MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jakster1 on April 27, 2014, 09:20:09 PM
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Hello all,
I'm pretty new to the world of camper trailers and are currently in the process of choosing our first camper trailer as an upgrade from the tent, tarps, and millions of bits of stuff everywhere.
Now I've sorta been looking down the track of acquiring a pre loved good quality Aussie made camper that everyone here assures that its a good road to go down.
However,
In my searching for the perfect camper I can't help but be bombarded with all these cheap import campers that have "all the fruit" for like half the price.
I mean I can easily buy a brand new hard floor with enough change from from 20g to deck it out with heaps of extra cool stuff.
So, are they really "that bad?"
I keep on getting warned off from fellow forum members and retail shops that sell the Aussie made stuff.
What is it about them that no body likes?
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(http://teenthropologist.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/popcorn.jpg)
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Our neighbours saved up and finally got out of their tent and into a new camper at the price level they could afford (made in china) . Were delighted until their very first trip away. To cut a very long story short the sales rep said they would have to return the camper to china for the extensive list of warranty issues that had occurred. Yes you read right. Send it back to CHINA!!
They eventually got their money back (but not without threat of legal action) and went and bought a second hand 10 year old KK.
Had lunch with them today.....to organise next weekends trip 8).. . They said the worst decision they ever made was buying the new one with all the bits. The best decision they ever made was buying aussie second hand.....
No I am not a KK rep...we actually have three in our street... and a Conqueror.
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Hi there,
Doesn't hurt to ask around for people's opinions. Plenty members here have imported campers and I'm sure they'll be along to give their opinion.
We have only owned one CT - Aussie owned and made. Couldn't fault it. Don't have any opinion really on the imports not having had one but have a look at the attached link for a few cases where things didn't go to well for those that have:
http://www.australianmanufacturedcampertrailers.org.au/camper-trailer-articles/ (http://www.australianmanufacturedcampertrailers.org.au/camper-trailer-articles/)
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I would listen to opinions of owners of imported campers. They will give you advice etc.
Good luck in your decision.
Mark
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Hi Jakster. No they are not 'that bad'.
My 2c is this. I would buy a quality aussie built SECOND hand unit over a NEW import. The second hand one will be better quality and has depreciated.
The market is swamped with campers ATM and even quality ones take a long while to sell even on this forum.
I think it also comes down to how you approach life. I cant afford a new Prado so I drive a second hand one. I could have bought a lesser quality new 4wd for the money I paid for this one but seeing as I like quality I have to put up with an old one. No biggie.
There is no right or wrong of course.
By the way. No point in getting one with 'all the fruit' if its over ripe and ready to go off.....
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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From my experience so far, there are a whole multitude of quality differences in imported campers.
Some are pretty good (Ecomate :angel: ) some are horrid.
The best thing to do is look at a few, set the main tent up on them and see what they are like.
Go right over them, check how well they are put together. It will be pretty obvious if they aren't done well.
Take your time when looking and work out what you need in a camper and what you want to spend and how you intend on using it.
There are some great bargains to be had second hand, but there are still some pretty good imported campers around.
I've noticed some people seem to put all imported campers in the same basket, but to me that is like putting a great wall ute into the same basket as a hilux. They are both imported, but one is certainly better built than the other. (My opinion only lol)
I got into working for Ecomate because I was surprised at the quality for a mainly imported camper.
But what tipped me over was Kerry's (the owner) attitude about how they get put together and what parts are used.
Are they the same as a kk? No, but they meet a different price point in the market.
That's my two cents and is worth what you paid for it. (Nothing lol)
But most importantly, good luck mate and no matter what you end up with I'm sure you will love getting out there and enjoying it.
Cheers
Evo
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Balanced comment as always Evo. :)
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Balanced comment as always Evo. :)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Call me Switzerland. ;D
In all seriousness though, no matter what you buy open and close it first.
You may find that it is easy to set up, but packs away very difficult, or it will take 3 days just to set up the main tent. Don't just go off what a salesman tells you. Think of it this way, you wouldn't buy a car without test driving it.
That is one main advantage to looking second hand, generally the seller will jump in with you and show you tons of things. But occasionally you may get a salesman when looking new who just can't be bothered.
Obviously that isn't a blanket statement, but I guess what I am trying to say is get out and have a look at as much as you can. You may find that although as you said you can afford to buy a new imported hardfloor it just won't work for you, so it may become a moot point anyway.
