Whats your pick of Camper/tent trailers?

[t8 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close t8]

We bought a second hand All Terrain Camper Trailer (17' Full Offroad version with complete annex) a couple of years ago and so far it's been good. I've made a few modifications, like adding a mains battery charger, permanent fluro light in the storage section, and plumbed in the gas so I don't have to move the bottle every single time we setup/packup. Just had the main zipper replaced though ($150 from a local canvas workshop) because mud/grit/dust had destroyed a couple of it's teeth (I should have cleaned it more often...!).

We picked it up for around $15k iirc.

[rally1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rally1]

Hi all
My wife and i took delivery of a new kimberly kamper in june
best thing we ever bought. I know they are a lot of money but well
worth it.

CHEERS

[Brissy4me Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brissy4me]

Hey guys,
I like hearing all the great positive things about the campers but for those who are thinking about buying one, pointing out a few negatives might assist with the choices

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

Only one fault with mine. They ran a large positive wire to the battery from the trailer plug but relied on the same little earth as the lights. Wiring is only as conductive as its weakest link. Took all of half hour to fix. Apart from thats its all we ever wanted.

On the other hand we have seen some with only one door way where as ours has two. Surprisingly convenient at times. Not major, just one of those little things you notice later. :wink:

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

Guys,

Got back from Flinders Rangers Trip a few weeks ago. We had 40 people,
15 cars, 6 camper trailers, all different (Tambo Cooper, Aussie Swag, Kimberley Kamper, Campomatic, Cameron's Canvas , and one home made).

So basically the Camper Trailers ranged from $9K to $40K... We had people on the trip with 2 adults and 3 kids in car with tents setting up and breaking camp quicker when CT's...

Most CT's are designed for different things: the more expensive ones are great when you are on the move almost every day, others are excellent if you staying at the same spot for week or more...

So it basically come down to what (and if) you need one, and how much you can afford to spend...

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

Agree with LC120_man, there are many varied campers out there. Its what suits you and your family the best. Like most things I reckon the easier it is to use, the more it gets used.

We purchased a Kimberley Karavan in late June 07. Did a 5 week 'quick' 14,000km trip from just Nth of Sydney via Qld up to the NT, Kimberleys and back via Alice Springs. The KK went very well. As usual the constant corrugations loosen things and require daily vehicle inspections (as our Prado did also). Having a towing vehicle the same width as our Prado was a great advantage, I only had to worry about one set of tyres for avoiding the ruts and stones. We even managed to get argue our way into the Bungle Bungles in WA (no caravans allowed, only camper trailers) as a result of the width and off-road capability.

What is deceiving with these units is the weight. Our KK weighs close to 2 tonnes "fully" loaded. The bulk of the weight is the 350Ah of batteries on board, Air-Cond, a 70 litre poly water tank, 120 litre s/steel tank, 2 loaded Jerry cans, Generator, food etc.

It has a shower inside and one outside. We have only used the inside shower once, preffering to use the outside shower in the warmer climates. The loo (as small as it is) is great for the Leader of the Opposition during the night :P

On our trip Nth we met up with Chippy, Bec & family just out of Tennant Creek and I was more than impressed by their Trak Shack. It had more open and shuts thingy's than we did. The trolley jack on the side fascinated me also. :lol:

The KK website for those interetsed is: http://www.kimberleykaravans.com/index.php

So here's some pics:

Travelling mode:


Living mode:


Meet up with Chippy, Bec & Family near Tennant Creek.

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

That is bloody awesome Pete but man, 2 tonne. Thats alot of weight to drag through soft dirt. Did the weight ever become an issue?

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

.
>> 2 tonne. Thats alot of weight to drag through soft dirt. Did the weight ever become an issue?

Hi Matt
The same tracking of the wheels assist as the Prado's tyres should compact the ground a bit. We only managed to go over a few sandy area trying to find a good camping spot off the road and we had no problems then. I have no doubt the weight will give us some problems however none so far (now i'll be jinxed). The Gibb River Rd was corrugated and we had some sandy areas near Pentecost River. Camped on sand at Barnett River Gorge that required a few ups and downs to get to the spot without any problems. The Tanami was rock solid, just heavily corrugated near the WA border. The roughest piece of road we encountered was off the Tanami to Wolfe Creek meteorite crater and that was heavily corrugated for the 20 or so km of it, fortunately we straddled across a mound and followed the road against the fence to avoid the corro's.

I dropped tyre pressure to 26psi when on gravel or loose road (including the KK).

Cheers
PeteS

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

Yeah, no worries Pete. Please dont take offence, those things look awesome. Was just curious about the weight. Ours should weigh around the 1 ton mark and I am a little worried how it will go. Do sometimes think an auto would be better. The old do you rev it or change gears and loose momentum!

Thanks, Matt.

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

..........Was just curious about the weight. Ours should weigh around the 1 ton mark and I am a little worried how it will go. Do sometimes think an auto would be better. The old do you rev it or change gears and loose momentum! Thanks, Matt.

Hi ya Matt
No probs. The 2 tonnes is loaded to the hilt (i.e. full jerry cans, water etc), think 1850kg is the typical KK mention. The auto D4D diesel made towing a dream. Did not know I had 2 tonnes on the back even going up hills. Not sure what your setup is however I feel you would tow 1 tonne with ease. Having the auto with a diesel did save the gear shuffle and rev loss. Hope I've answered your question :wink:
Cheers
Pete S

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

we have an earlier diesel 120 with a manual box. Haven't really taken the camper itself anywhere really off-road but while it did go well I did find myself dropping back to fourth to get up decent size hills. Have considered upgradig but seems a bit pricey to just change the engine. Might wait and buy next model whenever that is. Thanks Pete, again, awesome set-up!!

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Don't race off and trade your rig just yet Matt ... wait until we're loaded up and heading south for Xmas ... then when my V6 blows you away towing 1500 Kg ... then you can trade :lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously ... enjoy the hell out of this one first, get a few thousand camper K's up on it ... then you'll know exactly what you want from the next one.

Cheers
Chippy

[PeteS Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeteS]

Matt
Agree totally with Chippy. Tow and get a feel for your setup. After those few thousand camper K's Chippy mentions you will have no doubts on your needs.

I'm sure you will have a lot of fun and memorable moments from your camper..... enjoy.
Cheers, Pete

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

wait until we're loaded up and heading south for Xmas ... then when my V6 blows you away towing 1500 Kg ... then you can trade :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey chippy, fair enough, but I'll toot as I pass you stopped at myalup, and bunbury .....................and donnybrook.......................and and and for fuel!! :wink:

I will keep it but I must admit I do just bored very quuickly. Keep needing to buy toys to keep it interesting! Have to keep the prado, can't not meet up with you guys in future!

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hey Matt ... that's why the Trak Shak has space for 9 jerry cans ... I'm carting 360 L of fuel :lol:

It's not quite like hooking a tanker on the back but it's close :shock:

Cheers
Chippy