MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Howe80 on January 09, 2016, 10:04:00 PM
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Hi any body had experience with mdc campers ??? Looking at hard floor model any tips to look out for or stay away from thanks cheers
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Where are you from mate, what sort of hard floor camper are you looking at?
Cheers
Nick
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Central qld mate looking to spend around 8k want something that is going to handle gravel rds ect
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Voyager ranger at moment
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probably something to note is that MDC are generally imported trailers. this usually means that the build quality is not on par with aussie made. The price of these trailers reflects that. having said that i purchased an imported hardfloor through top trail before they merged/disappeared, we've had it for 4 years and has been great, taken it to cape and bush camping 8 times a year with very little problems. upgrading now only due to having little ones.
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Hi any body had experience with mdc campers ??? Looking at hard floor model any tips to look out for or stay away from thanks cheers
If possible you can pop into your local BCF, they sell them and usually have one on hand for you to have a look over.
I have a Mate with a forward fold. He's had it a couple years with no dramas and has taken it on some pretty rough tracks.
Bill
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Hi any body had experience with mdc campers ??? Looking at hard floor model any tips to look out for or stay away from thanks cheers
sure have....bought one sold it
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sure have....bought one sold it
Maybe you need to elaborate on this.
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sure have....bought one sold it
Maybe you need to elaborate on this.
I think reading between the lines is all that is required.
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I think reading between the lines is all that is required.
Niggly Shit? Real issues? Expected more than he should for the money? Unreasonable when dealing with the supplier? Not trying to be smart arse, but back up a statement. Always hear the crap, rarely hear the good.
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Unfortunately certain brands of campers will always have good and bad points. The old saying, bad service you will tell 10 people. No matter what you buy it's always worth doing the research. The Internet / social media is very powerful.
Take on board information from actual owners not from anti import discussions. Everyone has certain budgets and as long as it gets you out and about enjoying the great outdoors that's the main thing.
All the best in choosing what suits you and your budget.
Mark
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Niggly Shit? Real issues? Expected more than he should for the money? Unreasonable when dealing with the supplier? Not trying to be smart arse, but back up a statement. Always hear the crap, rarely hear the good.
fair call....
i won't comment here as i dont want to upset anyone.I can pm you a link- or you can google mdc product review
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A mate of mine bought a FF unit last year about 3 weeks before
we left for a 4 week cape york trip
It surprised me! Although quite a large/long unit it did the old coach road & OTl as well as the other older AU built softfloors amongst the group.
Admittedly this is a 20K + unit
Cheers
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Have a look around, theres some excellent used Aussie made trailers around for that price...
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fair call....
i won't comment here as i dont want to upset anyone.I can pm you a link- or you can google mdc product review
Why not? This is the value of forums, people posting real life experiences for others to benefit
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I think reading between the lines is all that is required.
x eleventy willion
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Why not? This is the value of forums, people posting real life experiences for others to benefit
Unfortunitely there are some alphabet named importers / manufacturers around [ not these in question ] that dont like the publicity and engage legal actions to stop people discussing products publicly .. Make of that what you will ..
So out of " RESPECT " to our Forum owners we try not to, so as they dont get hit with a similar law suit and or shut down .
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Central qld mate looking to spend around 8k want something that is going to handle gravel rds ect
8k for a hardflloor is pretty cheap?
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Unfortunitely there are some alphabet named importers / manufacturers around [ not these in question ] that dont like the publicity and engage legal actions to stop people discussing products publicly .. Make of that what you will ..
So out of " RESPECT " to our Forum owners we try not to, so as they dont get hit with a similar law suit and or shut down .
Yep I am aware of that situation. But this is a different xyz brand who actually has a presence on the forum, or did for a while.
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Always lots of naysayers from those who've never owned the product , but believe all they read on forums!!!
