Author Topic: CTA Magazine CT of the Year 2012 (Read 9401 times)

olddigger · « **on:** February 12, 2012, 11:30:36 PM »

Just been reading, with increasing irritation, CTA's February issue.
I realise that boundaries have to be set, but defining the budget class at $15,000 to $25,000 seems a bit over the top and indeed, snobbish.
And then we get this: "The $15k mark is almost precisely the point at which you move from budget trailers, usually not suited to long-term touring on the worst roads in the world, to the kind of camper that you can comfortably live in for weeks at a time . . . this is the the entry point for the big lap, essentially."
Absolute bollocks. I doubt very much that Australian roads are the worst in the world, especially when compared to, say, Asia, Africa or India.
A whole lot of people, including young couples with one or two kids, cannot afford $15-$25k for a CT. There are CTs for $6000-$7500 that will get people out in the bush in reasonable comfort. OK, they may lack bells and whistles, but, hey, you don't need air conditioning, microwaves, electric blankets and TV sets. You're camping, for God's sake!
In fact, on Monday, I'm heading out to look at an offroad CT in Perth that retails for less than $6500, but is made in WA, has a full canvas top and sounds just what I want. OK, it lacks certain things, but I can add them later . . . if I need them. After all, it's camping, not staying at the Hyatt.
And then I see that the winner of the hybrid section costs a mere $80,500. If I wanted to splurge that sort of money, I'd buy a real caravan thanks, not a CT, and travel in comfort.
Time for a reality check at CTA, methinks.

HEM19X · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2012, 06:47:22 AM »

You do make a good point mate, however I believe that the "$15k" starting point for a fully offroad CT "with all the bells & whistles" is about right.

I agree that there are numerous cheaper CT's out there that are able to be beefed up with electrics, fridges etc but for an "off the shelf - walk in slap down the $$$'s - hook it up & drive away" CT that will do all the things most people want to do on a "big lap" - it will cost you upwards of $15k.

offroadfreq · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:02:18 AM »

I agree with olddigger, $15k is a high starting price.
If you are going from a $1000 tent, sleeping bag, camp stove setup, etc. Then $15k is a big jump.
Should have started at $5k, that would be a realistic starting point. It would also encompass some of the lesser known aussie manufacturers,
Offroadfreq

Jason B · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:32:57 PM »

And worse still they didn't test the 2012 KK with the new kitchen.

BrindiCruiser · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2012, 03:22:40 PM »

5k to15k is budget for mine.

Bird · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2012, 03:28:09 PM »

Quote from: olddigger

... you don't need air conditioning, microwaves, electric blankets and TV sets. You're camping, for God's sake!
... After all, it's camping, not staying at the Hyatt.

While I agree with you, this thread aint going to end well...

Fun Police · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2012, 03:55:42 PM »

Quote from: olddigger on February 12, 2012, 11:30:36 PM

OK, they may lack bells and whistles, but, hey, you don't need air conditioning, microwaves, electric blankets and TV sets. You're camping, for God's sake!

You can tell that to my wife! If you're game!!

allterrain · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:16:43 PM »

Whilst many of you may think this reply is slightly biased, you are probably right. We, or them now, did win off road camper of the year in CTA two years running. In my experience, which is pretty well based, you cannot buy an Aussie made trailer and tent for $6500. If you could then there is no way known I would be taking my family on an outback trip in one. Now $15k may be out of reach of some families, I dont disagree. But if the arguement is based on the lowest priced trailer then that hardly makes it a worthwhile arguement. The title is offroad camper of the year NOT lets test the cheapest camper of the year. I found most people, who complained to me over the years of manufacturing campers about the price, had no problems spending big money on Toyota's and Nissan's. When asked why not buy a Great Wall or a Musso basing the facts on cost versus reputation the answer was invariably they are s@#t. So my question is if a $6000 camper trailer is just as well built in the chassis, tent, kitchen, suspension etc, are you all driving Great Walls not Landcruisers. I bought my Nissan knowing it cost more than others and we saved and went without somethings to make it happen so that when I am in the bush or desert with my wife I know it will get me back home, because I am pretty sure Nissan don't make $48000 profit more than Great Wall do on the same? car.
To answer Jasonb's question, and I am talking out of school. Kimberely didn't want to go as they did not win last year and because of this they thought the judging was biased

Jason B · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:26:45 PM »

