camper trailer to cape york

[Big dave Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big dave]

Hi guys just bn thinking bout going to cape York in October just wonder if a standard 6x4 trailer with a oztail 7 camper be OK to take though cape York or would I be better of selling it and getting an off road camper or can I modify the one I have got?
Plus would it be hard work/worring to take a 2 month old baby with us or would it be better to wait till the baby is older?

Cheers big dave

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

You can take a standard 6x4 trailer but you won't be bringing it home, cause it will be busted on the side of the road somewhere. Definitely a good offroad trailer is the way to go, even cheaper " offroad" trailers will not cut the mustard on a lot of outback roads.

October is around the start of the wet season, if its an early start to the season then you might be in a bit of trouble with all the roads getting closed when you are a long way from home. If its a late start then you would be fine butnall the creeks will be shallow and it sort off defeats one of the reasons for a cape trip; which is for the adventure!

As for the 2 month old, well if you have a good one that sleeps well then it's probably easier than talking a 2 year old, all they do at that age is eat sleep and excrete. No need to worry about them wandering of and getting into trouble. On the other hand it's pretty early in a babies life to know whether you have a healthy one or one that might need a few visits to the doctor, you can be a long way from help if things go pear shaped. Really you are the only one who can make that decision.

I did run into a couple with a new born on the Gunbarrel Hwy last year and they were quite comfortable with how the young one was going.

Personally given all of the above I would look to travel to a less ambitious destination a bit closer to civilization and more suited to that time of year.

Cheers Andrew

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I took a Jayco Outback Swan pop top to the Cape in 2006. It made it really easy for a van that isn't designed for "off-road" according to the Jayco engineers. Besides massive dust intrusion, and having all the screws in the cupboards and fittings come loose, I took the major access roads without too much trouble including some deep creek crossings. But, as Andrew has stated, your garden variety trailer is not designed for the corrugations and will first start to disintegrate before you finally abandon it halfway up the track.

Options could be to hire something a little more rugged or buy. If you've have never used one before then hiring may be the way to go so you, your missus and kids know what you are in for before you spend the big dollars. Like Andrew, I have a custom trailer with proper off-road rated springs to handle the rigours of the great outback. I like to take the indirect route where possible when travelling so I needed a capable trailer.

[Big dave Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big dave]

Thanks guys I my just Have to sit down and rethink my holiday and wen I go now! Now I mite have to sell the camper trailer I have got now and buy an off road camper trailer plus wait till the baby is a bit older!

Cheers big dave

[Dueler120 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dueler120]

patriotcampers.com

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

A good off-road trailer is no real problem for the cape. We have taken our off road camper to the cape on two occasions behind different cars and other than normal maintenance, bearings spring bushes the trailer is holding up well. We used the Tele track up and by pass roads on the way back. Depending on the year and time you go the Tele track can be easier on the trailer as the by pass road become corrugated and some people travel faster.
Don't be too put off by people saying it is a trailer breaker, drive to the conditions, adjust tyre pressures to suit and have a wonderful time. Having said this I would not take a cheap 6x4 box trailer as they are just not strong enough.

Rusty.