I've had my MDC for a couple of years , it's not done a lot of hard work but has done lots of Kms; never had a hassle with it.. Canvas has held out a few really heavy rain events, tows great , does all I want , and is great value....
I've seen a couple of the very early MDC's that did need improvement, but they really appear to have got their act together over the last couple of years..
And NO , I'm not associated with MDC or any other brand , just a contented MDC customer, of which there are lots that I've met ....
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Always lots of naysayers from those who've never owned the product , but believe all they read on forums!!!
I've had my MDC for a couple of years , it's not done a lot of hard work but has done lots of Kms; never had a hassle with it.. Canvas has held out a few really heavy rain events, tows great , does all I want , and is great value....
I've seen a couple of the very early MDC's that did need improvement, but they really appear to have got their act together over the last couple of years..
And NO , I'm not associated with MDC or any other brand , just a contented MDC customer, of which there are lots that I've met ....
But that is not the case in this instance Peter, the poster actually owned one and was so dis satisfied with it that he sold it and moved on. There is a whole thread on his woes and I respect him for not tainting the OP's thread but giving him links if he wanted to follow it up. The OP did ask for the good and the bad
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Doesn't matter which brand as they are all made in China anyways.
Not sure what $8k will buy you in the range of hard floors except probably a bit of trouble, that is unless you look Spend a little more and you will find a lot more doors open for you.
As others have said, some of the bigger importers with the 3 letter names havnt got the best reputation with after sales service or warranty and will threaten legal action against those who wish to complain.
In saying that, the MDC rear fold hard floor was my pick for the $$ at the camping show I went to last year. Sometimes though, from what I have heard :police: the display model often differs to the bought one.
Me, I bought my rear fold hard floor (Chinese) for sub $10k but I had to modify it a fair bit to get it worthy of being capable off-road. There is a link at the bottom of my signature if you want to get a true evaluation of the good and the bad.
I don't regret my purchase, well within budget and happy with the end product.
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I have a MDC offroad soft floor. 1 1/2 yrs old and never had any problems with it.
Is it as good as an aussie made one?? dunno..never owned one. quite happy with what I have. Its got my young family out camping at a fraction of the price.
I get the aussie made vs imported debate. I understand why we should buy locally, but I couldn't afford an aussie made one, so if I didn't get an import I would be still sitting at home dreaming about camping.
I give it the once over after each trip, check welds for cracks etc, redo the bearings every 6-12 months. same maintenance I would do if I bought an aussie made one!
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I have a MDC offroad soft floor. 1 1/2 yrs old and never had any problems with it.
Is it as good as an aussie made one?? dunno..never owned one. quite happy with what I have. Its got my young family out camping at a fraction of the price.
I get the aussie made vs imported debate. I understand why we should buy locally, but I couldn't afford an aussie made one, so if I didn't get an import I would be still sitting at home dreaming about camping.
I give it the once over after each trip, check welds for cracks etc, redo the bearings every 6-12 months. same maintenance I would do if I bought an aussie made one!
Agreed.
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I have a MDC offroad soft floor. 1 1/2 yrs old and never had any problems with it.
Is it as good as an aussie made one?? dunno..never owned one. quite happy with what I have. Its got my young family out camping at a fraction of the price.
I get the aussie made vs imported debate. I understand why we should buy locally, but I couldn't afford an aussie made one, so if I didn't get an import I would be still sitting at home dreaming about camping.
I give it the once over after each trip, check welds for cracks etc, redo the bearings every 6-12 months. same maintenance I would do if I bought an aussie made one!
could not agree more. Nicely put!
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MDC were on my short list, brother inlaw has had one for 3 years and loves it.
I ended up going with Modcan Quattro due to the different layout.
If you are in Brisbane encourage you to visit the Modcon showroom for a comparison.
I would have been happy with a MDC however different makes have slightly different things and the Modcon suited our family.
Have fun in your search
John
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I have a MDC offroad soft floor. 1 1/2 yrs old and never had any problems with it.
