Recommendations for Camper Trailers for Trip around Australia

MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 15:23

Hi all,

So MrsE and I have finally decided to do the "Big Lap" around Australia in 2023!

Plan is to pull our three "Mini-E's" (ages 6, 8 and 10) out of school for six months, leaving Victoria at Easter 2023 and returning at the start of Term 4 (so early October). Heading West until the end of May, then head North up WA Coast line over the next 2-3 months. Probably get as far as Mt Isa in QLD and then back down the middle of NT and SA.

We have a Landcruiser and would like to purchase a second hand camper trailer (like any true OzBargainer!) with enough room to sleep five (kids sleep in annex = OK). Looking for recommendations about the following:

(1) Which brand(s) of camper trailer should we be looking at?

Not interested in cheap junk that takes 2 hours to set up and pull down, something with a hard floor and heavy duty suspension. Patriot looks good but overpriced, MDC look reasonable…

(2) What options should we definitely include? Hoping to be largely self sufficient…so gas cooking facilities, solar panel for camping off grid and shower facilities (preferably hot!)

(3) Any brand of campers not recommended?

(4) Any good websites you know of where we can do further research about what to do and see on our trip? Alternatively, if you have done a similar trip and have some suggestions, fire away!

Thx,

MrE

Travel Camper Trailer

Comments

  • GG57 on 22/09/2021 - 15:29
    +2

    Off-topic, but taking the children out-of-school is interesting when so many parents are complaining about having to look after them at home during lockdowns.
    We used to do it on a regular basis for overseas trips of 2 months or so. Didn't seem to affect them.

    • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 15:50
      +1

      Thx. We are putting the trip down to "life experience" and "stuff you can't learn in a classroom" :)

      P.S - Would love to take them overseas as well! :)

      • AndyC1 on 22/09/2021 - 17:51
        +1

        Worked for my brother when he did the same thing, but he bought a $15K camper trailer…. And had places to stay at on the NSW north coast and in Perth and in the Kimberleys, so he took a few long breaks.

        Even then it still took 6 months.

        My only advise from listening to him and my brother who is in Karatha is to make sure it's a true 4WD camper trailer with high clearance like your Landcruiser has.

  • Ocker on 22/09/2021 - 15:31

    You are assuming Dan will let Victoria out of lock-down by Easter of 2023?

    • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 15:52

      Perhaps my assumption is too great?

      As Victoria should reach ~80% double dose by ~November, I would hope that things gradually open up again during the course of 2022.

  • mitchellp on 22/09/2021 - 15:34
    +1

    It will depend on how long you stay at each destination.
    Easiest setup will be caravan. I've been looking at the 14ft Windsor rapid with the beds that pop out front and back (I think you can get bunk in the middle). I've never had one and it could be annoying that the beds go sideways each time and would need to be remade. At least it would mean that you don't need to set up Annex each time.

    • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 15:57

      I imagine that we would set up our camp and spend 5-7 days at each location (to avoid needing to set up / pull down too frequently) making little day trips from our "base"

      We would prefer to be more self sufficient in a camper trailer than stay in caravan parks (feel like it limits where you can stay and caravan site fees seem extortionate just for a patch of ground with a power cable and running water). We already have sleeping bags for the Mini-E's to sleep in so not much hassle with their sleeping arrangements

      Just my 2c…

      • mitchellp on 22/09/2021 - 17:47
        +1

        Ok. If you plan on leaving a "base camp" I would suggest a cheaper camper then, in case it got stolen. Maybe an older one so it has less chance being taken too

  • apsilon on 22/09/2021 - 15:42
    +1

    Budget?

    Track Trailer is the obvious choice but you'll likely want the add on family room (assuming they still have that option). You say you don't want cheap junk but then say MDC looks reasonable so which is it? Options are largely personal choice but obviously also restricted by budget

    • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 16:05

      Hard to imagine finding anything that would meet our requirements under $10K.

      Some of the used camper trailers in the $15-25K range seemed to fit the bill.

      Gather you think that MDC trailers are cheap junk? That may well be the case (just starting our research) but interested to hear why you think they are rubbish and about other better alternatives (and why you think they are better!)

