First outing, new camper trailer

[swallowtail]

Hi all, first post here. We've just come back from the first trip with our new (second-hand) camper trailer. We went to Bestbrook Mountain Resort, near Warwick, QLD.

Great trip - cold (down to -1 or -2 most nights), but a great time had by all 

Next trip we'll have a kitchen fitted, so that's something to ask for advice on.

One thing we noted was that our 9 ft tarp poles aren't really tall enough at the ridge with the trailer's tent (which is higher than normal) - anyone know anywhere in Brisbane that stocks 10ft poles?

[feisty]

Can't help sorry. But congrats on your trip and camper. Someone will reply shortly to help you I'm sure.

[swallowtail]

Thanks feisty.

The rig...

[oldmate]

Good one mate, nice looking trailer. Sorry can't help with ya poles either.

[feisty]

Great looking camper btw

[muzza01]

Best place to get poles

http://www.polesapart.com.au/

[swallowtail]

Thanks all... 

We've done some work since we bought it - got rid of a custom toolbox on the draw bar that was specifically to fit the previous owner's fridge, replaced with the checkerplate one from Trade Tools (only $315, good value). Added the poles pipe, and have mounted two deep cycles, one on each side - with a bunch of wiring, switches inside, LEDs, etc.

This first trip out was a good test of it - ran well. A few things to change, including the longer poles. I need to change the meter I have my solar into, and we want to get a swing out kitchen at some point soon.

[swallowtail]

Best place to get poles

http://www.polesapart.com.au/

Awesome, thanks Muzza01.

[muzza01]

Is it the angle of the photo or is that tent massive? Got any pics of your elec setup?

[swallowtail]

Is it the angle of the photo or is that tent massive? Got any pics of your elec setup?

It's fairly normal, but with the weather being so cold we put up the full awning walls... so what you see there is that.

I've got elec pics, will find them.

[swallowtail]

This is the business side, both batteries controlled from here. Either or both switchable in or out for charging or use.



This is inside with the regulator mounted.

and closed up.

Inside the main box's lid:



And inside the awning area:

[muzza01]

Nice setup looks great.  for the pics.

[McTavish]

Quality camper Swallowtail.   Good choice with the Jimboomba...  And nice work with the electrics - thinking outside the box there...

You know I have gone past Bestbrook a gazillion times and never realised you could camp there.   After having a look at their facebook page I have a few questions if you don't mind (and might help others thinking about going there ). 

How was it for camping?  Would you go again??
Can you get away from the highway noise?
And are there any 'amenities' provided close to the camp ground - or is it bring your own?
And lastly - how would you rate it compared to Gordon Country?

Thanks mate !!

[swallowtail]

Quality camper Swallowtail.   Good choice with the Jimboomba...  And nice work with the electrics - thinking outside the box there...

You know I have gone past Bestbrook a gazillion times and never realised you could camp there.   After having a look at their facebook page I have a few questions if you don't mind (and might help others thinking about going there ). 

How was it for camping?  Would you go again??
Can you get away from the highway noise?
And are there any 'amenities' provided close to the camp ground - or is it bring your own?
And lastly - how would you rate it compared to Gordon Country?

Thanks mate !!

The site itself is great, big and spacious, lots of choice for location to camp.

Would we go again....

Toilets through the campsite areas are portaloos, and we had to request attention to them a couple of times in the 5 days that we were there. There are  proper toilets near the main building,  but it's quite a hike.

Kids loved it, went horse riding, exploring, bush walking, etc.

Traffic noise is always there, trucks through the night too, but you do get used to it.

Overall the place is a little run down which is a shame.

Main drawback is the loos, we don't take our own, and the portaloos are not really up to scratch, even when not many there.

I haven't been to Gordon, so can't compare.

[dazzler]

Have you taken a look at the kitchens by drifta.com.au

[Bird]

Is it the angle of the photo or is that tent massive? Got any pics of your elec setup?

I'm just tryin to figure out how many days it would take to put those ropes up... I lost count.

[swallowtail]

Have you taken a look at the kitchens by drifta.com.au

Yes, looking right now. Only issue is the trailer has a pole tray located the length of the top, hinge side. Looks like it will ruin any decent swing out kitchen except quite a low one, and at 6 ft, I hate low benches. We are thinking a pull out stored opposite side, and moved over to hinge side once at location.

[swallowtail]

I'm just tryin to figure out how many days it would take to put those ropes up... I lost count.

LOL... the first night we had masses of condensation, so put up the tarp for night two. It was very windy, so we had to go a bit nuts with poles and ropes. Tarp is nice and tight though, I'm a bit OCD that way.

Fixed the condensation though!

[Ozki]

We have 10' poles at
Ozki Canvas
Unit 3
14 Moss street
Slacks Creek

[Malcolm Tugless]

Don't know if anyone noticed but in that photo theres a polar bear walking past the tent ...?

[swallowtail]

Don't know if anyone noticed but in that photo theres a polar bear walking past the tent ...?

Love it, it's my sister's dog... 

[Trailer Bloke]

Nice looking setup mate.

[swallowtail]

OK, I spent a few hours today mounting a newly bought weatherproof box on the side of the trailer, and fitting my regulator, a circuit breaker, and solar meter in it. This way it can all stay permanently on there.

The reason I have it all located on the side here is that it is all accessible internally from the camper.



Some tidying up still to do with cables, but functionally all working. There are 2 andersen plugs mounted at the bottom of the box (with black covers in the picture), one for 12v in for connection to the panels, one for 12V out for connection to my switches for the camper.