Subject to that though you may find you don't want the larger foot print of a soft floor, irrespectively just go in with your eyes open and if you aren't sure what you are looking for, I'm sure there would be a swagger or two your way who would be more than happy to go with you and help.
Cheers
Evo
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Like what has been said plenty of times before, there are good and there are bad campers from china. The trick is have a look at as many as you can, play with them, set them up if you can and hire them if you can. Work out what design works for your situation and what fits into your budget. Then you have to work out what compromises you can live with and what you can't.
That goes for Aussie made campers as well. Only you can decide what is right and what is wrong for you.
Having said all that there are quite a few horror stories on here about poor quality chinese made trailers.
Advice can only be given it can't be made to be taken.
If all else fails just jump in a buy one and let us know how it goes, it can't be that bad right?? After all, it's your money not mine ;D ;D
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There are good and bad in aussie built as well as imported. Check build of trailer and size and ease of set up in your price range.
Work out things you want for yourself. There are dodgy cheap imports out there thats for sure. Check welds and tent ect. There are some lesser quality Australian built too at a premium price. Take your time and you will find a good one that is right for you. We may have gone an Aussie built if finances allowed but at the moment are happy with ours.
Marty
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You can't taint all imports with a bad name. There is plenty of quality gear that comes out of China that would exceed Australian manufacturing specs; its all about quality assurance.
However, there is even more imported gear that is much, much worse. Do your due diligence and you can't go wrong.
Aaron
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In the past there has been good reason to be wary of chinese imports and while things seem to be getting better it is still a case of buyer beware.
While almost all of the cheap imports seem to offer up all the bells and whistles on their campers, dont be distracted by them, they can be like a venus flytrap for the unwary. Check that the bones of the camper are good, dodgy materials can soon make a cheap trailer an expensive one.
Not all imports are bad and with a little knowledge people will hopefully be able to tell the difference between a trailer that has been slapped together and one the has the end result and customer in mind.
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I keep on getting warned off from fellow forum members and retail shops that sell the Aussie made stuff.
What is it about them that no body likes?
The forum members that are warning you off imported CT's have never owned one and rely on re-telling a mates mate story from five years ago.
Some of the Chinese CT's from from a few years ago were trash. The quality is much better now in most cases.
You can buy imported hardfloor campers starting from about $7000. They are avergae at best. If you spend between $12-15K, and buy from a reputable company than you won't be disappointed.
I and many others on this forum that actually own a Chinese CT seem to be happy with the decision to buy imported. I needed to make a lot of modifications and spend more $$ on my CT but I bought it for $10k so I was willing to make a few sacrifices. My brother bought his CT from EcoMate. It is almost identical to mine but the company (Ecomate) had already addressed all of the little faults that I found on mine. I think he bought his for $15k and he is very happy with his CT.
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I am impressed with you lot :cup:
once upon a time it would have been all guns blazing, blow up that Chinese camper, but now it's changed...Why.?
I have a Chinese top on mine, Had it for a few years now, not 100% perfect but hey, i new what i was buying and i have to work with what i have....
So yeah, it's a bloody good balance of views so far...good to see. :cup:
Like everyone has said, do your homework, if your handy on the tools even better, that way if it needs a bit of a beef up or mod, you have it nailed.
:cheers:
BHG
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It all depends on what you need it for and how you plan to use it.
For me - no way. I go camping every 2nd weekend or more and do a fair bit of outback travel. It just wouldn't cut it.
If you plan to do do a few trips up and down the coast occasionally then why blow your budget on something you just don't need?
Horses for courses I guess.
This site is no doubt the best place to gather the info you need to make your choice.
Best luck
Brian
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Or equaly find a design that you like go mad with a tape and camera, Lay on a feed and a few slabs to the right mates and get exactly what you want built at a fraction of the cost .
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I have a 2010 Chinese hard floor camper, easy to set up, doesn't leak, and has had a couple of mods done to it and has suited us up until now. Over Easter we were heading to Menindee lakes and got as far as Cobar. We had broken a spring, easy fix you would think NOT, if you have a Chinese camper check the width of your leaf springs, mine were 50mm rebound eye to eye with a 670mm centre. I have been unable to find 50mm wide springs at all. What we have come up with is a 60mm wide spring with 680mm centre and a similar curve, I then have to get an engineer to machine down one eye of the spring to 50mm and will space the rear shackle to suit 60mm. Currently my camper is still in Cobar and it has taken a week to come up with a repair solution, it will be mid June before I get back to Cobar to attempt a repair. This camper has been off-road a couple of times and not just gravel roads, the scary thing is I think back to where on the trip it broke and it would have been 6 hrs before towing at highway speeds, it gave way on a rutted farm track doing just 30 kph. Would I buy another Chinese camper now, maybe after making sure all the running gear was readily available.
