How to Find the Best Camper Trailer For Your Next Holiday
Neil Armstrong once said that research creates new knowledge. Of course, he was speaking about it in terms of space exploration, and how research pilots advanced the world of flight.
But the concept applies to many different areas of our lives. To truly understand something, it requires research.
The problem with research is that it takes so much time and effort!
In today’s age, we have access to a whole world of resources, and we can quickly become overwhelmed. The amount of available information is huge, and the deeper we dig, the more contradictory and confusing it becomes.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone else could do all your research and just give you the cold, hard facts?
That is what we have done!
We have searched out all the information on finding the best camper trailer – so you don’t have to!
So what makes the best camper trailer? It depends on a lot of factors, and what is best for the Joneses won’t be best for the Smiths.
Read our guide below to work out which type of camper trailer you need for your next holiday.
The Types of Camper Trailers
Camping is an intrinsic pastime for many Australians. We can all recall family memories of fishing with our father, before cooking our catch over the campfire. Or taking our own kids on an outback adventure, or perhaps spending a relaxing weekend with our best mates.
If you have outgrown the traditional tent set-up, a camper trailer is your new best friend. A trailer strikes the perfect balance between a tent and caravan, more luxurious than a tent, but more affordable than a caravan.
Now it’s time to decide which type of trailer you need.
Soft floor
Soft floor models are the cheapest option and are essentially a tent on a trailer, folding out to mimic a traditional camp.
Some of the pros for a soft floor model include:
- Being a lightweight camper trailer, your car uses less petrol and sustains less stress.
- They generally offer lots of storage and space, including dedicated sleeping quarters.
- Being lightweight, they are easy to tow and reverse into sites.
- Fairly cheap to purchase or hire.
- Contains a ready-made bed.
The main downside to a soft floor trailer is that they take a little longer to set up (and pack down) and have a higher cleaning and maintenance requirement.
Hard floor
Hard floor camper trailers are more expensive than soft floor models but are more study and quick to set up.
Some of the pros for hard floor models include:
- Easy to clean, particularly the hard flooring.
- Quick to set up, especially for one person.
- Sturdy, and better able to go off-road.
- Ready-made bed.
- Generally, have a ready-made dining area, which folds down into a second bed.
Downsides include:
- More expensive to purchase or hire.
- Heavier to tow. Although it should be noted, they are still much lighter than towing a caravan.
- Fewer storage options and generally smaller living spaces.
Hard floor trailers come in either forward, rear or double fold options. A winching system is used to pull the hard floor over, making it quite simple for one person to set up.
There are now also some ‘hybrid’ trailers on the market, which are like a pop-top caravan, but with canvas on the ‘pop’ instead of a hard shell.
Setting a Budget
Before you get too excited and start planning your camper trip around Australia, you must consider what you can realistically afford.
Camper trailers come in a huge range of prices – lightweight camper trailers may be just a few thousand dollars, while sturdy, large, hard floors can go right up to $50,000.
Setting a budget sounds cliched, but it will help you to stay within your limits when looking. You don’t want to find your dream trailer, only to be let down when you can’t afford it.
To get started, consider these questions:
- Where will you be taking the trailer? Will you stick to caravan parks or go off road?
- How often will you travel and how far?
- What is your family situation? Do you need a trailer for just you, you and your partner or for your three kids as well?
All of these things affect the size and style of the trailer you will need, hence also affects how much the trailer will cost.
Don’t forget to also factor in items such as registration, insurance, maintenance, food, and of course the extra petrol and other holiday costs such as caravan park fees, and activities along the route.
If you are planning on ‘roughing it’, you will also need to consider the cost of a battery / solar system. This adds a bit of expense but allows you to camp in primitive areas without power, increasing your options and reducing your nightly costs for a site.
Also consider your car. Is your car capable of towing a large, heavy trailer? Unless you plan on also buying a new car, this is a major consideration. You need to be aware of the maximum weight your car can tow, and you will also probably need to install a brake controller, depending on the trailer weight.
As you can see, the actual purchase of the trailer is just one part of the whole budget equation.
Work out the approximate costs as listed above and see if they fit in within your salary and savings. Ideally, visit your financial advisor or bank manager to determine what you can comfortably spend on a camper trailer.
Setup and Functionality
Camping trips can take you to many places across our great country. Sometimes you might tow your camper trailer for hours before reaching your destination, and the last thing you want to do is then spend hours setting up.
The best camper trailer will have excellent setup and functionally, and different people will have different needs, but some of the basic things to consider are:
- Ease of set-up. If you are setting up for just one night, you won’t want to spend two hours setting up. However, if you are staying for a week, the longer set up time would be offset by the conveniences of having a larger and more comfortable trailer.
- Storage space. Do you need to just take essentials such as food, or will you be taking surfboards, bikes, fishing equipment? Make sure the trailer has enough room for your items. Remember your equipment will also need to be factored into the overall weight of the trailer.
- Bedding. Is the bedding configuration suitable for your needs?
- Kitchen. Is it large enough to cook your family meals? Enough bench space? Big enough stove top? If you need an extra cooking device, is there room to store it?
New or Second Hand
There’s nothing like the feeling of new. We all love slipping into a new pair of jeans or inhaling the smell of a brand new car.
The same applies with camper trailers – there are lots of reasons to love new! However, it’s very possible to pick up second hand trailers in excellent condition for a fraction of their new price. This is because trailers are often purchased for a one-off trip or owners decide camping isn’t their thing.
Buying second hand may also allow you to upgrade to the trailer you really want, but just can’t afford new.
Buying new
Just like buying a new car, when you buy a new camper trailer, most things can be customised. Choose your favourite colour, the features you want, the tyres, etc.
You also receive a warranty, after sale service, plus everything is just shiny and new.
The downside? There really isn’t one – except of course, the cost! You will always pay a premium for a new camper trailer, and the value drops as soon as it leaves the factory.
Buying secondhand
The biggest bonus of buying second hand is the price, with secondhand trailers normally around half their original price.
Your main concern should be the condition of the trailer. Try to find one that is being sold because it wasn’t used very often. Buying a well-loved trailer, especially if used off-road, could lead to lots of repairs down the track.
If buying secondhand check for issues such as:
- Rust, cracking or any evidence of repairs. Look all around the trailer, including under the chassis.
- Suspension. Check all components are in good condition.
- Open the tent up and look for mildew, rot, rips, leaks, broken zips etc.
- Check that all appliances work properly and that gas bottle connections are compliant.
- Check the condition of mattresses, tyres and spare wheels.
- Ensure all equipment is included, such as annex poles and ties.
- Check all light connections work, such as brakes and blinkers.
- Lastly, be aware that many trailers are stolen every year, so always check the VIN number against your state’s database. You can also check for encumbrances such as finance.
If you are still not quite sure of the best camper trailer for you, consider hiring a trailer for your next trip. Hiring is a phenomenal way to try out different styles, sizes and types of trailer before you commit to buying.
BUT if you are ready to hit the road with your own personal trailer, find your camper now and be cruising the highway in time for the next holidays.
