers.htm few more listed here, + look at the thread here 'who made your camper'....
Is anyone able to tell me which ones? or how to tell by looking at it?
as much as I hate to say it http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/lifestyle-camper-trailers-1-minute-challenge.php?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=450&width=715
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yep camprite, sleep 6 people up off the ground without having to add extra rooms
http://www.campritecampers.com.au/s_features.html
on the picture below, you will see the bunk set up for one side, what it doesn't show is that it can happen on both sides as well as a queen size bed.
believe me these things will go anyway you can drag them
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i got 4 kids, and we've got an extenda with 10x10 ft tent, and two double bunks. Was gonna get bigger, but was talked out of it. Glad i was, it's heaps big enough for what we need and any bigger would be a major pita for overnighters. And how much time do you spend inside the tent anyway?
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Those Camprite's look OK - any idea how much?
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Those Camprite's look OK - any idea how much?
if you can get one 2nd hand do so but they are like rocking horse Sh!t, i think the base model starts at about $36 or $38. they do come up occasionally but they are never on the market for long.
cheers
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Here you go 10 min to set up the tent from pulling up and about 30 min till your fully setup having a beer ;) and very solid well set up camper
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=14588.new;topicseen#new
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yep liked the look of camprites ,dont remember seeing any at brissy camping show
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yep liked the look of camprites ,dont remember seeing any at brissy camping show
you don't see them much over here as they are WA based but there is a mob in Brissy that hires them out if you wanted to go for a test run
http://www.goodasgoldcampers.com.au/
cheers
Diksta
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i think the base model starts at about $36 or $38.
Are you serious?!!!! I'd struggle justifying half of that.
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thanks diksta yeah we are thinking about hiring a few different types before we buy a ct, so many out there .spent 2 whole days looking at show in brissy still came home confused ;D
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Are you serious?!!!! I'd struggle justifying half of that.
i am pretty sure that's what they asking, and yes i a serious, but they are towards the top end of the market. and no i don't have any affiliation just a happy customer.
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thanks diksta yeah we are thinking about hiring a few different types before we buy a ct, so many out there .spent 2 whole days looking at show in brissy still came home confused ;D
very easy to do, i know before we decided on our camprite we did the shows and what we found helpful was talking to people we met on the road with our experimental camper. but at the end of the day we took a hit and lashed out on what we wanted.
cheers
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Try the Spacematic or Space van range from CUB. Hardfloor flip over giving you 20 feet of living space. A number of variants and options to choose from.
http://cubcampers.com.au/
Cheers, Chris :cheers:
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very easy to do, i know before we decided on our camprite we did the shows and what we found helpful was talking to people we met on the road with our experimental camper. but at the end of the day we took a hit and lashed out on what we wanted.
cheers
yes i am always chattin to people who pass through town ,and anywhere we go for that matter, always walking through campgrounds checkin out peoples set ups seeing whats looks good and getting ideas .when we did the cape last year was always asking ct owners about there setup mates thaught i was just a have a chat .missus wants one by june next year probally earlier to do a few test runs before we tackle the cape again.
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yes i am always chattin to people who pass through town ,and anywhere we go for that matter, always walking through campgrounds checkin out peoples set ups seeing whats looks good and getting ideas .when we did the cape last year was always asking ct owners about there setup mates thaught i was just a have a chat .missus wants one by june next year probally earlier to do a few test runs before we tackle the cape again.
hoping to be taking on the cape this time next yr with my camprite in tow
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Are you serious?!!!! I'd struggle justifying half of that.
you would hate to see the top end of the market then, or offroad caravans.. search for Lotus offroad vans.
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you would hate to see the top end of the market then, or offroad caravans.. search for Lotus offroad vans.
i seen them at the camping show would have to sell a kidney to get one of those maybe both ;D
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I doubt you'd get a new camper that would meet your requirements for $15K, but definitely $20K.
That will be a quality soft floor plus extra room. Yes, you could get a 16' tent but they're too hard to put up and put away, so regular 9' or 10' tent plus room will be more manageable.
