Author Topic: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?  (Read 13724 times)

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Offline Bird

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #25 on: March 11, 2015, 11:39:42 AM »
Quote from: rkl71
Well put Muzza 01, I as yet do not own a CT but have been looking for a few years. Yes I would like a Kimbley Camper or one of the other top line Australian made units, but where is the value? They are not like real estate that normally goes up in value even if you don't use it, whereas with a CT the more it is used and ages the more the value drops.

I dunno bout that KKs and many other top end trailers seem to hold their value Extremely well.... Almost stupidly..
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Offline muzza01

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #26 on: March 11, 2015, 04:12:15 PM »
I dunno bout that KKs and many other top end trailers seem to hold their value Extremely well.... Almost stupidly..
That is so true, I know of a bloke that sold his early or mid 2000's Cape York CT for more than what he paid for it new.

Offline Gwoods

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #27 on: March 11, 2015, 04:59:18 PM »
While the upfront cost is important, so is the overall cost of ownership. Have a look at what the product is likely to cost over the duration of ownership. Purchase price, cost of added accessories, maintenance, insurance and finally the price that it may fetch at the end. When looking at the total cost of ownership of some of the cheaper units can end up being a lot more expensive. It has to be acknowledged that not everyone can afford what can be steep upfront costs of some trailers but an analysis of what it is likely to cost overall should be looked at when deciding. This is my two bobs worth anyway and a factor in the trailer that we ended up deciding on.
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Offline Herks

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #28 on: March 11, 2015, 05:11:30 PM »
Well put Muzza 01, I as yet do not own a CT but have been looking for a few years. Yes I would like a Kimbley Camper or one of the other top line Australian made units, but where is the value? They are not like real estate that normally goes up in value even if you don't use it, whereas with a CT the more it is used and ages the more the value drops. If the minister eventually agrees to the purchase of one I feel sure we will end up with one of the imported ones.

Thanks Muzza01 for elaborating on your views.

I tend to agree with some of what you had to say. Yes the early imports were just that, crap. The ethics of some of the importers/sales companies were very suspect. I recall going to a well known camping show where a certain never before known company was showing off their very obvious knock offs with the lack of quality and compliance very obvious.

They, along with some other stands had a visit from the then RTA inspectors who said that they should not continue to sell their product as they were not certified?? or coded with the RTA as a product that could be registered and if sold would not be able to be registered within the state.

They proceeded to put RTA stickers on each trailer stating this fact and that the trailers were for display only. 5 minutes after the inspectors left, off came the stickers and an immediate price drop was advertised. Could not believe the attitude.

Although, recently I also know of people, with financial constraints, opting to go for an import within their price range but also budgeting for the fact that they are well aware that they will need to swap out things like hitches, shocks and the like to finish up with a fairly good trailer they are happy with. Where fitted, such extras as Electrics, Gas and the like should be already compliant at the point of sale as these installations need to be certified by qualified trades folk to the required standard.

Ta
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Offline muzza01

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #29 on: March 11, 2015, 07:32:38 PM »
Thanks Muzza01 for elaborating on your views.

I tend to agree with some of what you had to say. Yes the early imports were just that, crap. The ethics of some of the importers/sales companies were very suspect. I recall going to a well known camping show where a certain never before known company was showing off their very obvious knock offs with the lack of quality and compliance very obvious.

They, along with some other stands had a visit from the then RTA inspectors who said that they should not continue to sell their product as they were not certified?? or coded with the RTA as a product that could be registered and if sold would not be able to be registered within the state.

They proceeded to put RTA stickers on each trailer stating this fact and that the trailers were for display only. 5 minutes after the inspectors left, off came the stickers and an immediate price drop was advertised. Could not believe the attitude.

Although, recently I also know of people, with financial constraints, opting to go for an import within their price range but also budgeting for the fact that they are well aware that they will need to swap out things like hitches, shocks and the like to finish up with a fairly good trailer they are happy with. Where fitted, such extras as Electrics, Gas and the like should be already compliant at the point of sale as these installations need to be certified by qualified trades folk to the required standard.

Ta
John
So true. I know from personal experience. The company that I bought my import from used me as a referee to prospective buyers in my local area. I Had quite a few people ring me to ask my opinion. I asked how handy they were on the tools to modify the CT to a standard that I would call safe and reliable. I steered them to my CT thread, told them to read it and call me back. None of them had the ability or confidence to modify these CT's themselves. Some of them with larger families I suggested to look at purchasing a soft floor second hand Aussie built camper. The ones that wanted a HARDFLOOR I steered towards the Ecomate as Modcon/Ecomate have already modified these imports to an acceptable standard and offer a warranty.