Quote from: allterrain on February 13, 2012, 04:16:43 PM

Whilst many of you may think this reply is slightly biased, you are probably right. We, or them now, did win off road camper of the year in CTA two years running. In my experience, which is pretty well based, you cannot buy an Aussie made trailer and tent for $6500. If you could then there is no way known I would be taking my family on an outback trip in one. Now $15k may be out of reach of some families, I dont disagree. But if the arguement is based on the lowest priced trailer then that hardly makes it a worthwhile arguement. The title is offroad camper of the year NOT lets test the cheapest camper of the year. I found most people, who complained to me over the years of manufacturing campers about the price, had no problems spending big money on Toyota's and Nissan's. When asked why not buy a Great Wall or a Musso basing the facts on cost versus reputation the answer was invariably they are s@#t. So my question is if a $6000 camper trailer is just as well built in the chassis, tent, kitchen, suspension etc, are you all driving Great Walls not Landcruisers. I bought my Nissan knowing it cost more than others and we saved and went without somethings to make it happen so that when I am in the bush or desert with my wife I know it will get me back home, because I am pretty sure Nissan don't make $48000 profit more than Great Wall do on the same? car.
To answer Jasonb's question, and I am talking out of school. Kimberely didn't want to go as they did not win last year and because of this they thought the judging was biased

All good points mate. I figured KK must have had their noses out of joint. They are pyrimidone's, like their owners

. To be honest mate I only have one because it ticked the boxes at the time and I got a reasonable deal on a second hand one. My family will out grow it the next couple of years and I will be looking for a replacement, probably a soft floor for the room alone.

At the end of the day you do get what you pay for, and people find value in different things.

Regards

Jas

BrindiCruiser · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:30:40 PM »

I was thinking budget would be good category for a trailer and tent, and a real basic kitchen, and water tank. For that category, electrics etc could be mods for down the track.

loshde · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:10:48 PM »

Quote from: Jason B on February 13, 2012, 04:26:45 PM

At the end of the day you do get what you pay for, and people find value in different things.
/quote]

I agree with Jasonb. At the end of the day we all value things differently. We have waited almost 20 years to buy the camper that we have always wanted and chosen to go without many other things to get it. I am happy for people getting the things they choose, not matter what and I would hope that it is recripcol, although that doesn't always happen in today's world, much is a shame.

I do agree that they could have included campers from the $5000 - $15000 range. It would have made interesting reading and propably would have been very helpful to many readers looking into moving into the camper trailer market. It is very confusing starting out.

Loshde

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:41:00 PM »

Quote from: allterrain on February 13, 2012, 04:16:43 PM

Now $15k may be out of reach of some families, I dont disagree. But if the arguement is based on the lowest priced trailer then that hardly makes it a worthwhile arguement. The title is offroad camper of the year NOT lets test the cheapest camper of the year.

I agree.

Quote from: olddigger on February 12, 2012, 11:30:36 PM

There are CTs for $6000-$7500 that will get people out in the bush in reasonable comfort. OK, they may lack bells and whistles, but, hey, you don't need air conditioning, microwaves, electric blankets and TV sets. You're camping, for God's sake!

I agree.

Quote from: Jason B on February 13, 2012, 04:26:45 PM

At the end of the day you do get what you pay for, and people find value in different things.

I agree.

Quote from: olddigger on February 12, 2012, 11:30:36 PM

And then we get this: "The $15k mark is almost precisely the point at which you move from budget trailers, usually not suited to long-term touring on the worst roads in the world, to the kind of camper that you can comfortably live in for weeks at a time . . . this is the the entry point for the big lap, essentially."

Absolute bollocks.

I disagree. Each person is entitled to their own opinion. This is the opinion of the editorial team whether it be right or whether it be wrong. They, like you and like me, are entitled to their opinion, no matter how different it may be to anyone else's. If you are doing a highway lap, then bollocks it may be. BUT (isn't there always one?) if you are doing serious 4wd-ing, then a budget version may (note I say MAY) not hold up to the conditions as well as a not so budget version.

When I purchased my Not So Budget Camper, I wasn't after a microwave, a colour tele, air-con (although I do see it's merit when melting in over 45C near Mt Isa and I did that for a few years) ... in fact I didn't want any of those things ... not even like to have them. We went for the base model and I'm very, very happy with it (no tele and all). I know that it will last the distance, hold it's value, it's solid and durable, and Aussie Made with parts all handy to this fantastic island we live on.

I didn't opt for one with all the "bling" due to my budget constraint, but many do. Am I jealous? Not at all. Do I wish I could have afforded a blinged one? Absolutely. Do I regret my decision? No Way!

What I wanted, after many, many years of 2man / 4man / 6man tent camping, back of the car camping, no car camping, living out of a box camping ... was a bit of comfort. A place for everthing and everything in it's place. Flick of the switch lighting (after I mounted it in position). Knowing that the sun or the car was charging the batteries. Being able to fall into a made up bed with little to no moving anything. Not having to hammer in a peg if I didn't want to. Not having to do one bloody modification ... if I didn't want to. Not having to sort through boxes for something I wanted.