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yes i am always chattin to people who pass through town ,and anywhere we go for that matter, always walking through campgrounds checkin out peoples set ups seeing whats looks good and getting ideas .when we did the cape last year was always asking ct owners about there setup mates thaught i was just a have a chat .missus wants one by june next year probally earlier to do a few test runs before we tackle the cape again.
If you do decide the camprite option is the one to go with, think soon because there is a very long lead time...........big contributing reason to their second hand price and availability being what they are.
Having said that, after the wait to get it, we have never looked back and it has followed us down ( and backwards out) of some very challenging stuff.
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is there anyway you can get a boat on top of one
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is there anyway you can get a boat on top of one
of which one?
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we r a family of 6 and run a lifestyle with the 12ft tent and have two sets of bunks and porta cot. Also built underbed storage with drawers for extra storage. Bought it with the door and extras to bolt on the extra room but do not have the extra room yet and figure a little tent by the back door might be an option (the kids think this will be fun / cool). Works for us.
Chris
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We are a soft floor camping family of 7 (sometimes 8, when the Step-daughter comes).
Although we have only just got our camper and only have a 9ft tent and an awning we have found the following will meet our needs.
Leave the awning on when packing up. Just fold it back over the main tent roof before collapsing the tent section. So that reduces the time needed to re-attach when setting up. Also if you dont want to put the awning up and it is a tad windy, just zippy tie it down through the eylets.
When dismantling the tent section, I don't undo the extension poles over the bed (check to see if your travel cover will still fit dismantling it this way). I have Trackabout and I store 2 sets of bunks on the bed when packing up (and ALL the bedding) so I had my travel cover extended in height to allow for all this). I got this idea from when we hired a Johno's Camper. This is the way they pack their campers up. Johnos also say to leave the window canvas (over the bed) open a third, as it allows the air to escape when packing the camper up.
Our camper didn't come with awning walls, but in hindsight I am glad it didn't. We are eventually going to get 2 OzTents to use along the sides and just get a portion of walls made up for the awning. OzTents are expensive, but they are quick to set up (2minutes) and act as extra bedrooms. Which is what we need. I am hoping the front awning on the OzTent can act as a little extra roof to extend the awning as well. I'm not sure if this will work as yet, just ideas. But at the moment we set up 2 sets of bunks in the tent section. It is a tight fit along two walls, but it JUST makes it :)
I agree what others have said on here - it is just a matter of getting a good system going and it doesn't take long.
Anyways, I strongly suggest you hire different ones. get the sales man to show you how to put it up and pack it down. then form your opinion from there. I didn't bother looking at the hard floors when I seen how little storage room they have!
Goodluck and cheers
Tam
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of which one?
camprite
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Thanks everyone for your feedback :cheers:
At the end of the day, there are so many options to choose from, but it sounds like 'practice makes perfect' as well, something I think I knew in the back of my head but had kinda forgotten - top advice :cup:
Given the price of quality made campers i think I'm going to tackle my own setup using my 5x8 trailer that I built about 10 years ago. Its damn solid with 75series landcruiser leaf springs and has lots of room. I plan on building a square box 'tradesman' style top with 3 x lift up doors. Add to that an EeziAwn family size roof tent (sleeps 4) on top of the trailer and a smaller size tent or possibly swags for the older 2 kids. I'll bolt on a couple of role out awnings and build the kitchen to 'slide out' from one of the doors.
I figure that I can build this for less than $10k where a quality made camper that is quick setup would cost near double that. I guess this will keep my weekends busy for the next 6 months :-[
Anyone selling a Trak Shak, Camprite, KK, or other quality made camper mentioned for $10k to $15K?
Cheers
NUTS!
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... $10k where a quality made camper that is quick setup would cost near double that.
Plenty of quality trailers <15k that are quick to setup. Many you can setup the tent section in 5mins or better.
Once you start talking awnings and rooms - they all (even the top$ ones) take time as said several times in the thread.
What exactly is quick setup in your mind? 1-10 minutes complete with extra rooms? I'm not sure there would be many any floor campertrailers that are setup in <10mins with awnings, extra rooms etc on them.
But that doesnt matter, get out to the shed and build your camper!
