New Trak Shaks not good!

Hi Mark,
Its a crying shame the way we are headed here in Australia with some of the garbage that is being unloaded on us from China.It is not only canvas but clothing,Generators and IT related gear.Have in the frozen food section next time at the supermarket,Broccoli,beans,corn.brussels sprouts and the list goes on.We will not knowingly buy anything from China as most things we use can be obtained from Australian manufacturers.We all should all be ashamed at the legacy we are leaving our Grandchildren.What about our Aussie farmers??.
Cheers to all, Snake

I don't think it is necessarily the Chinese that are to blame.

If an Australian "manufacturer" decides to have products made overseas, it should be up to that Company, to ensure the quality of the product is acceptable to them. It is their "brand name" that is at resk after all.

At least, in the comments from Mark's post, Track Shack will make good on the questionable quality of the lastest product, but hell, they should have rejected an inferior product before onselling to the public.

Trak Shaks are over priced for waht they are and I think the guy who bought it a few years ago is loosing the plot.

Trak Shak are one of the hardest company to deal with...never open, nobody knows anything and you get differant stories every time you speak to them (thats if you are lucky enouth to get the same person).

Try getting something changed!

Regards Richard

Hands up all those who remember when we talked about poor Japanese quality in the same way? There is also a lot of quality Chinese product about and I don't think that a claim that "Chinese" equals "poor quality" is sustainable. I think Sandman's comment re importer's responsibility for quality control has it about right.
Chinese living standards (and wages) are now rising very rapidly and the wage advantage will even out in about a decade, just as it did in Japan. Meanwhile, our sales to China are about the only thing that is keeping our economy afloat.

I cannot imagine "holes all over the canvas" in a three month old camper of any description even if it came from the worst manufacturer in the world! I think that may be overstating the problems of that particular camper. Michael

I understand that Campomatic has been bought from Trakshak by a Sydney Investor who plans to revamp the model range.
I was told this by the salesman at the MT Penang 4WD show.
Apparently they are working on a modular concept where you can buy a base model and option up.

This was in response to my comment that who needs all the crap like batteries , fridge etc.

In the past the components of each model were different leading to increased cost and complexity.
AFAIR they also intend to bring production back to OZ.
Regards Philip A

There is a nice Australian made Trak Shak for sale in the Trader Section !

Willie .

We love our Trak Shak, but its a 2001 model ( I think )

Tough as and has the best canvas .

I spoke to Peter Bollymier ( Spelling ) the owner of Trak Shak , at a Caufield Carravan & Camping Show, in Vic, and he said to build a trailer of the same quality in Oz, would cost an extra $6000-$8000.
So I guess it was for that reason that they are all off shore these days.

Dunno myself, but I have never had a problem with them, or the Stak Shak,

Cannot comment about the Chinese type, only seen 2 and they were both at Camping Shows.

Cheers All

Bucky

I have a 1997 Campomatic which I believe is exceptionally good.

After 10 years the canvas is perfect ( except for the bullet hole). It withstood about 4 inches of rain in two hours in Melbourne recently without a seep.

The independent suspension is fine and the Konis still absorb.
And it had stickers attesting to the fact that it had been everywhere man.

The only problem I found when I bought it a year ago was a dud wheel bearing.
No fridge, no batteries,pretty basic kitchen but SWMBO and I love it. And it weighed 550Kg with 750x16s on Toyota splits, now 54Kg lighter with RRC mags and tubeless 205x16.

Talk about over engineered. The bloke at Yatala must have been a bit of a fanatic.
Biggest problem I have had is identifying sources for parts. Nobody ever wrote a parts manual.
I still do not know how to get new suspension bushes if I need them. This comes from the frequent changes in ownership.

Trak Shak were useless, and the reference to an Ipswich dealer was no help.
But I figured out the struts wit the help of the Strut Man.
Regards Philip A

Yep - Trak Shak - rang them while on a trip - had a trailer problem - needed a part - answering machine was on (as usual) - left a message - no return call (as expected).

This is why the few 'top end' Australian manufacturers can charge premium prices and still have an order book 6 months long. Others are left to compete on price.

Mine (brand doesn't matter, but you can look at my rig profile if interested, that's not the point) is Australian made. There are still some excellent Australian manufacturers with great after sales service. You just have to decide if you are a price buyer or a quality buyer. They (the seller) have to make the same choice.

About 2 years ago, I had a mishap the day before a planned 4 month trip.Well I told the story then, so here's the short version. While moving the CT from back yard to front for an early start, I didn't notice the kitchen drawer was not locked in place. Drove through a gate and demolished the kitchen and did a bit of other damage to the CT. Rang the manufacturer on Sunday afternoon. Got to his premises (about 3 hours away from home) at 8.00 AM Monday morning. He had us ready to hit the road for our trip by 3.30 PM same day. Try that with a Chinese made CT.

The extra you spend on a quality products up front is generally returned through reliability, service and resale value, regardless of where it is made.
I'm happy to buy quality imported products when there is an advantage to me. China is becoming more reliable for many products and I use many of them. But I would not rate camper trailers high in China's manufacturing expertise.