Unfortunately, some people just don't really know what they are buying and I guess get sucked in to all of the extras that make the imports look so much better value for money against Oz made.

Thankfully, some companies like Modcon/Ecomate ensure that their cheaper imported product has some decent quality and control and warrant their goods. What is unfortunate, is that there are so many companies that I shall not mention that focus on quantity rather than quality and treat buyers quite badly when they try and claim compensation via warranty.

One of my pet hates that I have mentioned in plenty of posts on our forum is companies that claim their imported CT is Australian made. They really disgust me. Also other CT companies that rely on Australian guidelines that state you can use the Claim that the CTis made in Oz if it contains 51% or greater parts that are made in Australia.

I have absolutely no regrets that I purchased a Chinese CT but realistically, they don't suit everyone and people need to be aware that there are a lot of shady operators that name their CT's with Australian names that is of course legal but is also very misleading.
 :cheers:

Offline oldmate

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #30 on: March 11, 2015, 07:55:42 PM »
So true. I know from personal experience. The company that I bought my import from used me as a referee to prospective buyers in my local area. I Had quite a few people ring me to ask my opinion. I asked how handy they were on the tools to modify the CT to a standard that I would call safe and reliable. I steered them to my CT thread, told them to read it and call me back. None of them had the ability or confidence to modify these CT's themselves. Some of them with larger families I suggested to look at purchasing a soft floor second hand Aussie built camper. The ones that wanted a HARDFLOOR I steered towards the Ecomate as Modcon/Ecomate have already modified these imports to an acceptable standard and offer a warranty.

Unfortunately, some people just don't really know what they are buying and I guess get sucked in to all of the extras that make the imports look so much better value for money against Oz made.

Thankfully, some companies like Modcon/Ecomate ensure that their cheaper imported product has some decent quality and control and warrant their goods. What is unfortunate, is that there are so many companies that I shall not mention that focus on quantity rather than quality and treat buyers quite badly when they try and claim compensation via warranty.

One of my pet hates that I have mentioned in plenty of posts on our forum is companies that claim their imported CT is Australian made. They really disgust me. Also other CT companies that rely on Australian guidelines that state you can use the Claim that the CTis made in Oz if it contains 51% or greater parts that are made in Australia.

I have absolutely no regrets that I purchased a Chinese CT but realistically, they don't suit everyone and people need to be aware that there are a lot of shady operators that name their CT's with Australian names that is of course legal but is also very misleading.
 :cheers:
Well said muzza  :cheers:
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Offline Darren Smart

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #31 on: May 12, 2015, 08:22:10 AM »
Hi, this is Darren Smart from Lifestyle Camper Trailers - From late 2011 to the end of 2014 we sold the Walkthru, Walkthru Delux and Delux Gen 2 with an imported tent - it was NOT cheap Chinese rip-stop - The Extenda and the Extenda Elite has ALWAYS had 100% Australian made Wax Converter Dynaproof canvas - from January 2015 on our Extenda Southern Cross, Extenda, Extenda Elite and Extenda Elite DK continue to have the 100% Australian made tent and with the Dynaproof material that has a five year warranty and as per usual the 100% Australian made Heavy Duty Off-Road Chassis that also has a five year warranty. IF anyone has any questions related to new or used Lifestyle models feel free to contact me personally on darren@lifestylecampertrailers.com.au
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Offline Bird

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #32 on: May 12, 2015, 08:25:38 AM »
When your covers are 6-mths old and fall apart (for the second time in the 12mths of the trailers life)do you replace them or do you sell them the poor suckers?
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Offline Darren Smart

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #33 on: May 12, 2015, 08:35:37 AM »
IF a customer has purchased or purchases a camper trailer from us BRAND NEW and has an issue with any part of their camper trailer we will help out - there are 1000s of existing customers who are more than delighted with the purchase of their Lifestyle Camper Trailer  8)
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Offline Bird

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #34 on: May 12, 2015, 09:31:40 AM »
IF a customer has purchased or purchases a camper trailer from us BRAND NEW and has an issue with any part of their camper trailer we will help out
Bought my trailer brand new and had to buy my own replacement cover... but you knew this already... ::) ::)
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Offline Darren Smart

