MDC current 2014 'Step Through V4'

[turbo ninja]

Hi all,  new here but learning so much very quickly. I am currently looking at my options for buying my first CT for under $13K.

After reading "Camping Trailer Australia" magazines, we are  looking at the MDC Step Through V4  $12,990.  They seem to be pretty packed with extras.

The MDC Step Through V4 received the magazine's award for best CT under $15K (which I am sure you already know!) What are they like? Quality wise? I guess I will need to read some reviews and get the honest opnions of people who have purchased one. I realise this MDC topic has been covered in other threads but I am interested in CURRENT reviews on the V4 2014 model.


regards turbo ninja

[wilson79]

Hi Turbo Ninja,

Welcome to the forum, in my opinion when looking at Import trailers just go in with eyes open and don't get side tracked buy all the flash inclusions as it is very easy to get side tracked by all the bells and whistles.

I too am looking at an import trailer and I must say that it was very easy ( for me anyway ) to get sucked in by these free or cheap add on's..

I am eventually settling for an import trailer assembled by a well know Australian company known for building Excellent quality Australian built units. Which for me gives me some peace of mind that the Imported trailer they sell has been assembled and built to the best standard as possible.

Good luck and happy camping

[mrdenn1s]

Go to the factory, touch and feel everything......

Then go to a factory that makes / welds in Australia.

[Alan Loy]

I am also considering what to buy.  I have tried to consider what is the most important things about a camper. For me they are
1.  Must be tough enough to follow my Patrol over corrugated out back roads for long distances
2.  Must be quick to set up
3.  Must be able to set up in my driveway

Once I decided that these were my priorities it helps me getting the shortlist to manageable levels and stops me getting carried away with "nice to have" inclusions.

You will have your own prioities and if you can work out what the important ones are it will make the selection process easier

[grafy82]

Go to the factory, touch and feel everything......

Then go to a factory that makes / welds in Australia.

x2

Don't get sucked in by all the 'extras' that get punched out on these import trailers.

[muzza01]

Hi all, 

The MDC Step Through V4 received the magazine's award for best CT under $15K (which I am sure you already know!) What are they like? Quality wise? I guess I will need to read some reviews and get the honest opnions of people who have purchased one. I realise this MDC topic has been covered in other threads but I am interested in CURRENT reviews on the V4 2014 model.

regards turbo ninja

I know you only wanted CURRENT reviews from the 2014 V4 but i think it is just as important to to research all owners of this breed. I have included a link to Product review if you are interested.
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/mdc-off-road-deluxe-v3.html

[Pog]

Look at as many reviews on the Brand and the model as possible, and work out if you want to spend your hard earned $ with that company.

Make sure that there will be after sales service when you need it, and that they wont fob you off. Buying a $13K camper is a big investment for most people, so do your research.

This forum is a good start, google, Exploreoz, 4x4Earth..... There is no shortage of information out there.

Also, look at the camper thouroughly, check the quality of all the flashy bits.... they might just be that.. flashy.

[Big Damo]

Hi all,  new here but learning so much very quickly. I am currently looking at my options for buying my first CT for under $13K.

After reading "Camping Trailer Australia" magazines, we are  looking at the MDC Step Through V4 for $12,990.  This is right on our budget limit but they seem to be pretty packed with extras. Perhaps we wouldn't need to spend more for a little while at least??

The MDC Step Through V4 received the magazine's award for best CT under $15K (which I am sure you already know!) What are they like? Quality wise? I guess I will need to read some reviews and get the honest opnions of people who have purchased one. I realise this MDC topic has been covered in other threads but I am interested in CURRENT reviews on the V4 2014 model.


regards turbo ninja

Hi and good luck with your purchase for whatever camper trailer you decide to buy.
I had researched different camper trailers for about 18 months before buying a Lifestyle camper trailer.
As I live in SA being able to see the camper before purchase was not an option so I could only rely on opinions from people who have dealt with the companies that made my short list.
What sold me in the end was that there were very few problems from owners of the Lifestyle and when they did have an issue it seemed to be fixed without any hassles.
When our camper arrived it had been damaged on the tonneau cover in transit. 1 phone call to Darren and sent some photos and a new cover was ordered and sent arriving 2-3 weeks later. They also sent all rivets and allowed me to find a repairer near me and they had no hesitations paying the bill to replace.
Although we bought the Australian built model I've also heard good reviews on the entry model walkthrough and in my opinion ther is no substitute for good after sales service.
So all I can say is research as much as possible and try to buy the best you can afford then as I did pray that it is all ok 
 
Damo

[wartim]

Have a look here http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/lifestyle-delux-gen-ii/ at the Lifestyle Delux Gen 11 Walkthru for under $11K.  Mate just bought one and after all his research and due diligence found it to be the best value/quality walkthru out there.  Not only that I have only ever heard positive reports on their after sales service.