If I paid a premium for those comforts, then I am very, very happy to have done so. It was more than I thought I would pay when I started looking, but I don't regret one cents worth of it. And this IS my first camper, and I plan to have it for many, many years. Yes. I've gone without to have it. I've not had dinner out for quite a while, I don't buy takeaway, I don't have the latest fashion, or a big tele, or nights on the town and Yes, I am paying off a house and raising my family ... and I really don't care about missing those things to get the emotional freedom and relaxation that having my piece of Not So Budget represents. And I'm damn proud of myself for getting it and overly happy that I get to use it as much as I do (fortnightly).

If Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Not So Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Middle of The Road gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If a Tent gets you out there, that tickles me pink. At least you are out there, enjoying it, and making memories worth bottling. There is nothing wrong with any choice.

Maybe next year the magazine in question might just accommodate a Budget Category ... if you suggest it to them ... so some campers don't feel left out. But rather than belittling someones opinion, why not be happy that you are happy, they are happy and the world is revolving on it's axis as it should be? I reckon it makes for a better world.

Kit_e
... starts throwing the SoapBox on the fire ....

loshde · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:55:55 PM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on February 13, 2012, 08:41:00 PM

Each person is entitled to their own opinion. This is the opinion of the editorial team whether it be right or whether it be wrong. They, like you and like me, are entitled to their opinion, no matter how different it may be to anyone else's. If you are doing a highway lap, then bollocks it may be. BUT (isn't there always one?) if you are doing serious 4wd-ing, then a budget version may (note I say MAY) not hold up to the conditions as well as a not so budget version.

When I purchased my Not So Budget Camper, I wasn't after a microwave, a colour tele, air-con (although I do see it's merit when melting in over 45C near Mt Isa and I did that for a few years) ... in fact I didn't want any of those things ... not even like to have them. We went for the base model and I'm very, very happy with it (no tele and all). I know that it will last the distance, hold it's value, it's solid and durable, and Aussie Made with parts all handy to this fantastic island we live on.

I didn't opt for one with all the "bling" due to my budget constraint, but many do. Am I jealous? Not at all. Do I wish I could have afforded a blinged one? Absolutely. Do I regret my decision? No Way!

What I wanted, after many, many years of 2man / 4man / 6man tent camping, back of the car camping, no car camping, living out of a box camping ... was a bit of comfort. A place for everthing and everything in it's place. Flick of the switch lighting (after I mounted it in position). Knowing that the sun or the car was charging the batteries. Being able to fall into a made up bed with little to no moving anything. Not having to hammer in a peg if I didn't want to. Not having to do one bloody modification ... if I didn't want to. Not having to sort through boxes for something I wanted.

If I paid a premium for those comforts, then I am very, very happy to have done so. It was more than I thought I would pay when I started looking, but I don't regret one cents worth of it. And this IS my first camper, and I plan to have it for many, many years. Yes. I've gone without to have it. I've not had dinner out for quite a while, I don't buy takeaway, I don't have the latest fashion, or a big tele, or nights on the town and Yes, I am paying off a house and raising my family ... and I really don't care about missing those things to get the emotional freedom and relaxation that having my piece of Not So Budget represents. And I'm damn proud of myself for getting it and overly happy that I get to use it as much as I do (fortnightly).

If Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Not So Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Middle of The Road gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If a Tent gets you out there, that tickles me pink. At least you are out there, enjoying it, and making memories worth bottling. There is nothing wrong with any choice.

Maybe next year the magazine in question might just accommodate a Budget Category ... if you suggest it to them ... so some campers don't feel left out. But rather than belittling someones opinion, why not be happy that you are happy, they are happy and the world is revolving on it's axis as it should be? I reckon it makes for a better world.

Kit_e
... starts throwing the SoapBox on the fire ....

Exceptionally well said Kit_e

Jason B · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2012, 09:03:15 PM »

Quote from: loshde on February 13, 2012, 08:55:55 PM

Exceptionally well said Kit_e

x 2

torsion · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2012, 10:01:43 PM »

Quote from: allterrain on February 13, 2012, 04:16:43 PM

To answer Jasonb's question, and I am talking out of school. Kimberely didn't want to go as they did not win last year and because of this they thought the judging was biased

Absolutely....... its all mates games.
Do you realy think a business is going to be in the running to place, win or even get a mention in these BullShit awards if they don't heavily support CTA magazine - %uck NO...... Why would they?

Its all business. These awards arn't worth Shit, your a bigger fool for buying their rubbish and actually believing it.
You are the consumer.... you make your own mind up what camper hits your bells

olddigger · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2012, 12:37:19 AM »

Quote

If Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Not So Budget gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If Middle of The Road gets you out there, that tickles me pink. If a Tent gets you out there, that tickles me pink. At least you are out there, enjoying it, and making memories worth bottling. There is nothing wrong with any choice.

