Hi,

We are in canberra.  When first retired started travelling with a Bute camper made in QLD (bit like a camper trailer without wheels), reason for the slide-on was we wished to take our boat.  We kept it for several years and undertook many trips thru victoria including the great ocean road and up thru QLD as far north as Weipa where we stayed for several months.  We eventually traded up to a Northstar slide-on, again for several years and many miles and trips latter saw Darwin, Kakadu, Karumba many of the QLD dams.

The Bute was reasonably light on the ute and good to travel with.  The only matter that caused some discomfort was it had a lot of canvas and after several weeks in very wet weather in QLD we decided to sell it.  The problem with all that canvas was that even though we did not get wet, we always had that sort of damp feeling.  Notwithstanding that it was comfortable and served us well.

The Northstar, being hard wall (pop top) was comfortable and we travelled as far as Darwin, Kakadu, Karumba and thru QLD dams.  We sold it and bought a caravan for two reasons, firstly we decided at our age we wanted a bit more comfort and room with less setup time, and secondly the quality of materials used in the Northstar was average and some problems were starting to emerge.

Whatever slide-on you consider you need to have a good awning system with walls to expand the living area.

You also need to examine closely the weight of the slide-on and the travelling contents.   Regardless of the claims of sales staff, you will end up very close to the vehicles GVM and quite possible over the GVM

regards,

Jetj,

Loading/unloading a slide-on is fairly straight forward, just remember (depending on model) you may only have about 30mm each side of the vehicle tray to slide-on leg clearance.  The main problem is that you need a straight line to reverse under so you often need a fair bit of room infront of the slide-on to get the vehicle straight (not like a caravan where you can come in on an angle to hook up if need be).  Once you get the hang of it everything works OK. 

The other hint is to get electric operated legs if you can afford them.  It makes a single person operation and they are usually also individually leg operated which makes it quicker to level up when lowering for camping and also for adjusting the slide-on level when loading/unloading on uneven ground.

regards,

Thanks Baz and John,

Your advice is much appreciated.

I've been following your blog closely for ages Baz. I'm amazed at what your vehicle and slide on have done and coped with. Probably the reason for my wanting a slide on.

Thanks Baz, I will check out the new entry, I tend to check every week if not more often.

Hi Superb Blue

My vehicle is a 4x4 and I wouldn't have it any other way. the best places are accessed along bush tracks and rough roads. Not only do you get a more robust rig but it also gives you the clearance and safety net of having the ability go a lot more places.

In reality, the Gibb River Road for example is Doable in a good 4x2 when the creek and river crossing are low, but I wouldn't want to buy it off you when you are finished.

I carry 145 litres of diesel (over 1000 kilometres of range), 95 litres of water and a freezer and fridge of food. My limit is my 8.5kg gas bottle which lasts me 8-10 weeks.

The Ute capacity is 1100kg, the camper is 479kg dry, add food, gear, fuel, water etc and I'm probably up around 850kg fully loaded which it handles comfortably.

I am currently in Darwin and the biggest problem I see is too many people. Two years ago I camped at Butterfly Springs on the Savannah Way and was one of two camps. A few weeks ago I camped there again along with 25 other camps. After at least a dozen times in Katherine I have never seen so many travellers around.

The other issue is that there is a new breed of traveller around now that are irresponsible, selfish and inconsiderate. They travel at dangerous speeds on gravel roads, don't slow when approaching oncoming vehicles, don't stop for others in trouble, and make camp to maximise their area and keep others out.

Part of the problem is someone with little 4x4 experience, little towing experience, can go out and buy a caravan the size of an inner city apartment and a 4x4, then think they own Australia and take it any where at any speed they want too, then run the smelly generator all night.

i am satisfied with what I have, and think if you need to tow a small apartment along to make you happy you should seriously consider staying home.

Not everyone can afford, or wants to spend the majority of their Super Payout on a rig that is so big it need it's own postcode.

KISS Keep It Simple Stupid principle works for me.

My advice......

Don't spend all your money on your rig, save it to enjoy being out here

Slow the Hell down and enjoy what you have spend your money to achieve ( and suffer a lot less damage).

Allow plenty of time, don't overcook your destination. 600k a day of gravel is not enjoyable!  often a tank of diesel lasts me several weeks cutting costs considerably

lastly I hear you about Happy Hours. I don't enjoy 50 people trying to out shout each other to tell you how good their grandchildren are.

cheers