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I have a 2010 Chinese hard floor camper, easy to set up, doesn't leak, and has had a couple of mods done to it and has suited us up until now. Over Easter we were heading to Menindee lakes and got as far as Cobar. We had broken a spring, easy fix you would think NOT, if you have a Chinese camper check the width of your leaf springs, mine were 50mm rebound eye to eye with a 670mm centre. I have been unable to find 50mm wide springs at all. What we have come up with is a 60mm wide spring with 680mm centre and a similar curve, I then have to get an engineer to machine down one eye of the spring to 50mm and will space the rear shackle to suit 60mm. Currently my camper is still in Cobar and it has taken a week to come up with a repair solution, it will be mid June before I get back to Cobar to attempt a repair. This camper has been off-road a couple of times and not just gravel roads, the scary thing is I think back to where on the trip it broke and it would have been 6 hrs before towing at highway speeds, it gave way on a rutted farm track doing just 30 kph. Would I buy another Chinese camper now, maybe after making sure all the running gear was readily available.
1096 may be of use?
http://www.stengelbros.net/Eye-Eye-Trailer-Springs_c_254.html (http://www.stengelbros.net/Eye-Eye-Trailer-Springs_c_254.html)
Shane.
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Almost not enough curve, great site how come none of the trailer centres knew about it. Think I will having a good look through it.
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Well definitely some food for thought here.
Ive got some great points out of this, And it has in no way made the decision any easier, possibly made the grey area a bit wider.
Aussie made and built are generally good quality (everyone agrees with that)
Some imports are rubbish
Some imports are good
He gap has closed a bit on the quality of Imports vs local over the past few years
Buying a second hand good quality unit seems like a popular choice.
People's opinions are swayed by what they have themselves.
You get what you pay for.
It just seems hard to pass up some of the Brand new deals that are available for the same price as a second hand unit.
But I am still leaning towards an excellent condition/ near new used camper.
My budget is 10-15g or if I wait for a while longer can probably stretch it out to 20g. Ill use it mostly as a family getaway for probably a half a dozen of week or two long trips a year of bush and beach camping/ only caravan parks if we have to.
Then the plan is ( in a few years) to take it upto the cape, down to tassie and everywhere in between
Just need to get my sh!t together and choose something or it will never happen!!
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Thats one of the best parts when buying a camper trailer, getting around to have a look at them and sizing them up for yourself. Once you have a list of what you absolutely need and can't do without and then a list of what would be nice if it was thrown in or a reasonable price spend some time checking out the different manufacturers. I'm not sure where you are, but if your in Victoria take up Lost's offer to go to the get together in May as there will be a heap of different campers there that you can look at Aussie made and imported. Otherwise google is your friend.
I loved visiting manufacturers asking questions and playing with their campers, it really helped narrow down our list to two specific brands it also allowed us to cull our list of must have items which saved us money :cheers:
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I am impressed with you lot :cup:
once upon a time it would have been all guns blazing, blow up that Chinese camper, but now it's changed...Why.?
I have a Chinese top on mine, Had it for a few years now, not 100% perfect but hey, i new what i was buying and i have to work with what i have....
So yeah, it's a bloody good balance of views so far...good to see. :cup:
Like everyone has said, do your homework, if your handy on the tools even better, that way if it needs a bit of a beef up or mod, you have it nailed.
:cheers:
BHG
I think those that dont like Chineese campers dont speak up anymore, because they dont enjoy being flamed by those that have them... I bought a 2nd Hand Aussie camper and have not looked back.
I know where my camper can go, and I know that it can be repaired anywhere in the country, as it runs all farily standard components.
I wouldnt buy one, but that doesn't mean that they are bad - it just means that I dont like them.
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I'm in Mackay in QLD, so it's a bit hard to get to any of the manufacturers workshops to check out their work and compare with one another.
All I can go off is what's on the Internet websites ( they all have great sales pitches ( of course theyre the best made, most comfortable toughest and most reliable) and all you experts on this forum.
