Xtrail Camper Trailers closed

[areyonga]

Saw this on Facebook tonight, another one off the market 

"To those who might not notice, XTRAIL was closed down and ceased operation as from 22nd Dec 2013 due to financial difficulty. Thanks for those who support XTRAIL camper trailers and products. It was really a hard decision to close down XTRAIL but that is the only option we have. We apologize for no longer be able to provide further service to owners of XTRAIL campers.

As founder and designers of XTRAIL campers, I sadly see it stops this way without other option. I will try my best to find further opportunity to bring XTRAIL alive in future at my reach.

If any of our knowledge and experience could help you, please feel free to message me.

Sam"

[DropBearRacing]

I was looking on their web site a couple of days ago. There was no mention of closing down on their site.

[DannyG]

Its a shame the steel part of his trailers was quite good but he had quite a few other things going against him in this climate. He was innovative and tried several different areas of the market but sadly it hasn't worked for him.

[Brumbypt]

I too saw the FB post about their closure just after it was posted..

hope its just a FB hacking, tired of seeing aussie companies closing up..


is the camping trailer boom over or are these trailers just too expensive, and are people now buying cheaper campers possibly from china etc.


Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.3 using Tapatalk HD

[02-SR5]

I think it is all of the above.

Australian companies, regardless of what they make, need to streamline their manufacturing.

Holden, Ford, and how many camper trailer have gone bust or about to go bust.

Look at Germany, their cast of living and wages are on par with Australian costs, yet they make some of the best gear in the world.

Look at VW, they manufacture a lot of models, Holden make one.

Camper trailer manufacturing in Australia will soon end. When the average uneducated consumer can buy a MDC with everything for under 20k, where does leave the local companies.

[JayD]

But Germany's population is 80 million, and Europe's is 750 million...they have a much larger customer base than Australian manufacturers!!!

[KingBilly]

Look at Germany, their cast of living and wages are on par with Australian costs, yet they make some of the best gear in the world.

Look at VW, they manufacture a lot of models, Holden make one.

Vastly different scenarios.  Germany is in the middle of Europe with an immensely larger population, read consumer base.  Australia is an island, with expensive shipping, and a small population.  Australia has the most challenging automotive market in the world.  And I think Holden make more than one model 

KB

Gee, you have to be quick 

[02-SR5]

Oh, sorry, the legendary Cruise. The modern day Camira's. I didn't want to bring that up.

What about the exports of their vehicles to around the world. It will still cost to ship here if we were to ship there.

I used them as an example. We have the know how and the technology, we just don't use our own smarts.

Holden made a great product, very limited exports. If they broaden their horizons, and looked outside their own bogan market, they could of had a great export.

Camper manufactures are the same. If they took the time out to make a product that the market wants, not bend us over the barrel for a tent on a trailer, then they wouldn't be in the poo they are in now.

[Goose]

I read on here somewhere that there are 130 different brands of camper, caravan etc going around. Many of those brands get by with only a small number of sales each year. Take a walk around the Rosehill camping show and you will get the idea.

As such, I wouldn't be worried if a small number of them shut up shop from time to time as the market will replace them via supply-and-demand. Remember that we don't know why xtrail closed, just that it was financial. That could mean just about anything. Its certainly not the end of an industry.

I think caravan and camper manufacturing is right for Australia. Its a relatively simple product but can have a high level of design and integrity. There is little low-skill labour needed, most of the labour is "craftsman" level. We can produce many different grades and variations of the product, its built for purpose, highly customised and it can be done smart and stylish. Car manufacturing is the exact opposite of all of this. Car manufacturing is completely derivative, high volume, high overhead, lots of low-skill labour needed. We will never compete in car manufacturing because as KB said, we are a tiny isolated market with low turnover.

Australia does have a future in manufacturing, we've just got to focus on the right sort of manufacturing: specialist, simple design, customised, high-skill, detailed, high tech, profitable through low volume ie camper trailers and caravans. Other similar areas include mining equipment, military equipment, marine, aviation etc. That's what we should be making, not bloody cars.