They also have a full Australian made walkthru called the Lifestyle Extenda for under $14K http://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/model/lifestyle-extenda/

I am sure you wont go wrong with either and will have much better resale value the other brand you are looking at.

Good luck with it, and note I have no affiliation with any particular brand of CT as my CT is homemade.

Wartim

[turbo ninja]

thanks for all your input so far. I have had a good read of MDC reviews and discussion forums both here and on numerous other sites. The internet, coupled with real peoples honest opinions, is a powerful research tool. It is amazing what researching and reading will do. I literally spent the whole day reading reviews and there is so much out there. My eyes are slowly opening. This CT scene is huge!  I will chalk this thread up to a 'positive education' and move on. 

PS: I have just spent an hour reading/watching Lifestyle Camper information - thanks for the heads up. Just gives me another great option.

[cloakle]

I have the 2013 model step thru and couldn't be happier, a couple of minor problems but nothing major and were fixed without any drama

[oldmate]

Good luck with it mate, it is a huge industry now, but what ever you choose, make sure you get out and use it. No point buying it if it gets parked in the back shed

[Bird]

Have a look at used trailers.. Much more value in them than some of the newer "bargains"

[Ben.Archer]

I have a 2013 step through and we love it.

Yes there have been a few issues, but when I have mentioned them to MDC Sydney they have said no-worries bring it in and we will get you sorted. 

It is a heavy and very large camper but for us it works a treat - getting us out there seeing and enjoying nature.

I am a happy owner - just have to get down to MDC and pick it up from its 1 year service tomorrow :-)

[jetcrew]

Just today a guy said to me

" a good quality bucket with 500ml of water"

Or

"a cheap bucket with with 5 ltrs of water'

which one will have water at the end of a rough road..?

all the extra bells an whistle are generally cheap anyway so don't be swayed by them, i replace lots of cheap elec components sold as EXTRAs ..ask for the name brand of all the EXTRAS you will prob find they are worth very little in any case..

Great time to be shopping though.. but as others have said a good 2nd hand Aussie built unit will give better service and better resale than any import.  IMHO.

Jet

[grafy82]

Just today a guy said to me

" a good quality bucket with 500ml of water"

Or

"a cheap bucket with with 5 ltrs of water'

which one will have water at the end of a rough road..?

all the extra bells an whistle are generally cheap anyway so don't be swayed by them, i replace lots of cheap elec components sold as EXTRAs ..ask for the name brand of all the EXTRAS you will prob find they are worth very little in any case..

Great time to be shopping though.. but as others have said a good 2nd hand Aussie built unit will give better service and better resale than any import.  IMHO.

Jet

Where's your proof that Aussie made will give better service. For the same price as your Aussie made, I could buy 6 import trailers and the resale would be exactly the same. After all, everyone knows that Australia was made in China anyway. 

[Market Direct Campers]

I know you only wanted CURRENT reviews from the 2014 V4 but i think it is just as important to to research all owners of this breed. I have included a link to Product review if you are interested.
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/mdc-off-road-deluxe-v3.html

Hi Turbo Ninja,

There are 8 reviews on this link posted by Muzza01, we sold more than 8 units today across our dealer network of more than 180 stores and with more than 20,000 Camper trailers in the market since our inception in 2005, that must mean we have 20,000 happy customers in Australia enjoying their MDC's. So it is hardly an indication of MDC's quality.

The Stepthrough Camper trailer holds it own and stands up quite well when being compared to cheap Australian made camper trailers in the sub 15k Market. If you want an expensive fully Australian Made camper trailer we have the Aussie Nomad available at $39,990 with all the bells and whistles including TV, Inbuilt Toilet, Marine BBQ, 170 Litres Water, Australian Dynaproof Canvas, Lasercut Press Folded, welded and powdercoated all here in Brisbane.

Happy Camping
MDC Insider

[grafy82]

Hi Turbo Ninja,

There are 8 reviews on this link posted by Muzza01, we sold more than 8 units today across our dealer network of more than 180 stores and with more than 20,000 Camper trailers in the market since our inception in 2005, that must mean we have 20,000 happy customers in Australia enjoying their MDC's. So it is hardly an indication of MDC's quality.

