Camper trailers - What stops them????????

[Bushbasher]

Those shocks are over-rated. My CT has heavy duty 9 leaf springs (made in SA) which were recently reset, re-tensioned, new u bolts, new locating greasable pins, etc. I don't have shocks and it's performed extremely well for the past 10 years. It has home made armour around the water tank and piping. The pictured trailer with at 5 or 6 jerries on one side alone, who knows what's on the other side, was probably way overloaded. It only has a short body so I'm thinking that weight, as well as dumb driving, was probably the culprit for his problems.

[MDS69]

double post.

[MDS69]

I don't think it matters how much you pay for your CT if it has a fault it will break. I think Bushbasher or AJ helped someone with a Pioneer Camper who broke a stub axle. That was one of two in around two months. These are fairly exxy campers.
I have a GIC Off Road Extreme. Google GIC and sit back with a 6 pack because you will be up all night reading negative threads all over the internet about GIC. Ours is a Feb 2011 build and I believe they started to improve not all that long ago in their QC. They are a budget camper and were renowned for not finishing things properly like blowing a hole through the chassis with a gas torch to run the tail light wiring with scotchlocks. Dodgy welds. Shit paint, water tanks mounted upside down, water tank plumbing with non-drinking water type hose etc etc. We knew this when we were looking and it fitted out budget and I could retify these things.
We took ours to Fraser Island in 2011. In 2012 Sydney to Oodnadatta Track, Ayers Rock, Finke, Dalhousie Springs, Simpson Desert, Birsdville, Birdsville Track then back to Sydney with no issues apart from me not checking the U bolts on the axle. They came loose on one side but I caught it in time with no damage. I totally stripped the paint off the draw bar and front of the CT from rock strikes but I needed better stone protection.

IMO the main thing that goes wrong is lack of maintenance. Check/re pack/replace your wheel bearings regulary. Check/ re grease your greasable shackles on your military style rebound leaf springs (no shocks) and hitch. Carry spare wheel studs/nuts, wheel bearings (already packed with grease and vacuum sealed), U bolts for the axle. If you have a manual hand pump for the water tank then tape up the spout to stop the corrugations pumping your tank dry and dust becoming mud and clogging up the spout. If you have an electric water pump then a master off switch so the one for the tap doesn't get bumped and fill your trailer with water as happened to our travelling companions. Robust protection of your plumbing and electric brake wiring for rock strikes.
Don't put 2 tonne rated leaf springs on a trailer that carries half that. You will smash your cargo and stress the trailer as the suspension will not be working. Tyre pressures are as important on a trailer as they are on your tug.

[MidLifeCrisis]

mlc does not like this!

I reckon over the years I must have seen at least 50 trailers broken down on the side of the road while out touring, I know a few personally that have issues and have spoken to a few on my travels that have suffered a breakdown. In every single case I can think of it was suspension / Axle problems.

A mate broke his U-bolts going across the Anne Beadell, met a couple in Broken Hill who snapped a stub North of Tiboburra, long story that one but someone managed to steal the entire abandoned trailer even with a broken stub. The pic below is of a guy on the Tele Track up the cape, he broke the Ubolts, axle dislodged, blew a tyre, busted his water tank, bent the gaurd. He was a real cowboy and was going like the clappers though, watched him nearly roll it at Gunshot later that day!



We camped with a guy at King Edward River in the Kimberly, I was a bit surprised to see he had made it that far running slipper springs, he told me they were great and never had an issue with them. Later that day we met them again at Drysdale Station, spring busted and the trailer in a bit of a mess.

The independant suspension hard top trailers are particularly prone to breaking stubs, the Kimberliy's come with a spare stub supplied. apart from them being heavy, my theory is the independant suspension only goes up and down in a straight line, no change in camper as it flex's putting strain on the stub, thats just my theory though.

Not that it stopped the trailer, but the first trailer I built, on its first big trip (Tassie) had a push pull manual water pump, first night Trish broke it, couldn't buy another one and spent 3 weeks with a full water tank that we couldn't use, put 12v pumps in ever since. fortunately plenty of water in Tassie.

Cheers Andrew

I'm dobbing, Trish said YOU broke the pump!