Is it as good as an aussie made one?? dunno..never owned one. quite happy with what I have. Its got my young family out camping at a fraction of the price.
And in reality, for 90% of campers, it will serve you well. It's the 10% who expect a cheap camper to do a lap of Australia over endless corrugations that a name brand camper manufacturer has engineered to withstand.
Offroad is a word that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
Any camper can get dragged along a rough high country type road, but not all campers can handle 200 kilometres of badly corrugated outback roads. But most will never take their campers to the outback, so for general camping, anything with 2 wheels and a tent on top is all you need.
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Hi All,
Below is a link to the MDC Camper Trailer Owners Group on facebook. The owners on their are normally happy to answer questions as they have experience with the product.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/1471523463164896/ (http://www.facebook.com/groups/1471523463164896/)
Below is a couple of links to Videos of the MDC Hardfloors in Offroad Situations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE6kr_EKyTA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE6kr_EKyTA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4_lRdxaDBo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4_lRdxaDBo)
Further information can be seen here: http://www.marketdirect.com.au/#campers (http://www.marketdirect.com.au/#campers)
Happy Camping :)
MDC Insider
:cheers: BACK FROM SMOKO :cheers:
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Any camper can get dragged along a rough high country type road, but not all campers can handle 200 kilometres of badly corrugated outback roads. But most will never take their campers to the outback, so for general camping, anything with 2 wheels and a tent on top is all you need.
That is so true.
I think the term "outback" should be used more often, I know Jayco may have something to say about it though.
But
There are many folk who would agree a trip up the beach is Offroad, yet a recent trip along Tewantin Beach I'd say only 25% of things being towed had the off road appearence to it, the majority were just on road vans, boat trailers, even overloaded garden trailers all made the trip.
Yet at the same time, there are many on or off road trailers / vans etc that would never do the Birdville track.
There should be a difference between the 2 types of driving, "offroad" is not a diffinition that suits both road conditions.
The difference can be applied to any vehicle regardless of who or where it is made.
I have not looked at the above MDC links yet, but 8k for a hard floor is surprising, would have thought it would be more then this.
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And in reality, for 90% of campers, it will serve you well. It's the 10% who expect a cheap camper to do a lap of Australia over endless corrugations that a name brand camper manufacturer has engineered to withstand.
Offroad is a word that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
Any camper can get dragged along a rough high country type road, but not all campers can handle 200 kilometres of badly corrugated outback roads. But most will never take their campers to the outback, so for general camping, anything with 2 wheels and a tent on top is all you need.
Then again I have seen plenty of the imported CT's do the Cape and come back without a problem. I am seeing more and more of these imported CT's returning every tourist season.
Savannah Campers in Cairns hire out hard floors that have done numerous repeated trips to and from the Cape without incident. I don't count the ones that have impacted a big ant hill or tree as any model CT will come off second best hitting something like that.
Once these CT's have had mods to suspension, wheels, bearings and tyres they are more than capable. At the end of the day these are the same mods that people do to their 4B's before taking on a similar trip.
It's been a few years since we bought ours, the imported CT's have come a long way since then and as I said previously, the MDC rear fold hard floor was a clear winner in quality and value for money when comparing against all other brands at last years Cairns Camping Show.
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I agree the imports are getting better. When I got my *** before Christmas I pulled the bearings straight away because I was expecting some cheapo brand and minimal grease.
Plenty of grease and SKF bearings so I repacked them and away I went. I had to adjust the brakes but that was it.
Still not a patch on Aussie built I understand but they are starting to do the little things right and I am sure the Aussie workers in the Sydney factory are happy someone is buying the product and keeping them employed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Savannah Campers in Cairns hire out hard floors that have done numerous repeated trips to and from the Cape without incident.
What brand do they hire out ?