[achjimmy]

Australia does have a future in manufacturing, we've just got to focus on the right sort of manufacturing: specialist, simple design, customised, high-skill, detailed, high tech, profitable through low volume ie camper trailers and caravans. Other similar areas include mining equipment, military equipment, marine, aviation etc. That's what we should be making, not bloody cars.

That's right goose, but the skills sets and trades need to be taught somewhere, specilised industries are too small to provide this. That's were companies supporting auto manufacturing came in they trained up lots of tradies, like the governments of the past did with railway workshops and public works depots. They all trained people with little thought to a ROI. Today everything is costed to the tenth. The nation will dumb down as a result.

[Bird]

I was looking on their web site a couple of days ago. There was no mention of closing down on their site.

it does now, shame as Sam was active on here a long time ago.

We regret to inform that XTRAIL Campers (Websam Solutions P/L) was closed down and ceased operation as from 22nd Dec 2013 due to financial difficulty.

We deeply thanks for all who supports and follow us through the years. Unfortunately, we apologize that we will not be able to service you anymore.

Intellectual properties including brand name, trailer designs, tent design, suspension design, website etc. have been transferred to another business and solely on their discrection if any future development.

Please check this website on late Feb 2014, the new owner of XTRAIL campers intellectual properties shall annouce their decision on the continuity of camper trailer production and development.

Websam Solutions P/L (XTRAIL Campers)

but says reopening... doubt it





Manufacturing in this country is just not viable

You cannot compete with wages and rents as they have overseas.

What Aussies earn a day, other countrys *MAY* earn a month... Its just not going to happen. Unless you pay up the wazoo for your products - and as you can see

Go through this list that hasn't been updated in years, but how many  of these don't exist anymore
http://www.campertrailers.org/manufacturers.htm

[discoteddy]

it does now, shame as Sam was active on here a long time ago.
but says reopening... doubt it





Manufacturing in this country is just not viable

You cannot compete with wages and rents as they have overseas.

What Aussies earn a day, other countrys *MAY* earn a month... Its just not going to happen. Unless you pay up the wazoo for your products - and as you can see

Go through this list that hasn't been updated in years, but how many  of these don't exist anymore
http://www.campertrailers.org/manufacturers.htm

That's it in a nutshell , well said.


Cheers

Disco teddy

[dazzler]

Lost is on the money I think.

We are driven by consumerism.  Check out how many first timers say they are looking for a CT to enter the market and some of us point them in the direction of quality aussie built ones in myswag for sale and still they buy cheap budget imports.

The tambo that has been for sale for a while on this site sums it up.  When that one doesnt go in a week you know there is an issue.  A top aussie brand, well priced and top quality just sitting there while the budget ones sell.  Crazy.

[D4D]

The tambo that has been for sale for a while on this site sums it up.  When that one doesnt go in a week you know there is an issue.  A top aussie brand, well priced and top quality just sitting there while the budget ones sell.  Crazy.

x2

[Bird]

The tambo that has been for sale for a while on this site sums it up.  When that one doesnt go in a week you know there is an issue.  A top aussie brand, well priced and top quality just sitting there while the budget ones sell.  Crazy.

x 3
... and as the seller says, people are calling him with interest, but ask why his is more than a new Tambo...
Are the new owners of Tambo only doing Chinese trailers now as they are selling for chinese prices or they are taking lots more than a huge one in the ginger for the team on every sale...

I'd love to update to a Goldstream, but know I'd get 1/2 a steaming pile of Shit for my trailer which I'm not prepared to lose.

[muzza01]

Lost is on the money I think.

We are driven by consumerism.  Check out how many first timers say they are looking for a CT to enter the market and some of us point them in the direction of quality aussie built ones in myswag for sale and still they buy cheap budget imports.

