Caravans imported from China

Inspiration23 · Member

Caravans imported from China

Possum3 · Guru

Chris, as you've been involved in caravanning for a few years you would be aware that there are many lemons being produced over the last 10 years or so.
It is not always that you get what you pay for either some of the lemons are in the expensive van ranges as well.

The objective should be to find a van or brand that is supported by by a good Dealer.

The Australian brands that have less problems and are well backed by manufacturers are Explorex, Evernew, Kedron, Trackmaster, Rhinomax.

Download free technical advice and checklists at www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Inspiration23 · Member

Thank you Guru, that was an interesting read of the caravan councils expectations and some very helpful forms that will give help me to be a bit more savvy in both ordering and taking delivery of a new van, we live on the west coast and as such dont have access to the volume of vans to choose from, I am aware of many vans north side of $1,0000 and I would assume that most of those vans were Aussie built, I was looking at vans around the $70,000 to $85,000 and the ones that appealed the most were Chinese built and was wondering if any members had some purchased them and what their experience had been?

yobarr · Guru

Inspiration23 wrote:
Having just started to look at updating our 13 year old Crusader Inspiration I was surprised to see and read that nearly 31 brands of caravans and camper trailers are built in China and shipped out here to be finished of! I believe models such as Roma,Regent and Snowy River fall into that category, I was wondering if any forum members have had any experiences with these or any other non Aussie built vans, they seem good value for money. Just not sure about longevity, we had our first van all its 13 year life. Cheers Chris

Hi Chris.One of our members, Montie, is an RV dealer based on the Sunshine Coast. He is a very experienced dealer, and very knowledgeable on a wide range of all things caravan.
Don"t know that I am allowed to name his business on the forum, but you may wish to send him a PM. (Private message). This can be done by clicking on your name, at the top right of this page, and following the instructions. Good luck in your search. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 26th of July 2023 06:24:37 PM

Inspiration23 · Member

Thank you for the introduction

rmoor · Senior Member

Chris. A friend of mine is taking possession of a new Millard in September.
She did significant research. Snowy River was one among many that she analysed.
I took some time to decide on a little van for my modest needs.
Ended up getting an old Roadstar but it got good reports from my mechanic and another with plenty of van knowledge.
I think we all know what to expect from products made in China or a connection with.
From my humble observations there are still a lot of old Aussie made vans out there on the road.
They don't look flash and don't have a lot of the mod cons of the expensive units doing the rounds in the many caravan and camping shows.
My question is : How many of these foreign built or material supplied vans will be on our roads in say, 20 years like so many solid old units out there now?
I have some friends with new units not even two years old leaking and disintegrating.
Also a mate in the know questions a lot of the new suspension units out there for Australian conditions.
He has a terrific large van around 20 years old he has added some great extras and said he will not be parting with it for anything new on the market now.
Each to their own I suppose and we all have different requirements, needs and budgets but I think your venture needs plenty of investigations before parting with the hard earned.
A bit like so many new imported vehicles on the road these days - what is their effective life?
Mate, I think you have started by asking all the right questions.

Brodie Allen · Guru

Plenty of Chinese cars and TV and electrical goods in your backyard!

Keep in mind your access to spare parts/service while travelling.

As far as quality and reliability is concerned, I don't know.
(Mind you not much could be worse than Dometic in my experience).

B

Inspiration23 · Member

Thank you Ron, we are currently on our way back from the east coast and have spent 4months travelling in our van and just seem to be having far to many issues with a van that I believe gets so well looked after( polished every year, has two covers when not being used and never goes off from road). Also the lack of grey water tank and also no diesel heater prompted me to consider upgrading, however with the steep rise in prices and I hear of vans being built so quickly and with the price range I was looking at included these Chinese sourced vans that Im thinking I might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Inspiration23 · Member

Their all good points Brodie.

Eaglemax · Guru

I can recall the Japanese entering the international market with their Datsun 1000, Toyota Corollas and many people believed they were junk for various reasons like- "they're not robust as they have aluminium block and heads unlike cast iron". Since then their reputation has skyrocketed due to reliability and economy. Would we buy a British car now? Not likely. With these "chinese caravans" it seems they are ordered by the Australian companies to cut costs but would be ordered to their specifications demanded - yes? If so, then the Australian company runs the risk if those vans arent built the way they were dictated for them to be built. The arguments about work going overseas is a two sided sword- Aussie companies cant afford to remain competitive due to wages and costs, they be all Australian Built runs the risk of going out of business. Could it be that van shells made in China could end up being better made than here? Time will tell. I'm not a lover of the nation of China but thats not the point. BTW the walls of my Jurgens were made in South Africa I believe... no problems so far.

