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Author Topic: My Chinese Camper FAIL  (Read 10840 times)

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Offline grant110

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My Chinese Camper FAIL
« on: June 01, 2014, 11:41:49 AM »
Sooo  - we spent the $20k and bought a brand new camper.  We have had it for about 2 months and only used it once for what was to be an 11 day cross Kimberley trip - had to be cut a bit short.

I wont mention brand yet (although it may well be mentioned in other posts I have logged) and have to say that warranty wise the company has been very good - but this much stuff should not go wrong in the first place and the camper will enbd up looking like a patch work home made job rather than a $20 outlay..

Issues SO FAR: 
1) Electrics  - battery monitor fused and burnt out - was replaced.
2) Shock Absorber mount  (independent suspension) pulled away from Chasis - welded under warranty
3)Water tank split - welded under warranty - water tank split in a different spot - to be confirmed what repair is to happen
4) Spare wheel carrier snapped at base, Repair to be confirmed (RTBC)
5) Floor where battery sits sagging and pulling away RTBC
6) Battery doesn't hold charge RTBC
7) Seals (what seals??)  RTBC
8) Crack on panel under Wheel Arch RTBC

So just a heads up (not that haven't been hundreds on this site already)  Make sure you check out your camper before purchase - sadly we didn't have the option due to living in the Kimberley and buying sight unseen!!

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Offline Swogjb

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2014, 11:54:10 AM »
That really sucks.

Makes a good 2nd hand aussie made camper a way better option IMO.

At least they are fixing things under warranty.
The worry for me would be in a couple of years time, what's the camper going to look like.

 :cheers:
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Offline oldmate

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2014, 02:01:13 PM »
Quote from: Swogjb on June 01, 2014, 11:54:10 AM
That really sucks.

Makes a good 2nd hand aussie made camper a way better option IMO.

At least they are fixing things under warranty.
The worry for me would be in a couple of years time, what's the camper going to look like.

 :cheers:

X2

Sorry to hear your troubles
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Offline Cruiser 105Tvan

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2014, 02:14:41 PM »
X3
At least they seem to be standing by the warranty.

Hope they don't come the raw prawn and refuse.
Saying something like, 'Trailer has been used off road excessively'.
That would be a real disappointment. 

Good luck whatever happens.
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Offline dazzler

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2014, 03:03:28 PM »
Quote from: grant110 on June 01, 2014, 11:41:49 AM

2) Shock Absorber mount  (independent suspension) pulled away from Chasis - welded under warranty


Is the shock limiting travel or is there a limiting strap?
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Offline grant110

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2014, 03:06:01 PM »
Got to say they are being VERY good with the warranty and replies etc. They have offered a full refund, exchange or a capped dollar value for repairs.  So not going to name and or shame - may be a one off faulty unit but I only went to them because I had heard the after purchase service was good and so far that's the case.  Just got to get it 2400km back to sales yard and find something else within a month as we are leaving work and travelling indefinitely.
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Offline grant110

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2014, 03:07:39 PM »
Quote from: dazzler on June 01, 2014, 03:03:28 PM
Is the shock limiting travel or is there a limiting strap?

There is a chain that is limiting travel but it is too long - so the shock does that.  Problem is we haven't done anything serious with it yet - just the Gibb river road which is quite good ATM
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Offline DaveR

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2014, 04:50:40 PM »
Quote from: grant110 on June 01, 2014, 03:06:01 PM
They have offered a full refund,
Not wishing to be disrespectful to the folk who are doing the correct thing by you....... but.
Grab the money and run is what I would be doing.
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Offline McGirr

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2014, 05:01:56 PM »

It is great to see they are looking after you but once bitten. Grab a refund and look around.

The distance may be a problem in getting a new one in time but as you are traveling get one that you will be happy with and can handle the tracks you want to go on.

Good luck with your decision.

Mark
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Offline fuji

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2014, 05:09:44 PM »
Quote from: DaveR on June 01, 2014, 04:50:40 PM
Not wishing to be disrespectful to the folk who are doing the correct thing by you....... but.
Grab the money and run is what I would be doing.




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Offline Black Diamond

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2014, 05:37:38 PM »
Get the money back, 20k is plenty for a good camper :cheers:
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Offline Cruiser 105Tvan

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2014, 05:55:41 PM »
If Your Having this much trouble now.
It's only going to get worse as the trailer gets older.
So, it might be best to 'take the money and run!'
There are well optioned and appointed Trailers in the Classifieds on the Forum.
I'm sure there could be arrangements for delivery with other swaggers.
Even if the meet was most, or part of the way, to where you are.

New is great, successfully Pre-tested is even better. 
Your choice of colours might be a bit restricted, that's all.

Hope it works out for you.
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Offline IanC

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2014, 06:40:30 PM »
Quote from: Black Diamond on June 01, 2014, 05:37:38 PM
Get the money back, 20k is plenty for a good camper :cheers:

x2000.

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Offline jmorgan1981

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2014, 07:08:32 PM »
Take the money mate.

There are so many good aussie 2nd hand trailers out there for under 20k.
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Offline Clouty

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2014, 07:10:51 PM »
As most have said grab the money and run..
If you've only done a 11 day trip and all these thing have gone wrong I'd hate to see what the trailer would look like after 12 months on the road..
 :cheers:
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Offline Cruiser 105Tvan

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2014, 07:13:08 PM »
They can always send it back to China as Market Research. :cheers: ;D ;D ;D
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Offline Bird

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2014, 07:26:50 PM »
Quote from: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 01, 2014, 07:13:08 PM
They can always send it back to China as Market Research. :cheers: ;D ;D ;D
they will repaint it and sell it as new
« Last Edit: June 01, 2014, 07:29:15 PM by Bird »
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Offline oldmate

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2014, 07:28:17 PM »
Quote from: Bird on June 01, 2014, 07:26:50 PM
repaint it and sell it as new

Just bog up the cracks, she'll be right mate  ;D
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Offline Pog

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2014, 08:02:11 PM »
Take the CASH! It's not going to get stronger as it gets older!
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Offline dazzler

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2014, 08:48:35 PM »
Quote from: grant110 on June 01, 2014, 03:07:39 PM
There is a chain that is limiting travel but it is too long - so the shock does that.  Problem is we haven't done anything serious with it yet - just the Gibb river road which is quite good ATM

What ever you decide get this fixed asap. 
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Offline Barrabart

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2014, 08:50:46 PM »
Sorry to hear of your dramas mate, but I reckon too.....Take the $$$.......... buy a new or 2nd hand Aus Made CT!

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Offline Swogjb

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #21 on: June 01, 2014, 08:55:22 PM »
Quote from: Barrabart on June 01, 2014, 08:50:46 PM
Sorry to hear of your dramas mate, but I reckon too.....Take the $$$.......... buy a new or 2nd hand Aus Made CT!

Yep.... You have been given a get out of jail free card.

It might seem harsh .... But they have offered to refund.

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Offline Bird

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #22 on: June 01, 2014, 08:56:59 PM »
Quote from: Swogjb on June 01, 2014, 08:55:22 PM
Yep.... You have been given a get out of jail free card.

It might seem harsh .... But they have offered to refund.
Yep..... I agree


But I bet he keeps it...
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Offline grant110

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #23 on: June 01, 2014, 09:01:33 PM »
Nope advised we want the refund as offered, may end up with a swag for the off road and a caravan for the on!!


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Offline Pog

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Re: My Chinese Camper FAIL
« Reply #24 on: June 01, 2014, 09:05:07 PM »
Good decision.
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