It all comes down to what people want to pay, and what sort of quality they want for their money. Some people are happy to buy a Great Wall 4wd, whereas others wouldn't be seen dead in anything other than a Toyota. If everybody wanted the cheapest 4wd, Toyota ( and others ) would be out of business, but that's not how reality is !
I have seen a couple of MDC campers and they do look pretty smart ( from a distance anyway ), but after having a couple of KK's, I'm not sure I'd be happy with a "lesser" product......and by that I don't mean a bad product. But you'd have to park the two together to get what I mean.
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What brand do they hire out ?
It all comes down to what people want to pay, and what sort of quality they want for their money. Some people are happy to buy a Great Wall 4wd, whereas others wouldn't be seen dead in anything other than a Toyota. If everybody wanted the cheapest 4wd, Toyota ( and others ) would be out of business, but that's not how reality is !
I have seen a couple of MDC campers and they do look pretty smart ( from a distance anyway ), but after having a couple of KK's, I'm not sure I'd be happy with a "lesser" product......and by that I don't mean a bad product. But you'd have to park the two together to get what I mean.
Most are the Ecomate Explorer. Basically the same as mine with a few differences. This is the pic from their website.
(https://savannahcampers.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/dsc_0667.jpg)
I have visited them out of interest to see with my own eyes how these things look after these trips and what issues or mods they have needed to do on them.
I am the first to admit that there is a fair difference between a new KK and a new MDC or other similar brand. I love the KK, it really is a beautiful example of a CT and without a doubt good quality and probably my fave out of all of the hard floors. The $20K+ difference in price though....I just can't see it.
I wouldn't buy a Great Wall for my own reasons but I will never say never... I am sure down the track they will improve their quality and range that could be comparable to a Cruza or Patrol.
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I am the first to admit that there is a fair difference between a new KK and a new MDC or other similar brand. I love the KK, it really is a beautiful example of a CT and without a doubt good quality and probably my fave out of all of the hard floors. The $20K+ difference in price though....I just can't see it.
20K price difference ? Yep, I can see it, but is it a price people are willing to pay ? Some are ? When I 1st went from a soft floor ( value 4K ) to a KK ( value 20K ) it was a huge leap, but apart from paying the thing off, I was very happy with it.
I'm presently unemployed and not in a position to upgrade anything ( even the dishwasher at home ! ), so can see both sides of the debate, and peoples finances will always rule what they buy, but if you can, buy quality over quantity. This is especially true for anyone who wants to REALLY go offroad.......no use having diesel heating if the camper is broken down with a cracked chassis..
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Something that I have recently dealt with and my parents are currently dealing with is the availability (or lack of) of spare parts on import campers.
On my (non MDC) camper I needed to change out the brake drums as they had disintegrated, what followed was a series of issues that ended in replacing the entire axle. Our mechanic tried various ways of getting correctly fitting parts but it just wasn't happening, in the end it was either no brakes (illegal), import parts as a whole and strip down the bits we need from America (prohibitively expensive) or change out to a whole new axle and use parts readily available in Australia (also fixing the issue of future repairs.)
Our trailer is leaf suspension, so changing to a whole new axle wasn't stupid expensive - especially since our lovely mechanic did a call around and found one at a good price. But had it been independent and I needed to change out the whole suspension because of weird sizing :-[ :'(
My parents recently had a roadside breakdown in their camper (MDC) the issue was relating the brakes and wheel bearings. After having a look at it roadside they decided they could limp it to the next big town.
They got it to the mechanics who found the issues but when trying to order parts found that (just like mine) odd sizing meant that he could not find and Australian stockist. He tried ringing MDC who said that they order parts in bulk and once they are used then they are used and they move onto the next bulk batch (sound exactly like what my mechanic told me when my camper had its issue) but they might have a part left in WA, they didnt - the answer was we dont have any left and we wont be getting anymore we cant help sorry.
