Seeking advice from 'Campers'!

[Arial]

Hi Ladies :)

I wasn't sure where to put this post hmmmm? http://e.deviantart.com/emoticons/c/confuse.gif (couldn't find the outdoors/traveling section) ?

I made a pact with DH that this year, if we couldn't afford to buy a house (after many attempts), that we would come up with another positive and attainable experience to do together instead

Soooo hubby is into the camping (the roughing it style) eeek ! I have never been, or have ever been interested in it.

So we have been trying to find a compromise, and have decided we are going to look into some camper trailers (with the basic bed and kitchen set ups)

He's not keen to get a caravan , as our 4 wheel drive is getting too old too tow anything too big ..

DH has shown me some on the net, and i think i could go for the whole idea !

We would build my confidence up by going to powered sites at first :)

We usually go a couple times a year to B&B's, but they work out too expensive, and we don't end going away more as a result of it costing too much. This way, after the initial outlay, it would be affordable, and we could get away more often!

We would take our 2 small dogs with us, and work out some type of enclosure to go around the camper trailer.

We are going to go looking this weekend at some caravan places for some.

We have noticed that there are a few better ones with more things and cheaper in Victoria ! So we would probably consider driving over there, after we look around here first for a while.

On ebay some guy is advetising his pretty cheaply because he states that his wife has lost interest in it , just after a couple of outings ! LOL Now DH is worried that will happen to me ! :hehe:


Anyway we think we are going to go for this type 'supermatic cub'( middle of the range), because it comes with a hard floor surface, in the trailer part and getting to the bed is not as high up for me, as with some of the others.

So has anyone got one? and what are your experiences with them?

Any other useful advice appreciated ! :)

[Patricia]

No experience with one of these as such, but we had a "motor home" a few years ago.

I HATED it with a passion...called it the divorce making machine...I would rather a tent or two and a campsite where you can spread out and have a bit of personal space.

I didn't like the whole enclosed aspect of it..very confining..especially at night time.

I love the camping so I hope you learn to enjoy that too :)

[Stormy]

Never taken one out bush before but always impressed by them at the Boating, Fishing and Camping expos :D

I remember seeing one that was a truly go anywhere camper. It was small and compact yet had everything in it and the design of it was such that you could go anywhere you could take a 4WD. They were a bit exxy so I never got one but maybe in a few years I might consider the outlay :)

[Arial]

No experience with one of these as such, but we had a "motor home" a few years ago.

I HATED it with a passion...called it the divorce making machine...I would rather a tent or two and a campsite where you can spread out and have a bit of personal space.

I didn't like the whole enclosed aspect of it..very confining..especially at night time.

I love the camping so I hope you learn to enjoy that too :)

Oh no :(

My parents have recently sold their house and have bought a caravan set up, nothing flash, and intend to spend their retirement living in one eeek

They are already arguring with each other , Oh dear ! Personally i think they have gone about it in the wrong way, but it's their life ..

I think i will be ok enclosed in the kind we are getting, as we would only ever go away or one or 2 nights at the most in it . And we would drive around during the day :)

Never taken one out bush before but always impressed by them at the Boating, Fishing and Camping expos :D

I remember seeing one that was a truly go anywhere camper. It was small and compact yet had everything in it and the design of it was such that you could go anywhere you could take a 4WD. They were a bit exxy so I never got one but maybe in a few years I might consider the outlay :)

Hi SW :)

we are going to the camping and caravan expo here in SA in Feb (my first time ever ! LOL)

Yeah we would get an 4 wheel type trailer , since we have a 4 wheel drive :)

We are hoping to get a good set up (second hand) for under ten k :)

[Heather]

The only and possibly best advice I could give you is.....stay in a Hotel.

[Arial]

The only and possibly best advice I could give you is.....stay in a Hotel.

Don't say that Heather !!!! LOL

I'm trying to do something new and challenging (and slightly out of my comfort zone),and affordable this year ! :)

Every time we stay at hotels and B&B's, we have to be out by ten or 11am the next day as well (not great when leaving on a Sunday either) :(

[romana]

My sister purchased her 4 wheel trailer about two years ago and they love it. They go at least 2 x per month for a weekend. This summer they are planning a 3 week trip across the USA and into Canada. We went with them for the first time about two months ago. My husband and I slept in a tent while my 2 little ones slept in the trailer with my sisters family. I was impressed by the comfort of the trailer and I like the fact that they save money that they would otherwise spend on a hotel; even though they do spend extra for the gas. I like the kitchen and if you're organized you can store everything in the storage binz, under bed, etc. After the 2 days, while my husband and I had sore backs from sleeping on the ground (with a matress) , everyone else was comfortable and happy to have enjoyed the outdoors together:).