[Boyce]

We did 4 months away last year with a Kimberley Kamper and had no dramas at all. Although the bat-crap on the canvas could be a pain! These units are well made and manage tough conditions pretty well. Did over 20000K's up through NT and Kimberley region in WA. Had to get an insect screen zip replaced. Apart from that there were no functional problem at all. We sold it at the end of the trip and got our money back!! Thinking about an Ultimate next so would be interested to see what experience other PP's have with these.

[AJ120]

Drew, those hoses coming off your water tank are just asking to get broken off hey! Its how al lot of if not most are done though.

I actually built my tank so I can suck the water out through a point high up on the tank, it has an internal suction that goes to within a few mm's of the bottom, keeps it up nice and high and out of harms way. Only issue was I built the water tank while the trailer was at the Upholsters getting the tent made, forgot about the recovery points and ended up putting the outlet directly in line with it, a couple of spacers fixed that though.




Cheers Andrew

[Anth120playdo]

Na ####, the trailer was made in Adelaide but the tent top was made in China. They told me it was all Aussi made but they stuffed up when they used the cardboard to rap the awning poles up in then placed them inside the trailer. It had written on the box the size etc of the tent. So that pissed me off to start with. then I couldn't register it because the wheels hung out past the guards, they placed the number plate light on the opposite side of trailer (tail/brake/blinker combined) and expected it to light up the number plate from the opposite side (dickheads) then the trailer lead was too short to reach the tow vehicle so had to make that longer, surface rust had already started underneath, 2nd hand road tyres were suppose to be new A/T's, suppose to have been supplied a placard to put on trailer for rego, that was the trailer. The tent was a piece of shit. It had two tears in it, one stuffed zipper, water already had leaked into the bed area and damaged the so called marine ply underneath the bed. The screws they used around the outer edge of the bed had pierced the canvas because they were too long, the flyscreen was damaged on one of the windows and I was missing awning poles, sure there is some thing I have missed. I sent this one back straight away but the manager was a prick and would never answer my calls. Was only when I sent him some pictures of the camper on the back of my mates flatbed tow truck out the front of the caravan and camping show with the brand plastered over it letting people know what a piece of shit it was he contacted me and said he'd see me in court. I asked him to let me know the dates as I will bring all the evidence with me and will also park the camper and my hilux duel cab in his show room entering via his plate glass showroom window and will have 3 mates travelling with me. He would not refund me but offered his series two version. It was 80% better but the trailer still started rusting and the canvas was torn by the second use. Cost me money to sell it as I couldn't sell it with torn canvas and surface rust...... Its not like it was a 3 grand trailer either, even if it was it has to be useable for what it was meant for or what they advertise it for.....Cheers Steve

I like your style of sharing your experience, if more ppl had the balls to do that, then we would get better products & service, too many ppl let them get away with avoiding the calls.

[blkd4d]

I can see how this thread will help prospective CT buyers.

We just recently returned from the Cape in our Armadillo Camper.
All I can say is ROCK STRIKES, ROCK STRIKES, ROCK STRIKES.
Basically anything that isnt robust / tough / cant withstand rock strikes will fail.

1) I am one of the 'NON BELIEVERS' in shockers on a leaf spring CT.
Due to rock strikes on the PDR we had a shockie break clean in half & the other was holding on but seized.
My mate who owns a Pedders franchise thinks that shockies on a leaf spring trailer account for approx 10 % of control.
Thats not enough for me to replace them and carry spares.



2) We lost the water from our tanks twice due to rock strikes onto the fitting that connect into the side of the tanks.
From the factory they were 3/4 BSP thread - 13mm hose elbow fittings. All I can say is weak as piss & Designed to fail.
These didnt stand a chance to the constant peppering of rocks on these dirt roads.
Even then Plastic tanks have a 6mm thick walls and some of the dents in the tanks are making me consider making some Auminium checker plate guards.
So ensure your tanks and fittings are well prtected from rock strikes.

3) Stabiliser / Levelling legs that adjust the height of your trailer when parked up are in my mind a gimmick as well.
Not only are they another thing you have to set up and pull down when camping but they break off due to rock strikes as well.
The Alko's on my Armadillo are still holding on but the plastic bases have broken off, but my friends legs broke clean off.



