Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
Camper trailers
Most of the serious off-road hard floor campers are good. We researched hard before we bought our Camp-o-matic some 4-5 years ago and since then it's been most places a 4wd can go (with the exception of the Simpson). Main factors for choosing it were, light ball weight (actually Treg Hitch, well built, good size water tank, nice kitchen set-up and good power system. In the time we've had it we have had zero problems with it and it still doen't leak a drop of water in the pouring rain.
Suspension is absolutely critical and independent is far better than beam axle (which I think the Adventure still stick with). Beam axles are not good on very rocky terrain as they significantly restrict the useful ground clearance. Ease of setting up an annex is good - but most of the time when you're travelling you won't need one - and when you're stopped for a few days the extra 20mins doesn't really matter anyway.
Cheers,
MartinMY08 TDV6 SE. White/Alpaca. BFG265/65/18 At's
Autologic, Trackside Dual Battery syst., Remote GME UHF, 4X4 Intelligence rear wheel carrier, Boab removable rear drawer system w National Luna fridge, Mitchell Bros hitch.
Rasta Plate. 110L LRA long-range fuel tank.
31st Mar 2009 9:51 pm
WayneD
Member Since: 11 Sep 2007
Location: Sydney Darwin ,Singapore, USA, UK and now country NSW
Posts: 531
we are going to hire a Camp-o-matic from Challenge campers at Rydalmere to test it out. Unfortunately could not get one for Easter, but will try to get down to the Wollondilly in next couple of weeks. The Mitchell Bros hitch is attached and awaiting its first test.Take the road less traveled. Dual battery system.ORS drawers,LR cargo Barrier.ARB Bull bar,side protection bars,Mickey Thompson ATR's 17" rims, Rear wheel carrier, radiator guard TPMS Mitchell Bros Tow Hitch LR RAI Steel Rims , GME UHF, Off Road GPS, Llams (yet to be fitted)
31st Mar 2009 10:20 pm
mtb
Member Since: 08 Dec 2006
Location: sydney
Posts: 32
Thanks everyone for all your information - if there are any more comments please keep them coming.
I am certainly planning on going to the Caravan and Camping show in Sydney - see whats on offer first hand.
IanR, Pericles, John 58, Gabbs, Martin K - what are the ball weight estimates for your trailers when loaded up. Some of the trailers seem to have quite high ball weights which may make them a bit difficult to man-handle if required, especially if the ground is soft.
WayneD - let me know how the hire camper goes if you dont mind - I expect I will take this path initially. I hope that hiring will let me know what items / designs are good / neccessary. It is a big investment - you dont buy a car without test driving it. I have the 4WD action magazine this month - it hightlights how many campers there are to choose from - the camping show is a must to see properly.
I hope the Mitch Hitch goes well - it is on my list of things to get soon - I am sick of the plough.
IanR - I checked out your gallery and the Kimberley trip - looks excellent.
again - thanks everyone for all your input. This forum has been a great resource.
regards
mtbHSE TDV6 Silver. Roof rails, Adaptive lights, electronic diff. Now its time to add a few extra bits..... Dual Battery setup, Rhino Roof Racks, UHF / VHF radio, ARB bar and winch, custom storage..by me ... Now trying some Grabber AT2's.
1st Apr 2009 12:38 pm
Martin Krutli
Member Since: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 229
Camper Trailers
Hi MTB.
Also check my Gallery for Photos. Ball weight was an important consideration when we looked and Campomatic had one of the lightest - from memory about 60Kgs. They put the water tank at the back and this acts as a balancing counterweight. Batteries are over the axle line.
Certainly try and hire a few and wee what works for you - we all have different requirements. We hired an Adventure a couple of times and didn't particularly like it, even though it's well built.
Mitchell hitch is the only way to go. Camper sits absolutely parallel to the road with it and tows perfectly. It pitched and moved around more with the 'plough'.
Cheers.MY08 TDV6 SE. White/Alpaca. BFG265/65/18 At's
Autologic, Trackside Dual Battery syst., Remote GME UHF, 4X4 Intelligence rear wheel carrier, Boab removable rear drawer system w National Luna fridge, Mitchell Bros hitch.
Rasta Plate. 110L LRA long-range fuel tank.
SWMBO and I hired a TVAN for a week last year,from the Canberra distributor. It was great to tow and handled even heavy corrugations well.
Only downside was the sleeping area was a bit cramped for my 6 foot frame. We decidied it was NQR for us but after the experience I'd recommend renting anything you thought was good before you buy.
Pics in my Gallery. Went perfectly with the Mitchell Brothera hitch.
Ianv TDV6
3rd Apr 2009 10:29 am
davidedwardmawer
Member Since: 11 Oct 2012
Location: Gironde
Posts: 174
If anybody knows of a Tvan for sale in Europe let me know please.33370 Fargues Saint Hilaire
2nd May 2014 12:11 pm
Brucehun
Member Since: 09 Oct 2006
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 106
Offroad trailers
This is one of the best we have in South Africa.also has a built in 110l water tank, deep cycle battery, gas geyser. Made of stainless steel.
2nd May 2014 9:18 pm
disco_potter
Member Since: 17 Jan 2009
Location: Queensland
Posts: 23
This post has been resurrected after a few years!
We bought a Track Trailer TVAN Murranji III 2 years ago & absolutely love it. Go anywhere, tows like a dream, no wet canvas over beds (useful in Far North Queensland) and makes camping as a family a breeze - Dad, SWMBO & 2 girls age 7 & 5. We bought from Horizon Campers in Townsville who also will hire TVANs out.
2 words of warning though.
1. The original tow hitch ('The plough') is pants. It sets the tow height too low for an off road camper trailer & even with off-road height setting on the air suspension on the Disco I was stuck once with being unable to raise the jockey wheel without having to dig a hole underneath it! All fixed with the Mitchell Bros hitch. A necessary investment for anyone who tows I think.
2. A good number of the 'high-end' camper trailers use LED brake & indicator lights. These aren't picked up by the wiring loom of the Disco as the resistance is too low so you need an inline booster. I got mine from Labtronx.com.au (the pulse buster) and had it installed into the trailer wiring. If you are planning to hire a trailer you will need to ensure that the trailer you're hiring will have functioning lights and may need to provide something like this. There are a few variations on the theme that can be placed ad-hoc in line with the trailer plug.
Attached are a couple of pics of the trailer; one attached to the car & one set up at camp.
You won't look back. As far as I am aware they are only available in Australia. I'm not sure whether design regulations in the EU would restrict import.
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