Expert wanted

[Carl]

I've been searching various sites for input. I have Landrover LR3 and Tacoma double cab, both equipped for off road use. I want someone who has owned or had experience with the 3-4 main Camping options as I will be buying something soon.

I have need for 3-4 person set up.

Options I am looking at are the following:

Complete new rig- Sportsmobile, Westfalia, Unimog, Pinz, or any set up that is self contained for around $50,000. Must be decent on road as well as off.

Trailer set up. Various options for a pull behind trailer/tent/kitchen

Slide in bed type camper. I am even considering a different pickup if needed for better use.

My goal is to find "the most useful" one of these three without total regard to the cost. Not that I want to spend more, but like anything of quality, don't want to skimp either and regret it later. Each one seems to have good and bad points and so far for the money, a Trailer seems smart, but I have not owned one.

Any input is appreciated from those who have owned one or more.

thanks,

Carl

 

[Tucson T4R]

I'm not an expert but I pull a King Kamper offroad trailer and I really like it. It has all the conforts of home and is perfect for setting a base camp to explore out of. It is built with top quality and is rugged enough for back country use.

I use my 4Runner as my daily driver so I like being able to keep all my camping equipment loaded in the trailer, ready to go. All I have to do is add food and water and I'm ready to head out.

Here's a link with more pics:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2398&page=5

 

[Martyn]

Carl

The Sportsmobile vehicle is really a great set up. We are in negotiations with them right now to supply them with matched trailers, so I’m a little bias here. Their diesel models seem to get reasonable mileage, and I see a lot of them being driven around where I live as daily drives.

The negative I see with this type of set up is that your driving a heavily laden vehicle all the time which restricts your usage (because of all the equipment inside), lowers your mileage, and puts extra stress on the vehicle because of the additional weight.

The trailer option can be fully expedition readied, you only use it when applicable, only adds 10 – 15 % of it’s weight to the rear of the vehicle, and means your tow vehicle can basically remain stock as a daily drive.

Slide in campers are very well equipped yet add considerable weight and stress to the vehicle. Very few of them are capable of withstanding the rigors of the off road and remain structurally sound. A variation on this that may work for you would be one of our Truck modules either based on the Chaser or the Horizon trailer.

 

[Tucson T4R]

.......................A variation on this that may work for you would be one of our Truck modules either based on the Chaser or the Horizon trailer.

If you are serious about a very capable off road rig that is built for extreem use, the Adventure Trailures' truck module would be a sweet set up!:wings:


PS. You found your "expert". Martyn has a ton of experience and has a wealth of knowledge to tap into.:REOutArchery02:

 

[Spikepretorius]

Trailers are big in SA. Check some of these out for ideas

Afrispoor
http://www.afrispoor.ix.co.za/site/

Bantam Trailers
http://www.bantamtrailers.co.za/

Big Boys Safari Equipment
http://www.bigboys.co.za/trailers.htm

B'rakhah
http://www.brakhah.co.za/Trailers/trailers_main.htm

Bundu
http://www.bundutrailers.co.za/

BurnCo
http://www.kumnandi.co.za/burnco_trailer.htm

Bushman Offroad Trailers
http://www.bushmantrailers.com/

Bushwakka
http://www.bushwakka.co.za/

Buzzard
http://www.buzzardindustries.co.za/

Camptech
http://www.camptechtrailers.co.za/default.htm

Challenger Trailers
http://www.challengertrailers.co.za/

Chase
http://www.chasetrailers.co.za/trailer1.html

Conqueror Trailers
http://www.conqueror.co.za/

Cross Country Caravans
http://www.crosscountrycaravans.co.za/

Desert Wolf
http://www.desert-wolf.com/

Echo 4x4
http://www.echo4x4.co.za

EFM
http://www.eastfab.co.za/

Gecho
http://www.geckooffroad.co.za/

Getaway Off-road Trailers
http://getawaytrailers.co.za

Girdm
http://www.girdm.co.za/

Imagine Trailvan
http://www.npt41.co.za/

Infanta Trailers
http://www.infantatrailers.co.za/index.html

Mechter Quads & Trailers
http://www.mechter.co.za/

Mission Trailers
http://www.missiontrailers.co.za/

Multi Style
http://www.multi-style.com/trailers.htm

Novelle Engineering
http://www.novelle.co.za/

QCTrailers
http://www.qctrailers.co.za/

Valley Trailers
http://www.valleytrailers.co.za/products.html

Rhino Trailers
http://www.rhinolinings.co.za/applic...erproducts.htm

Venter
http://www.ventertrailers.co.za/trailers.htm

Wild Dog Trailers
http://www.wilddogtrailers.co.za/

 

[Tucson T4R]

Wow, that's an impressive list of offroad trailers. Great to browse through for ideas. The sad thing is there is no where near that large a selection of rugged offroad trailers in the US.

