Are import trailers really "that bad?"

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

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.

[dazzler]

I am impressed with you lot 
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.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

[quote author 

Thats the last touchy feely I will post for a while.
[/quote]

You've changed !!!!
lol

[baldheadedgit]

Must have been the trip north that changed him     

[edz]

He's starting to mellow into coast mode 

[StrvnMrvn]

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!!

[Mik01]

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.

[MrNoodle]

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!

[evans52]

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.

[MARTYG]

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 ?

[dazzler]

He's starting to mellow into coast mode 

Well I am moving to POTTS ville.....

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Yep, moving out from behind your  protective ditch, right.

[paceman]

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...

[Banjo16]

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.

[Bird]

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.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

Don't worry... I can think of one aussie made manufacturer that is the same, not worth pissing on.

Very very frustrating mate......

[Jakster1]

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

[dazzler]

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

[dazzler]

Or this one;

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!

[Bird]

Or this one;

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

[McGirr]

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

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

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

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

egggzakry.

x2

[Jakster1]

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

[Footy Shorts Shane]

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.