The mechanic got the engineering place round the corner to make something up but it is only temporary so they could get home. Since then my parents have spoken the Dept. of Fair Trading who have said it us unacceptable that a trailer that is 2 years old cannot get appropriate parts. Speaking (email) with MDC again (this time adding fair trading into the mix) the answer he gets back is we can get you the part, it needs to be ordered from china it costs $xxx and will take 4+ weeks to come in.
When my situation happened I thought maybe it was not common (have not read or heard any other similar issues) but then almost exactly the same issue happened on my parents (different brand import) happened within 6 months of mine. I have not posted about it yet because the above issue has not yet been resolved.
But when talking about import campers, the issue of readily available spare parts is rarely brought up.
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I am sure the Aussie workers in the Sydney factory are happy someone is buying the product and keeping them employed.
Calling it a factory is a big stretch when they don't actually manufacture anything locally. Although MDC regularly advertise "Built in 100% MDC owned factories" on their facebook page - which is misleading at best and false advertising at worst.
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Calling it a factory is a big stretch when they don't actually manufacture anything locally. Although MDC regularly advertise "Built in 100% MDC owned factories" on their facebook page - which is misleading at best and false advertising at worst.
These good looking Aussie Lads from MDC would beg to differ with your opinion "Mr Punter"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-wAkK8tebI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-wAkK8tebI)
At least we don't assemble our camper trailers in wacol prison like the mob you bought off. They don't give the sharp tools to the dangerous inmates, just the ones that need protection..
http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Publications/Corporate_Publications/Miscellaneous_Documents/PrisonIndustries.pdf (http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Publications/Corporate_Publications/Miscellaneous_Documents/PrisonIndustries.pdf)
"Assembly and Packaging Trailer components are manufactured to displace imports, including the part assembly and packaging of labour intensive components for various models of camper trailers."
So is Lifestyle Camper Trailers a manufacturer when they weld up a chassis and drawbar in house, but the bulk of their campers are whip blasted, powdercoated and then assembled in Wacol Prison?
Happy Camping :)
MDC Insider
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So is Lifestyle Camper Trailers a manufacturer when they weld up a chassis and drawbar in house, but the bulk of their campers are whip blasted, powdercoated and then assembled in Wacol Prison?
Happy Camping :)
MDC Insider
I didn't tour a prison when I went to Brisbane for a look, so I have no idea what you are on about?
Your video shows assembly, not manufacture.
I stand by what I said, I think your advertising is misleading
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So is Lifestyle Camper Trailers a manufacturer when they weld up a chassis and drawbar in house, but the bulk of their campers are whip blasted, powdercoated and then assembled in Wacol Prison?
Happy Camping :)
MDC Insider
Don't know where Wacol prison is, but can you prove that statement ?
You also seem to be implying it, but haven't actually said it.....are MDC campers made in Australia, or just assembled here ? No use getting into a slanging match when all you have to do is be truthful !
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Hi Gronk,
MDC Campers are assembled in Australia in our 5 factories in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth currently.
Everything is assembled/tested/(Australian/European) Sourced components installed all in house by 80 MDC staff across the country.
We do not outsource any work in Australia.
We use the following brands in our builds and have done so for many years: AL-KO, Dometic, Fusion, NCE, Smev, Thetford, Camec, Coast to Coast, ALCO, Projecta, Vehicle Components, RV Electronics, Statewide Bearings, John Guest, Cooper, Air Command etc.
