Mars Campers - Honest Appraisals Pleas

[scottie45]

Hi all - I'm very much a newbie to the whole camper trailer scene and we are looking at purchasing our first trailer.
Just spent some time at the Brisbane showroom of Mars Campers and have to say that Tom was great to talk to.
I have a couple of concerns.
1. Chinese made - Aussie assembled. I realise there is a lot of bad press about this. Is it warranted?
2. Is the canvas good quality?.

Could I please get some honest feedback on the Mars Vanguard from those who own them and have used them.

Still undecided whether to go a new Mars or hunt around for a good secondhand local product.

Any help much appreciated.

[muzza01]

Welcome to Myswag scottie
Punch in MARS in the search area. It brings up quite a few threads with Mars CT's including some video of how to setup etc. You will find a few members in those threads that own a !ars, I would PM them to get a good honest opinion.

Mars CT's are a member of this forum too so they may offer you a special deal being a member here.

My CT is made in China, you can click on a link below my signature and that will show you the good and the bad. Canvas is good, at least on mine.

As for made in China, assembled in Australia, it sounds like fat talking salesman speak.  All of the imported CT's from China are assembled here. When I say assembled, they just bolt on the suspension and the wheels, some I believe also bolt on the A frame.

[evans52]

Welcome Scottie.

We don't own a Mars, we own a 2013 EzyTrail - Chinese, assembled here yadda yadda yadda. Our local dealer sells them and I've had a good look to compare. My thoughts:

The Canvas would be similar of not the same - I "seasoned" ours a few days after getting it and have never had a problem. The week after "seasoning" we went away and had rain all day non stop and the only leak was in a far corner through the zipper. Everywhere else, perfect including the annexe.

The wheels, tyres, shocks, bearings, nuts 'n bolts etc would be similar quality if not the same. The only issues I've had is one of the bearing caps come off. No other issues.

When I got it I had a good look over it and cleaned it out. I only had to clean it out as I purchased it 2 days after it arrived at the new Showroom in Adelaide. The dealer hadn't finished putting on the tool box, stone guard or spare tyre - I helped him as I had 300km's to travel to get home with my new Camper.

All up, we love it. It suit our budget and gave us what we wanted in that budget. Honestly, if we could have afforded twice as much, we would have gone Australian made.

Chinese/Australian assembled - gets you new and a chance to "tinker" to your liking if you wish too.
All Aussie - gets you a highly likely well looked after camper that's proven.

It's not a Mars Camper, but similar origins, and I don't regret our choice at all.

[scottie45]

Thanks for the replies.
The journey continues. Not in a rip tearing hurry so we will take our time.
Thanks for the link Muzza - yours looks quite a bit better quality than the ones we were looking at. Will have to have a look at them.
Thanks Evans52 for your thoughts. Not feeling quite so concerned now.
Will keep you posted.