| So the time has come to buy a camper trailer. | | | | stone guard is a must, and not always standard |
| You're off on that big trip and the idea of a quick | | | | equipment. Toolboxes on the drawbar, of various |
| setup and that extra space in your vehicle is so | | | | sizes and construction, or even secure and |
| much more appealing than setting up those flimsy | | | | dustproof storage spaces built into the sides of |
| hike tents every night in the rain. You've had the | | | | the trailer. Jerry can holders are an important |
| "second-hand vs new" debate. You're ready to | | | | consideration, for carrying extra fuel or water. |
| start looking. | | | | Kitchens and water storage under the trailer as |
| You would think the choice would be relatively | | | | well. From a simple fold out tailgate with a shelf |
| easy; how many camper trailers could there be? | | | | for a gas stove, to a deluxe extendable swingout |
| Well, there are plenty. There are dozens of | | | | kitchen with pantry and plumbing to gas bottles |
| manufacturers and resellers out there, presenting | | | | and twin water tanks. From no electrics, to 12v |
| a host of specifications, options and accessories, | | | | lighting and water pump systems, battery |
| ranging from as little as $4000, to upwards of | | | | chargers and inverters, and 240 volt connections. |
| $40,000 for a hard floor camper. So before you | | | | Next is the tent. Make sure the tent is made |
| hit the outlets and the camping shows, it will pay | | | | from quality Australian made and treated canvas; |
| to have a few of the basics straight. | | | | there have been many lesser quality imported |
| Firstly, what will you be doing with your camper? | | | | tents being sold on camper trailers in recent years |
| There are essentially two types of trailer out | | | | - however most quality dealers are staying well |
| there - onroad and offroad. If you are touring | | | | away from them now. Most standard tents |
| largely on 2wd roads, a fairly standard onroad | | | | simply fold out from the top of the trailer, |
| trailer may serve your purposes. Generaly similar | | | | creating a decent sized room and leaving a |
| to a standard 7×4 trailer, with the addition | | | | platform for a double bed mattress. Tent sizes |
| of a tent and a range of accessories from basics | | | | vary from 9ft to 15ft or even more, however in |
| such a swingout tailgate and a jockey wheel to | | | | the case of a hard floor camper, where the top |
| deluxe kitchens, jerry can holders, water tanks | | | | of the camper trailer folds over and down to |
| and electrics. | | | | become a platform on the ground, the tent size |
| With the wear and tear suffered at the hands of | | | | will be limited. |
| corrugations and the combined rugged conditions | | | | Another important consideration is the amount of |
| found on forest tracks and outback roads, a | | | | airflow, in the form of numbers and sizes of |
| standard or onroad camper will not last long. So if | | | | windows and doors. In warm weather or just in |
| you plan to go bush camping, taking your trailer | | | | direct sun, the inside of a canvas tent can |
| down serious 4wd tracks towed by your trusty | | | | become very warm very quickly. Insect screens |
| offroad vehicle, then you will need an offroad | | | | on those windows, and zip-down canvas awnings, |
| trailer to match. | | | | are critical. Check to see if the screen material is |
| Again the options are vast, but we're narrowing it | | | | fine, midge-proof screening or simply fly-screen! |
| down. Just as your 4wd vehicle is designed to | | | | Different models also offer different combinations |
| take the punishment of harsh offroad conditions, | | | | of awnings, annexes and additional rooms. A good |
| so is a properly designed offroad camper trailer. | | | | standard is an awning with an end wall, and |
| The trailer will have, as a minimum, heavy duty | | | | options to add zip-on walls afterwards or as part |
| construction and drawbar, including some form of | | | | of a package. Additional rooms may cater to a |
| frame or chassis, along with heavy duty offroad | | | | larger family, or simply more storage on those |
| springs and axels, for example the popular 7 leaf | | | | longer stays. |
| eye to eye shackle springs. Electric or hydraulic | | | | With all this in mind, only you can strike a balance |
| brakes are almost a must for these trailers, giving | | | | between what you want in a trailer, and what |
| more control in challenging conditions, and required | | | | you can afford to pay!! There are many good, |
| in any case if the trailer is over a certain weight. | | | | soft-floor offroad options in the $9,000 - $15,000 |
| There are also a variety of specialised offroad | | | | price range; decide whats important to you and |
| couplings, and often extended drawbars, both | | | | look carefully at whats on offer in different |
| options allowing for greater maneuverability in | | | | packages. Don't get drawn into paying for what |
| offroad conditions. Of course tyres are also | | | | you don't need. There are many "deluxe" options |
| offroad, should include a spare, and where possible | | | | that offer far more than the average bush |
| should be matched to the wheels and tyres on | | | | camper would have considered before setting out |
| your primary towing vehicle. | | | | to buy a trailer. |
| As with onroad trailers, alternatives abound. A | | | | |