Would you buy a 7-10 year old hardfloor camper

[Jakster1]

I'm pretty set on getting a hard floor camper but the only stuff in my price range is 7+ years old.
I know it all depends on how it was used and how well it was looked after but generally is there an age when it's just too old and one should just steer clear?
I've seen a few ranging from pretty much clapped out to some in real good nick.
The brands I've been eyeing off are KK, Pioneer, Aust offroad campers, Cub...they all seem to have high resale value and don't seem to have changed much over the years bar a few upgrades here and there.
Is there anything out of the ordinary other than just general wear and tear that goes wrong once they start getting older?
And to step up to newer units its getting upto $30k plus and I do t really want to spend that kind of money.
So what are your thoughts,

[Watty2975]

We bought ours when it was 7 years old. Good quality Aust made Campoamtic. We had narrowed the search to same ones you list.

It came down to condition of the canvas, state of the rest of the trailer. We bought from the original owner. Talking to him gave a good insight into how he had looked after it. It had been used for its purpose, but little things like putting plastic tube over the gas struts while travelling etc demonstrated a bit of care.

I would have no hesitation in buying another second hand one if it fit what I was looking for. You also end up with a heap of extras often that the original owner has optioned. Ours has an unused annex and boat loader.

There are plenty out there, just have a good look all over them.

Good luck

[Stozz]

I agree with Watty.

The brands you have shortlisted are all quality made products which do hold their value and with good reason.  They are built well and built to last. 

When we bought our KK it was nearly 5 years old, but in excellent condition. The whole thing had been well cared for and maintained.  We asked millions of questions and got a good understanding from the owner about how and how often it had been used.  His story matched the condition of the camper and we have been very happy with it.

Personally, I would do it all over again.  A second hand hard floor that's 7-10years old, if looked after and used for the purpose they were built - should have many many more years in it.

Things to consider - Look for canvas quality and condition.  As long as it has been put away dry and carefully, should be no troubles at all.  Check the age and condition of any batteries and water filters in it. Also check out the mattress. If it's a foam one, you might want to consider replacing it as they do deteriorate with age. But all that goes for any brand of camper.

We replaced the gas struts on our boat loader, but the struts on the camper itself are/were perfectly fine.

You have to expect some general wear and tear of the trailer, but again, maintenance is key.

Of course I am biased, but I highly recommend the KKs. There are a couple of good second hand ones for sale at the moment with plenty of extras included.

Hope that helps.

[dazzler]

Go for it!

[Bill]

Our Aussie Swag was almost 12 years old when we bought it.
Couldn't look at it ourselves so a couple friendly swaggers checked it out for us.
It was and still is one of the best things we have ever purchased.
Bill

[GeoffA]

Don't focus on age.
Look for condition, care and maintenance, and then decide if the price is commensurate.

Also take a good look at the owner, his car, and his house.
That will tell you heaps......

When the right one comes up, it will sell itself.

 

[Clouty]

Don't focus on age.
Look for condition, care and maintenance, and then decide if the price is commensurate.

Also take a good look at the owner, his car, and his house.
That will tell you heaps......

When the right one comes up, it will sell itself.

 

Totally agree..

What about Cape York trailers?? There's one caravancampingsales looks like a pretty good unit..

[Hodgies]

Totally agree with GeoffA,

Our KK was 12 years oldwhen purchased, but has been used as it should be.
However it is in good nick and ticked all the boxes for us.

Good luck which ever way you go.

[Jakster1]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like there isn't really an easy answer but to check them out and that there are some older gems out there!
If I can get a great condition $40k+ for around $20k be it a few years old then ill be happy knowing I've got a quality product that should last years to come.
And if I do need to sell down the track it will still be worth something unlike some others that I've noticed are cheap to buy brand new, but are hard to give away once used.
Now to keep trolling through the sales websites.

[achjimmy]

Geoff A's advice is spot on condition is more important than the age.

Given the number of campers for sale. I would be very reluctant to purchase a new one nowadays unless I wanted some very specific.

[Suncruise]

I am on my second camper now with the first one being more than 20 years old when purchased (Aussie Bush Hopper).  The canvas on it looks like something out of M*A*S*H and is still in good order. The second one I purchased (Sundowner, Mudgee) was six years old and had been extensively used however the canvas despite being covered in red dirt is in good order.

For the particular type of trailer you are after and assuming it is a structurally sound trailer it all comes down to the quality and condition of the canvas.

The trailer itself will be relatively easy and cheap to overhaul with new bearings, brakes etc.

I have seen some relatively new CT's with very worn canvas after only a couple of trips.

[evolution]

I don't know if he still has it for sale or not, but Jason B (member on here) had a 2005 Kimberly LE for sale and that is a dam nice camper. I am pretty certain it falls in your price as I remember asking him if he mucked up the price as it seemed cheap.
The best part about buying a used camper off of a fellow swagger is that generally it will have been maintained to a really high standard as we are all very passionate about them.
Maybe send him a pm and see if its still available?

 Cheers
Evo

[Terry W4]

Our 2007 Cub Supamatic Regal Off-road was purchased last year - Sept 2013. Advertised on a couple of sites that I visited. Had some email exchanges and drove from Canberra to Sydney to inspect. The owner was a real professional - also driver trainer at his 4x4 club and an engineer. It became apparent that he had done some innovative mods to make sure it was really an off-road CT.

Have been very pleased with it ever since. Although have just recently had the bearing and brakes replaced. Trailer mechanic said bearing were still fine. But had them replaced anyway.

[hargs]

We bought our Cub Brumby when it was 4 years old ( unseen ) off the net ... and couldn't be happier. Now had it 3 years. Our son was going up North and towed it back for us. I'm not into buying new if I can get what I want second hand.

[feisty]

No problems buying something that old if the condition/price is right. What I would look at is the timeline for improvements for the models you are looking at. Eg pioneer replaced their crappy plastic camec tanks about 09 with stainless.  A great improvement and well worth any extra $.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Barrabart]

Hey Jackster........

I don't know the owner of this unit, but the add reads pretty well............ looks to be in good nick... might be worth a road trip.


http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=37735.0

[envee]

We were in a similar position a few years ago. Sold our soft floor with the idea of buying a hard floor but then bought a house. This meant altering our thoughts and looking for an older secondhand one. We ended up buying a 12 yr old Aussie Swag Classic. Sold it a couple of years ago for not much less than we paid for it. Older campers are definitely worth looking at, especially the name brands that have a reputation for quality build.

Cheers
envee

[Jakster1]

Hey Jackster........

I don't know the owner of this unit, but the add reads pretty well............ looks to be in good nick... might be worth a road trip.


http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=37735.0

Thanks barrabart.
Yep got my eye on that one. It's be awesome to have a KK.
He's about 800ks away and it's hard to just go unless I'm committed to buy.
I've had a discussion with that seller and its on the short list at the moment.

[Jakster1]

Here is a couple of others... Thoughts ?


http://caravancampingsales.mobi/buy/details/?R=16506213

Or

http://caravancampingsales.mobi/buy/details/?R=23988416

I'd love to just buy that Kimberley but is it worth the extra over the pioneer which is a fair whack cheaper and younger and appears to be in really good nick

[Watty2975]

Pioneer looks good.

AORC is ok. I believe they were $26000 new, so seems a bit pricey.

[feisty]

I'm with you. KKs look great but don't think the would do anything better than the Pioneer argyle you are looking at. At the end of the day most campers are a trailer and a tent.  They are definately not cutting edge in the  technology stakes. Style doesn't come into it because a HFC is hardly 'stylish'. So it comes down to practicality, quality, options, resale etc.  and that's where I think the pioneer ticks most boxes.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Jakster1]

I'm with you. KKs look great but don't think the would do anything better than the Pioneer argyle you are looking at. At the end of the day most campers are a trailer and a tent.  They are definately not cutting edge in the  technology stakes. Style doesn't come into it because a HFC is hardly 'stylish'. So it comes down to practicality, quality, options, resale etc.  and that's where I think the pioneer ticks most boxes.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Haha, your not at all bias there are you feisty?

I do like the look them both just have to work out if the KK and its extra bits and prices are worth 8grand over the pioneer

[feisty]

Biased? Maybe.... no not really.  I love my camper and what it represents and contributes to my life but I am sure there are many other HFCs out there that would do that just as well.  I found the hard part was that you can't see them in one place. It's not like there is a Super Camperama golden mile of dealers to visit and see a variety in an afternoon.  Camping shows are good but you only get to see the latest and greatest, not what they were making seven years ago... anyway enough of my ramblings.   Advice re a 7 year old camper? Look around. There are some that are super clean and have done a beach trip once a year and there are others with canvas stained from being dragged  thousands of kays through the red centre. And remember the better you get the better the resale value. Good luck with your hunt!!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[speewa158]

How old was your 1st car  , &  , have you upgraded since then 

[feisty]

It was an 7 y.o. alfa and thankfully I have.....

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk