Choosing a Camper Trailer - Where to start?
For many people the next step from years of tenting will most likely be the purchase of a camper trailer which gives more camping luxury, particularly sleeping off the ground as we get a little older and less flexible.
Benefits of the camper trailer option for those looking for a weekend getaway, is packing of the camper can be done during the week which creates a lot less stress than packing the car after work on a Friday afternoon before you get away for the weekend. Same goes when you get home on a Sunday afternoon. Just drop the camper off to be unpacked at a later stage during the week. This way you can stay in camp later on the Sunday, not having to get home to unpack the car ready for work on the Monday morning.
With the large number of camper trailer manufacturers on the market today it is little wonder buying a camper trailer for the first time must be a very daunting experience to say the least.
The most confusing aspect of the whole process is where to start, what type of camper trailer will suit your needs and the dollars needed.
The easy way out would be just to grab the closest camper trailer available and hope for the best. This could lead to a very expensive mistake. However, taking your time by doing a little research can benefit in the long run.
Benefits of the camper trailer option for those looking for a weekend getaway, is packing of the camper can be done during the week which creates a lot less stress than packing the car after work on a Friday afternoon before you get away for the weekend. Same goes when you get home on a Sunday afternoon. Just drop the camper off to be unpacked at a later stage during the week. This way you can stay in camp later on the Sunday, not having to get home to unpack the car ready for work on the Monday morning.
With the large number of camper trailer manufacturers on the market today it is little wonder buying a camper trailer for the first time must be a very daunting experience to say the least.
The most confusing aspect of the whole process is where to start, what type of camper trailer will suit your needs and the dollars needed.
The easy way out would be just to grab the closest camper trailer available and hope for the best. This could lead to a very expensive mistake. However, taking your time by doing a little research can benefit in the long run.
Budget and camping style
The best place to start is by looking at your budget and where you will be taking your vehicle & camper trailer.
The skies the limit, but you do not need a flash camper trailer with all the bells & whistles to get out there and have fun in our great outdoors, however, what you do want is something that is reliable.
There is no comparison in the quality of a $7,000 cheap camper trailer and a similar $20,000 model. As with most things in life, you only get what you pay for.
Think about your camping style:. If you will be visiting caravan parks, National Parks or state forests via well formed roads with water on tap, showers and amenities, then you will probably not need a full off road camper trailer that is designed to carry extra water, fuel & supplies for a weeks remote camping.
A great place to begin your camper trailer search and see the majority of manufacturers under the one roof, is at a camping show, which are held regularly all over Australia.
Write down your preferences and what you want out of the camper trailer before you head to the show.
A handy list of points to consider can be found set out on the buying a camper page - this is a very comprehensive list, and worth reading before you go any further:
http://www.campertrailers.org/camper_buying_checklist.htm
The skies the limit, but you do not need a flash camper trailer with all the bells & whistles to get out there and have fun in our great outdoors, however, what you do want is something that is reliable.
There is no comparison in the quality of a $7,000 cheap camper trailer and a similar $20,000 model. As with most things in life, you only get what you pay for.
Think about your camping style:. If you will be visiting caravan parks, National Parks or state forests via well formed roads with water on tap, showers and amenities, then you will probably not need a full off road camper trailer that is designed to carry extra water, fuel & supplies for a weeks remote camping.
A great place to begin your camper trailer search and see the majority of manufacturers under the one roof, is at a camping show, which are held regularly all over Australia.
Write down your preferences and what you want out of the camper trailer before you head to the show.
A handy list of points to consider can be found set out on the buying a camper page - this is a very comprehensive list, and worth reading before you go any further:
http://www.campertrailers.org/camper_buying_checklist.htm
Once at the show, don’t be afraid to ask questions to the salesperson on the stand at the show. They should be able to reply to any question you ask. This will show they know the product they are selling and have confidence in it.
Questions to your particular situation could include:
The list of questions you want to ask now - or when you are closer to the actual purchase - can be detailed. Refer to the "Ask a Salesman" page, where you can read a greater summary.
Questions to your particular situation could include:
- what does the camper weigh?
- what is the dry ball weight?
- can I get an innerspring mattress as an option with my crook back?
- does the camper come with new or secondhand tyres?
- what sort of options are on offer
The list of questions you want to ask now - or when you are closer to the actual purchase - can be detailed. Refer to the "Ask a Salesman" page, where you can read a greater summary.
Most likely after a day at the show you will be more confused than before you went.
- Collect pamphlets of those campers that took your interest so you can put it all together when your mind is clear.
- What part of a particular camper took your eye, does one kitchen stand out over another?
- Don’t be afraid to roll under the camper to check the blokey bits whilst another person checks the kitchen arrangement.
Which configuration?
There are several different configurations of camper trailers available.
Some have a dedicated camper body like the flip-overs and windups etc with a hard floor, while others are based on a box trailer and commonly have a soft floor.
A flip-over camper mostly has a sealed hard top when travelling and opens to the rear to become the floor which is suspended off the ground on legs. This is an advantage especially when camped on sloping ground, on the beach in soft sand or when the ground may be a bit soggy underfoot.
From tow mode the camper folds out in minutes ready for an overnight camp with bed ready made. The kitchen slides out from the side which can be accessed when travelling.
Popular these days are the forward folding camper trailers which open in the same footprint as the trailer. One point to pay attention to with this type of camper is it can have a heavy ball weight.
