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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: vxcruiser08 on July 06, 2016, 12:02:37 PM

Title: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: vxcruiser08 on July 06, 2016, 12:02:37 PM
Hi All,

After researching over many months, I am going crazy deciding on which camper to go with and I probably haven’t considered all the options in this price range yet. The Drifta DOT 7 is a very attractive option for the money, I honestly don’t know how you could go wrong? Being in a rural area it is difficult to see the camper trailers as none of the dealers are close by, and most seem to be in QLD anyway.

It will be used for:

-   Outback touring (red centre this year, Kimberly’s and gulf next year) therefore must be built tough with good reliable components
-   Weekend trips in very cold weather, and probably a lot of rain from my experience therefore I am hesitant to go near any canvas after bad experiences
-   It will be sleeping 2 x adults and 1 x 5 year old

It must be aussie built, no imports or other nasty products.

I seem to have narrowed the decision down to the following, here are my notes… (and me thinking out loud!!)

-   2010 T-Van ($28-35k second hand):

Likes: No canvas in the primary setup and not a big deal if the annexe packs up wet, very quick setup time for a basic “get in and sleep” arrangement, strong and sturdy, good reputation, hold value extremely well, insulated.

Concerns: Second hand, they appear to be very well used. Not a great deal of covered outdoor area, unless you want to spend 30+ mins setting up the awning area. I would assume this is frustrating if you rock up to camp and expecting bad weather. Also if it’s hot, where do you gather round in shade? Again, a fair bit of effort involved in setting up if you’re stopping for only 1 night and want to enjoy a hot afternoon with the sun going down next to a river.

-   New Trackabout Safari SV with touring tent ($25k to match a spec similar to the drifta dot7)

Likes: huge awning coverage over kitchen area and beside trailer provides large area to sit around with shade and protection from rain, touring package setups in around 5 mins as pictured, great reputation and first class customer service. Includes innerspring mattress, hot water, project 25a charger, led pack, landcruiser matched wheels, tropical roof, upgraded toolbox size.

Concerns: basic “tailgate” swing out kitchen on this package (unless you pay an extra 5k you get the drifta kitchen, an evakool fridge and smev stove etc). also concerned after bad weather or heavy condensation, packup of damp/wet canvas, packup time (unsure), cost is a lot to me for a soft floor with what appears to be “basic” features. leaf sprung (independent Susp. Also an extra 2.5k). Boat loader or rack also an extra 2k-2.5k from memory.

-   Drifta DOT7 ($21K with more extras than trackabout)

Likes: Excellent package for the money with $$ left over to travel with or spend on the 4wd, well thought out with a place for everything, price includes evakool fridge, and in comparison to the trackabout it includes everything listed on that trailer (except for hot water) with the addition of an extra 125AH battery, solar input, volt meters, bearing upgrade & spares, table, maxtrax, similar kitchen to that of the 30K model of trackabout (drifta use to make it), rubbish bag, pole carrier, front and back kayak racks. Other options to consider are not inflated and well-priced. You could have a ridiculously fully optioned trailer for well under 25k.

Concerns: Leaf sprung trailer, have not been in the market for long, tent setup and packup times and awning times all to be confirmed although doesn’t appear to be too bad in the latest video, again wet/damp canvas fears…

Any thoughts feedback on the above trailers? Any other suggestions out there in the market?

Thanks for your help.

Matt
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: Bird on July 06, 2016, 12:06:00 PM
I'd keep looking, but out of th options I'd go the tracky...

I don't see the value in the box trailers with a $1000 rooftop tent on them for 20k+..
YMMV.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: vxcruiser08 on July 06, 2016, 12:33:45 PM
Thanks for your opinion however be good to know your reasons behind it.

Is a "tracky" a track trailer tvan or trackabout?

Have you looked at the dot 7? It's not a roof top tent, similar to the trackabout.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: Bird on July 06, 2016, 12:43:22 PM
Thanks for your opinion however be good to know your reasons behind it.

Is a "tracky" a track trailer tvan or trackabout?

Have you looked at the dot 7? It's not a roof top tent, similar to the trackabout.
-   New Trackabout Safari SV with touring tent ($25k to match a spec similar to the drifta dot7)


but there are Shit loads of bargains in the market place in that price range in used trailers...
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: noel_w on July 06, 2016, 12:55:29 PM
You might like to add the Lifestyle Breakaway to your list.
http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/breakaway/ (http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/breakaway/)
Poptop hard roof with no canvas, easy to put up by one person. Just stop and basic setup within 2 to 3 minutes.
Still a fairly hardcore offroad camper.