The tambo that has been for sale for a while on this site sums it up.  When that one doesnt go in a week you know there is an issue.  A top aussie brand, well priced and top quality just sitting there while the budget ones sell.  Crazy.

And would I buy another cheap import again in lieu of a 2nd hand Aussie built one ? YES I would.
I am not presuming to speak of other owners of Chinese CT's on this forum but I am sure in most cases they would affirm that they would agree with me and buy Chinese again.

Just like the owners of Aussie built CT's on this forum will never buy an imported CT.  So what! Each to their own. I am a bit tired of this "us and them" attitude from OZ made to Chinese made CT owners. It doesn't make me any less Australian to own a Chinese CT.

After spending $$ on mods to my Chinese CT it owes me less than $14k. A new Kimberley or Cub equivalent would cost at least $20k more than mine. 
Is the KK and Cub a better quality and better built CT than mine? Absolutely.
Are they both $20k better quality and better built than mine? No way.

I could have spent the extra $$ on the OZ made version or kept the $$ in my bank account. I chose the latter.

According to some members of this forum, owners of imported CTs are responsible for local CT manufacturers closing their business.  That is the same as saying that anyone on this forum who has bought anything but a Commodore is responsible for Holden closing its doors.

[Big Tread]

Sad to see any Aussie company go, XTrail were one of the companies we looked at when researching campers, but ended up going with Tambo at the time.

x 3
... and as the seller says, people are calling him with interest, but ask why his is more than a new Tambo...
Are the new owners of Tambo only doing Chinese trailers now as they are selling for chinese prices or they are taking lots more than a huge one in the ginger for the team on every sale...

I'd love to update to a Goldstream, but know I'd get 1/2 a steaming pile of **** for my trailer which I'm not prepared to lose.

Re the new Tambo Campers.  They are not doing cheap chinese campers.  From their new web site http://tambocampertrailers.com.au/ a new Cooper is $10,990 and an Omeo is $24,990.  There is a mob doing a chinese trailer that they call a Tambo, which is causing confusion.

[dazzler]

it is a poor financial choice to purchase a new poor quality chinese one compared to a 2nd hand quality oz one for a simple reason;

if you pay $6k for a 2nd hand tambo it has fully depreciated.  You should be able to sell it in a couple of  years for close to 100% of purchase.

if you pay $6k for a chinese one then it depreciates so that it is worth maybe 60% of purchase.

This is not snobbery but common sense.  Like my prado.  I bought it 2nd hand after depreciation for 50% of new value.  Could have bought a brand new Great Wall x220 for the same value.  But, once again, an inferior product ready to depreciate like crap.

But hey, do whatever you like in our wonderful sweet free country. 

Have a hug in the meantime 

[Bird]

There is a mob doing a chinese trailer that they call a Tambo, which is causing confusion.

Exactly, there was one for $3000...

EDIT: MADE BY  Make:  Ezytrail Camper Trailer


http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kilsyth/camper-trailers/tambo-se-camper-trailer-with-mt230-tent-package/1035944891

Interesting the address (1/97-107 Canterbury Road, Kilsyth) given on the ad there, on google streetview is Playforce Australia - Kids playground gear.
http://playforce.com.au/

[muzza01]

it is a poor financial choice to purchase a new poor quality chinese one compared to a 2nd hand quality oz one for a simple reason;

if you pay $6k for a 2nd hand tambo it has fully depreciated.  You should be able to sell it in a couple of  years for close to 100% of purchase.

if you pay $6k for a chinese one then it depreciates so that it is worth maybe 60% of purchase.

That sounds great in theory.... But in reality....,  please point me in the direction of the 2nd hand Aussie made hardfloor camper with, stove/sink, fridge slides, toolbox, water tank etc for $14k.

They don't exist, maybe, if you are really lucky you could get a 2nd hand one for $24k.
So in my case and in my opinion, it wasn't a poor financial choice.

Anyway, have a hug back and  .