The Stepthrough Camper trailer holds it own and stands up quite well when being compared to cheap Australian made camper trailers in the sub 15k Market. If you want an expensive fully Australian Made camper trailer we have the Aussie Nomad available at $39,990 with all the bells and whistles including TV, Inbuilt Toilet, Marine BBQ, 170 Litres Water, Australian Dynaproof Canvas, Lasercut Press Folded, welded and powdercoated all here in Brisbane.

Happy Camping
MDC Insider

MDC Insider,

Do you even realise that Muzza01 has a fully imported Chinese camper himself? He is not trying to bag out your brand, he's just trying to do the right thing by making sure people do their homework. Even if you did actually sell 20000 units in 5 years, you need to realise that its all about quality not quantity. You must have a very long handled shovel mate, cause you're digging your hole deeper and deeper with your comments on here.

[muzza01]

MDC Insider,

Do you even realise that Muzza01 has a fully imported Chinese camper himself? He is not trying to bag out your brand, he's just trying to do the right thing by making sure people do their homework. Even if you did actually sell 20000 units in 5 years, you need to realise that its all about quality not quantity. You must have a very long handled shovel mate, cause you're digging your hole deeper and deeper with your comments on here.

Thanks Grafy

I didn't post the link to "Product Review" to cause any problems here. I always use product review and other forums and reviews prior to purchase. For example, I am buying a Bluetooth speaker this avo prior to going camping this weekend. (I like to have a disco when I camp  ) my decision on what and where to buy is based on reviews I have found on the net.

Kirk out!

[oldmate]

that must mean we have 20,000 happy customers in Australia enjoying their MDC's. So it is hardly an indication of MDC's quality.


Happy Camping
MDC Insider

Quote of the week!

[Silvo]

Hi Turbo Ninja,

There are 8 reviews on this link posted by Muzza01, we sold more than 8 units today across our dealer network of more than 180 stores and with more than 20,000 Camper trailers in the market since our inception in 2005, that must mean we have 20,000 happy customers in Australia enjoying their MDC's. So it is hardly an indication of MDC's quality.

The Stepthrough Camper trailer holds it own and stands up quite well when being compared to cheap Australian made camper trailers in the sub 15k Market. If you want an expensive fully Australian Made camper trailer we have the Aussie Nomad available at $39,990 with all the bells and whistles including TV, Inbuilt Toilet, Marine BBQ, 170 Litres Water, Australian Dynaproof Canvas, Lasercut Press Folded, welded and powdercoated all here in Brisbane.

Happy Camping
MDC Insider

still no posting a name.. good show.!

Promoting your product needs to stay in the showroom.

[Aaron Schubert]

Reviews are a great place to start, but nothing beats physically inspecting the camper trailers. Compare them all, aussie, imports and a combination of both. Welds/steel/hinges/seals etc are a perfect indication of their quality

Aaron

[Mik01]

What is funny (but not funny haha if you know what I mean) is that it's nearly impossible to start a thread to seriously discuss imported camper trailers on myswag without it turning into the same old crap.

Some, maybe most, but not all, imported campers have proven to have issues to varying degrees.
Some, possibly only some, maybe most, Aussie made campers have proven to have issues to varying degrees.

MDC insider is allowed to defend his product, and is perhaps slightly defensive, but I can't blame them given the constant bagging their product gets. Warning people off buying an entire type of product or from a single manufacturer doesn't help people who come here seeking genuine feedback and support.

I am typing this on my Chinese made iPad!

[oldmate]

But there is genuine feedback in here, and from all the reviews I have read on the product, the one common complaint, actually is not their product itself. Every product has issues it's how they are handled, but to quote that because you have sold 20000 units it means you have 20000 happy campers out there, I found funny, that's all.

[jkwpajero]

Hi Turbo Ninja,

There are 8 reviews on this link posted by Muzza01, we sold more than 8 units today across our dealer network of more than 180 stores and with more than 20,000 Camper trailers in the market since our inception in 2005, that must mean we have 20,000 happy customers in Australia enjoying their MDC's. So it is hardly an indication of MDC's quality.


Happy Camping
MDC Insider

MDC Insider, again I must correct you. You are assuming that 20,000 people bought your product and were happy enough to keep it. There is a fairly good chance I think, that some of those 20,000 sales have been sold on by people who were NOT happy with the product.  So the question is, and rightly so, how many of the 20,000 were happy enough to keep the product.    Turbo Ninja, go and see for yourself what the camper is like and take someone with you who you trust and has some knowledge about build quality. Then, compare the camper you are interested in with some competitors, and then make up your own mind. Unfortunately opinions can be biased, both ways. That is human nature. Personally I would not purchase any of the current imports, BUT that is not to say that they will not improve to the point where my views change. Quality changes to suit the market place I believe. But that is another long topic.   

 
James