Lifestyle copied again

[The punter]

A mate who has a breakaway was at the Adelaide show yesterday and saw something very familiar.

You’d be pretty pi$sed off about all of your R and D being basically stolen and profited from, MDC got away with the XT vs AT copies I wonder if there are Australian patents on the breakaway?

[GBC]

Tends to happen when you get your campers made in China.

[The punter]

Don’t think it matters, they weren’t making the AT campers in China and they got reverse engineered, I’d say the Breakaways were easier because the materials are an exact match, so probably the same factory. Some people have no shame.

[tryagain]

It would be interesting to know the price as the difference now is lifestyle are already making their ultra in China, so it is priced pretty well. When the price difference between original and knockoff is smaller I think more will go for the original, it's more so when the difference is in multiples that people are happy enough to deal with some quality control issues for the savings, probably not so much if there isn't large price difference involved.

[The punter]

It would be interesting to know the price as the difference now is lifestyle are already making their ultra in China, so it is priced pretty well. When the price difference between original and knockoff is smaller I think more will go for the original, it's more so when the difference is in multiples that people are happy enough to deal with some quality control issues for the savings, probably not so much if there isn't large price difference involved.

$24k

[tryagain]

$24k

So about the same "Show Special" price as what lifestyle are selling their ultra for, Who would go with a no name knock off when the original from a known brand with a good reputation is about the same price? Seems like lifestyle might have successfully instigated the "if you can't beat them, join them" approach with manufacturing overseas.

[Niley]

Interesting, just had a look at the Reccon R2 and must admit a nice bit of kit, but do have some doubt as to when the we will see a copy regardless of a patent.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

looks like in that brochure they have used a pic of the Ultra.

That new one has a cut away rear end and different tyre mount compared to the pic with the awning out of the original Ultra

[The punter]

looks like in that brochure they have used a pic of the Ultra.

That new one has a cut away rear end and different tyre mount compared to the pic with the awning out of the original Ultra

Well spotted, I think you’re right!

[Benduro]

Sent an email to Lifestyle linking the above 'copy' as we would like to buy a Lifestyle, but with the 'copy's' layout as it appears more functional.
Front kitchen doesn't interfere with bunk layout, fridge at rear can be pushed back into camper in wet weather or when out for security, has an extra window, bunk can be converted to a lounge and there is a pull-out table inside.
Hopefully Lifestyle can benefit by copying back!

[scott8888]

i saw a similar offering from Guardian recently too
http://www.gcrv.com.au/caravan/suv-sprint-pt4-deluxe/

[The punter]

i saw a similar offering from Guardian recently too
http://www.gcrv.com.au/caravan/suv-sprint-pt4-deluxe/

And they have copies of the MDC XT, so the ripper offerers have been ripped off! #karma

[scott8888]

And they have copies of the MDC XT, so the ripper offerers have been ripped off! #karma

yeah i saw that Jawa have a similar one too

[McGirr]

Everyone copies everyone.

Its a tough market and they all want a share of it. The market will decide who stays or goes.

Look at rear fold and forward fold.campers. As soon as they were designed they were copied.

Honestly there is not much in new designs around these days.

Mark

[KingBilly]

Honestly there is not much in new designs around these days.

And when the original designer just keeps regurgitating their original design for years and years, in the vain hope consumers will continue to pay a premium for an old design, then they should not be surprised when somebody else copies their original design AND IMPROVES UPON IT.

KB

[GeoffA]

None of 'em have enough wheels.....

[macca]

None of 'em have enough wheels.....

That was my biggest mistake with my current build

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Rumpig]

None of 'em have enough wheels.....

Lifestyle are looking at possibly doing a dual axle set up apparently, I have a mate that tried getting one built by them when he ordered his nearly 2 years ago, but they didn’t want to do it then as they said it’d add to much weight to the set up..

[Aaron Schubert]

Bigfoot campers are also selling an identical one

Aaron

[Troopy greg]

This has to be out of the same factory in China as Lifestyles
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bibra-lake/camper-trailers/camper-trailer/1189301556

[rags]

This might be similar to the one child policy, one camper type and all to look the same.

[plusnq]

This might be similar to the one child policy, one camper type and all to look the same.

 

[gronk]

This has to be out of the same factory in China as Lifestyles
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bibra-lake/camper-trailers/camper-trailer/1189301556

I've crawled over and in the latest Ultra and this looks VERY similar.   A couple of cosmetic differences and possibly ( ?? ) different brands of additions ?
Seeing as the Lifestyles are sourced from China, I wonder how much difference in price they are......but with the amount of options available, comparing apples with apples can be hard !

[McGirr]

Sorry but they seem too small inside and that awning must take ages to setup.

Mark

[Fullberries]

Everything get copied mate. Look when stainless steel snorkels and airboxes first came out was only a few doing them now every fab shop does them