| suburbia or the outdoors, lifestyle is very much | | | | significant! -- hike in potential outlay over tent trailers |
| influenced by our personality, our needs, and -- perhaps | | | | (though the huge second-hand market is worth |
| most of all -- our budget. Fortunately, in affluent | | | | exploring). Even so, you stand to gain a considerable |
| countries like Australia, the diverse range of mobile | | | | boost in comfort levels, particularly for long-term |
| accommodation options allows us to travel virtually | | | | camps or extended touring. |
| anywhere we choose both comfortably and | | | | Certainly, camper trailers still require setting up in camp, |
| economically. | | | | but this is a fairly quick and painless operation. Towing, |
| What suits me, though, is not necessarily going to be | | | | too, remains reasonably stress-free considering their |
| your first choice, nor are your preferences likely to | | | | low profile and lighter weight compared with full-size |
| match those of your close friends or relatives. Result | | | | caravans. Even so, bush mobility and manoeuvrability |
| is, all segments of the camping and RV markets are | | | | does suffer over tent or tent trailer outfits. And |
| doing quite nicely. | | | | don’t forget those extra costs, such as |
| Of course, at the budget end of the accommodation | | | | insurance, registration, and increased fuel consumption. |
| spectrum, tents are always high on the short-list of | | | | Motorhome |
| options, particularly for lovers of true outdoor freedom. | | | | For long-term or fulltime nomadic lifestyles, a full-size |
| On the other hand there are those who simply must | | | | motorhome provides optimum comfort, convenience |
| have a few creature comforts, while still maintaining | | | | and all-round security. No towing is involved, while |
| some degree of independence. This latter group is | | | | driving and parking is a breeze (except in very narrow |
| likely to opt for either a fully appointed caravan/travel | | | | streets and parking lots). Making camp, and moving off |
| trailer, or motorhome. | | | | in the morning, is the easiest of all possible options. |
| For the rest of us, somewhere along that cost | | | | Their main disadvantage is the high cost (in |
| comfort scale our ideal niche is there to be found. | | | | motorhome rather than campervan configuration), and |
| Keep in mind, however, “ideal” is really a | | | | the fact that every time you move -- even to the |
| sneaky way of saying “acceptable | | | | store for milk or bread -- you have to pack-up your |
| compromise”. After all, no matter what your | | | | “home”. And if repairs become |
| choice -- tent, tent trailer, camper trailer, caravan, | | | | necessary out on the road, you may be faced with |
| campervan, or motorhome -- compromise will be | | | | motel costs. |
| necessary between the key deciding factors of cost, | | | | Little brother of the motorhome, the campervan, has a |
| comfort, self-sufficiency and mobility. The trap is, only | | | | similar set of pros and cons but is far less expensive |
| you can balance that mix! | | | | to buy and operate, and considerably easier to get |
| Nevertheless, to help you identify your personal niche, | | | | about in. For two people they represent an excellent |
| here are a few of the essential differences between | | | | all-round compromose for long-term touring, but get |
| the popular options among nomadic travellers today: | | | | very “tight around the shoulders” for a |
| Tent | | | | fulltime lifestyle. |
| Camping under canvas has always attracted a strong | | | | Caravan |
| (and growing) band of devotees. Tents are relatively | | | | For the best balance of all between space, comfort |
| inexpensive, available in a vast range of sizes and | | | | and security, it’s hard to beat a reasonable size |
| complexities, and allow the outdoor lover to retain | | | | caravan/travel trailer. For lengthy stays at a |
| complete freedom, flexibility and mobility. | | | | “base camp”, while getting out and |
| With tenting, though, the biggest drawbacks are the | | | | about in your car or 4x4, they are ideal. There are |
| time it takes to get your camp set up, and the relative | | | | sizes, makes and models to suit most family needs |
| vulnerability to weather extremes. Together with | | | | and all budgets. And the pre-loved market is endless. |
| sleeping, cooking and other equipment, a lot of vehicle | | | | Here again, though, mobility on backtracks can be |
| space is required, and frequent changes of location | | | | greatly curtailed (even with some of the 4x4-rated |
| become quite a chore with daily set-ups and pack-ups. | | | | rigs), and generally speaking, driving is more tiring, costly |
| Tent Trailer | | | | and slower. Visits to major towns, with tricky parking |
| Moving up the budgetary scale, tent trailers might be | | | | or tight turn-arounds, often become a real pain in the |
| your next consideration. These are essentially a small | | | | tailpipe. |
| trailer with a built-on, collapsible frame-tent. Generally, | | | | So what do I recommend? Well, unfortunately |
| they are more robust than regular tents, far easier to | | | | there’s no simple answer! For example, |
| erect, and your bed (and some floor area) is raised | | | | depending on our plans, our camping and travelling |
| above the ground. With a raft of optional awnings and | | | | alternates between lightweight touring (sleeping in our |
| add-ons, a tent trailer can become a canvas castle! | | | | 4x4), and towing our home -- a 16 foot caravan. Every |
| Keep in mind, though, towing a trailer of any kind does | | | | so often, we use a canvas tent for lengthier bush |
| impact, to some degree, on campsite accessability, | | | | camps while visiting the high country. |
| although heavy-duty and “off-road” | | | | To my mind, there is no |
| models minimise this effect (especially if towed by a | | | | “one-size-fits-all” solution. But if |
| 4x4). | | | | you’re planning to embark on a fulltime traveling |
| Another advantage is the freeing up of most of your | | | | lifestyle, my advice would be to identify -- and carefully |
| vehicle load space, although you should also anticipate | | | | examine -- your personal needs and aspirations, then |
| a quantum jump up the financial scale. (But if you | | | | set yourself up to suit the destinations and activities of |
| already own a sturdy box-trailer, it may be adaptable.) | | | | most interest. |
| Camper Trailer | | | | Best part is, you have plenty of options. |
| Even a low-spec camper trailer represents a further -- | | | | |