Camper trailers are a great, compact way to travel, and they’re a better alternative to caravans if you plan to go off-road.

However, their very nature makes them smaller than a caravan and space is at a premium.

To ensure you can fit everything you need into your camper trailer, you need to know how to pack smart. Here we’ll explore some of the best camper trailer packing tips.

There’s no reason you have to leave your furry friends behind when you go away, and there are plenty of places to go camping with pets. Just knowing that they’re safe and happy with you means you have one less thing to worry about.

Of course, a little extra preparation and planning will make your holiday with your pet easier on everyone.

What constitutes the perfect road trip in Western Australia?

Depending on how much time you have and your particular interests, the answer is subjective. To inspire those who are thinking about a road trip with your caravan or camper trailer, here are two WA road trips, one short, one long.

We’ll start in Perth for both routes, and because Western Australia is so large and diverse, we’ll make each route different so you can get a taste of everything WA has to offer.

Best Way to Road Trip in Australia – Caravan or Camper Trailer?

You’ve chosen a destination, attractions to explore and mapped out road trips. But what’s the best way to get from A to B?
Between state-of-the-art caravans or camper trailers and the humble tent, camping in Australia’s great outdoors has options for any budget and lifestyle needs.
Each camping rig comes with its own set of benefits and challenges for travellers to consider. However, identifying the pros and cons of individualcamping styles usually comes with trial and error.

If you’re after comfort, many good caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers can provide it. For adventurers who prefer to rough it out, camping vehicle options offer the basics to luxurious homes-away-from-home.
Australia has some of the best road trips to drive. For the ultimate trip, your mode of transportation is one of the most critical decisions to make. Ready to explore what Aussie’s outback has to offer? Here are the pros and cons for each:

Tackling Caravans

Caravans can be put into main categories, pop-tops and full.
Pop-tops have a lifting roof section, designed to reduce wind resistance on the road. Whereas the benefits of a full caravan areits solid design and minimal to no set-up – simply unlock the door and step inside after a day of exploring.

However, with the extra amenities, luxuries and comfort of a caravan comes a higher price tag.

Caravans are popular because of theirlarger living areas. They also offer:
• Kitchen space
• Double, queen and/or single and bunk bed options
• Shower/toilet
• Plenty of storage solutions
• Hassle-free camping as no setup required
• Variety in size and luxury features

The cons include:
• Restricted access to some locations, National Parks and roads
• Harder to park and store
• Pricier than other camping alternatives
• Heavy and may require a larger vehicle to tow it

When You Should Choose a Caravan

If you’re after extended comfort or taking a longer road trip around Australia, a caravan can be an ideal choice.
Anyone travelling extended journeys or families bringing along the kids may benefit from higher levels of comfort, space and amenities caravans offer.
The Parkes 13 is a compact hybrid caravan designed for couples. These caravans offer enough comfort for short or extended trips, and push the limits of travel with an independent suspension system for off road adventuring.
On the higher end of the price and luxury scale, the same range also caters for familieswith up to two kids and anyone who wants to create a home away from home.

Important Considerations when Buying a Caravan

Off Road Travel
If you want to go off road, then choosing a caravan made specifically for the purpose is critical.
Regular caravans are not designed to safely tackle the conditions of unsealed roads. Nor do they have the right suspension. Off road caravans have a higher ground clearance, heavier chassis, all-terrain tyres and stronger cabinetry for rough-road travel.

Layout
Carefully consider how you intend to use the caravan and the space you need. The caravan manufacturing industry caters to a variety of requirements. Make sure to check the layout of your chosen model to ensure it’s right. Some caravans will also offer the flexibility to add extra storage, amenities and features.

Towing Capabilities
Make sure your vehicle has enough power to tow the caravan. Every car and caravan have critical towing-related numbers on the compliance plate or manual. These figures must be cross-checked for safety and braking considerations.

Plan Your Stay
Caravans are much harder than camper trailers to park and store. Plan your stay ahead to find the best caravan and camping sites for your road trip. You can find some more tips for caravanning around Australia here.

Camper Trailers

Camper trailers offer versatility and adaptability, and can be a practical option for those with smaller budgets and requirements.
From the humble, basic box-trailer to off road ready and power-packed with modern luxuries, camper trailers fold multiple ways to cater.

If you choose to travel around Australia in a camper trailer, there are three types to weigh up.
1. Flip-over Campers: Features a sealed hard top midst travel which becomes a suspended off-the-ground floor once unfolded
2. Soft Floor Campers: Ideal for one-night stays, these campers are set up by removing the vinyl cover, pulling the canvas out and extending the internal frame
3. Windup Hard Floor Campers: Have the closest interior layout to caravans out of the camper styles and involves mechanically lifting the hard roof to set up and expose the canvas sides and off-the-ground floor

You’ll find many variations of these camper trailer types to choose from based on your camping style, comfort levels and where you plan to take it.

