Kamparoo vs Chaser

[Antelope]

Hi,
So the subject says it all, I've sold my trusty vanagon camper and need something to replace it. The tow vehicle is a 2010 Forester. My wife and I will use it mostly for long weekends in NFS areas, music festivals and are planning an AK 1 month trip for summer 2011. We tend to drive a lot of wash boards which I understand those to be hard on trailers. Trying to decide which compromises we are willing to make. There is only 2 of us plus a 40lb dog for now but we will be planning to start a family so I would like it to be something that we won't out grow to quick. Please add your advise, comments and what I'm missing on my pros and cons

Chaser:
Pro's: More capable then the subie, doubles as a utility trailer, replaceable/scaleable tent, modular design allowing us to add whatever whenever, awesome suspension, great support, ability to keep everything out of the car and well just plain cool.
Cons: $$$$, lack of changing room w/o significant expense, wet tongue weight gets close to limitations.

Kamparoo:
Pro's: Built in changing room, Kitchen Slide, open roof rack for toys, a bit less expensive. Easier to add heat.
Con's: Proprietary tent system (expensive to repair or replace) lack of lockable storage, dedicated only for camping, leaf spring suspension.


Either or they both seem like winners just hoping you guys can help with whatever I'm missing. :coffeedrink:

Thanks!

 

[spressomon]

They both, as you listed, have plusses and shortcomings. For me it became increasingly important to be able to quickly get out of wind, rain, snow, etc. And after I went through the "tree-house" throwback of my childhood climbing the ladder to the RTT atop the Horizon eventually lost its luster .

I went from a Horizon to a Kimberley Kamper. Not quite the same comparison but having a clam shell is soooooo nice and comfie.

Now when AT gets their clam shell to market that might be something worth a serious look for those wanting more space, comfort, etc. of a quickly deployable/foldable system.

And don't let those leaf springs fool you into thinking the 'Roo can't hold its own because it can! I tried, a couple years ago in Death Valley, to keep up with my buddy Ali and their 'Roo going down South Saline Pass road and it was futile. The thing defies logic: Its that stable!

OTOH the Chaser, as you stated, can do double duty as a hauler too.

Tough choice!

 

[NJeep09]

some other choices

How about the Outlander.com or offroadtrailerz.com?

 

[Runt]

I feel the AT trailers are the nicest. My wife and I chose differently but the AT was my first choice. This was primarily due to her concern of a RTT and bringing the little girls down a ladder. The Kamparoo trailers do not have this concern unlike the AT trailers. The Kamparoo was not considered due to the top. In the end I went with a custom modified Chalet trailer. This was simply due to I found a cheap lightly used Arrow model. Do I regret it ...NO. Do wish I had a AT trailer as well....yes. The AT trailers suspension is the key. Run a trailer down rough roads and stuff shakes loss. This equals maintenance...the AT trailers from what I have read are a purchase, beat on them and park them scenario....very little problems reported. When I do it again I will either buy an AT trailer or build my own with some of their great ideas in mind i.e. purchase the suspension components from AT. Sorry AT but copy Cating something really is one of the greatest forms of flattery. I know it doesn’t help pay the bills.

 

[Antelope]

Thanks Everyone,
Outlander Sherpa is on the radar. Spressoman how does the clamshell work on non level ground? Can you shim it w/o risk of damage?

Runt I hear you on maintenance, that's one of the reasons that caused me to sell the VW, I'm looking for minimal maintenance as I don't have a ton of time so what little I do I want to spend camping and hiking.

 

[indiedog]

I'd go the Kimberley - as you get older it will get better. And they are rugged! Remember they are built for Australian off road conditions and we invented washboard roads!! (maybe) So I don't think maintenance will be an issue. (I actually think that all of the KK's here have trailing arm suspension now) And you get a kitchen etc all set to go. With the Chaser, it's a big open box which you have to organize. So it depends on what you'll be using it for most? If it's set up ready to go camping, then you'll use it more due to the convenience factor.

Good luck with it.

 

[spressomon]

Thanks Everyone,
Outlander Sherpa is on the radar. Spressoman how does the clamshell work on non level ground? Can you shim it w/o risk of damage?

Runt I hear you on maintenance, that's one of the reasons that caused me to sell the VW, I'm looking for minimal maintenance as I don't have a ton of time so what little I do I want to spend camping and hiking.

I thought leveling my KK was going to be an issue. But after 60+ nights out in it during its/our first year (this year) it never was (and we camped in some very remote and rugged country). The KK along with the 'Roo have adjustable feet that allow you to level it off quite easily and quickly. I do carry those orange RV leveling blocks but rocks or wood would suffice when you need more than the built in leveler feet can provide.

