I've been told to get a c/ t

[Dingo0163]

G'day . I've been hanging around my swag for the last three weeks. It took me that long to read 105 pages of " chit chat ". I first went camping with the family when I was about 4. At 15 I started going camping with a mate for 10 days every school holidays. We would load up the horse float with a motor bike, chainsaw, swags, tarps , tucker and a few slabs hidden under the gear. The old fella would take us out bush , unhitch the float and come back 10 days latter. Now 35 years and three back opps later the ground is getting a bit hard. The missus told me " no more camping "  .  Then in the next breath she said " unless you get a ct with a decent bed in it ".    Now I will only have to hitch up , throw some tucker in and stock the fridge and go. She will come with more often with a ct , because the swag and tarp thing wasn't really her thing , but I would take a small dome tent for her for privacy ( getting dressed etc. ). Now I'm looking forward to a soft bed , a kitchen and all the other goodies that come with a ct.  Now the question , new Chinese , second hand Aussie , or make my own trailer and buy a tent ? I will keep haunting this forum and let you know what I decide.

[Mace]

Welcome to the Zoo Dingo.

Plenty of ideas around here, you mitnt have time to do too much camping if you hang around too long!

Where abouts you hail from?

[KingBilly]

Welcome Dingo.  Lots of decisions.  Buying rather than building will get you out there quicker but will probably cost you more.  Imported or Aussie?  Horses for courses.  Imported will be OK if only a couple of trips a year and nothing to hard.  Aussie built will give you a CT which will probably go further for longer.  Then of course you have the Aussie trailer with an imported tent.  Good luck and I look forward to reading of your adventures.

Happy camping
KB

[rodsswag]

Welcome Dingo to Myswag, great place to for alot of Q&A.
And as KB said lots to choose from.
Good luck...


Rod......

[MY0080]

All i can say is make sure you grab a trailer best suited for what you want to do. And make sure you do your homework, theres plenty out there to confuse and make it hard on your decision. Good luck finding the best one suited

[geopaj]

Now the question , new Chinese , second hand Aussie , or make my own trailer and buy a tent ? I will keep haunting this forum and let you know what I decide.

Ah, the eternal question!

Really, it comes down to personal preferences/values, and where you plan to tow it.

In Adelaide there are a couple of companies that sell locally made quality trailers (ie a company like Modern Trailers or Sar Major) and they then add their own imported tent. I think these type of CTs are worth considering as the trailer & running gear are 100% good quality and could be towed anywhere. In Adelaide these style seem to sell for less than $5,000-6,000.

A quality second hand Australian made CT (tent AND trailer) can also be found in the same price range. The condition of a second hand unit must also be taken into consideration - I would suggest a new $5,000 CT with local trailer and imported tent would be better value than a knackered second hand CT for $5,000.

I personally went for a second hand Aussie made CT because I was offered a deal I couldn't refuse.

My advise is to do your own research, and make your own decision.

[crackacoldie]

Welcome Dingo, and good luck long the path to finding the right answer.  As Geopaj has stated, budget really can be a driver of what camper to look at.

Cracka

[Shutterbug]

Welcome to Myswag Dingo.

The comments so far will give you something to think about. How's the back going after 3 back opps? This might narrow the choice down a bit....

Good luck with your search!

Cheers,
Marc

[hargs]

Welcome..

Take your time ................look at them all !!!

good luck

[KingBilly]

Now 35 years and three back opps later the ground is getting a bit hard.

Missed replying to that bit first up.  From someone in a similar situation, make sue you get an inner spring mattress whatever style of camper you decide upon.  A foam mattress just won't work for you.

KB

[crackacoldie]

Also forgot about the back op bit, perhaps look at the Walk-In style of camper that way you don't have to climb over one another to get in or out.

[nbd73]

Also forgot about the back op bit, perhaps look at the Walk-In style of camper that way you don't have to climb over one another to get in or out.

Haven't seen too many (if any) of the cheaper imported trailers with the front walk up access. I really feel the budget is the deciding factor. Set the limit & STICK to it. If money permits you would buy from a local builder for ease of warranty repairs etc.
I also don't subscribe to the commonly held conception that Aussie made is better. What bollocks: we have the WORST work ethics of any developed nation and attention can be severely lacking. The rest of my thoughts belong in the daily rant thread, my point is don't automatically assume that Aussie built will be more reliable or longer lasting. Can be, but just as likely to also be dodgy.
Good luck with the purchase.

[Dingo0163]

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice
Mace.   Geelong vic is the closest city to me , about 40 km
I'm not going to start whinging about the back , lets just I'm not looking forward to 4 weeks staying in Melbournre at a rehab centre. That's an extra four weeks on myswag and doing research on ct's so not all bad

[Turbojohn]

Welcome dingo! Happy hunting

[Hairs]

G'day Dingo0163,

To Myswag,
Hope your op goes well, yep you have to look on the bright side of Life, you'll have plenty more time to research you needs and wants.
Some great advice there already, good luck with all.
Hope you enjoy your time here.
Happy & Safe travels.

[D4D]

If you're coming up to the big smoke from backwardville check out this place as it is on the way.
http://www.aussiejayscampers.com/

[Vacation Campers]

I don't hide the fact I'm from Vacation Campers - we do a walk through with an innerspring so there's the plug.  You want to get a camper that is going to be easy to set up without straining your back - make sure you get to see the setup in person.  Avoid a 12ft tent that's a lot of heavy canvas to push when you're packing up.  Ours is one person setup and we customise - we sell to a lot of older clients so we respect people limitations.  Ask to have a go at setting up yourself - if you can't then you need to wonder why - factor in whether your wife can do it as well - if you put your back out who's going to do it   Food for thought good luck with the search.

[Bird]

Whats your budget?

[Dingo0163]

Whats your budget?

At the moment the budget is only 5-7 k. It might go up a bit if I can get a discount off the surgeon for being such a good customer . Once the bills are out the way I will be able to answer the question better.

[Bird]

At the moment the budget is only 5-7 k. It might go up a bit if I can get a discount off the surgeon for being such a good customer . Once the bills are out the way I will be able to answer the question better.

$7000 will get you a great quality used trailer.. PLenty in the trader section.

[Kit_e_kat9]

So was that a blow up, foam or inner spring mattress?     Welcome Dingo & Clan and happy haunting ... err ... I mean hunting!

Kit_e

[Heiny]

Hi and welcome to My Swag

Brett

[dazzler]

Have you thought of a teardrop camper with awning. 

http://www.littleguyaustralia.com.au

YOur back will love you again.

[Dingo0163]

   Welcome Dingo & Clan and happy haunting ... err ... I mean hunting!

Kit_e

You were right the first time.  Kit_ e

[Rob C]

Welcome Dingo,

Research and Tyre kicking is the go. Don't rush and you will find whats best for you.
Good Luck.

Rob C