MDC moves into locally built caravans

[gronk]

Why have no-one copied the Kimberley Karavan design?
Off all the small off-road caravans the Kimberley is the best, so it is logic that one want to copy th best in th market?

I do not agree with copying other designs, but just wondering why it haven't happen yet.

KK have patents on their stuff. Although it hasn't stopped them with the campers !

[The punter]

they take it across The Simpson in the next series...the trip was done about 2 or 3 months ago

Hmmm..............

[Bird]

KK have patents on their stuff. Although it hasn't stopped them with the campers !

what do you think patents mean to the Chinese? and you only have to change minor things to by pass patents anyway

[tryagain]

Why have no-one copied the Kimberley Karavan design?
Off all the small off-road caravans the Kimberley is the best, so it is logic that one want to copy th best in th market?

I do not agree with copying other designs, but just wondering why it haven't happen yet.

"Best" is subjective, their decisions would be more based around popularity/sales. Whilst I have no idea about actual sales figures, I personally have seen a lot more Lifestyle AT10's that KK
 

[PWE]

Agree, KK sales volume is low compare to other.
KK are round $90k vs AT around $50k, so different market group.
So, in my opinion the KK is th best compact true off-road caravan.

[BaseCamp]

I heard KK bought the patients for the karavan from a mob called "Highrise Vans" .....??

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[Isuzumu]

When these manufactures with their over priced vans start using suspensions like this we may all feel a lot more confident.

[gronk]

I heard KK bought the patients for the karavan from a mob called "Highrise Vans" .....??

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They certainly did. Although I don't believe it was a patent they bought, just the rights to make it. I think Highrise still made "their" model for a while after. Not sure if they still do ?

[GBC]

When these manufactures with their over priced vans start using suspensions like this we may all feel a lot more confident.

Have a look under any mdc branded van or trailer with orange suspension. What do they say about the sincerest form of flattery😂.
The rubbish in the top pic is the name brand alko suspension. Give me my Chinese knock off suspension every time over that thanks.

[gronk]

Pretty looking suspension doesn't mean anything if it's failed in the middle of the Birdsville track.

[GBC]

Couldn't agree more. Mine went fine on the corner/ strez/Oodnadatta/darling run last month. Still on Chinese bearings too. 

[wakychapmans]

They certainly did. Although I don't believe it was a patent they bought, just the rights to make it. I think Highrise still made "their" model for a while after. Not sure if they still do ?

According to a quick search... they were still making them as recently as 2010

[Rumpig]

One would hope most suspensions and bearings are up for places like the Birdsville Track, Strezlecki Track etc etc ...these are graded gravel highways these days compared to the actual tracks they used to be 25 years ago. Last visit to the Birdsville Track  about 4 years ago I easily sat on 100kph towing my camper, the "track" was a 3 lane wide road smoother then most Qld bitumin highways. Conditions obviously change I know, but it's not like it used to be on those main tourist hot spots these days.

[PWE]

Couldn't agree more. Mine went fine on the corner/ strez/Oodnadatta/darling run last month. Still on Chinese bearings too. 

Can you please post a pic of the connection between the yellow spring and the orange suspension arm.
Also a pic of the top connection of the spring - yellow spring to chassis.

Just curious.

[GBC]

You'll have to wait til I get home, but no probs


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[The punter]

Those welds look a lot better than the cocky poop in the video

[PWE]

One would hope most suspensions and bearings are up for places like the Birdsville Track, Strezlecki Track etc etc ...these are graded gravel highways these days compared to the actual tracks they used to be 25 years ago. Last visit to the Birdsville Track  about 4 years ago I easily sat on 100kph towing my camper, the "track" was a 3 lane wide road smoother then most Qld bitumin highways. Conditions obviously change I know, but it's not like it used to be on those main tourist hot spots these days.

Can one still go from Innamincka to Birdsville via the 'short-cut' track. Past Coongie Lake and across Walkers Crossing?
What about the Birdsville 'inside' track? Is it open?
Last time I was there was just after the 2011 flooding. Planning to go back next year, so starting to take note of the comments.

[GBC]

Can you please post a pic of the connection between the yellow spring and the orange suspension arm.
Also a pic of the top connection of the spring - yellow spring to chassis.

Just curious.

I think that shows both? The black spacer was done by yours truly to make it sit better on the car and flip without taking it off the towball. If you need more shots give me a yell.

[Rumpig]

Can one still go from Innamincka to Birdsville via the 'short-cut' track. Past Coongie Lake and across Walkers Crossing?
What about the Birdsville 'inside' track? Is it open?
Last time I was there was just after the 2011 flooding. Planning to go back next year, so starting to take note of the comments.

no idea of current conditions or what's open where...we did Walkers Crossing track last trip out there (about 4 year ago) but i think it's different to where you mean and it was an easy drive, half way along the track we found semi trailers and a huge camp from exploration going on in the middle of nowhere......we left Innamincka well after lunch time and arrived in Birdsville around 6 p.m, it was easy 2wding towing the camper trailer through there. We were supposed to go to Coongie Lake, but i got word my Grandmother was in hospital and about to pass away, so had to make a dash to Birdsville and get ready to head back home....hope to visit the lake one day as not been there yet