I/we really appreciated the KK (along with my buddy's 'Roo) when the weather conditions (think bugs too ;-) weren't perfect. Plus you can accommodate 3-4 youngsters plus Mom and Dad in either! Both systems feature optional canvas wall kits for even more enclosed and protected space as/when needed.

PM alia176 for his candid comments and/or more detailed info about his 'Roo.

 

[Borrego60]

Have to admit I am alittle bias, I love the AT stuff, tha horizion for me is great.

 

[ExpoMike]

Owning our Kamparoo for the last 3 years, it has been exactly what we needed. Both my wife and I did not want ANY kind of ladder climbing for various reasons. This greatly narrowed the choices down and until 3 years ago, I had never even heard of Kamparoo. Someone on ExPo mentioned it and a quick Google search, I found our camper. Luckily Kamparoo in Canada had a used Weekender model with Transcontinental kit. A deal was struck and it was shipped down to us.

We used it bone stock for the first couple years and it was even the one featured in the Overland Journal trailer testing a year back. I have done a few modifications for adding gas cans, HiLift and such but overall it remains basically stock as the camper part goes.

We have taken it on the Mojave Road, El Camino Del Diablo and Death Valley, plus a host of other local areas. It tows like a dream behind our Cherokee and is hardly noticed by it. We have done washboard roads at 45 mph and are frequently leaving others in the dust behind us.

Most likely the biggest complaint is the lack of internal storage for tall things. Our Weekender has a side access door (not all models do) so we have all our camp supplies (kitchen, PETT toliet, lights) under the bed which can be accessed from the side but larger things like a fridge or cooler ride in the Cherokee. We put the roof rack to good use with chairs, a large mil box with our bedding, fire pit and wood, etc. Most of this only needs to be unload when we are setting up camp so it hasn't been any issues with all it up there.

As for setting up, you do need to look at your spot carefully as you need about 10' behind the trailer clear. So far it has not been a problem and we have a few block in the tongue box. The tongue jack typically will allow us to get level and the floor has adjustable feet.

The suspension works well for what it is. It is stable and sprung (with shocks) with the right rate in mind. On rough or washboard roads, all trailers get bounced around some but ours is no worse than any other trailer we have been behind, just the nature of having one axle and pivot from the tongue. I may change or modify things down the road but so far it has been working.

Another thing I like about the Kamparoo is how stable it is behind us offroading. I have watched 3 different AT trailer almost flop on their sides because the driver took a bad line, hit a bad bump and such. Luckily they all ended up on their wheels. Most of the time the reason is due to driver error or not having the airbags set correctly but part of it comes from it being top heavy with a RTT on top. The Kamparoo is wide (no wider then our Cherokee) and low CG and have yet to see it even come close to flopping.

That said, AT trailer are absolutely top notch for build, function and are a great group of people to work with. I would not hesiatate to buy from them. The original Chaser and Horizion did not fit our needs but now with the Clamshell and Teardrop designs, I would be very tempted to buy one of those if we did not have our Kamparoo already.

You just need to figure out what your real needs are and buy accordingly. Here are a couple pics.

 

[Martyn]

The Chaser with a Globetrotter tent on it may be just the ticket for you. http://www.adventuretrailers.com/globetrotter.html

 

[The Swiss]

The suspension works well for what it is. It is stable and sprung (with shocks) with the right rate in mind. On rough or washboard roads, all trailers get bounced around some but ours is no worse than any other trailer we have been behind, just the nature of having one axle and pivot from the tongue. I may change or modify things down the road but so far it has been working.

Did you add the shocks or did it come with them? Looking at the Kamparoo website, I was under the impression the suspension was leaf springs only.

I'm going a slightly different route; as I already have a Maggiolina RTT, I have a utility trailer builder custom-make me a (utility) trailer on which I will mount my RTT.

• 4x6 bed with 24" high sides
• 3,500 lbs axle on 2,000 lbs leaf springs
• 15" tires
• Fraction of the price of a regular camping trailer (I am cheap )

Let's see how it works out. I'm sure it will need some improvement along the way, but I hope it will be a good base for what's to come.

 

[ExpoMike]

Did you add the shocks or did it come with them? Looking at the Kamparoo website, I was under the impression the suspension was leaf springs only.

The Transcontinental package comes with shocks, heavier duty tongue and larger tires/wheels then the standard package.

 

[Antelope]

Thanks everyone! Lots of great points made for both, but seems like I'm leaning towards the Kamparoo at this point.