What camping trailer? (1 Viewer)

[snowtaco]

The shameless theft of IP always amazes me. I bet the weld quality is as bad or worse than I’m imagining.

The Chinese made Conquerors that Australia and the US are getting take a big hit in quality and attention to detail. It’s the only option in the US but for the Aussies it’s the budget option… you get what you pay for and if you plan on dragging anything off the beaten path you’ll exploit any shortcomings in build quality with a swiftness.

Looks like the same factory makes Opus, Dweller, OBI, MDC USA, and probably others. Is it IP theft, or did a company outsource production and now their design is a commodity design? Looking at the BruderX website, they claim the frame is made in Australia, but don't use that language around the body. Makes me wonder.... body made in China but assembled elsewhere?

Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology - No 12 Laoshan Kechuang Gard En Rongchengcity Weihai Shandong P R China - supplier

Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology's full export history & customer list. Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology's top customer is Purple Line. They primarily export from China with 174 shipments

www.importyeti.com

Oh look, they didn't even bother to take off the conqueror labels on it -

This product is no longer available.

This product is no longer available.

www.alibaba.com

Patriot Campers had at least two camper shipment imports from China:

Patriot Campers | See Full Importer History | ImportGenius

US Customs records available for Patriot Campers in North Las Vegas. See their past imports from Patriot Campers based in Australia. Follow future activiy from Patriot Campers.

www.importgenius.com

 

[Artie]

Looks like the same factory makes Opus, Dweller, OBI, MDC USA, and probably others. Is it IP theft, or did a company outsource production and now their design is a commodity design? Looking at the BruderX website, they claim the frame is made in Australia, but don't use that language around the body. Makes me wonder.... body made in China but assembled elsewhere?

Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology - No 12 Laoshan Kechuang Gard En Rongchengcity Weihai Shandong P R China - supplier

Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology's full export history & customer list. Rongcheng Molin Outdoor Technology's top customer is Purple Line. They primarily export from China with 174 shipments

www.importyeti.com

Oh look, they didn't even bother to take off the conqueror labels on it -

This product is no longer available.

This product is no longer available.

www.alibaba.com

Patriot Campers had at least two camper shipment imports from China:

Patriot Campers | See Full Importer History | ImportGenius

US Customs records available for Patriot Campers in North Las Vegas. See their past imports from Patriot Campers based in Australia. Follow future activiy from Patriot Campers.

www.importgenius.com

I think it’s a mix of both. Some of these name brand manufacturers are outsourcing some of the build to China, either parts of some of their campers or 100% of their lower tier models. There is also some unapologetic IP theft as well.

I remember a year or so ago a ‘startup’ was posting in a few overland FB pages asking for investments to begin importing a camper. The supplied pictures were a straight clone of a Conqueror. It was identical shape but different color and then interior was gutted and had a different layout. There’s a little ‘don’t hate the player, hate the game’ I guess, just look at their government’s military tech and you see the same thing. I guess the crushing top down control over there stifles innovation but encourages theft of anything proven to work.

 

[TeCKis300]

There are domestic brands who's sole business is to steal, undercut, and contract for volume manufacturing to the cheapest bidder. Potentially enabling these outsourced manufactures to further develop gray market examples. This is not just a dynamic that exists overseas. Or only in the off-road market.

You probably know the brands. They are in bed and informed by some of the largest outlets that provide data on what items move at what price point, and what features consumers are looking for. Just look for the discount brands that have pervasive product across the market.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I guess the crushing top down control over there stifles innovation but encourages theft of anything proven to work.

To be fair, there's plenty of that here in North America, too. Look at Prinsu racks and their clones - there must be hundreds of shops in Canada and the US that have stolen the design, rebranded it, and are re-selling it with loud "support local" claims. I know I've seen at least a few different clones just on 200s here on Mud.