Some models of the rear fold hard floor and forward folding types of camper trailers have a winching system to pull the hard floor over which is a big advantage for setting up by one person.
Soft floors campers are also easy to set up for a one nighter, usually by removing the soft vinyl tonneaux cover, pulling the canvas out & extending the internal frame.
Some require the use of a couple of tent pegs & ropes.
Other advantages of the soft floor campers:
- Soft floor campers provide more floor space than a flip-over (without addition add-on rooms).
- Can open to ten, fourteen foot or more wide allowing plenty of room for bedding for a large family.
- The bed is also made ready for a nights sleep.
- The kitchen is commonly mounted on the swinging tailgate or slides out from the rear making it an easy process to make lunch on the roadside.
- One down side of this type of camper it can be hard for one person to set up & also pack back onto the trailer.
A windup involves lifting the hard roof up mechanically to expose the canvas sides. The floor is well off the ground with steps into the caravan like interior. Some have a double bed each end that is pushed out when setting up camp. These campers usually have an internal kitchen with dinette allowing plenty of comfort. They also allow for more out of the weather style camping, however it could be a little cramped for a large family in this situation.
Of course there are many variations to these types of campers above, your choice will depend on what suits you and your own personal style of camping or touring, the comfort levels you require and where you want to take it.
Consideration must also be given to the tow capacity of your vehicle as well as the ball weight, especially if you have a lightweight 2WD vehicle or perhaps a soft off roader also known as a SUV.
Important note: Check your vehicle manufacturers handbook for these specifications. Overloading can void your vehicle's warranty as well as your insurance. A ball weight of around 10% to15% of the trailers weight will give good forward travel and tracking qualities. Don’t forget the trailers ball weight is part of the vehicles payload.
What else to think about?
By making a list of preferences you may be able to narrow down your search to a short list.
- Take into account if you will be doing touring holidays setting up one night camps or on the other hand camping in the one place for several days at a time.
- How hard will the camper be to set up, does it require one or two people?
- Have you any physical restrictions?
- Will you be visiting national parks & caravan parks were most facilities are available or perhaps camping in out of the way places with little or no amenities where you will need to be self sufficient taking in all your own drinking water, portable toilet & the like?
- Do you need a slide-out kitchen which is easily accessible for roadside lunches or morning tea is an advantage on touring holidays. The other alternative is to boil the thermos at breakfast & have your lunch in a picnic basket or in the rear cargo draws of the vehicle.
Depending on the type of camper and where you want to camp will depend on the options you will need. A few that might be worth considering are:
- An extra wide awning can be an advantage giving extra shade or protection from the rain.
- Full annex walls could be handy at times, but for the times you will use them are they worth carting around the extra weight. Would flyscreened annex walls be a better option camping near the beach?
- If so is the screening midgeproof?
- Then there is a tropical roof to provide a cooler internal temperature during the day. How much time do you spend inside the camper during the day?
- If you are venturing into the remoter areas with little water, is it worth an extra underslung water tank, or perhaps just extra jerrys.
- A boat rack is a handy item for your tinnie and don't forget an outboard mount.
- If setting up for long stays away from power you may need a 12volt power system including solar panels or a generator?
The biggest cost over a basic camper trailer is the options & accessories the manufacturer has on offer.
A considerable saving can be made if you are a DIYer and willing to buy a base model over a fully optioned ready to go camper. Half the fun is modifying the camper to suit your own unique style of camping (if you have the ability to do so!)
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Still not sure on which one? Seek advice
Most camper trailer manufacturers websites can be a good source of information for browsing details via the photos to define any points that could be niggling you.
When you have narrowed down your search & need honest answers from camper trailer owners, check out forums like the forum & facebook group run by www.campertrailers.org.
There is a wealth of information on forums like these, with members all willing to share their experiences.
If you have any doubts about a particular make or style of camper trailer, why not consider hiring one for the weekend. This will quickly sort out your preferences.
You may also find it of help chatting with camper trailer owners at the regular campertrailers.org members weekends where many makes and models are in attendance. You will get an unbiased opinion from their owners. You do not need a camper trailer to attend. All weekend get togethers are listed on the Upcoming Events page of the above website. You are also very welcome to drop in for the day.
If you have any doubts about a particular make or style of camper trailer, why not consider hiring one for the weekend. This will quickly sort out your preferences.
You may also find it of help chatting with camper trailer owners at the regular campertrailers.org members weekends where many makes and models are in attendance. You will get an unbiased opinion from their owners. You do not need a camper trailer to attend. All weekend get togethers are listed on the Upcoming Events page of the above website. You are also very welcome to drop in for the day.
Buying a camper trailer is a big expense. You may only buy one in your lifetime, so you want to make the best choice for you and your camping style. Take your time and do your homework. Use the above tips to help you narrow down your choices before handing over your hard earned dollars.
You will find, like us, that the he camper trailer makes camping all that much easier when it comes to setting up camp. What we hate the most, packing it up again!!
Author: Rob Sanderson
co-owner Australian CamperTrailers Yahoo Group, Forum & Facebook Group
webmaster www.campertrailers.org
Note: All written content and photos kindly reproduced with permission. Thank you Rob!!
co-owner Australian CamperTrailers Yahoo Group, Forum & Facebook Group
webmaster www.campertrailers.org
Note: All written content and photos kindly reproduced with permission. Thank you Rob!!