It's on my short list.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: Bird on July 06, 2016, 01:00:15 PM
Quote from: noel_w
It's on my short list
Serious, week or so ago I was looking at used trailers on caravan/camping sales... and there are zillions of bargains out there.. I didn't realise the 'drive away' loss like cars was so much on trailers. Obviously many sellers don't either, but the realistic ones do!
I'd never buy new again, well worth spending a few looking through.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: noel_w on July 06, 2016, 01:10:05 PM
Serious, week or so ago I was looking at used trailers on caravan/camping sales... and there are zillions of bargains out there.. I didn't realise the 'drive away' loss like cars was so much on trailers. Obviously many sellers don't either, but the realistic ones do!
I'd never buy new again, well worth spending a few looking through.
I need a quick, easy setup I can do myself. Am over needing two people to haul wet canvas backover the top specially with my bad back and arthur itus elbows.
I really like the Breakaway setup and being new to the market there aint any used ones out there. I guess I am looking at a quite specific type of camper.
Anything similar starts getting to the heavy end of the $$$ being around 10 yo and possibly having done 15 big laps.
I guess I have painted myself into a corner with what I want.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: wakychapmans on July 06, 2016, 02:23:38 PM
I've wanted a TVan since I first saw one. So that makes me kinda' biased...

But you'd want to make sure that it suited your needs and intended use. I too like the hard roof and ability to jump in at night with no canvas to set up. If I had 25k right now... I'd buy a 2003 era' one 2nd hand in a flash. (geez they hold their value well) Also, plenty of TVan owners have set up regular roll out awnings in a bag on the roof of the TVan. Check out the TVan forum on the Track Trailer website. ( http://www.tracktrailerforums.com/index.php?board=2.0 (http://www.tracktrailerforums.com/index.php?board=2.0) )

but if considering the Trackabout and the DOT, maybe also consider the Mission ( http://missiontrailers.com.au/ (http://missiontrailers.com.au/) ) and the Metilan ( https://www.facebook.com/Metalian-Australia-1035437366480277/ (https://www.facebook.com/Metalian-Australia-1035437366480277/) )

I have no allegiance to either of them, but I've looked at the specs and the Metilan includes pretty much everything you could want...

also, a base model Breakaway will set you back around 25k as well. ( http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/breakaway/ (http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/breakaway/) )

Just some thoughts to consider...

me... I'll go back to my poor man's TVan homebuild now...
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: jwb on July 06, 2016, 03:07:23 PM
IMHO Those 3 types are poles apart from each other.
I think you have"nt decided which "type" suits your situation me thinks!
 
Cheers


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Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: MarkVS on July 06, 2016, 03:53:34 PM
IMHO Those 3 types are poles apart from each other.
I think you have"nt decided which "type" suits your situation me thinks!
 
Cheers


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Absoluty agree... You need to firm up what you really do or dont want.
Do you or dont you want canvas etc etc

And then stick to it. All of the brands and types have some type of pros, cons . You need to be clear what is a 'must' for you and then look and stick to it. Or you'll do your head in.

Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on July 06, 2016, 05:04:17 PM
I think you better get a Kedron.

Reason: It has an extremely short set up time, just open the door.
No canvas to worry about, Hard wall, hard roof, hard floor camper.
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: StrvnMrvn on July 06, 2016, 05:39:22 PM
Just found this!

http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3825158/2014-Trackabout-Off-Road-Campers-Safari-SV-Extenda?cr=2&category=camping-trailers&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20New%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%26Category%3D%5BCamping%20Trailers%5D%29%26Make%3D%5BTrackabout%20Off%20Road%20Campers%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium (http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3825158/2014-Trackabout-Off-Road-Campers-Safari-SV-Extenda?cr=2&category=camping-trailers&psq=%28%28%28%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20New%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Used%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20Near%20New%5D%29%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20Used%5D%29%26Category%3D%5BCamping%20Trailers%5D%29%26Make%3D%5BTrackabout%20Off%20Road%20Campers%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCaravancampingsales%5D%29%26SaleStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium)
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: jeffr on July 06, 2016, 06:12:49 PM
Just answered your TVan specific questions over in another forum. But reading your post here, its seems pretty obvious, IMHO anyway, that you already know what you want. Look at the length of your narrative of advantages v disadvantages for each choice, and even your choice of language against each choice.

Just go buy the DOT, your only had choices then are what size :)
Title: Re: Drifta Dot7 vs T-Van vs Trackabout - Help!
Post by: Dazzax1 on July 06, 2016, 06:42:31 PM
I have recently looked at the Drifta range and was very impressed with the way they are built. It was between the Dot and Patriot for me and I went with the Patriot due to the fact that I thought it would better a bit more hardy. Have a look at the patriot X2 under 30k and built tough the X1 is even better but it is another 6k. Keep in mind delivery times with the Dot I think at the moment is about 8 weeks and the Patriots are about 12+ weeks. Good to see you want to buy Australian.


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