      • apsilon on 22/09/2021 - 16:26
        +1

        You're probably looking for at least partially Chinese made then. MDC and they're like aren't trash but they're clearly built to a price and shortcuts are taken. The Australian built (and there are plenty of brands claiming to be Aust built that aren't or are only finished off locally) and South African built are superior build quality which is why they're significantly more expensive. Others will all require some work but sounds like you're buying used so you might find ones where the owners have already fixed a lot of issues. Search and you'll find plenty of people who've had failures but it's the service that can make a difference. I've seen MDC units have a failure and then be off the road for months while waiting for parts which obviously puts an end to the trip which is why I wouldn't recommend them.

        myswag.org and campertrailer.org are probably good places to do research assuming they're still around but just simple google searches for particular brands and models along with failures, issues, problems etc keywords will help. I don't know where you are but if you're anywhere that still has caravan can camping shows still on it's well worth spending the day to go and see a heap of them in person even if you're not buying new as it gives you a chance to get a feel for them and look at how they're put together.

  • CrispyChrispy on 22/09/2021 - 15:46
    +3

    Speaking from experience, having a shower or toilet in your camper-trailer is a waste of space, especially if the place you are staying at (eg. caravan park) provides those facilities. If you really want your own shower or toilet, bring a portable version of the two.

    Also, keep an eye out for free camping spots in small towns and even the bigger ones too. Many of the smaller towns have open fields that are normally used for sporting events, but they open them up to tourists with campervans or trailers when they're not in use. Some have toilets and hot showers, some don't, so be aware.

  • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 16:07
    +3

    Thanks for the tip re free camping spots.

    Not that interested in staying in caravan parks - would prefer to be more self sufficient and stay away from the crowds.

    Appreciate that over the course of six months, a proper shower and toilet would be appreciated (especially by the Mini-E's)

      • apsilon on 22/09/2021 - 17:05
        +2

        No need to look any further than wikicamps. It's well worth the $7 or whatever it is now.

    • fantombloo on 22/09/2021 - 19:28
      +1

      When we did a cross country trip we free camped for a few days at a time then went to a caravan park for a day just to clean up and restock with water, etc.

      Free camping is awesome, especially when you are on your own. IMO can't beat it.

  • pharkurnell on 22/09/2021 - 17:10
    +1

    Go and check out www.myswag.org
    all your answers are there.

  • MrEphemera on 22/09/2021 - 17:13

    Thx - will check it out.

  • barbarella on 22/09/2021 - 17:19
    +1

    Join FB caravan and camping groups…they'll help you

  • AndyC1 on 22/09/2021 - 17:53
    +1

    Get a sat phone or an EPIRB for emergencies. Normal phones don't work where you are going.

  • david clarke on 22/09/2021 - 17:53
    +1

    My advice, what ever you shortlist, go and check it out, set it up etc.

    Use the scenario, what if it's pissing rain or blowing a gale, how easy can I set this up and how quickly before everything gets soaked etc.

    If budget allows, buy Australian manufactured and made.

  • wombat81 on 23/09/2021 - 12:38
    +1

    We did the lap with a camper trailer in 2018. Our two kids were 7 and 10. We did it in a forward fold Austrack Telegraph.

    It depends on a number of factors. How far off the tarmac do you want to go. Our camper shows us to go to some remote locations like the bungle bungles, Cape Leveque and memory cove. That wouldn't be possible in a conventional caravan.

    It also meant we didn't have plumbed hot water. We did have a chemical toilet.

    Think about how remote you want to go first.

    • wombat81 on 23/09/2021 - 14:03

      Shows = allowed

  • Calmago on 23/09/2021 - 15:03

    All the off-road campers are pretty much the same, the only differences are minor things and inclusions.

    We have an Austrack Sav X (Forward Fold Rear Slide). It's supplied with everything you could need. A forward fold would be too small for a family, you want the rear bed that doesn't affect the seating area.

    2 adults 2 Kids.

    We travel a bit and We just finished a month up cape york and it's held up fine.

    Set up wise, depends on how long you're staying or how big you want your set up to be. If it's overnight, it's a 10 min set-up, without the Annex.

    The best suggestion is to job on Facebook and add yourself to the owner's groups. They share a wealth of information.

    Wikicamps is your friend.

    • wombat81 on 23/09/2021 - 18:00
      +1

      I wouldn't say that all off road campers are essentially the same. All of the Chinese iterations are similar (Austrack, MDC, Black series, ezytrail, SUV etc). Other brands are very, very different.

      • Calmago on 23/09/2021 - 20:24

        Sorry that's what I was referring too. The imported ones.

        Can compare an austrack to a patriot or Kimberly

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