Adventure Trailers for top quality and maximum trail readiness.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/trailers.html

Or for more comforts but not as manuverable, the larger King Kamper

http://www.kingkampers.com

Other than that, there aren't too many US available choices unless you have the skills to custom build your own.

 

[grahamfitter]

If anyone can write with practical experience of these options when arriving somewhere after dark and in the pouring rain, that would be great too.

I've had a VW Westy and various other vans for a decade but I'm now without and I'm interested in the realities of the other options.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[Tucson T4R]

For a flip out tent trailer like the King Kamper, it flips out it's own floor that sits about 4-5 inches off the ground on adjustable metal feet. When you flip the top of the trailer back to pivot the floor down, the tent folds out and opens up with it in one action. Then all you do is step inside and put a couple spreader bars up to stretch it tight.

Thats all you would need to do if you just wanted to set up the main sleeping area late at night. About a 2 minute set up. However if wanted to zip on and set up the porch covering the front of the tent and outside kitchen area, that takes seting up tent poles and staking lines to the ground which would not be fun in heavy rain. That would take more like 20 mins. Once the porch is set up, you have 200 sq ft of covered area that includes over the outside kitchen area.

If cold and windy you have a third option of putting up side walls that enclose the entire trailer and porch area into one large, fully protected structure. Again, more work and would not be fun in the middle of a storm.

Once set up, it's rock solid and will handle some pretty severe weather.

If I came into my camp late at night and in the rain, I would just flip out the main sleeping area and go to bed. :tent:

Here's link you can see how the fully set up King Kamper looks. Obviously I would only get that carried away if i was staying in one spot for awhile and the weather justified the extra work.

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1013


Here's what it looks like if you just flip out the main sleeping area and don't put up the porch.

 

[off-kilter]

That King Kamper pulled out full-stop gives me M*A*S*H flashbacks!

 

[Tucson T4R]

That King Kamper pulled out full-stop gives me M*A*S*H flashbacks!

I agree, pretty crazy. If your set up as a base camp for week hunting, it's really sweet place to come home to. :arabia:

It even has a stove jack port in the porch canvas so if your winter campinging, you can have a wood stove to heat the porch area. :wings:

 

[Martyn]

If anyone can write with practical experience of these options when arriving somewhere after dark and in the pouring rain, that would be great too.

I've had a VW Westy and various other vans for a decade but I'm now without and I'm interested in the realities of the other options.

Cheers,
Graham

Graham

All of these variation take different times to set up. The advantage of the VW van, Sportsmobile, etc is that the set up can be done inside in the dry when it's raining cats and dogs.

The same can be said for the slide in camper, except that you may have to walk around to the back door to get in.

Trailers takes some getting out into the elements to get the thing set up. The trick is to do a minimal set up if the weather is inclement so you can get out of the elements as soon as possible.

On our trailers that would mean deploying the tent, which takes 5 minutes or less depending on how proficient you are. We designed the Horizon trailer for a full camp set up in 15 minutes or less. We are talking tent, awning, kitchen, chairs, and cocktails. The Chaser trailer was built around a price point so set up takes longer as you have to build the kitchen.

On both trailers the lid on the main box can be opened with the tent deployed, so you can access the “cargo hold” after set up is done.

A basic set up on the Kimberly Kamper / King Kamper would also be a quick affair, with the deployment of the awnings, panels, and additional rooms taking up the bulk of the time.

I've done my fair share of camp set up and break down in the pouring rain. It can all be done really fast with a trailer. But in the same breath there are just times when your going to get soaked, so you may as well strip down to you shorts and get the job done.

 

[Carl]

King Kamper vs. Adventure Horizon?

Costs, set up, etc....

Quality of each?

Differences?

thanks,

 

[Grim Reaper]

What sort of trails do you plan to run? That alone is going to make or break quite a few of your choices.

I RV so some of this is related.

Anything with a motor that requires you bring everything with you is going to limit the difficulty of the trail you run.

As a DD you are living with lower economy, size that may not work for commuting if you live in the city.

You really have to be able to get out frequently to get the most out of a vehicle like a Sportsmobile. The Westfallia on the VW platform is a little better but still have overhead problems.

May require you get a second vehicle so now you have two insurance payments and two vehicles to maintain. Eventually it will wear out and need extensive repairs like engine rebuilds or major interior repairs

$$$$$$$$$

The Plus is like Martyn pointed out. You can bed down without getting out in a pinch. You are ready to go at an instant. Stop for lunch turn on a already set up grill while the engine is running the A/C.