Lucky the home and outdoor show is on in a few weeks, there is usually a few different brands that show up to sell their stuff so ill go and check that out.
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We have an imported trailer. And yes while we had a couple of minor issues to start with, they were fixed promptly and without any further issues. We could very well have had similar issues with an Aussie made one. I also notched in the weekend at the Sydney camper/caravan show that a few if the things we suggested to the company at the time of our purchase are now fixed and are standard on their current model. So at least one company is providing e xellent customer service, warranty and are listening to their customers. We are extremely happy with our imported trailer and it serves our needs as well as fitting in our budget.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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We have an imported trailer. And yes while we had a couple of minor issues to start with, they were fixed promptly and without any further issues. We could very well have had similar issues with an Aussie made one. I also notched in the weekend at the Sydney camper/caravan show that a few if the things we suggested to the company at the time of our purchase are now fixed and are standard on their current model. So at least one company is providing e xellent customer service, warranty and are listening to their customers. We are extremely happy with our imported trailer and it serves our needs as well as fitting in our budget.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I have to agree with socks too. I bought a xxx Chinese made trailer, half the price of the Aussie made- I know I have had some dramas ( and more after the weekend ) but are fixable. I am looking forward to the next 4wd show nearby me so i can go and look at a show trailer and pick their brains re a few things that no one will answer me about.
But you def get what you pay for.
I find its just a bloody shame that the after sales service isn't up to scratch- because no one gets back to you or wants to know you unless you blast them online.
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I am impressed with you lot :cup:
once upon a time it would have been all guns blazing, blow up that Chinese camper, but now it's changed...Why.?
Of all the forums out there this one is the most mature IMO.
Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are wrong but either way, I think we all reflect on the arguments/discussions we have had and are adult enough to reconsider our viewpoints.
Thats the last touchy feely I will post for a while.
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[quote author
Thats the last touchy feely I will post for a while.
[/quote]
You've changed !!!!
lol
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Must have been the trip north that changed him ;D ;D
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He's starting to mellow into coast mode ;D
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I am one of these swaggers with a CT that is part made here and overseas!
Yes I have had some issues with mine and had to fix a few things like wiring, the tow hitch and the wheel bearings. But like has already been said, these can be issues for either o/s or Aussie made campers.
However, like most of us, we have done something to our CT's to make them our own! I have done the electrics, put in a drifta kitchen and added a water pump and running tap. As I am looking at selling mine soon, I know that I will not get what I put into my CT. This is the same as those that have an Aussie made CT, however they will get a better resale IMHO.
As long as you have a good look and take into consideration all the points bought up, then you should be able to make an educated guess!
Enjoy looking and gathering all the info!!
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Last time I mentioned buying new Chineeee or second hand Aussie on here, and how tempting it was to buy new, I got royally smashed on here.
Luck of the draw I spose.
But like everything check it out for yourself and make a decision for yourself and your budget. I got a lit of value from reading stories by current import camper owners on the web.
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I bought a chinese camper with a massive tent a couple of months ago. Its great and allows us to do what we want in a market we would not have been able to enter for a long time. Only had it out once and sure there are a few minor things with it but I'd almost expect that with anything (Bought a brand new Camry recently, Australian made, and it already had 2 scratches on it and missing bits of paint where assembly might have knocked it). Mine had a heap of stuff come on it and so far seems pretty good but plan to do a bit to it along the way (which is what it seems everyone does with theres as well ie. modding it to personalise it) to set it up for us.
I was in a mates secondhand aussie made camper on the weekend and he has done a heap of mods to it over the many years he has had it. It is an awesome setup as he has spent the time in it and setting it up exactly for him. He did say he broke a spring in it while travelling once so that can happen to Aussie made campers as well. He also ended up gutting the chassis and totally rebuilding it and restrengthening it as he didn't think it was up to it. He uses it a heap and is about to head to cape york with it.
You say your budget is 10 - 15 K, that means I've got 5 - 10 K spare to buy fridges, electrics, camping gear, fuel and park fees, sweet!
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Our first CT was a basic Aus Made just a Tent and Annexe. After 3 years we knew what we wanted in a CT and the affordability of another Aus made CT was out of the question. So we looked and asked questions and bought an Ezytrail Buckland just before Christmas last year. Everything we needed 12v, kitchen, "semi-off road" (not that I would do anything serious in it) for a little $6k on special. Imported but assembled in Melbourne
The only "issues" I can recall when we bought it was a lot of swarf left over from drilling - but that was fixed by giving the kids the vacuum cleaner. The other issue was not enough silicone - but it was a 10min job and I had some lying around. Easy fixes as far I'm concerned. I've added a 240v point and a couple of extra 12v sockets in the tent. Also, replaced put in a Queen mattress which worked out well because it gives a little ledge on the bed area.