The benefits of camper trailers include:
• Lighter and safer to tow than caravans and motorhomes
• Offers a closer-to-nature camping experience, with canvas roofing and sides more open and flexible
• Accesses more off road locations
• Consumes less fuel
• Easier to store

On the flipside, cons of campers are:
• Less storage and cupboard space
• Time consuming to set up and pack down (allow at least an hour)
• No instant access to interior if you pull over on longer drives
• Canvas walls offer minimal privacy and can encourage more bugs inside
• No amenities such as a toilet or shower

When You Should Choose a Camper Trailer

Despite their size, many modern camper trailers are still power-packed with essentials.
For creatures of comfort, consider windup hard floor campers which offer similar features to a caravan including beds, an indoor kitchen and living room area for a fraction of the price.
If you’re exploring Australia’s outback, here are the top five off road camper trailers to choose from.

Travellers contempt with less comforts will benefit from flip-over or soft floor campers. Soft floor campers offer more floor space than flip-overs, but can be a hassle for one person to set up and pack down. For this reason, solo travellers may prefer other caravan or camper trailer alternatives.
Whilst the fundamentals of camper trailers are similar, the biggest cost over a basic camper trailer is the options and accessories offered.
Buying a caravan or camper trailer is a big expense. But with the purchase comes endless adventures and the flexibility to be able to head off whenever the next trip calls.
At PMX Campers, we are camping and caravanning enthusiasts with over 8 years’ experience selling off road camping solutions. To find out which options are best for your needs, chat to our staff for more information.

Caravanning around Australia is an adventure that many people dream of completing at least once in their lifetime.

Australia offers many unique attractions and caravanning through diverse terrains is not a journey to take lightly. You’ll need the right preparation and a tough caravan that can handle the Aussie outback. However, with the right planning and equipment, your caravanning trip can be safe and successful.

Driving

Before starting your trip make sure your caravan’s fully loaded weight (Aggregate Trailer Mass or ATM) can be properly towed by your vehicle. If you’re having issues, you can always rent a vehicle with a stronger towing capacity or try reducing the loaded weight of your caravan.

Fuel can be one of the biggest expenses when caravanning. Keeping to a constant speed just under the road’s limit can help to conserve your car’s fuel while driving. When towing your caravan, it’s also important to keep an eye on the traffic behind you and to your side, as strong winds can be created from cars and trucks passing in the opposite lane.

Drivers should also try to drive with the wind blowing behind them if possible, as driving against the wind can increase fuel consumption and make towing your caravan difficult. To combat this, consider timing breaks to wait until the wind drops or changes direction.

What to Take

While still important, taking enough food and water for your trip is only one part of stocking your caravan. Other important items that will help ensure a safe trip include:

• Correct towing aid for your vehicle
• Wheel chocks
• Fire extinguisher
• Caravan jack
• Towing mirrors
• Extra coolant and oil
• Spare fan belt
• Insulation tape

When it comes to consumable goods, travelling with two to three litres of water per person per day is essential. Bringing enough fuel on your trip is also important as some roads may not have fuel stops for up to 375 kilometres.

Having a CB radio in your car can also be useful. As outback driving can often be single lane and high speed, this will enable you to contact trucks and other motorists to avoid dangerous driving situations and will also come in handy for emergencies. Two-way radio ‘walkie talkies’ are also a good addition to your car and can help when reversing and parking your caravan.

Planning Your Route

If you’re planning to travel around coastal Australia, be prepared for a journey of roughly 14,000 kilometres, not counting diversions or detours. The ‘rim route’ is best travelled counter-clockwise, driving from west to east at the bottom of the country and east to west along the top. This will help take advantage of wind patterns and reduce your overall fuel consumption. This route can be completed along ‘Highway One’, the only fully made up road around the continent. It also has rest areas with toilets roughly every 100 kilometres.

Climate in Australia varies most from north to south. The top end of Australia will be much hotter in summer, while the bottom of the country can get to freezing temperatures during winter nights. Planning to avoid the wet season (roughly from November to March) up north will also make your travels easier, severely reducing the chances of floods and cyclones limiting travel.

Planning Your Stay

Mapping where you’re going to stay ahead of time can help you prepare and plan your journey. Powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites will give you a safe place to park your caravan and enjoy the community of other campers.

The campsites you visit may also have shared amenities like bathrooms, showers and laundries. These are great opportunities to refresh yourself from the road, especially for those with smaller caravans which may not come equipped with showers or other amenities.

Campsites can also have their downside. Washing lines and other shared amenities can fill up quickly or be left in bad condition, while the early morning noise and lack of privacy may leave you eager for your own space.

Caravan and other campsites can let you rest and recharge while also providing activities for the kids. Check with campsite operators ahead of time for further details, such as if pets are allowed.

With the right plans in place and a quality caravan to travel with, your trip across Australia will give you the experience of a lifetime.

If you’re looking for caravans, insurance or camper hire for your next adventure, contact the friendly team at PMX Campers today.