Brisbane Pre-Christmas Show

[UIZ733]

After a visit to the pre-Christmas camping/caravanning show in Brisbane at the weekend, I left with the depressed feeling, we the “off road” camper trailer buying public are being ripped off. A quick look at some of the caravan offerings on display leaves one with the distinct impression the words “off road camper trailer” equals easy rip-off or gouge of the buying public. Many twin axled caravans can be bought for $50-65,000. These appear well built, well-engineered and have extensive creature comforts. One would imagine there is extensive R&D required to stay competitive in the caravan industry. I presume most caravans are made in Australia so labour costs should be the same?
A quick look at TVan, Aussie Swag, Kimberley and AORC  (I own an Odyssey) etc., and one wonders how the price is justified. Spartan or poverty pack comes to mind for a hard floor ‘Aussie made’ premium camper for $40,000. Add some creature comforts and you are staring $50,000+. 
In this modern era of CNC, rapid prototyping and advanced 3D modelling there can be little excuse other than complacency or laziness for not continually refining a product in my opinion. It should be expected. As for R&D, many of the top end campers exhibit little anyway, as their offerings today are essentially the same as what they began with many years ago. Adding a bit of bling to a kitchen, fridge box or LED’s is pretty basic and not worthy of being called R&D.
Rant over……….. and I have NO interest in buying a caravan and will be ripped off again buying a camper  . 

[scarps]

Understand where you're coming from after we did 2 years research into buying a caravan before deciding on an Aus made CT.

All I can offer to this discussion is that many Caravan makers (mostly based in north Melbourne) have very well set up production line style factories and may have economies of scale with different sizes and models that would allow them to be more competitive.  As I've said that, there are many more caravan manufacturers in Aus than CT builders, so the competition would be tougher, but then potentially the market for caravans is also bigger with the grey nomad, so again, possibly all comes back to economies of scale.  I also became aware that in the caravan manufacturers group, then are many builders who are one off type builders similar to the CT specialists.  i.e. they start with a basic frame and then build inside and out to the customers whims and desires. these guys only build 3 or 4 caravans a year and still seem to do ok.

Maybe the answer to your question is that the import CT market, which is no doubt having an impact on Aussie CT builders, will continue to create the competiton that maintains some price parity, or otherwise creates a divide that has the Aus made product so far ahead on quality that makes them attractive.

[swanny]

Pricing themselves out of the market eventually id say, this why I bought used, massive $$$ to be saved compared to new prices, and with extras also.

But yer agree totally. 

Swanny

[Jenko67]

And I thought it was supposed to be a SALE!!!! False advertising.... The van we looked at is the same price everyday before or after the show...

[DRB120]

I was having this same discussion with the father in law once we got back from the show.

I would agree with Scarps, it would have to be economy of scale. Go to any caravan park and caravans will out number CT's 10 to 1. Also, and I could be wrong, but from what Ive noticed it appears that a lot of the fitting and fixtures are virtually the same, possible from the same manufacturing company which drops cost right down.