Having had it coming up 6 months and used it about 4 times already, the only down side is the paint seems a bit thin, so it chips and goes through the metal on the draw bar and rims a bit easier than a decent paint jobs. Not a huge amount though. But then again, we've travelled around 3,000km with some of that on gravel roads so it hasn't exactly sat idle. The pleasing part about the gravel roads, is the whole thing remained dust free in the tray and tent. Haven't towed in the rain yet, so I don't know if it leaks under towing. Had it set up in the rain over New Years and with 24 hours of rain, we ended up about 1/2 to a cup of water in the corner of the tent. But that because it was pooling and coming through the zip and eyelet. I put that one down to Mother Nature.
As an imported CT owner, I'd buy an other one. I would imagine in about 5 years when we upgrade, an Imported CT will be just as good as Aus made (unfortunately which means the "locals" miss out). People will still have to be wary though, just like when you buy anything.
My advice as an Imported CT owner, find a couple of manufacturers that tickle your fancy and then ask for opinions from those that own them. Go from there. A plus is the savings allow for anything you want to tidy up or add.
Enjoy.
Craig E.
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Hello all reading with interest good topic!! What product have you bought in the last ten or more years that has not required some or a lot of after service care!! Meaning I have a Chinese camper trailer. Did a lot of looking saw what I didn't like saw what I did ! Made a decision and are happy. Seven weeks away in five months in reasonable different conditions, ie windy,rain, extreme heat and coldness and not in a six man dome tent anymore Cheers all Marty ps no one is naming there camper brands?? Is it not etiquette ?
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He's starting to mellow into coast mode ;D
Well I am moving to POTTS ville.....
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Yep, moving out from behind your protective ditch, right.
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i would have thought this type of purchase has the same rules as other large-ish purchases:
do your research
have a look at the thing and if you don't know what you are looking, get someone to go with you who does (if possible)
make sure it fits YOUR needs, not someone else's
don't care what someone else thinks. it's yours, not theirs...
then,
GET OUT THERE! :)
sometimes i think we miss the point of having the CT in the first place... to get out there and enjoy this country... :)
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Ok so if we are honest I think the price has to be one of the most important factors here.
I paid sub $13K for a imported camper, brand new with warranty,one minor issue fixed under warranty.
I could have paid a hell of a lot more for a very similar local product but for the amount of time it will be used I couldn't justify the extra.
And yes we are very happy.
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I find its just a bloody shame that the after sales service isn't up to scratch- because no one gets back to you or wants to know you unless you blast them online.
Don't worry... I can think of one aussie made manufacturer that is the same, not worth pissing on.
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Don't worry... I can think of one aussie made manufacturer that is the same, not worth pissing on.
Very very frustrating mate......
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i would have thought this type of purchase has the same rules as other large-ish purchases:
do your research
have a look at the thing and if you don't know what you are looking, get someone to go with you who does (if possible)
make sure it fits YOUR needs, not someone else's
don't care what someone else thinks. it's yours, not theirs...
then,
GET OUT THERE! :)
sometimes i think we miss the point of having the CT in the first place... to get out there and enjoy this country... :)
That's some sound advice and I do agree.
All the research is conflicting to opposite ends of the scale hence the confusion.
On paper the imported trailers look GREAT! Well setup, good designs, plenty of goodies on them, and they certainly look the goods. And of course half the price.
I mean if you can buy something that appears and claims to be as good as anything else but at half the price then you'd be mad to pay for the more expensive unit.
If the quality has improved and isn't far off what is locally made then even better
On the other hand, the countless horror stories of broken hitches, leaky tents, poor quality fittings and components and dodgy workmanship.... Who knows what to believe.
Going by the sales pitch the imported guys use to sell their campers, then it should easily meet my needs and do what I want of it and more.
In Reality things maybe different
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If we are talking soft floor campers this beats them every day of the week and thrice on sundays;
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367)
:D
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Or this one;
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36908.0;topicseen (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36908.0;topicseen)
Note they don't cover it in cheap crap aluminium tread plate to give it bling.
No lipstick needed cause it aint a pig!