Quote

Yes, that is exactly the point I was trying to make. You don't have to spend a fortune to get out and see the country.
It's like magazines from another stable which maintain, issue after issue, that the only REAL 4WD is a Nissan Patrol. Oh no it ain't. Patrols are like Qantas tickets, I wouldn't have one if it was free. But each to his own.
Cheers, Tony

Barrabart · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2012, 12:47:46 AM »

Might just be me............. but lately i've noticed a bit of negativity creeping into a few posts on this forum, reckon a few people could benifit from a cup of tea and a little nanna nap............... remember this is supposed to be a fun place to visit.

Anyway, just saying.

Keep smiling folks.

sol · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2012, 05:33:41 AM »

Quote from: Barrabart on February 14, 2012, 12:47:46 AM

Might just be me............. but lately i've noticed a bit of negativity creeping into a few posts on this forum, reckon a few people could benifit from a cup of tea and a little nanna nap............... remember this is supposed to be a fun place to visit.

Anyway, just saying.

Keep smiling folks.

X 2

Redback · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2012, 07:37:36 AM »

I'm only going to say this;

If you can't do a lap of Australia in a Tambo Marlo or Cooper or a Camel Beachcomber, I'll eat my hat and these are only from 2 Aussie camper makers.

All 3 under $15,000

Baz.

ozbogwam · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2012, 07:48:24 AM »

Start your own mag and test whatever CTs you want.

They wanted to test these price bracketed CTs I would imagine because there ate bucketloads of CTs out there so it needs to be narrowed down to a manageable size. Then they would pick the ones that they want to compete based on quality, options etc. then you have to invite the manufacturer and many can't or won't accept for whatever reason.

So then you have your quality CTs because why would you test rubbish in the CT of the Year award (don't see many Great Walls in Wheels car of the Year).

To think that votes are based on ad money is ridiculous, yes it sounds great if you like conspiracies, but you destroy your reputation as word gets around quickly and then you have no advertisers or people willing to get products reviewed. Also why you have independent judges who owe no allegiance to the advertising dollar.

GMac · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:06:04 AM »

Unfortunately, the team at CTA decided to test this range of camper trailers and indicate the minimum that should be spent is $15k.

The problem with this formula, is that to the average Joe public who does not look at the information available on this forum for example, looks at an article like that and says, there is no way I can afford a camper trailer at that price. These types of publications should be promoting for everyone to get out and enjoy the country and build a lifetime full of memories.

It should be promoting that there are cheaper alternatives that would comfotably get a family out and about. The argument of whether a cheaper camper will make it around Australia or not is kind of irrelevant. The average Joe public is not likely to consider this as an option straight away, but they will look at the articles and immediately think campers that are not as expensive are not worth looking at.

Lets promote getting people away from their office and spending time with their families and helping out the local economy, regardless of what they can afford to purchase.

ozbogwam · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:13:02 AM »

Im guessing you dont read the magazine, because that is what they promote in pretty much every isdue. This is camper Trailer of the Year award, not give an award to everyone who participates.

Each issue they review budget campers and give many glowing reviews but they aren't going to be suitable for this type of award.

snakehips · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:20:45 AM »

In this comp some campers were marked down for not being family friendly.

I don't have a family, so I don't need a family friendly camper trailer. So the result doesn't tell me what the best camper trailer is for me, just what the best one is based on a defined set of judging criteria which may or may not be my criteria (including price).

Some people might be out there salivating over the arrival of the competition every year, whose criteria for buying a camper are exactly the criteria the campers are tested on, and they'll be the ones who will say when the results come out "gee, xxx is camper trailer of the year, better go and buy that one then".

99.9999% of people in the real world will read the CT Of The Year magazine issue and say "well that was a pleasant read, but I'm actually after a camper that has this, this and this, in this price range".

Why anyone would get this antcy over a magazine page filler is beyond me. :'( Get a life.

In fact, the Camper Trailer of the Year is............the one in my driveway.

McGirr · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:30:39 AM »

Imagine this:

Campers from $5000 to 10,000 are tested.

There are 3 Aussie made models and 4 Chinese made models.

A Chinese model wins. Imagine the out cry !!!!

This will happen one day.

As repeated a hundred times who cares who wins as long as it gives people ideas and gets them out in the bush camping.

Mark

offroadfreq · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:05:33 AM »

Quote from: Redback on February 14, 2012, 07:37:36 AM

I'm only going to say this;

If you can't do a lap of Australia in a Tambo Marlo or Cooper or a Camel Beachcomber, I'll eat my hat and these are only from 2 Aussie camper makers.

All 3 under $15,000

Baz.

I believe this was the issue put forward, so if you are going to do it based purely on price catagories then why not have 4 brackets instead ?

News:

Author Topic: CTA Magazine CT of the Year 2012 (Read 9401 times)

snakehips