[miss kiki]

i think that's a great idea! i've been in a couple, but never stayed in one overnight or anything and i don't know much about them, so i can't help you there.
BUT my uncle and aunt recently bought one. :yes: they live in canada and drove all the way from their home to florida in it and spend a week or two in disney with their 6 kids. they said they had plenty of room for everyone to fit comfortably! i saw tons of pictures when my uncle was here a couple weeks ago and each kid had his/her own bunk, except the baby and the second youngest, who slept with an older sibling. :) they had tons of fun and it was very convenient for them all. plus, it was cheaper for them to stay at a campground type place then to pay for a hotel with like 4 beds for everyone to fit! :hehe: it definitely looks like fun and if i was closer to my uncle, i definitely would ask him for us to borrow it for a couple weeks, because i'd love to go cross country or just go out of state for a few days with it. :yes:

[Stormy]

The only and possibly best advice I could give you is.....stay in a Hotel.

Where's your sense of adventure Heather? :hehe: Think of a camper trailer as a hotel on wheels...heck you can even take your own shower these days LMAO

[Arial]

Where's your sense of adventure Heather? :hehe: Think of a camper trailer as a hotel on wheels...heck you can even take your own shower these days LMAO

LOL

I'm defiantly getting a porta loo, and maybe one of those shower things !!! :)

[mel76]

ok, now we don't rough it by any means.
We have a camper, but not like the one you want
Her are some pics.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x58/mel76_album/DSCN3259.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x58/mel76_album/DSCN3267.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x58/mel76_album/DSCN3262.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x58/mel76_album/DSCN3268.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x58/mel76_album/DSCN3266.jpg

we also have an ensuite tent which we shower in & also have our portable toilet in.
I love our toilet & shower as then we can go anywhere we want to....no no other feeling that compares to when you are camping & you wake up in the morning with the birds singing & the smell of fresh air!

[Arial]

Love your set up Mel !

Now i more excited than ever ! (Did i just say that ?? hehe)

Thank you very much for sharing your photos.

Great idea about the loo and shower ensuite tent ! :)

I am used to waking up to birds and fresh air as we live in a country town, but it will be still nice to get in touch with nature from another perspective :)

[Bettina]

i'd love one of those!!

We camp the conventional way with tents and air beds etc. But the past few times that we've camped at caravan parks we've gotten powered sites so we didn't have to cart gas bottles & lanterns etc and could take some home comforts with us (cd player, toaster and the kettle for example)

The last place we went to was at Echuca with a group of friends. It was right on the river and our campsites were next to a camp kitchen, laundry block, clotheslines and the shower/toilet block so was nice and handy for all involved (6 adults + 9 kids).

Some places have better camp kitchens than others too so just check them out. Some we've been to only had under cover bbq's and seating, others have fridges and toasters, the one at Echuca also had a heater and a telly in it.

[redrobyn]

My parent's when they first retired, travelled round Australia for 12 month's with a camper trailer and added annex, it had a double bed in each end and dual electric, LPG fridge and gas stove, they loved it they are probably even better now, but the one they had was pretty good. They found the camper trailer easier to tow than a caravan, but they crossed the Nullabor and went to the topend in it.

[Di Nana]

Good on you for giving it a go and don't listen to Heather, bloody motels thats no fun
We just bought a motor home last year (i am not sure what you mean by a camper trailer,) I love it, It has every thing in gas cooker, fridge, oven Microwave, Heater air, conditioner, stereo TV, nice lounge type seating and comfy bed, plus a shower and toilet although if staying in a camping ground I use theres, the only thing I hate about it, is we don't get away often enough
hope you find one and both enjoy many trips away

[Stormy]

We camp the conventional way with tents and air beds etc. But the past few times that we've camped at caravan parks we've gotten powered sites so we didn't have to cart gas bottles & lanterns etc and could take some home comforts with us (cd player, toaster and the kettle for example)


I do the same thing....so I can take my laptop with me :blush: Not that we use it to access the net or check emails (I know Leigh, that's just unthinkable :P) but I do like watching DVDs while we're away after we've had tea. :hehe:

[Susan E]

Of course camping is great :clap: I live, work, breathe Caravan Parks. I even holiday in them :hehe:
view my occupation profile to see why ????:hehe:

[Stormy]

Yes I can see why Susan :hehe:

[Janelle]

We travelled to Central Australia and back (Brisbane) staying in caravan parks. We had a tent, and by the end of it were experts at putting it up and pulling it down. We would have also carried on up to NT had we not had car problems. We also utilised the powered sites and found that they all had great kitchen areas.

My idea for this year is to go camping more often - its affordable and fun. I don't want the tv etc - play cards and actually talk. There is heaps to explore out there :)

[Arial]

Thanks everyone for your responses (sorry i haven't been back sooner, just that i haven't been too well ) :(

We have been seriously thinking about getting a small light caravan instead... we are going to go looking at a few tomorrow before making any decisions which way to go :)