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Or this one;
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36908.0;topicseen (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36908.0;topicseen)
Note they don't cover it in cheap crap aluminium tread plate to give it bling.
No lipstick needed cause it aint a pig!
agree.
or
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36910.0;topicseen (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36910.0;topicseen)
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At the end of the day who cares what people buy. We all have different budgets, different needs and want different features.
The answer to the question is, import campers are not that bad. They fill a gap and give people a chance to buy a camper to enjoy what we all do, and that's camping.
Good luck in your choice and post some pics when you get it.
Mark
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At the end of the day who cares what people buy. We all have different budgets, different needs and want different features.
The answer to the question is, import campers are not that bad. They fill a gap and give people a chance to buy a camper to enjoy what we all do, and that's camping.
Good luck in your choice and post some pics when you get it.
Mark
egggggsacrty
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egggzakry.
x2
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At the end of the day who cares what people buy. We all have different budgets, different needs and want different features.
The answer to the question is, import campers are not that bad. They fill a gap and give people a chance to buy a camper to enjoy what we all do, and that's camping.
Good luck in your choice and post some pics when you get it.
Mark
Thanks :cheers:
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Chinese campers and caravans are like Hyundais. Early on, they were utter garbage. Hyundais became better over the years, as have the imported campers and caravans.
Give it a few years and they'll be everywhere, just like Hyundai is. Some people will NEVER own a Hyundai or Chinese trailer, others will own nothing but them.
Neither are right or wrong.
Shane.
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Chinese campers and caravans are like Hyundais. Early on, they were utter garbage. Hyundais became better over the years, as have the imported campers and caravans.
Give it a few years and they'll be everywhere, just like Hyundai is. Some people will NEVER own a Hyundai or Chinese trailer, others will own nothing but them.
Neither are right or wrong.
Shane.
That's right, our Family vehicles have basically been Toyota since the 60's.
It's what makes you, the end user, happy.
If your not happy, do something about it. Don't just sit and bitch.
Happy camping.
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If we are talking soft floor campers this beats them every day of the week and thrice on sundays;
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367)
:D
Have to agree with this 100%. When I was making the decision on our camper I asked myself, how much and how hard will I take this offroad. If you only plan on sticking to the bitumen and light dirt trails, why wouldn't you buy Chinese and save a bucket. But I really wanted to be able to take mine anywhere and have minimal worries that something might go wrong. So I made a tough Aussie built trailer and stuck a Chinese Austrack tent on top. A reasonably priced, near bulletproof setup.
In saying that, I do like the look of the front fold eBay campers with all the bells and whistles. But I don't think I could trust them in the rough stuff. Especially that crazy dual coil spring setup they have going on (2 must be better, right?).
Anyways, like has been said, horses for courses. Have fun choosing
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So went to the local camping & caravan show today and had the opportunity to check out some of the latest and greatest offering from home and abroad in the world of camper trailers.
I managed to get a pretty good look over, under, in, out and around a fair few of the campers for sale.
It quickly became fairly clear the difference between the locally professionally built campers and the fully imported or imported but assembled here in OZ campers.
At first glance they all look nice and new and shiny but upon closer inspection it reveals the difference in quality and finish of trailer, tent and components that sets the local apart from the cheap imports.
A few thing I noticed that stood out right away was the poor quality of under body paint and galvanising.
Peeling and chipping paint off "brand new looked like they've never been taken offroad show demos"
Weld quality in some less obvious places was questionable.
Rust spots inside questionable welds appearing on the surface through paint
Finish of aluminium frames and joins in the panels.
Quality of rollers, zips, canvas etc.
Some were better than other, and some others had some pretty darn good salespersons there too.
This was certainly an eye opener and has definitely hit home all the advice from you guys to buy locally made and built.
The imports are obviously built to a price and I guess you get what you pay for. They still do look like OK/good value for money in the short term, but I think my money will be going elsewhere.
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I have had my ezytrailer now for a few months and only had the one test run in it (getting to chilly for the lovely) when I noticed a rust stain than a water drip from the stainless water tank. Kept forgetting to contact them about it but was headed to Melbourne from Geelong on Friday so I contacted them. They asked me to email them some pics which I had taken many weeks before but had forgotten. Call back and said I sent the photos, I will bring the tank and the lady said if its a problem with the tank they will replace on the spot. Rock up later that arvo and with a bit of yakkin, I walked out with a new tank and happy with their customer service. They aren't all that bad