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #35 on: May 12, 2015, 01:07:41 PM »
I know the full story and from my own professional point of view I am more than comfortable with the way your issue was handled - having known him for two decades and worked at his side for the last six years I can say with complete confidence that you will not find a fairer or more generous man than the owner of Lifestyle Camper Trailers and when approached in a professional manner will absolutely bend over backwards to make sure ALL Lifestyle customers are looked after so the fact that you are the only person that I know of who sees it differently is a telling fact - you are still using your Lifestyle Camper Trailer and it is obviously performing extremely well (if it wasn't we would know) so why not just join the thousands of happy Lifestyle customers and stop butting heads with everyone who mentions the brand - and finally, I personally attend 20 plus Caravan and Camping Shows every year and to date I have yet to have an existing Lifestyle customer approach me and say that they are dissapointed with their purchase or us as a company to deal with - quite the opposite actually, we often have existing customers stand around telling potential customers how good their Lifestyle Camper Trailer is and how wonderful we are to deal with - sure, we are not perfect but we are the first to put our hand up and fix any issues that has been caused by us IF the customer has approached us in the same manner they would expect to be treated :D :D
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Offline Bookleaf

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #36 on: May 12, 2015, 04:40:21 PM »
Another OZ made from the ground up.
Cameron Canvas Trailers in Adelaide.
A long standing Australian family company making a quality soft floor camper in a number of styles.
No association etc, just a happy owner for the last 5 years - only problem was failed stitching after 4 years on a pull cord, and that was fixed on the spot with no hesitation.

Also, closer to home for the OP than the Queensland manufacturers.
Also do hire and second hand.
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Offline The punter

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #37 on: May 12, 2015, 05:06:29 PM »
A few Aus built ones here for sale:

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?board=13.0

Including mine ;-)
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Offline Bird

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #38 on: May 12, 2015, 09:21:54 PM »
blah blah blah...

So when I sent a friendly email (that some lifestyle owning members of the forum actually read before I emailed it which included links to happy photos of our trip with the wording similar to 'feel free to use these photos') is not how you would like to be approached? should I have called lawyers instead and sent nasty threateneing letters from the lawyers instead of "approaching like I'd like to be treated?

So the fact that 2  covers didnt last 12 mths (first one didnt last the trip from Qld to Vic and I wasnt the only one to suffer the fading) is the kind of product you stand by? And I offered to post the fading one back for him to investigate the issues with it...
And speaking of the way "you like to be approached" I then copped abuse from the owner of the company - is the correct way to treat customers??? Strange if you'd be happy being treated like that - but then you work there you might not know the difference..

So I guess since you stand by your product you'll be offering free replacements to these people http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=42709.0

So how should I have approached it?

In reality all i wanted was an apology from the owner (who which I said in my original post may have been having a bad day)and at least the offer to replace the cover and share a beer over a campfire sometime... probably too much to ask for.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2015, 09:32:22 PM by Bird »
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Offline vicandug

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #39 on: May 12, 2015, 09:29:38 PM »
Outback Campers in Carrum Downs do pretty much all their own fabrication in house and the canvas work is 2nd to none  :cup:


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Offline Darren Smart

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #40 on: May 13, 2015, 08:05:19 AM »
Mr Bird, on behalf of Lifestyle Camper Trailers and as the Brand Manager for the soft floor camper trailer part of the business I am truly sorry that we were not able to offer a viable solution to the problems you had with us back in 2009 - I wish you all of the best in your future camping ventures in your Lifestyle Camper Trailer and I would be more than happy to have a beer with you - we are at the Melbourne Leisurefest from Oct 1 to Oct 4 and I am pretty sure that I am coming down for that and if so I would be more than happy to belly up to a bar with you and have a chat - my shout  :cheers:

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #41 on: May 13, 2015, 10:21:57 AM »

Check out the Trackabout Campers!!......
x2, great bit of kit

Offline Humphreythebear

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #42 on: May 13, 2015, 08:34:57 PM »

X2

I'll x3 Outback Campers ,  have a Sturt , it's 12 years old very well used , no leaks , works like a champ , Highly recommended
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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #43 on: May 22, 2015, 12:25:26 PM »
I'll x3 Outback Campers ,  have a Sturt , it's 12 years old very well used , no leaks , works like a champ , Highly recommended

We used to have a Sturt.  It was a great camper.   We liked their product and service so much we Brough another one...  This time a Tanami and love it as much if not more.
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Offline Humphreythebear

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #44 on: May 22, 2015, 09:16:49 PM »
Yup , that's the advantage - they build a good product and stay in business to sell you a second camper !
If anything happened to my Sturt , I would happily buy another - a well designed and built camper , simple that just works , tows great .
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Offline shakey55

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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #45 on: June 17, 2015, 08:45:37 AM »
You can add Central Coast Camper Trailers, Charmhaven, New South Wales to the list


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Re: Which companies produce Australian manufactured CTs?
« Reply #46 on: June 17, 2015, 07:01:47 PM »
http://www.campertrailerswa.com/

we have the Eureka, great camper. completely made in Australia with Australian parts.
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