For a true extended Expo trip it is the way to go for sure but very few of us are able to travel a month at a time.


Trailer. Takes up less space. One vehicle to maintain (engine etc) MUCH lower insurance cost. The Insurance on our 22ft Airstream is only $150 a year. The maintenance on a trailer is light, wheel bearings. The worst would be having to redo a tent.

Trailer can be packed and ready to go at a moments notice. You can set a base camp and explore without dragging all the weight so you can run more difficult trails.

Even if you are going to go in one direction chances are the trailer is going to be easier to get through any rough terrain then a large vehicle like a sportsmobile. Having owned some pretty big off road vehicles I love how much more nimble my 4Runner is. Full size you generally have one line and often it is not the easiest. Then dealing with the High CG....wow some of the trails I frequent I wouldn't even attempt with a Van but I wouldn't think twice about dragging my little trailer on them.
You only have to buy it once. When the tow rig wears out you get a new one but you are not having to re outfit a RV.

Better economy since you can commute without the extra weight and size and you can fit in most parking decks even with the trailer behind you.


The negatives of a trailer is sometimes they will get you stuck or make a trail harder then if you had a small slide in but if you have a problem with a trailer hanging you up on a trail I can guarantee a large vehicle like sportsmobile is going to have problems as well.

That said I don't want you to think I don't like the Sports Mobile. It would be a GREAT set up for Baja and long tips on unimproved roads. If you are a Hiker it lets you run those roads that you couldn't in a car and set a base camp to hike from.


So it really comes down to where you plan to go. SE where I live...the trailer is the hands down winner. If I had the luxury to be taking 1-2 weeks trips down the coast or in the desert in places like The Maze, valley of the gods...The larger rig would be the better choice if I didn't have to use it as a commuter.

 

[Tucson T4R]

King Kamper vs. Adventure Horizon?

Costs, set up, etc....

Quality of each?

Differences?

thanks,

Costs, set up, etc....
New KK runs from 22K to 26K depending on how many phu phu options you want like heater, hot wtaer, solar charging system, etc..

KK Set up was covered above.

I'll let Martyn cover the Horizon cost and set up since I am not close enough to it.


Availability

ATs are designed and built in the US and they would be happy to work with you now.

The KK is built is OZ and ordering new one would take some time. Especialy now since KK is working to open a second plant to catch up to demand. Later this year, that should improve. Slee Offroad in Co. is the central US delaer and has a 2006 model demo that could be purchased now. I'm sure new order right now would take months.


Quality of each?

Both the KK and the AT Horizon are top quality in design and construction

Differences?

Martyn may add to this but at high level the AT Horizon is built like a tank and is narrower and shorter than the Kk so it has a better departure angle and can be towed through more rugged trails.

Both trailers have independant suspension and electric brakes which make them a joy to tow both on and off road.

The KK is larger so it is limited on how rugged a trail you would want to tow it over. Beaches, standard washes, rutted back roads are all no problem. I would leave the boulder crawling to smaller trailers.

The KK is a walk in camper vs. the Horizon is designed with a RTT you climb up into.

The KK has a longer list of phu phu options like built in hot water, heater, 3 burner stove with broiler and room for a 85 Qt Fridge/Freezer on a slide out. Pull out SS kitchen with running water and sink with plenty of storage for dishes,cookware, & untensils.

Both have their kitchens set up outside, or covered with an awning.

Thats about all I can think of.

 

[Martyn]

Costs, set up, etc....
New KK runs from 22K to 26K depending on how many phu phu options you want like heater, hot wtaer, solar charging system, etc..

KK Set up was covered above.

I'll let Martyn cover the Horizon cost and set up since I am not close enough to it.

Quality of each?

Both the KK and the AT Horizon are top quality in design and construction

Differences?

Martyn may add to this but at high level the AT Horizon is built like a tank and is narrower and shorter than the Kk so it has a better departure angle and can be towed through more rugged trails.

Both trailers have independant suspension and electric brakes which make them a joy to tow both on and off road.

The KK is larger so it is limited on how rugged a trail you would want to tow it over. Beaches, standard washes, rutted back roads are all no problem. I would leave the boulder crawling to smaller trailers.

The KK is a walk in camper vs. the Horizon is designed with a RTT you climb up into.

The KK has a longer list of phu phu options like built in hot water, heater, 3 burner stove with broiler and room for a 85 Qt Fridge/Freezer on a slide out. Pull out SS kitchen with running water and sink with plenty of storage for dishes,cookware, & untensils.

Both have their kitchens set up outside, or covered with an awning.

Thats about all I can think of.

Brad

I think you have fairly covered the variations. It really comes down to personal preference, terrain likely encountered, and $$