Hi. I am new to this semi retired part of life and before my partner and I venture out I am seeking some advice from people who have gone through painful and stressful experience of traveling, and trying to decide what type of accommodation they should purchase.. Currently we have a 4WD and when we do out back trips we now just either stay in cabins/motels or if out in the bush I have a large awning attached to the car. A "room" 3 x 2.5 is attached to this and I have a queen size bed on a frame with blow up mattress. Also have a hot shower system connected to the motor, and porta loo. So we are reasonably well set up. However it always takes about an hour to get all set up for these nights in the bush. We still want to travel off the beaten track and so I have been looking at 4WD motor homes and off road caravans and hard floor camper trailers. I have dismissed the first as the cost is prohibitive, and also you have the issue of packing up just to go down the road, or to do day trips. Caravans are nice but the weight and also they are really not true off road. So I am more seriously looking at a camper trailer. For about $45K full price I can get a good brand new (Pioneer) with shower, aircon/heater, hot water, and queen size spring mattress bed. I read that at some of the free camp sites you must be FULLY self contained. What does that mean? Can a camper trailer stay there? I have read the general comments about trailers under the rig tab, and it appears that the advice given there is rather negative for grey nomads. Hence my question here. Does anybody use a camper trailer on this forum? What issues or problems do they encounter when out camping or traveling on road trips of 2-3 months or longer? My 4WD is not one of the big boys, but is very heavily modified for serious off road use. So a caravan is probably too heavy to tow where I would want to go. I dont want to fork out another $80K to get another bigger unit and then spend another $15K getting it up to a suitable standard to tackle proper 4WD tracks. Thanks in anticipation.
David
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David Irvine
Tugs: 2016 Discovery 4./2017 Toyota 76 GLX Auto Wagon. Van: New Age Manta Ray Deluxe
Welcome to the forum David - I am sure you will get some info from the forum. However, your questions may be better placed in the "General" section of the forum, where more people read - just cut and paste your original post and paste it in a "start new topic" thread. Will be sure to get more response.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
David, a lot of the types that will answer questions like yours don't frequent this part of the forum. I suggest you post it in Techies Corner. You are more likely to get a better range of answers there. This forum is only for introductions.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
lots of info in here if you do a search. Ask a question if you cannot find an answer by searching. Lots of helpful people in here only too willing to assist.
enjoy the playground we call Australia.
I am sure the chief of cheer will be along soon to welcome you as well.
Frank
-- Edited by KFT on Saturday 5th of December 2015 09:55:39 PM
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Hi David we welcome you to the forum I have not towed an off road camper trailer but believe they are the only way to go if you want to do serious off road camping, have talked to a number of people who own them and their only real issue seemed to be preventing dust getting in when off road, hope you have heaps of fun out in the big playground.
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
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