CTT Mag - What's Happened To The Camper Reviews???

[JCOJ]

Just recevied the latest edition of the Camper Trailer Touring Mag and I have noticed over the past couple of issues they have stopped doing camper trailer reviews.  This edition there was only 1 - and that was crammed into the smallest space possible with tiny pics, whereas in their earlier mags they had up to 5 campers reviewed.

Anyone shed some light on why they are going down this route??

Overall I really like the mag but I find the lack of reviews a bit disappointing as I really liked reading them.

I know you will say that the mag is called Camper Trailer Touring so it should be about touring - but not every part of it!

[Kit_e_kat9]

They might be getting bored with it?  Have you seen how many different brands there are?  Each brand with a few different campers.  They'd be doing these reviews till the cows came home piloting flying saucers after the 45th Galaxial War!  Yep that's quite a while! 

Is there something more important in this one that they didn't mention on the back page of the last one and so are lacking space this edition?

Kit_e   

[HEM19X]

Why not ask "The Man" Broady?

Personally the reviews bore me unless it is something I am specifically interested in.

There's not much on offer when you already have a Trackabout [he says with tongue in cheek]

Hem

[morgue]

I noticed this as well, more articles were taken up on places to visit and info like that...the camper tests were a non issue... They have pushing a few things like the upgrading of a Cub Camper and the fit out of a GIC with 12 volt system and other things.
The CCT started off well but it has been on a downward trend for the last 3 issues, its a real pitty, so I have not renewed my subscription.
I would rather spend the $65 on something for the CT.

[BigJules]

Was chatting about this with Broady up on Fraser. He mentioned that they had ceased doing reviews for a number of reasons, but the two main reasons were:
1. The CT manufacturers complained if anything controversial was written about their product (my words, not necessarily Col's)
2. After a couple, they tend to be the same

[Compass]

As Kit-e pointed out, there are a lot of makes and models of campers but wouldn't this be an advantage to the magazine. All mags like CTT are constantly looking for different articles to fill the pages,  and trailer reviews offer an almost endless source of subjects to write about.  
Eric

[BigJules]

I have been a subscriber to 4WDA for many years, and I basically flick through it now, especially the reviews on some GQ110 Nisota build up, and it could get the same with camper, especially the soft floor models.

I like the DIY articles, and they seem to offer a lot of family orientated travel features.

[Doug.b]

I get Campertrailer Australia mag and find it a better read, they also have 5-6 reviews everytime and other things as well.
I notice last time I was in the newsagency that CTT is smaller mag than CTA, whether that means anything, I just found it strange.

[McGirr]

They will have to change their name as in the end there is only so much you can do new and if they dont do reviews on campers then what. I was buying both camper trailer magazines but is the same old stuff nothing new.

They need a magazine that shows normal campers doing trips. I have mentioned this before there are at least 50 places around Cairns for weekend trips or if you want to spend a week some where and that is just Cairns.There are the same amount of great places all around Australia.

I would rather read where someone has been, their recomendations, what to expect and what to bring rather than the bulls##$t from camper reviews.

Any way thats my suggestion.

Mark



   

[DANBRI]

Don't lose sight that magazines are a business. Reviews are fraught with advertising dollar danger. You, the reader possess more power than you realise. If you want a magazine to steer in a certain direction, and the masses share your opinion - the magazine will follow suit.

Food for thought.

[way-t-go]

Don't lose sight that magazines are a business. Reviews are fraught with advertising dollar danger. You, the reader possess more power than you realise. If you want a magazine to steer in a certain direction, and the masses share your opinion - the magazine will follow suit.

Food for thought.

Spot on Danbri, we do have the power and I would support a Magazine that had the guts to bag a CT if it needed bagging. They can't keep on glossing over issues and think that we didn't notice. There are two CT magazines, which one has what it takes? I guess CTT has made it's move (no reviews)

[Burnsy]

Personally I find the reviews boring and pure page filling fluff.  I would never buy a trailer based on a magazine review anyway, I would do my research on the web before visiting the manufacturers of those that catch my interest.

I for one much prefer a magazine that is filled with places to go, things to see and activities to do along with DIY type modifications and upgrades.

[Robbo]

Yes, after the many reviews that have been done it now seems like the same old same old most times. I would like to see more reviews of out of the way places to visit and camp, like lakes, streams and river locations etc along with reviews from people who have actually stayed at some of these places together with their pics and comments.

[OTBC]

The problem I find with the reviews is that none of them I have read says "This CT is rubbish - avoid" or words to that effect. You hear on the forums about bad buys and brands to avoid, but you never see this in a review. I guess they don't want to lose the advertising revenue.