 

[CharlieS]

Another good reason to support the small vendors, especially those that are active in our offroad community, and local if you have them. I like it when I do business with a place and an owner answers the phone. Small businesses have a lot more skin in the game, and it feels like they care more about each sale. When I buy from Gamiviti, ADGU, Reef, Dissent, Trail Tailor, Budbuilt, Equipt, Cruiser Outfitters, Trekboxx and others like them, I feel like I'm building a relationship. Back to the original topic, this is a big reason we are on the waiting list for a TetonX - small company, good people, that seem to genuinely care about enabling enjoyment of the outdoors, travel, and being off the beaten path.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

We gave the Black Series a hard look and passed. I consulted the website "RVs of America" below a year ago as they had all kinds of praise for the Black Series. They also offered all kinds of custom upgrades if you bought through them. So, we considered buying through them. Then I went and saw a few. NOPE!

Now look at what they have to say:

✧ Black Series Camper Trailers ✧ - RVs of America - https://www.rvsofamerica.com/black-series-camper-trailers/

Sorry but Black Series has been discontinued!​

Unfortunately the product started to decline until the quality was not acceptable anymore.​

 

[snowtaco]

Some of these name brand manufacturers are outsourcing some of the build to China, either parts of some of their campers or 100% of their lower tier models. There is also some unapologetic IP theft as well.

domestic brands who's sole business is to steal, undercut, and contract for volume manufacturing to the cheapest bidder

there must be hundreds of shops in Canada and the US that have stolen the design, rebranded it, and are re-selling it with loud "support local" claims

I didn't mean to derail this into "whose outsourcing to China", but honesty in sourcing is an important consideration when a company is claiming their camper is the best but in reality it's a rebadged model that half a dozen other companies are selling. Not being straightforward up front might indicate problems down the road with support & warranty claims. Purple Line/Opus was up front about construction & sourcing of the OP4, and the price point I think was fair.

 

[Tex68w]

We gave the Black Series a hard look and passed. I consulted the website "RVs of America" below a year ago as they had all kinds of praise for the Black Series. They also offered all kinds of custom upgrades if you bought through them. So, we considered buying through them. Then I went and saw a few. NOPE!

Now look at what they have to say:

✧ Black Series Camper Trailers ✧ - RVs of America - https://www.rvsofamerica.com/black-series-camper-trailers/

Sorry but Black Series has been discontinued!​

Unfortunately the product started to decline until the quality was not acceptable anymore.​

Yea I was digging into them last night and found the same. Glad to have avoided them myself.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I didn't mean to derail this into "whose outsourcing to China", but honesty in sourcing is an important consideration when a company is claiming their camper is the best but in reality it's a rebadged model that half a dozen other companies are selling. Not being straightforward up front might indicate problems down the road with support & warranty claims. Purple Line/Opus was up front about construction & sourcing of the OP4, and the price point I think was fair.

Made in USA doesn't guarantee the product is wonderful and made in China doesn't guarantee it's awful. However, your point of having the facts and a dealer you trust is a must. Heck, one of issues is sourcing of spare parts and not quality or where it's made at all. So OK stuff breaks but can I fix it? Want to wait for a suspension or obscure body part that's made in China or wherever?

But dealers of brands with patriotic American sounding names that hem and haw when you ask where it's sourced turn me right off.

 

[Bomar]

If you end up with a Kimberley you have access to the owners as well. I spent about a week in May with James when we came over and he wanted more info on how to make a better product for our market.

He is listening but not much needs to be changed we use things differently than they do in AUS.

I will say owning 2 different KKs it is the LC/LX of the camper world. It is expensive up front but I know any issues there is an owners group website and Dave Bates (US Distributor who used to for Conquer but stopped due to quality issues) and James willing to help in any manner.

Also lots of people on Mud that own them as well...

