Caravans & Camper Trailers Articles

Buying a Camper Trailer

ExplorOz Team — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 04:17:00 GMT

For many campers the decision over the 'living quarters' poses the greatest quandary in the pre-trip planning. Other than a wide range of trailers, which can be purchased 'off the shelf' or custom-made to your specifications, there's also an emerging range of new camper options such as slide ons and roof top tents that satisfy the comfort factor with your bed ready-made and a compact living solution.

Camper Trailer Hire

Mark McGirr — Sun, 06 May 2012 06:23:00 GMT

With the range and quality of camper trailers available for hire, exploring those once hard to get to places is now a reality. Whether you are thinking of going off-road with some mates or you’re about to embark on that once in a lifetime camping trip with the family, hiring a camper trailer will highlight your camping experience. This article talks about the different types and styles of camper trailers in the hire market and some options you may wish to consider.

Caravan & RV Insurance

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:08:00 GMT

Whilst the first steps to avoiding theft begin with ensuring you follow a few simple commonsense security routines to deter thieves in the first place, you should also look carefully at the type of insurance you choose. Caravan insurance or trailer insurance is in many ways different from car insurance. In this article we provide you with an outline of what to look for, especially from a travellers perspective.

Caravan Interior

Damian Baker — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 02:38:00 GMT

The interior of a caravan can provide a feeling of comfort and satisfaction as long as this space is utilised wisely. Manufacturers know this and that’s why they carefully design interior layouts with this in mind. A caravan interior will include all the furniture, appliances and amenities you need to live comfortably whilst travelling.In this article, we discuss these interior features and talk about the types of compartments, construction materials, toilets and storage solutions that you may encounter inside a caravan.

Compact Caravans

Damian Baker — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 01:37:00 GMT

Caravans come in many styles, shapes and sizes but have you ever wondered how compact a caravan can get? The small caravan market is intended for those wanting a caravan that’s light, has a short towing length and can be towed by soft-road vehicles and even 2WD sedans. Some manufacturers are producing some nice looking caravans of yesteryear, whilst others are jumping on the technological bandwagon and designing caravans that almost double in size when setup. This article talks about the types of caravans that can be considered as ‘compact’ and lists some of their features that make it unique.

Fifth Wheel Caravans

Damian Baker — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 12:17:00 GMT

The concept for using a fifth wheel hitch for a road-based semi trailer has been around for nearly a century. The original idea arose to allow one person to couple a vehicle and trailer together. After learning about the stability benefits the fifth wheel hitch provides when towing, the RV industry in the US began using it for caravans in the late 1960s.This article balances the pros and cons of the fifth wheel caravan and discusses reasons for it’s growing popularity in Australia.

How to avoid theft of your caravan or camper

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:22:00 GMT

Recent reports suggests that caravan theft is a significant and growing problem in Australia. Caravans are prime targets for thieves and it is estimated that around 500 or so touring caravans are reported stolen each year in Australia, representing a major inconvenience to their owners. The implications of a stolen caravan can be devastating financial but it can also be very emotional for the individuals involved. This article is designed to provide you with general advice and ideas regarding how you can maximise the security and avoid theft of your valuable property.

Off Road Caravans

Damian Baker — Wed, 20 May 2020 09:07:00 GMT

This article discusses the features and advantages for off road caravans and in what circumstances you should consider the additional expense of a specialised off-road van.

Pop-Top Caravans

Damian Baker — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:27:00 GMT

Take a look at the types of caravans being towed and you will soon notice how popular the pop-top caravan really is. These unique caravans with a height similar to the tow vehicle, gives the owner more flexibility and towing confidence. The pop-tops these days are designed with innovative features such as ‘easy lift’ bars and nylon keepers for the skirting.This article talks about the various types of pop-tops in the market, some useful tips on buying new or second hand and pop-top lifting mechanisms.

The Dynamics of Caravan Stability

Collyn Rivers — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:04:00 GMT

This article attempts to discuss the technicalities of caravan towing dynamics in relatively plain English for those keen to know more on the topic but, like so many, cannot understand far more technical documents that cover this complex subject. Written by Collyn Rivers, an internationally recognised author on technical subjects in the automotive electrical, solar, and caravan/camping industry, this article provides design guidelines and tips that assist owners to avoid major buying and usage errors. This article has been written specifically for ExplorOz, with a longer, more technical version to be available from the author’s website at a later stage.

The RV Lifestyle

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 11:19:00 GMT

What is it that attracts so many people to the Recreational Vehicle (RV) lifestyle? In this article, we look the various modes of RV transport - from motorhomes, campervans, camper trailers and of course, caravans. If you like meeting people from all walks of life, then there can be no better place than a caravan park or a back-of-beyond campsite and this article will guide you as to where you can go for further information on how to go about getting started.

Tow Vehicle Setup

Malcolm Street — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 06:33:00 GMT

Everyone who intends to tow a caravan, or indeed any sort of trailer, needs to be aware that various tow vehicle and trailer combinations can behave in slightly different ways and certainly different from just driving the tow vehicle itself. In this comprehensive article, Malcolm Street looks at the major vehicle considerations plus the equipment you need when towing safely.

Towing Techniques

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 02:01:00 GMT

Many people either tow trailers, campers, boats or caravans when they travel. When it comes to towing a trailer or camper on the trip, the traveller will now have much more storage space. The compromises will be the extended vehicle length, additional weight and the associated handling changes. This article talks about the techniques and safety issues regarding towing trailers and campers.

Trailer Wiring Diagrams

ExplorOz. Revised 15 Nov 2013 — Tue, 11 May 2021 04:17:00 GMT

This is a basic reference article about trailer and caravan wiring; the plugs and sockets that are commonly in use in Australia, and the pin colour codes that are designed to coordinate proper connections, according to Australian Standards.

Where to Start

Damian Baker — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 14:51:00 GMT

This non-biased article provides a practical outline of the major features to consider when contemplating buying a caravan (new or used) and should help you settle upon your main requirements before you start doing the leg work.