Need advice on buying a camper

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MaximuM
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Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:33 pm

Need advice on buying a camper

Post by MaximuM » Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:01 pm

Hi guys!
Looking to buy a forward fold camper for a family of 4. I live on the Northside of Brisbane. There’s so many brands to choose from. So confused. Have around $20000 to spend. What would u recommend. Thanks

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robcaz
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Re: Need advice on buying a camper

Post by robcaz » Wed Nov 14, 2018 6:37 pm

Hi MaximuM,

All forward fold camper trailers are either manufactured off-shore or partly assembled/finished here these days. You will note there is a huge difference in quality over the range as you look around, both in steel & canvas work. Unfortunately there are only a couple of camping shows to go for the year which gives a great opportunity to see most major brands under the one roof http://www.campertrailers.org/show_dates.htm

ModCon manufactured the original front fold concept in Australia, however to maintain a lower consumer price they are now having their camper trailers built off-shore & completing the final fit out of brakes, suspension, electrics, gas & water in their Queensland factory.

Depending on how you pack a forward fold style camper they can have a heavy ball weight owing to the fact all storage is forward of the axle & generally counter balanced by a large rear water tank & two rear mounted spare wheels. The kitchen & food storage etc are mostly on the A frame.

Most manufacturers will only quote the ball weight from the Tare weight, for example 1620kg Tare & 170kg ball weight. A 10% to 15% rule of thumb for ball weight of a fully loaded trailer gives a safety net and some room for error, particularly when it comes to a camper trailer with weight shifting quantities.

Lets say the camper trailer has a 2000kg GTM or Gross Trailer Mass. This could see a ball weight of between 200kg to 300kg when fully loaded. Make sure your vehicles specs can cope with the trailers ball weight. The ball weight is also part of the GVM or Gross Vehicle Mass of your vehicle. You will find a simple explanation on the tech tips page http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm
happy camping
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner


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We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year

MaximuM
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:33 pm

Re: Need advice on buying a camper

Post by MaximuM » Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:37 am

Was looking at Blue tongue or wildbour. Any thoughts on these two?
200-300kg is massive ball weight!

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robcaz
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Location: Stockton NSW
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Re: Need advice on buying a camper

Post by robcaz » Fri Nov 16, 2018 5:35 pm

Between your two short listed brands it is really up to how you prefer the layout of the kitchen & storage areas etc. You need to see both in the flesh like at a show so you can walk between both. This way you will quickly come up with a preference.

Hope this helps.
happy camping
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner


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We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year

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