[gronk]

Most of these comments seem to be pointed toward the low end of the market ( which is fair enough, because that's the majority ) but the other end seems to be going as strong as ever !!

KK make hundreds of campers a year ( and sell them ), as do AS, AORC etc..

But as with any big company running big wages and production costs, a wheel only has to fall off at the wrong time and all of a sudden, they're in big trouble..

I can't for the life of me work out why in this economic climate you would think of starting a camper manufacturing company....but some are still trying....and some are falling by the wayside trying ??

I know of at least one company that is still going strong......doesn't advertise....builds almost only to order.....almost a one man band...why ??  maybe little overheads and no bank looking over his shoulder ??

[#jonesy]

When talking import vs export fir Australia it doesn't cost the same. It is relative to the value of the aus$  Our dollar has been high making exports too expensive and imports even cheaper. Something else to blame on Kevin Rudd

[Bird]

can't for the life of me work out why in this economic climate you would think of starting a camper manufacturing company....but some are still trying....and some are falling by the wayside trying ??

Couldn't agree more. Specially with some huge players that have been around 10-20 years falling apart like a house of lego.

I know of at least one company that is still going strong......doesn't advertise....builds almost only to order.....almost a one man band...why ??  maybe little overheads and no bank looking over his shoulder ??

Rent for your factory, advertising and gas/water/electric are also a massive killers.. How much is enough space for 1 campertrailer at Sandown/Caulfield/Rosehill shows cost... let alone for 5-10 trailers!!!!

I don't think some people really plan well.. its like for a while every kid with a 30ft lifted hilux thought they could open a custom accessory 4b shop
You can only fit so many bent giveway signs as bullbars to mates before you run out of customers and giveway signs

[Mik01]

it is a poor financial choice to purchase a new poor quality chinese one compared to a 2nd hand quality oz one for a simple reason;

if you pay $6k for a 2nd hand tambo it has fully depreciated.  You should be able to sell it in a couple of  years for close to 100% of purchase.

if you pay $6k for a chinese one then it depreciates so that it is worth maybe 60% of purchase.

This is not snobbery but common sense.  Like my prado.  I bought it 2nd hand after depreciation for 50% of new value.  Could have bought a brand new Great Wall x220 for the same value.  But, once again, an inferior product ready to depreciate like crap.

But hey, do whatever you like in our wonderful sweet free country. 

Have a hug in the meantime 

the savings upfront on the higher spec and/or brand new cheap imported product offsets the depreciation loss in the future.

in other words - you buy cheap and accept a much lower resale value commensurately - that's the trade off for the instant upfront cost savings you have achieved.
in many cases, buying a great wall 4x4 is the only option for many to actually buy a brand new 4wd vehicle they will ever have. 

and whilst you 'should' be able to onsell your locally produced 2nd hand CT in a couple of years for about the same price, I suspect these days that is very rare as the market is flooded with thousands of CT's for sale at cheap prices.

it's only a poor financial choice if you buy something cheap thinking you will re-sell it for only a small loss, or will easily re-sell it in any market (ie it is desirable) - if you buy cheapo and expect to keep it long enough to satisfy your outlay (and it does everything you need it to), then its a great financial choice - is it not?

[dazzler]

That sounds great in theory.... But in reality....,  please point me in the direction of the 2nd hand Aussie made hardfloor camper with, stove/sink, fridge slides, toolbox, water tank etc for $14k.

They don't exist, maybe, if you are really lucky you could get a 2nd hand one for $24k.
So in my case and in my opinion, it wasn't a poor financial choice.

Anyway, have a hug back and  .

If you took the time to read what I initially said then you would realise that I was comparing apples with apples.  A cheap $6k trailer with THE ONE ON THIS SITE.

The point I was making was that if that quality trailer is not selling, and newbys ask what they should get, and still dont get that one then there is something going on.

I was not attacking your personal choice.  Nor did I attack your 'Australianess'. 

Mercy!