Forward fold campers - experiences or comments?

[outbackogre]

Well, it looks like I'm in the camper market again.  I thought my next camper might be an offroad Cub Spacevan (I like the higher sides), but these are still commanding high prices for units that are some years old.  For about the same price, I could buy an imported forward fold camper with a lot of fruit.  I notice one swagger recently indicating problems packing his forward fold unit up, perhaps with canvas getting in the way.  Does this mean it's not possible to leave the awning zipped on to this sort of camper?  I've looked at a few websites but few mention the hitch weight.  Some importers are claiming a degree of Aussie construction or assembly, but I guess many components (including steel) are still imported.  I note there's a myswag embargo on any references to a particular brand.  The price of this unit is currently 18 grand and it seems like a good buy. Given the proliferation of this style of camper, what are the other traps for newbies?  Thanks.

[wilson79]

There are few member's with different brand forward folds on here, they will be able to give you some good real life advice.

I personally have been looking for a forward fold for nearly 2 years and had my heart set on a Aussie built Modcon but as you said with the Spacevan they are still quite expensive in the second hand market, some are even asking for more money that a new Anniversary model, so I have looked at the imported units. I have looked at a lot of them over the last 12 months and in my personal opinion I found the Ecomate to be the best finished of the ones I have seen, and the added bonus is they are imported and assembled by Modcon in Brisbane so Its kind of like getting the less attractive sister but her dad still owns the pub if you know what I mean. So I have made the decision to purchase an Ecomate traveller forward fold and will hopefully put a deposit down in the next 8 weeks..

good luck with your search

[GeckoJK]

Outbackogre - The ModCon Ecomate FF Camper was my first purchase in the camper market. Looked at many many options and other models. Did my head in. I stuck with the ModCon for the fact in its simplicity. I have put it up and down many times so far testing and looking and poking and prodding. I can do it on my own with ease. As for the awning, when i first open the camper i can zip it all on nicely with no trouble at all. I dont need a ladder or another person to help me with it.
I have only owned my camper for just over a week now and am nothing but chuffed with everything it has to offer. Even kept me super dry with no leaks on the maiden voyage to Darlington Park last week. A sudden very heavy downpour caught a few offguard. I stayed warm and dry with no leaks at all. Packing up is easy. Lots of storage space.

Let me know if you need any information

[outbackogre]

Thanks for the replies.  Good luck Wilson, the Ecomate looks very nice.  Gecko, do you any trouble packing it up?  Are things tight if too much bedding is left on the mattress?  Do you know how heavy it is on the hitch?  regards, Rob.

[GeckoJK]

Hey Rob

No trouble at all packing it up. I even pack it up with the touring awning still attached. Just remember to take the poles out first!
I have heaps of room when i pack it up. can still access inside to store more gear. but when fully closed the lid acts as a lock so the door cannot be opened more than an inch. lots of room so not tight at all. I keep all my bedding on when closed and remove once home to wash. can fold up complete with all bedding intact due to the straps that hold it all down. Pillows go in the car as i am anal about them going on the floor. Mine is about 120 on the hitch i think but with more careful planning i plan to move more weight off the hitch as i have no idea where things best go just yet lol  I will be at ModCon tomorrow in Capalaba from 9.30am if you want to come down and have a look at mine.

Deon

[outbackogre]

Yeah, that touring awning is a great idea, and it's good to hear that it can be left on.  It's a bit of a hike from eastern suburbs Melb to Brissy so I might wait to see if Modcon have a display at the next camping show down here (which should be the Sandown Leisurefest).  Thanks for your help Deon.

[GeckoJK]

Yeah, that touring awning is a great idea, and it's good to hear that it can be left on.  It's a bit of a hike from eastern suburbs Melb to Brissy so I might wait to see if Modcon have a display at the next camping show down here (which should be the Sandown Leisurefest).  Thanks for your help Deon.

Send a PM to evolution - He is the vic rep for Modcon down there in melbs and a great bloke to deal with. I just moved from melbs to brissie.

[Lori]

The poster who has some difficulties folding his camper upgraded to an innerspring mattress instead of the standard foam, when he got his camper he noted the mattress was very thin and after taking it out for a weekender found it to be very uncomfortable, so he added a 10cm memory foam topper. The topper has made things much more comfy in the camper but has also made it much harder to close.

In hindsight, it would have been much better to have kept the standard foam mattress.

[outbackogre]

Hi Lori, thanks for the response.
Hey Gecko, I have been in touch with Evolution (Nick) and he's been very helpful.  Thanks again. regards,
Rob.

[HEM19X]

The poster who has some difficulties folding his camper upgraded to an innerspring mattress instead of the standard foam, when he got his camper he noted the mattress was very thin and after taking it out for a weekender found it to be very uncomfortable, so he added a 10cm memory foam topper. The topper has made things much more comfy in the camper but has also made it much harder to close.

In hindsight, it would have been much better to have kept the standard foam mattress.

We had an Elysium FF, never had any problems with folding up with our full IS mattress, we also used to leave the travel awning [with end wall] on with no dramas either.. Didn't try the full awning.

GeckoJK mentioned that the pillows travel in the car, we strapped our 4 pillows [lengthwise] under the straps that hold the mattress, again no probs.

Rob,

There are lots of FF's getting out and about - Camptime have one plus Voldermort's, MDC etc but for quality you can't go past Modcon... haven't seen the Ecomate but Kerry wouldn't lend his name to any rubbish CT.

All the best

Hem

[GeckoJK]

We had an Elysium FF, never had any problems with folding up with our full IS mattress, we also used to leave the travel awning [with end wall] on with no dramas either.. Didn't try the full awning.

GeckoJK mentioned that the pillows travel in the car, we strapped our 4 pillows [lengthwise] under the straps that hold the mattress, again no probs.

Rob,

There are lots of FF's getting out and about - Camptime have one plus Voldermort's, MDC etc but for quality you can't go past Modcon... haven't seen the Ecomate but Kerry wouldn't lend his name to any rubbish CT.

All the best

Hem

x2 

[GrahamFamily]

x2 

X3.....

I have a HFD forward fold Modcon is the best for quality and after having a look at the Ecomate they would be next on my list. You can see that it's lighter however as Hemi said Kerry makes a great product and the Ecomate is no exception. We have camper inner spring and a foam mattress topper and still have no issues to set up or close. Heaps of space.

Cheers

[outbackogre]

Thanks for all the replies.  I note the recent experience of a swagger with a forward fold camper that has  cracking on the rear chassis where the dual spare wheel carrier connects.  I wonder if this is this a weak point for all campers with a similar dual spare setup.   

[evolution]

Thanks for all the replies.  I note the recent experience of a swagger with a forward fold camper that has  cracking on the rear chassis where the dual spare wheel carrier connects.  I wonder if this is this a weak point for all campers with a similar dual spare setup.   

I can honestly say no it's not. I would say that it was a Friday afternoon job. I haven't seen anything let go like that with either a modcon or an ecomate. Obviously I can't speak for other brands, But I do know that Kerry hasn't ever had an issue like that before from a wheel carrier. I was only speaking to him the other day about the same thing. They have been doing the twin spares for quite awhile now.

something like that is always worth looking at with a second hand camper though regardless of brand.

Cheers
Nick

[TasJK]

Hey guys!

We are considering a gold forward camper. My wife's question is around storage. How does a, say, Ecomate camper go for storage in the tent while camping. We have 2 young kids so always an array of toys and clothes laying around! The thing that appeals of, say, a Jayco is all the cupboards inside. I think the FF's are lacking in this area.


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