Friday, Mar 30, 2012 at 22:01
Hi Paul
Congrats on your new CT, I have had a MDC Extreme Explorer for about 18 months. These trailers are IMO an entry level CT, but serve the purpose.
Theese are the things that needed attention on
mine, it might be worth checking before you go outback.
- bearings are cheap and nasty (replace before they fail)
- discovered both wheels were seized on the hubs, the spare did not even fit on the hub without some modification)
- almost all the latches on jerrycan and gas bottle holders fall apart
- rubber seal between bed board and trailer does not seal on the hinge side
- straps on the canvas cover rotted away within 12 months
- hinges and latches on tool box just riveted and all became loose pretty quickly
- not very
well dust proofed (get some sikaflex and start sealing the gaps)
- *MOST IMPORTANT, some of the welds underneath were the worst welds I had ever seen, one of the welds between the "A" frame and the chassis was not actually conecting the two.
I have rectified these issues and also made some mods which have improved the trailer a far bit.
ie: 12v water pump and tap on sink, two 110AH deep cycle batteries, wheels changed so as to be compatable with tow vehicle, swing out rear wheel carrier on rear, moved toolbox forward and fitted pole holders across front of trailer, removed existing jerry can holders and replaced with custom fitted holders.
We are about to take ours on a 6500kl trip through central Aus (
Birdsville Track, Oodnandatta track, Mernie Loop, Plenty Hwy, etc), that will be its first real
test.
I hope the mob at MDC have sorted some of their manufacturing issues, and yours is trouble free.
Have Fun
Dave
AnswerID:
481923
Follow Up By: Flighty ( WA ) - Saturday, Mar 31, 2012 at 12:16
Saturday, Mar 31, 2012 at 12:16
Dave
Many thanks for your input on this unit, it is good to find out these niggly little issues before they turn into big ones.
Will certainly be checking out you suggestions when unit arrives, especially the wheels & bearings.
Welding of drawbar won't be an issue as they are supplying unit without any welding on it, because I have to make up and fit a longer one at my fab
shop to accomodate for dual spare wheel carriers on the 79 series.
Once again thank-you and hope your pending trip is a safe and memorable one for you and your family.
Cheers & Regards
Paul
FollowupID:
757257