I do still find them useful however, as someone researching a first CT purchase seeing all the photos helps. Seeing more articles on readers setups with pros and cons of CTs and the mods they have made would be even better for this however.

[areyonga]

CT reviews can only be done effectively by a magazine that is not relying on those CT manufactureres for sponsorship (bad review they can have sponsorship reduced of pulled which is bad economics for the mag).  I would like to see some real reviews but most are watered down to protect their revenue raising.  Ideally another magazine sponsored by some other parties like spare parts manufacturers or holiday destinations etc etc, would be the area to do reviews as the sponsorships are not going to be as effected.

Wil 

[dazzler]

Why not ask "The Man" Broady?

Personally the reviews bore me unless it is something I am specifically interested in.

There's not much on offer when you already have a Trackabout [he says with tongue in cheek]

Hem

Kind of like "Wife Monthly".  Once you have one looking at other ones will only cost you money so whats the point?

[ozynorts]

Top Gear doesn't care who they offend and they are the top rating show on the planet. Thjey don't seem to have a problem raising advertising dollars. Say it like it is. The people will be grateful, buy the mag and the advertisers will just have to toe the line.

[McGirr]

I am stumped how can someone critise a camper without using it. Nearly all campers tow well, you can sleep in it etc.

I laugh when they say on one brand it needs another battery and an extra gas bottle holder and then do not say the same for another brand with exactly the same features.

They like to have negatives on every camper but be consistant. And the manufacturers are not selling that camper with those features. Its like saying every car needs mags , sunroof and tinted windows and if they dont have them they are Shite.

Any way back in my box.

[morgue]

When reviewing a CT and it does'nt measure up, then they should say so, just glossing over CT to appease the advertisers does'nt benefit anybody, the manufacturer releases a dodgy product, the mag that indorses the product(because of ad revenues) or the buyer of the dodgy product, the spiral downwards is prolonged.
A good honest review without influence will give the CT mag creditability, so in the long run, CT manufacturers will be asking for reviews so they can say their product was reviewed bu a CT mag with cred.
It takes times for this to happen, but as camper trailer user, I would rather a CT mag bite the bullet and honestly bag a product, then just fill the pages with bull.

[rockman]

Just picked up the latest CTT mag .... I think I will mount this one , cause its the last one that I will waste my money on .When you can flick through it due an ad on tv , without anything new catching your eye , you know its a waste of money .Damn , maybe the wife is right !!!!

Is it just me or does it seem that they keep recycling photo's and information ?.
Why can't they throw away the free cd ( that's seems to be years old ) , dump the extra throw-in mag ( how many times can you get the same mag ? )and produce a good magazine ?

Maybe they can have a look at the opposition and see where they are going wrong .

Good luck , you wont get my $9.95 again .

[Barry G]

I have a sub. to CTT and read it for the trip articles and DIY stuff, not the reviews. 

Must say I have found the series on the Cub up-grade of interest, even though I don't haul a 'hard floor.  It is good to see something that is a bit 'in depth'.

For mine, it would be even better if merged with the 'camping with your 4X4' title.  That would justify a bit more focus on mods to the tug - e.g. D.I.Y. rear shelves / draws / etc.  As it stands it seems that they are intentionally over-segmenting the market, in order to sell multiple titles. This makes neither title value for money.

[Isuzumu]

Well I thought it was the best they have put out so far. First there is a good article on the Diamantina NP, where we are going to in the June/July school hols this year. The article on the Barrington Tops as well, where we hope to go next Christmas.
Oh and I nearly forgot that is our Jimboomba C/T on the front cover to 

[Sixtys Guy]

I'm pretty sure that the latest mag was the last in my subscrption, which I had switched from from 4wd Custom. I found the best part of CTT was Brendan Batty's camper trailer reviews. A few people in this thread have said they want 'real' reviews. I think this is exactly what Brendan did. If the reviews are no longer there, then the main interest for me is gone and I won't renew my subscription.

It's been talked about to death, but the obvious sway held by major advertisers is an annoyance. Perhaps a name change..... GIC CTT?
 

[dno]

I found the review's handy for a base line starting point ,such as how much $$ new a CT was , so i could judge the price of a good second hand buy. If i want a review i have MYSWAG.  The mag's have to remember apple's against apple's..  Price against price,..

[Burnsy]

For mine, it would be even better if merged with the 'camping with your 4X4' title.  That would justify a bit more focus on mods to the tug - e.g. D.I.Y. rear shelves / draws / etc.  As it stands it seems that they are intentionally over-segmenting the market, in order to sell multiple titles. This makes neither title value for money.

Agreed, basically selling one $9 magazine for $18