Also RMOOR said "I have some friends with new units not even two years old leaking and disintegrating. "

A throw away statement with no makers names etc. Reminds me of George Negus interviewing Thatcher when he said "people on the street say you are in political trouble" to which she replied "and who are these people"... no answer came

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 28th of July 2023 02:38:38 PM

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Friday 28th of July 2023 02:42:07 PM

Possum3 · Guru

Eaglemax wrote:
Also RMOOR said "I have some friends with new units not even two years old leaking and disintegrating. "
A throw away statement with no makers names etc. Reminds me of George Negus interviewing Thatcher when he said "people on the street say you are in political trouble" to which she replied "and who are these people"... no answer came

I can give you names and brands - there are some that we refuse to do any repairs due to their poor quality and propensity to blame others. The Lemon RV list is pretty well spot on.

Basher · Senior Member

Not saying Chinese imports are good or bad although I believe they have improved a lot in time.
You also here some horror stories of many Aussie made vans, far far too many.
You really must do your homework and make sure you include absolutely every thing in your contract, including weights
Basher

Are We Lost · Guru

Comparing small caravan manufacturers with multinational car manufacturers is no comparison.

The likes of Datsun, Toyota and others had the budget to very closely oversee the manufacturing process in Japan and probably had quality control experts permanently onsite. They also had a world wide reputation to maintain, so if quality slipped it may cost them many thousands of cars in sales. So spending a million dollars (in today's terms) would be chicken feed. The result was indeed quality vehicles.

But a local van manufacturer with a few dozen vans a year has no choice other than relying on the Chinese factory not to cut corners in the manufacturing process. Experience has shown that when left to their own processes many will cut whatever corners they can to save a dollar. And if that part fails, no worries ..... "they have to buy another one from us because there is nobody else".

So while just about everything is now made in China, I would have greater faith in reputable brand name things because they may have better control over what gets produced.

dogbox · Guru

some of the Australian companies have been importing caravans to their specs from China for many years and have worked out what works a what doesn't the quality has improved greatly.

i bought one a few years ago with the attitude that it was about $20,000 cheaper with a few extras inclusions included and for $ 20,000 i could do a lot of repairs. i have not had to do anywhere near that in repairs and most of the issues where with the things that were fitted here that were also used in the domestically made ones.

one of the biggest issues is the after sales service, do your research on who you buy from as well as the brand

Eaglemax · Guru

Well said dogbox

Pradokakadudavid · Senior Member

My caravan parts supplier told me that Dometic parts are now made in China and since being manufactured there, the parts are crap. His words not mine!!

rmoor · Senior Member

eaglemax.

I didn't feel the need to name and rubbish a few manufacturers.

I also don't feel the need to name them even now.

You could probably guess the common main brands anyway.

You were also way off the mark with your comment.

In this day and age one never knows where litigation is likely to come from, hence I generalise a lot with such things and also avoid social media because too many people bag others out where they would not be game to do it to your face.

Therefore, I am happy to generalise and comment in general without the need for specifics.

If someone sought my advice in private I am happy to point out brands that others have had problems with.

Sf059 · Newbie

Hi. Just reading comments above and wonder how many have actually got such a van. We recently bought our 5th van and went for one where the composite sides, floor and roof are manufactured, built and exported complete to Aus. When arrive they are fitted out with all the standard equipment you find in most modern caravans for instance our lithium setup is Victron and other items Dometic. We choose the van after many show and sale yard visits. We took into account cost V inclusions, and just going for a name for oneupmanship. We have just completed 15,000km trip and the van performed exceptionally well. I am not aware of any Australian manufactured / built van been 100% Australian. Happy to be corrected.

Cuppa · Guru

Sf059 beat me to it.

I imagine that most, if not all, caravans brought in from China will be made from composites. This is generally a far better way to build vans in terms of strength, low weight, waterproofness & longevity.

I suppose corners can be cut in any production wherever it is made, but I am sure some of the Chinese composite vans will be vastly superior to those built here in Australia using 'traditional' methods. Composite Vans built here might offer competitively priced vans? Essentially though China has geared up for large scale composite production ahead of most here.

If I were looking to buy a new van it would be on the basis of a thorough inspection of the workmanship. This would be easier in a composite built van that in a van of clad framework construction. Cladding can hide much.

Quality of fittings & how they are fitted. Layout & design.

Reputation for back up/after sales support from the seller

Rotting roofs & walls will gradually become a thing of the past.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 18th of August 2023 03:58:17 PM