We have been camper trailering in retirement for about four years.  We recently started thinking about whether we would be able to sustain this method of travelling for another 10 years, and if so, whether we might move up into an off road ‘pop top’ caravan.  Paradoxically, the next step was to go back one step, and ask, what are the options to caravanning/camper trailering and how do the costs compare?  It’s an interesting exercise - those who are committed camper trailers or caravanners may reject it out of hand – and the figures are surprising.  For us it is interesting to reflect that we took three years to choose a camper trailer, but not once did we sit down and do an exercise such as this one.

    The dollar figures indicate that over 10 years, we would be some $186,000 better off if we didn’t own a 4WD and a camper trailer. For us, as self-funded retirees in our sixties, that has to be accepted as a significant amount of money. We are not about to rush into or out of anything though.  We have attached our ‘figures’ and happily accept that they may be challenged.  So why would you commit to that sort of money when arguably reasonable options are more cost effective in the long run?

    For us, so far, camper trailering has been a means of getting to the more remote areas of the wide brown land, in our own time, and in our own direction.  At a time when the divide between the city and the bush seems to be increasing, when even the suburban backyard is not only decreasing in size but is under threat from water restrictions, camper trailering is a means of connection to the bush and our Country.  We believe that we can experience an emotional connection to the landscape of our country even if it does shred our tyres and challenge our knowledge of things electrical and mechanical.  More than a motel, and more than a packaged holiday, camper trailering gives us time and space, it gives us a relaxed social scene everytime we stop, and it is a legitimate hobby.  It can stir emotions, it provides a lifestyle, and it expands our knowledge and experience.

    And at the end of the day though - do we have to be rational about it?

 TABLE 1:  COMPARATIVE COSTS “TO CAMPER TRAILER OR NOT TO CAMPER TRAILER”

    The aim of this exercise to compare the costs of using the camper trailer or caravan for the next 10 years with the cost of undertaking  packaged or self-guided tours.

Assumptions:

• On average 10 weeks (2 x long trips) per year of camper trailer trips, and 10 weeks (1 x 4 week, 2 x 3 week) of packaged or self-guided travelling.

• Packaged – self-guided tours would be as passengers, or in hire or own vehicle.

• Costs are done on today’s prices and on our current camper trailer which is a Tvan

TABLE 2: HOLIDAY COST COMPARISONS

Notes on Tables 1 and 2

• Cost estimates are based on our style of travelling to date – those who bush camp only will have lesser costs for accommodation In Table 1 full-year costs for maintaining Hilux and Tvan for the full 12 months of a year are shown in brackets, arguably these are the real costs.  Arguably also, the towing vehicle may be replaced twice within a 10-year period.

• The cold hard figures highlight the real costs of basing recreation on a 4WD + camper.

• “It’s not the cost, stupid” - we all know that, but while it is very difficult to quantify the added value of the camping lifestyle, the costs are significant.  E.g. over 10 years for our now mid 60s and self-funded retirement, we would save an estimated $186,400 ($314,000 - $127,600).  That would buy a few more 4WD experience holidays along the lines of Outback Bush Adventures (www.outbackbush.com.au), Outback Spirit (www.outbackspirit.net.au), Northern Highland Travel (www.nht.com.au), or APT (www.kimberleywilderness.com.au)   

TABLE 3:  ADVANTAGES / DISADVANTAGES

“TO CAMPER TRAILER OR NOT TO CAMPER TRAILER”

Notes:

    This is from the perspective of a couple in their mid 60s living in Canberra, currently with a 2000 Hilux 3.0TD  and 2004 Tvan.

Birdsville Track