http://www.marketdirect.com.au/ (http://www.marketdirect.com.au/)
Happy Camping ;)
MDC Insider
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It really didn't take long did it, barely 2 pages and out come the bashers, Geeze "Gronk" you're getting slow in your old age, and you "Punter" why don't you go back to doing the MODS on your $50000 camper that you all said was so great, (http://aussiedistiller.com.au/images/smilies/laughing/rolling.gif)(http://aussiedistiller.com.au/images/smilies/laughing/rolling.gif) stick to what the original op asked for not your bs biased opinions
MDC say they own the factories, they didn't say WHERE did they ffs or are you just so biased that you can't see anything except what you've bought >:(
$50000-00 what a joke, you've been had, ripped off, shafted, but you're too damned dumb to see it ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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It really didn't take long did it, barely 2 pages and out come the bashers, Geeze "Gronk" you're getting slow in your old age, and you "Punter" why don't you go back to doing the MODS on your $50000 camper that you all said was so great, (http://aussiedistiller.com.au/images/smilies/laughing/rolling.gif)(http://aussiedistiller.com.au/images/smilies/laughing/rolling.gif) stick to what the original op asked for not your bs biased opinions
MDC say they own the factories, they didn't say WHERE did they ffs or are you just so biased that you can't see anything except what you've bought >:(
$50000-00 what a joke, you've been had, ripped off, shafted, but you're too damned dumb to see it ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I didn't bash anything mate, I just pointed out what I feel is misleading advertising so others who read this forum get the full picture. Some are happy with these campers, my mate has one and he likes it. Others have been badly let down by quality issues as has been posted above. This is the true value of forums, where potential buyers can cut through all of the marketing hype and make their own decision.
So you call others out for "bashing" and then you do so yourself in the next sentence?
Besides juvenile name calling, what value have you added to this discussion exactly?
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Besides juvenile name calling, what value have you added to this discussion exactly?
What name calling and where ?
I believe that I have pointed out that you and "gronk" have VERY biased views about mdc campers and that you both muddy up the discussion waters very quickly and loudly, but have no actual 1st hand experience as an owner of an mdc product.
And just to clarify my position I am in no way associated with MDC nor do I own any of their products
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What name calling and where ?
"but you're too damned dumb to see it"
"your bs biased opinions "
Your words exactly. You started off calling out me and another member as "bashers" and then did exactly the same yourself in the following sentences directed at me and mods to my camper (isn't that one of the great things about this forum?, mods are bad now?, when did that change?) So we are bashers, but you aren't? I'm confused...
I've never had a crack at you personally, and I have no idea why you come across as so angry and there's no need to be throwing personal insults around.
I'll say it again, I think the advertising is misleading, and that is all I posted in this thread.
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What name calling and where ?
I believe that I have pointed out that you and "gronk" have VERY biased views about mdc campers and that you both muddy up the discussion waters very quickly and loudly,
I believe you are just a sh** stirrer who had no reason to get involved in this discussion. Further to that, you didn't discuss the topic at all, so your comments should be removed by a mod !!
Before you get removed, please point out where in this discussion I "muddied" any waters ?
I asked a simple question of MDC, which they replied to......MDC are assembled in Australia, but made in China and shipped here in pieces.
I've heard you suffer from small man syndrome, but don't get on here making out you are someone you're not !
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These good looking Aussie Lads from MDC would beg to differ with your opinion "Mr Punter"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-wAkK8tebI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-wAkK8tebI)
At least we don't assemble our camper trailers in wacol prison like the mob you bought off. They don't give the sharp tools to the dangerous inmates, just the ones that need protection..
http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Publications/Corporate_Publications/Miscellaneous_Documents/PrisonIndustries.pdf (http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Publications/Corporate_Publications/Miscellaneous_Documents/PrisonIndustries.pdf)
"Assembly and Packaging Trailer components are manufactured to displace imports, including the part assembly and packaging of labour intensive components for various models of camper trailers."
So is Lifestyle Camper Trailers a manufacturer when they weld up a chassis and drawbar in house, but the bulk of their campers are whip blasted, powdercoated and then assembled in Wacol Prison?
Happy Camping :)
MDC Insider
Mate, you do your brand untold damage every time you gate crash a topic. Additionally, your comment on Lifestyle and Wacol Prison is a bit rich given your effort in copying the Lifestyle designs.
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Let's take a time out on this thread for while. thread will be unlocked in one day.