 

[cruiserdan]

2002 Kimberley Kakadu packed up to go. I've owned it for 12 years. It's a great piece of kit.

 

[coleAK]

Pretty much everything is made in China…. Some things are high quality some are not. Bike industry is the classic example, almost impossible to buy a bike (especially a carbon one) that isn’t.

 

[Romer]

Pretty much everything is made in China…. Some things are high quality some are not. Bike industry is the classic example, almost impossible to buy a bike (especially a carbon one) that isn’t.

Kimberley is made in Australia. They even make their own canvas

Factory pictures in Ballina

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Regarding the Kimberlys...it appears that the entrance is on the driver’s side and perhaps the awning too. Correct?

If it is then how do you handle campsites that are oriented so that you really need to have them on the passenger side? I'm talking about campsites where you have to back in on a paved area and your picnic table, grill (if you'd even use it), fire ring etc... are all oriented on the left as you face it? You simply can't reverse the layout as you'll back into the stuff placed there. If you do back in you might be faced with vegetation or other obstructions. In any event you'd be staring at your neighbor's front door. Perhaps you're counting on having VERY friendly neighbors?

I realize it's not an issue in the wide open spaces but many many campsites we've seen and been to would pretty much dictate the entrance/awning on the passenger side. Perhaps I'm missing something.

 

[Romer]

a video on their web page from the factory

 

[Romer]

Regarding the Kimberlys...it appears that the entrance is on the driver’s side and perhaps the awning too. Correct?

If it is then how do you handle campsites that are oriented so that you really need to have them on the passenger side? I'm talking about campsites where you have to back in on a paved area and your picnic table, grill (if you'd even use it), fire ring etc... are all oriented on the left as you face it? You simply can't reverse the layout as you'll back into the stuff placed there. If you do back in you might be faced with vegetation or other obstructions. In any event you'd be staring at your neighbor's front door. Perhaps you're counting on having VERY friendly neighbors?

I realize it's not an issue in the wide open spaces but many many campsites we've seen and been to would pretty much dictate the entrance/awning on the passenger side. Perhaps I'm missing something.

Kruisers are now being bult on Passenger side. Frankly I prefer it on the Drivers side, can't really say why

Camp Grounds have the space for the kimberley and awning. Sometimes the picnic table is behind which is a dont care as we are under the awning. You can look at a campground lay out and pick the one that will face the fire pit. Many have mirror sites. Pull through's is up to you which side

This hasn't been a concern for me, but everyone is different. The one time we sat at the picnic table we walked an extra few feet so wasnt a concern. The newer Karavans can have awnings on both sides

 

[Romer]

Here the picnic table and ring is behind me . . . meh

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Kruisers are now being bult on Passenger side. Frankly I prefer it on the Drivers side, can't really say why

Camp Grounds have the space for the kimberley and awning. Sometimes the picnic table is behind which is a dont care as we are under the awning. You can look at a campground lay out and pick the one that will face the fire pit. Many have mirror sites. Pull through's is up to you which side

This hasn't been a concern for me, but everyone is different. The one time we sat at the picnic table we walked an extra few feet so wasnt a concern. The newer Karavans can have awnings on both sides

Kruisers are now being bult on Passenger side. Frankly I prefer it on the Drivers side, can't really say why

Camp Grounds have the space for the kimberley and awning. Sometimes the picnic table is behind which is a dont care as we are under the awning. You can look at a campground lay out and pick the one that will face the fire pit. Many have mirror sites. Pull through's is up to you which side

This hasn't been a concern for me, but everyone is different. The one time we sat at the picnic table we walked an extra few feet so wasnt a concern. The newer Karavans can have awnings on both sides

Well OK. Two awnings would be great. Our last TT had 2 slides on the driver's side so that wasn't an option.

 

[Bomar]

You can option to have a Karavan with dual awnings as well.

Yes everything hand made on KKs in AUS.

You pick every color from wall felt, leather, counter top and cabinet door colors yourself.

It is built to what you want.

 

[Tex68w]

Dammit these look nice.