Advice Please

[Braddles]

Hi there;

We love our Glamping - but up until now have mainly used a fairly large tent as we like to tow our boat - or put the camping gear on board and venture over to the many bay islands around Brisbane or off Yeppoon without the 4WD.

We have been looking at buying a camper trailer for those adventures inland for a few weeks now - and totally confused at what direction to go... We will add a small "car topper" tinny for inland dams etc...

I would love to know what people would suggest for around 20K.

Must haves:
- Comfortable Bed (innerspring matress)
- min 100L water
- Off road ability
- Boat rack / ability to take a car topper tinny with weight all up 120kg min.
- Decent kitchen / stove
- Decent quality / established reliability (aka imports OK - but not junky ones)

Highly Desirable
- Good lighting as factory standard
- Fit a 80L dual zone Techniice fridge / freezer (46 w x 72 L x 61 h) in fridge compartment
- Min 200AmpHr battery capacity
- Electric sink, hot water
- Metal cabinets over laminate chipboard

Wishes
- Forward fold to keep space between us and crocs / snakes etc.
- Ensuite


The best design I have found is the Patron by Black Series / GIC Campers (im not saying these are the best overall though!)
I went to look at them a second time yesterday in Brissy and took my Dad for his opinion with the idea of purchasing - but with his keen eye and a reality check on my rose glasses - he found the inside chipboard cabinetry with laminate already swelling / warping and cabinet doors difficult to open on the one on display... which kind of scared me.. That and that some of the press studs that didnt line up on the canvas and the trailer sides.. and the Canvas weight is 15oz where most of the others is 16Oz - I am not sure of the significance of 1 oz grade variance (other than an assumption that thicker is more durable)..

I then went to the nearby MDC showroom in Brissy (5 mins away from Black Series)
Whilst they didnt have anything comparable to the Black Series Patron unfortunately - what did strike me - was that many of these are essentially overlap trailers from Black Series, rebranded with other names, and slightly different fit outs.. I suspect these are all out of the same factory in China.

For example;

MDC "Venturer LT Cape York" at $19990 is the same as the Black Series "Phoenix" at $18900

or

MDC "Cruiser High Side Forward Fold" at $21990 is the same as the Black Series "Dominator" at $17900 (Massive Saving!!).

- Same trailer with identical lay out, stowage compartments etc
- Same suspension
- same set out
- Both 5yr structural warranty and only 1 year on the tent (I find this pretty poor actually - that I spend 20K and get 1 year warranty on the tent - I spent $1K on a black wolf tent that goes on the ground and get a lifetime warranty - but this seems to be an industry standard??)..

The subtle differences are:
- MDC are generally black paint while Black Series (oxymoron in name) are actually grey - not black..
- MDC state they use 16oz canvas, while Black Series say 15oz
- MDC use 4kg gas cylinder holders for some reason, Black series use full size 9kg gas cylinder holders
- MDC use metal for cabinetry inside (boxes under seats) where as Black series use chip board (which already was failing on the display on the cabinet above the battery box!).
- MDC come with 240v plug in facility - Black Series Didnt
- MDC have a battery isolator - Black Series Didnt
- MDC seemed happy to upkit on purchase - where as Black Series made it clear they do not.

- For very similar camper trailers minus subtle fit out variations (MDC 1 - 4K more expensive, but slightly upkitted with extras that at 1K would be worth it - but at 4K - probably not??? )

If the Black Series Patron came with Metal Cabinets - I would probably buy it - I love the forward fold - and the rear extension - and the deal they have currently with 180w solar, ensuite, hot water, boat rack etc for $20K and fit the 240V and extra batteries myself.. but I have not heard back from my enquiry..

If the MDC had a design like the Patron with their slightly better fit out - I'd probably buy one..


Can anyone suggest any other tailers around the 15 - 20K I should be looking at?
Whilst ideally I would like to buy Aussie - like most things - cost of labour and materials here - we have priced ourselves out of the market in terms of true value for money of what you get when benchmarked against the better quality imports..

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Kind regards,

Brad.

[derekh]

Hi Brad,

Think you are right about them all being built in the same place in china. However I went through the searching for a forward fold trailer recently and came across the Leisurematters Aztec. I believe they originate out of Brisbane. I bought mine in Perth and apart from some minor delivery quality issues I am reasonably happy with the Purchase ($17,990), however I am yet to take it away. Have earmarked Easter for a trip to the South West.

Good Luck

Derek

[robcaz]

Leisure Matters Campers are also fully imported.