:)
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Anyone selling a Trak Shak, Camprite, KK, or other quality made camper mentioned for $10k to $15K?
Cheers
NUTS!
This is on ebay at the moment http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Trak-Shak-Camper-Trailer-/260809593773?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item3cb97693ad
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What exactly is quick setup in your mind? 1-10 minutes complete with extra rooms?
Yeah, 10 mins would be good, but its not just the setup of the tent. This is why I really like the idea of roof tents - all the bedding is made up and ready to go once folded out. A normal soft-floor camper is ready to go for the main bed, but that still leaves 4 x beds to make up for the kids, and storage for that equipment as well. I guess what I'm saying is that 10 minutes tent setup can easily turn into 30+ minutes complete setup...well, this is what I've found using a touring tent anyway, sounds like I'm already sold on a roof topper :D
But that doesnt matter, get out to the shed and build your camper!
Yeah....just gotta clear out all the wifes stuff, I cant even get to my work bench at the moment :'( A sad, sad sight indeed >:D
Thanks for all the feedback, its got me thinking much more broadly. Hopefully i'll be able to post about the end results in a month or two, what ever it ends up being ;D
Cheers
NUTS!
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Sounds like you may have it sorted to suit your needs :)
A tip - if going to use bunk beds, I set the bunks up when I first buy them. Then when it is time for packing away, all I do is take the bottom bunks legs off. This then allows the whole set to fold flat. This I then lift onto our bed for storage. Then I put all the sleeping bags, self inflating mattress' and pillows on top of this. I have 2 brands of bunks. The OzTrail folds up quite well this way, but the Aldi brand poles we had to add a few screws to keep the set from falling apart when doing this type of dismantling. Packing up like this meant I had to get an extension made to the travel cover though. Also, has made the top quite heavy to lift on the gas struts. But it seems to be coping well with the load and I can still lift it by myself. Just thought I would share this, as I found it a pain erecting and dis-mantling bunk beds every camp trip. The other option if you didn't want to use bunks (in the main tent), is to roll out swags on the floor at night, then roll up again in the morning.
I hope this helps some people :)
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10 minutes tent setup can easily turn into 30+ minutes complete setup...well, this is what I've found using a touring tent anyway, sounds like I'm already sold on a roof topper :D
Sounds like a plan. Will be interested to see how quick it all sets up
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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Off-road-Camper-Trailer-suitable-family-6-/300573119057?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item45fb8dd251
Off-road Camper Trailer, suitable for family of 6
Item condition: Used
Time left: 6d 12h (11 Jul, 201110:56:28 AEST)
Buy it now Price: AU $2,450.00
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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Off-road-Camper-Trailer-suitable-family-6-/300573119057?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item45fb8dd251
Off-road Camper Trailer, suitable for family of 6
Item condition: Used
Time left: 6d 12h (11 Jul, 201110:56:28 AEST)
Buy it now Price: AU $2,450.00
What a monstrosity!
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We are a family of 6 (dad, mum and 4 girls) and I've worked out every camper trailer/camping trailer has compromises. You just have to work out which compromises you can live with and which you cant. We needed water and storage. We couldn't find a camper (hard/soft) to suit and afford. I decided to source a secondhand trademate style tray and it build into something we could use. So far it owes me about $4300. We use 2 tents, the kids put up their own, including the bunks. The trailer is the kitchen area with an awning for protection. We have 250L of water on board which gives us an easy week in isolated spots. Just a couple of shots below of what we've got so far. More to come as money and time allows. My 2c :D
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Thanks guys,
Good tip about the awning and also only partly packing the bunks down to reduce time, its little tricks like that which make a lot of difference, and can only be learnt and refined with more trips away.....I'm going to get right onto that :D
Mumbles, the idea I have in mind for my trailer is very similar to yours - great minds think alike 8) . Do you ever worry about your trailer being top heavy when going off road? I guess having that much water down low in the trailer would help. I think I'm going to start out with a similar setup, and progress it as I get time and get to use it. A lot to be said for a good tent that the older kids can put up themselves as an extra room to sleep them in.
Thanks again to everyone, this thread makes for a top read.
:cheers: