Hard Floor CT info

[paulh]

Hi all. I am new to CTers. I have recently purchased a soft floor job, but after a recent trip up North doing approx 800km on dirt, the dust ingress under the cover and in through the tailgate was excessive. I'm reasonably convident I can seal the tailgate better, but the cover is I believe going to be an on going issue. The tent is quick errect, but folding up in the morning with the floor being damp is a bit of a pain. I think a hard floor is my only option. I tend to move frequently and require a full off road trailer. Generally just my wife and I. Any info or suggestions on what to look for would be welcome.

[BigJules]

Kimberely
Complete Campsite
Aussie Swag
AORC
Pioneer
Cub
T-Van
Ultimate


These are the main contenders I'd say, all good. You pay for any convenience they bring though.

[Coolblue80]

I'd have a look at working through the problems you have before selling up. You would have to think you will lose some money selling a new c/t. Could be as simple as a $200 fix.
As for your damp floor, put a tarp down first when you set. Dry floor when you pack up.
Cheers, Mike.

[paulh]

Fair point on the floor. I purchased it 2nd hand, but in as new cond. The canvas looked as new, but after driving on red dirt roads, its covered in red dust, which is proving hard to remove, any ideas here would be welcome too. Its a Tambo tent, I think I will contact them and see if they have solutions to the dust issue.

[jk]

Kimberely
Complete Campsite
Aussie Swag
AORC
Pioneer
Cub
T-Van
Ultimate

Plus Cape York Campers.............There's one on Myswag for sale 

[BigJules]

Plus Cape York Campers.............There's one on Myswag for sale 

Too true, and a very capable camper at that.

[Patt31]

we have a cape york hard floor camper trailer, and have had it since 2005 and have not had any leaks inside, so I can highly recommend them. A friend has the australian camper trailer built at Caloundra and has done 2 years travelling in it and also loves it, so if you do decide to upgrade to the hard floor, just do your homework, work out what features you want and have a look at a few first before you buy.  I looked for 12 months (my hubby started building one, but run out of time before our big trip, which was subsequently stolen from our carport) and saw the cape york and it had everything I wanted. It even made it in and out of the road to Mitchel Falls without a hick up. Have done over 20,000 klms in it and it is still going strong.

I love my cape york, has everything I wanted in a hard floor trailer.

If you decide to keep your soft floor, good luck in sealing out the dust,

[Mandrake]

Hmmm - Pinnacle Hard floor off road C/T .... Haven't been anywhere really dusty yet - 

[GregS]

Coolblue80 is on the money about a tarp underneath your floor. It will make it much better to pack up especially without wet grass on it. As for the cover, give the manufacterer a call and see what they can do. Is the dust coming in around the tent cover or through the seal between the trailer and the tent base?

[paulh]

Thanks guys.
I have 2 dust issues. 1. Rear tailgate, ktchen is covered in dust incl in draws. 2 Outside of tent is covered in dust, ie, cover is not preventing dust getting on tent.  Dust is not getting inside the tent.

[BigJules]

A perforated ground sheet works more effectively than a tarp, as water will not pool under the floor.

[paulh]

I use a perforated ground sheet already, the bottom of the floor is still damp on pack up if on grass.

[GregS]

Thanks guys.
I have 2 dust issues. 1. Rear tailgate, ktchen is covered in dust incl in draws. 2 Outside of tent is covered in dust, ie, cover is not preventing dust getting on tent.  Dust is not getting inside the tent.

paul, does your cover have a zip and velcro around it? or does it only have bungy cord to hold it down?

[paulh]

Bungy cord.
Spoke to maker, they dont use bungy cord anymore, but the old system cant be retrofitted. I will investigate my own solution. If unsuccessful, who knows?