Lastly YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
My friend Mark Paid $4500 for a CT before he left Adelaide for his big lap of OZ. Fair enough thats all he could afford.
He had welds break where the leaf spring mounts to the chassis, broken bottom plates that hold the leaf springs and the axle together and at Virylia point his 'Stainless' water tanks got a leak... IE- broke the mounts that were welded to the chassis and fell off...
But in saying that, he returned to Darwin and sold that CT for $4000... not bad actually for putting 20,000kms on it and breaking a heap of times!
So when your taking resale value... He was a winner...
Mark was just lucky he is a Boilermaker by trade and managed to borrow a welder of another traveller when he needed it...
Anyone without much of a clue would have been in deep doggy doo doo...

I didn't do to bad with my Vacation Camper . I had nothing break or bend no leaks from the tank but it did loose paint from the rocks

[SOL]

This an excellent example of substandard workmanship on a CT.
I would expect a the draw bar to be fully welded to the chassis, not just and inch of weld at each end.
Also whats with those leaf spring hangers at the front, are they risers? Im suprised the spring broke before those frankenstein things!

Looks like the leaf spring eye broke off. Thats why you should use two or three rolled end leafs.

SOL.

[mackayvx]

I have posted these before helped this guy lift the remains of his trailer on a semi after the spring busted .

Whatever the cost or brand of trailer go over it especially if you want to take it offroad and not just dirt road .
The quality of how things are put together can sometimes be a rough. (welds)

This an excellent example of substandard workmanship on a CT.
I would expect a the draw bar to be fully welded to the chassis, not just and inch of weld at each end.
Also whats with those leaf spring hangers at the front, are they risers? Im suprised the spring broke before those frankenstein things!

[mackayvx]

I can see how this thread will help prospective CT buyers.

We just recently returned from the Cape in our Armadillo Camper.
All I can say is ROCK STRIKES, ROCK STRIKES, ROCK STRIKES.
Basically anything that isnt robust / tough / cant withstand rock strikes will fail.

1) I am one of the 'NON BELIEVERS' in shockers on a leaf spring CT.
Due to rock strikes on the PDR we had a shockie break clean in half & the other was holding on but seized.
My mate who owns a Pedders franchise thinks that shockies on a leaf spring trailer account for approx 10 % of control.
Thats not enough for me to replace them and carry spares.



2) We lost the water from our tanks twice due to rock strikes onto the fitting that connect into the side of the tanks.
From the factory they were 3/4 BSP thread - 13mm hose elbow fittings. All I can say is weak as piss & Designed to fail.
These didnt stand a chance to the constant peppering of rocks on these dirt roads.
Even then Plastic tanks have a 6mm thick walls and some of the dents in the tanks are making me consider making some Auminium checker plate guards.
So ensure your tanks and fittings are well prtected from rock strikes.

3) Stabiliser / Levelling legs that adjust the height of your trailer when parked up are in my mind a gimmick as well.
Not only are they another thing you have to set up and pull down when camping but they break off due to rock strikes as well.
The Alko's on my Armadillo are still holding on but the plastic bases have broken off, but my friends legs broke clean off.



Lastly YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
My friend Mark Paid $4500 for a CT before he left Adelaide for his big lap of OZ. Fair enough thats all he could afford.
He had welds break where the leaf spring mounts to the chassis, broken bottom plates that hold the leaf springs and the axle together and at Virylia point his 'Stainless' water tanks got a leak... IE- broke the mounts that were welded to the chassis and fell off...
But in saying that, he returned to Darwin and sold that CT for $4000... not bad actually for putting 20,000kms on it and breaking a heap of times!
So when your taking resale value... He was a winner...
Mark was just lucky he is a Boilermaker by trade and managed to borrow a welder of another traveller when he needed it...
Anyone without much of a clue would have been in deep doggy doo doo...

[blkd4d]

I have posted these before helped this guy lift the remains of his trailer on a semi after the spring busted .





Whatever the cost or brand of trailer go over it especially if you want to take it offroad and not just dirt road .
The quality of how things are put together can sometimes be a rough. (welds)

Don't be like this picture and lose the pin out of the hitch. He wondered why he was changing down gears.

[Chriso57]

The main thing that stops camper trailers is this idiotic idea of having to work. Mine is parked up way too much!

On to the serious side. I am relatively new to the CT scene. Been tenting it for a few years tho. Just finished building my own 7x4 soft floor before Christmas and it is great when we get out there. Search "Chrisos home built soft floor" on myswag.com if you wanna have a look. I am a mechanic by trade and spent a few years working for one of the larger equipment hire mobs so have a reasonable understanding of how to build/look after trailers.

As AJ120 pointed out most of the problems that will stop you dead in the tracks is the suspension. Its gotta be set up right in the 1st place and regularly inspected and maintained. I am a big fan of the simpleness and reliability of the military wrap eye to eye leaf springs with a solid axle. Greasable shackles, properly adjusted, decent bearings. Forget the shocks IMO (that'll probably start a debate). Roll under it before/after/during each trip and keep an eye on things.

Probably the best bit of advice is to be realistic about weight and speed. Just because your Prado can tow it down a corrugated road at 90kmh doesnt mean you should do so.

Chriso

[Steve M]

Na ####, the trailer was made in Adelaide but the tent top was made in China. They told me it was all Aussi made but they stuffed up when they used the cardboard to rap the awning poles up in then placed them inside the trailer. It had written on the box the size etc of the tent. So that pissed me off to start with. then I couldn't register it because the wheels hung out past the guards, they placed the number plate light on the opposite side of trailer (tail/brake/blinker combined) and expected it to light up the number plate from the opposite side (dickheads) then the trailer lead was too short to reach the tow vehicle so had to make that longer, surface rust had already started underneath, 2nd hand road tyres were suppose to be new A/T's, suppose to have been supplied a placard to put on trailer for rego, that was the trailer. The tent was a piece of shit. It had two tears in it, one stuffed zipper, water already had leaked into the bed area and damaged the so called marine ply underneath the bed. The screws they used around the outer edge of the bed had pierced the canvas because they were too long, the flyscreen was damaged on one of the windows and I was missing awning poles, sure there is some thing I have missed. I sent this one back straight away but the manager was a prick and would never answer my calls. Was only when I sent him some pictures of the camper on the back of my mates flatbed tow truck out the front of the caravan and camping show with the brand plastered over it letting people know what a piece of shit it was he contacted me and said he'd see me in court. I asked him to let me know the dates as I will bring all the evidence with me and will also park the camper and my hilux duel cab in his show room entering via his plate glass showroom window and will have 3 mates travelling with me. He would not refund me but offered his series two version. It was 80% better but the trailer still started rusting and the canvas was torn by the second use. Cost me money to sell it as I couldn't sell it with torn canvas and surface rust...... Its not like it was a 3 grand trailer either, even if it was it has to be useable for what it was meant for or what they advertise it for.....Cheers Steve

[AJ120]

I reckon over the years I must have seen at least 50 trailers broken down on the side of the road while out touring, I know a few personally that have issues and have spoken to a few on my travels that have suffered a breakdown. In every single case I can think of it was suspension / Axle problems.

A mate broke his U-bolts going across the Anne Beadell, met a couple in Broken Hill who snapped a stub North of Tiboburra, long story that one but someone managed to steal the entire abandoned trailer even with a broken stub. The pic below is of a guy on the Tele Track up the cape, he broke the Ubolts, axle dislodged, blew a tyre, busted his water tank, bent the gaurd. He was a real cowboy and was going like the clappers though, watched him nearly roll it at Gunshot later that day!



We camped with a guy at King Edward River in the Kimberly, I was a bit surprised to see he had made it that far running slipper springs, he told me they were great and never had an issue with them. Later that day we met them again at Drysdale Station, spring busted and the trailer in a bit of a mess.

The independant suspension hard top trailers are particularly prone to breaking stubs, the Kimberliy's come with a spare stub supplied. apart from them being heavy, my theory is the independant suspension only goes up and down in a straight line, no change in camper as it flex's putting strain on the stub, thats just my theory though.

Not that it stopped the trailer, but the first trailer I built, on its first big trip (Tassie) had a push pull manual water pump, first night Trish broke it, couldn't buy another one and spent 3 weeks with a full water tank that we couldn't use, put 12v pumps in ever since. fortunately plenty of water in Tassie.

Cheers Andrew