First Camper Help - Limited Towing Capacity (1500kg)

Morts81 · Member

First Camper Help - Limited Towing Capacity (1500kg)

woolman · Guru

My advise is , keep it simple. All you really need is protection from elements, roof over your head. From there a portable gas stove, bowl for washing up dishes and a bucket. We found a few plastic containers for food, cooking equipment , clothes was a simple and and water proof solution. It is not a competition on who has the most gadgets. Neil

Possum3 · Guru

You can download many free technical articles at www.caravancouncil.com.au/ Further you can contact them on the phone for assistance.

erad · Guru

Probably the most important accessory you can have with a camper is flysheets to cover the bed extensions. These give protection from rain but also from condensation when it gets cold. And they help when folding everything up to travel.

Another goodie is to put some plastic mattress covers. These keep the bedding dry if you are packing up with wet canvas. They also help with dust protection.

Relax-n · Guru

There is always the option of hire before you buy

You then have the chance to see what you do or dont like between different trailers etc

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Their are some magazines out there, that you can buy, one is Camper Trailer magazine, from news agents, and various 4wd and camping magazines, and they helped me greatly, when I was into camper trailers, also their are many forums on the internet, you just have to go looking for them, google camper trailers forums.

Eaglemax · Guru

Morts81 wrote:
GDay Forum Members
Looking to get some advice for our first family camper trailer. We are a couple with a 4 year old son and are looking at getting a camper but am only just starting to understand all the different things I need to consider.
Weve got a 2018 Ford Escape with a towing capacity of 1500kg so this limits us to what we can tow. Weve started looking at Jaycos Swift or Lark models which seem to be a realistic option for our vehicle.
We wont be doing any long trips, typically it will be anywhere from a long weekend to just a week.
Im interested to hear from people who have smaller camper setups and what limitations these present and people who tow campers with a vehicle which has limited capacity similar to what we are dealing with.
We are only just starting out on this journey and would appreciate any recommendations on light weight campers or any feedback from current Swift/Lark owners.
Thanks in advance

Gidday Morts,

Ok, over the past few years I've owned a common camper trailer soft floor, Detour motorcycle camper trailer, Chevron Guppy mini caravan then made my own 11ft caravan and now this year finished my 16ftx7ft caravan both with ensuite. The 16ft weighs ATM only 998 kg.

If you are a handyman you can build one yourself. https://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=78365

So those two camper trailers found me never to buy one again. flapping canvas, condensation inside the canvas making pillows and bedding wet, forever drying out during the day. Sorry to those who like them, not for us. So what is the alternative?

AVAN campers like the aliner and cruiseliner would be my choice. With ATM around the 1200kg-1300kg mark. 30 second erect time. Solid walls and roof, if you wish to improve comfort with a diesel heater you can, design an awning for it yourself or find one made (pictured).

They are getting quite a following with clubs on Facebook and forums. If you want off road I'd consult them in that regard but pictured is a off road model.

Picture arriving at a campsite and looking to erect your camper trailer in rain or strong wind. Now picture that 30 second erect time. You can even house a portapotti and maybe a shower tent on the drivers side? Happy wife happy life.

Tony

Ubif · Veteran Member

Hi Morts
I also would give the Avan a look
we have the cruiseliner in the 1D configuration this gives a double bed
and a single by dropping down the table it has a 2 burner cook top, gas electric
hot water external shower and we added a portapotti on fridge slide from under
one of the seats
works well and no canvas tare 960 atm 1200
cheers Mark

dabbler · Guru

Definitely try to rent something similar before you commit. If setup is involved and it's overly complicated, it can ruin the experience and set the tone for a weekend. We chose a teardrop to avoid setup but it wouldn't suit a 4 yo.

Morts81 · Member

We went to a caravan show today and actually took a look at these today. I was initially skeptical thinking the headroom would suffer but I was pleasantly surprised.