Off road camper vans

Scroll to the enf of this article and you will have the answer for one model

Bob

G'day Ken and Aileen,
In 2001 we did the Gibb River road, Merinie Loop and the Oodnadatta Track with a Jayco Expander (similar to the pop up with out the pop). Yes the shocker mounts were useless and kept breaking (no bumper stops on the suspension) Fixed the problem by removing the shockers!. Yes we did get a hole in the water tank not from a stone but from the idiot who fitted the cabinetry who drilled through the floor and into the top of the tank and whoever they get to wire it up had no idea of what he was doing.
However it was all we could afford at the time and we knew we were getting what we paid for so we drove accordingly (very slow for most of it) and our family had a great trip. Much of the Gibb River Road was travelled at 30km/h.
Moral of the story - "Don't expect a Jayco to survive like a Bushtraker but if its all you can afford don't let this stop you from having a go."

Or do as we have done, sell the children and order a Bushtracker.

Hi ken and Aileen,

I once met a well known caravanning journalist and author who pulled into the remote quarry I was in overnight. He was not towing his usual bullet proof camper trailer - but a Jayco Expander. He had done some serious corrugated dirt. When I asked the question about how it was standing up - he replied with a knowing grin "You need to be expert level' with a screw gun"

I am not sure about the flop-out style of caravans but the Kimberley Camper (camper trailer) has a pretty good name up north. Additionally, the bullet or wedge shaped camper trailers (can't remember the name) that the Journo above usually tows are very good but expensive. There is nothing that is both 'good' and 'cheap'.

One of the best ressearch places are the popular caravan parks where your son lives. He whould frequently haunt these places and get talking the owners of vans he is interested in. Q's such as " What problems have you had" and "if you were starting again, what would you do differently"? Make sure they have travelled the same sort of country that he intends travelling.

Regards

John and Jean

Hi Ken and Aileen,
The wedge shaped camper you see Ron Moon with in the ads is a Tvan. Yep they are expensive but we have friends who have recently purchased one and having seen it in action we reckon we would have invested if we didn't have the BT. For off road they are great and "no wet canvas on your beds!!"
Prue

Last year, we travelled 18,000km through SA and WA with friends who had a T-Van. Trip included the Great Central Road and a lot of other off road stuff. T-Van didn't miss a beat!

However. If I was to trade in the BT on an off-road camper trailer (and I'm not), the one I would be having a VERY serious look at is the Ultimate.

Have a look here - Ultimate Off Road Campers

As a Veteran traveller with Camper Trailers in the old days....

There are a few funny little sayings and situations that you will become familiar with:

1. Like try to stop for lunch in bad weather like pouring down rain, wind, dust, etc..

2. Like trying to put up the camper in the rain or in the dark will become a fun time to look forward to, Ha!

3. Like "Sorry Dear, I know we wanted to go on today, but it rained again last night and the canvas is wet and will have to dry out before we can pack up, maybe tomorrow.

4. Like having an outdoor shower in a dust storm and being dirtier after the shower.

5. Like having to turn around and around in the shower to keep the sandflies or mozzies from biting and still getting bit 8 times trying to get your pants back on.

6. Like standing in the doorway with a folding shovel and dunny roll looking out at the rain belting down like a "cow piddling on a flat rock", Oh this is going to be fun….. Ha!

7. Like the Missus thinking she saw a black snake just on dusk in the brush, oh yes she is going to be keen on getting up in the middle of the night to take care of business!!

8. Like the familiar smell of mildew and mold and dust and rotting canvas, oh joy!

9. Like knowing the real way to travel great distance is having a turnkey operation to pull over in blasting down rain and just go back in the van to have a leisurely lunch instead of battling on risking life in the rain because you have no choice.

10. Like missing a turnkey operation of stopping after a long days drive and having a hot shower and a nice glass of wine and a queen sized bed, instead you will be battling the losing battle with a camper trailer until you join the ranks of veteran travellers, WITH A BUSHTRACKER....

The decision about money and dollars spent.... There is no Competition on Lifestyle...

Musing from the Ranger...