Market Direct Campers

Hi David, it looks as if you might be the pioneer when it comes to these campers and the exploroz community. I checked out the website after i saw your post and noted the what appears to be very reasonable cost, and it got me thining, never a good thing. So mate, i for one would really appreciate some good feedback as you progress along with your new purchase, how it holds up, ease of setup, things like that. Cheers in adavance,

Tony.

For those that are interested, this is my experience so far with my MDC "Off Road Extreme" Camper;
They appear to be structurally strong made from large heavy section in most areas, 100x50x4mm 1.8mt "A" frame and 50x50 square section in most other areas, except for the top edge of the trailer which is just a folded lip and is clearly under strain from the weight of the bed board when the trailer is open for loading. This really needs to be reinforced to avoid problems later on, I will weld a 50x50 square section under the lip (it fits perfectly) this will solve the problem.
Almost all of the fittings/latches are Chinese garbage and need replacing, as are the jerry can holders and Gas bottle holders, I have replaced any cheap and nasty latches at minimal cost and constructed my own lockable jerry can holders.
Most of the seals are dodgy and poorly installed, and will need some work.
The hitch is a TREG knock off, but looks ok, will know more after an outback trip i guess.
85 lt poly water tank is great but has no stone guard and is like the tool box secured to the trailer with large tech screws.
The Toolbox is great, its big, alloy, and lockable, the problem is that it is just tech screwed on to the A frame not bolted, it is needs to be moved forward so I can get a pole holder between it and the front of the trailer.
Suspension appears strong, 7 leaf military springs, greasable eyes, and shocks.
It has very good ground clearance.
Tyres are Chinese "Wannli" brand, apparently popular OS, and supposedly adequate for the purpose.
The tent looks good, no leaks when set up to season the canvas, its pretty easy to set up but there seems to be a lot of poles (its 12ft long so i suppose it needs them).
The kitchen is pretty good but it is pop riveted on and needs to be bolted.
I think the trailer is a good buy, but only for those who are wiiling and able to do some modifications to bring it up to scratch, at $6500.00 drive away including tool box, kitchen, water tank, spare wheel, and full annex it not bad.
After sale service is non existent though so you are on your own.
I will be heading off on the Easter weekend for some camping and bush driving, it will be the trailers maiden voyage, I will let you know how it performs.
It appears that the display models are better built than the ones they sell.
If the 500 or so dollars I have spent on it are all I have to spend I will be satisfied with the trailer.
Cheers
Dave T

Hi All
Back from our camping weekend away at Gordon Country, the trailer seemed to perform well on its maiden voyage, did some small creek crossings, and took it up some 4wd tracks that were supposedly easy to medium, the tracks were torn apart, badly rutted and muddy after a huge amount of traffic from other 4wdrivers.
Discovered that even though the trailer generally has good ground clearance, the the hitch ploughs into the ground occasionally when going up and down steepish gullies , I think that this is because the plate that the hitch is bolted to is welded to the bottom of the "A" frame not the top.
The jockey wheel does not wind up far enough so we found that on uneven ground it was hard to level the trailer, had to dig a hole under it. The jockey wheel also looks pretty light duty and will not last too long I think.
The contents of the trailer stayed dry and nothing broke, so good so far.
The tent went up easily as did the annex, using the supplied spreaders was a little time consuming but worth the extra effort I believe.
It would be nice to be able to close storm covers from the inside of the tent, but its not too big a deal.
Only a couple of light showers so it didnt get a real waterproof test.
The one 12v socket fitted at the factory was working but the voltage drop for the waeko was to low and I got an error, luckily I had installed a second socket which worked fine, I guess it is too much to expect MDC to use decent wiring.
Anyway it all went pretty well and my family enjoyed the experience which is what counts.
By the way if you havnt been yet give Gordon Country a go, its great !
Cheers
Dave T