MDC Forte 9+ 2023 Review

Staying ahead of the pack in the highly competitive Australian RV market isn't easy, but MDC is managing to do it with regular quality improvements and a relentless new model roll-out.

A front-runner in the now booming Chinese camper and hybrid market, the Brisbane-based importer had humble beginnings back in 2006 when it released its first of many cut-price tent trailers.

Fast forward to 2023 and budget buyers are spoilt for choice with everything from forward- and dual-fold, hard floor camper trailers, to a long line of hybrid off-road and full height caravans and pop-tops, in body lengths from 9ft to 19ft, currently listed on the MDC website.

MDC recently 'top and tailed' its ever-evolving model range with the addition of a new $100,000 19ft, full height off-road caravan and a compact, $35,000 9ft hybrid pop-top -- the latter the subject of this 'walk-through' review.

Released earlier this year, the Forte 9+ joins the MDC range as the smallest and cheapest offering in its off-road pop-top caravan range, at just 4.5m long and 2.3m wide overall, and weighing only two tonnes fully loaded.

Like all MDC models, it comes equipped with quite a lot of standard features for its very competitive $34,990 retail price.

It was no surprise to discover that towing the Forte 9+ behind a 3500kg tow-rated Ford Ranger was like towing a box trailer to the tip, and its lightweight 1400kg Tare opens it up to a variety of less capable tow vehicles, including city runabouts and SUVs.

While we didn't end up too far in the bush, the Forte 9+ is geared up for some rugged off-roading, with the combination of a galvanised chassis and aluminium composite body with side checker plate protection, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling and off-road jockey wheel, and MDC's X-TRACK independent coil spring suspension with 12in brakes, 16in alloys and mud terrain tyres.

Decent ground clearance and a sharp rear departure angle also make it a good option for traversing creeks and tackling rutted tracks, with underbody protection including some shiny checker plate around the 120 litre poly freshwater tank, along with rear recovery hooks and skid plates.

There's also a removable cover for the mandatory gas vent on the rear entry door, to help keep out the dust when travelling on dirt roads, and a rear camera to assist when backing into narrow campsites and garages.

Pulling up at that bushy or beachy campsite, you'll also discover the Forte 9+ is more like a caravan than a camper trailer, when it comes to ease of setting up and packing down.

It's light enough to be pushed around on smooth, flat ground, and once in place shouldn't take more than five minutes to unhitch, flip down the jockey wheel and wind down the stabilisers, unclasp the roof and push up the rear section from inside. There's a safety lock-out on one of the gas struts to prevent the roof from dropping down when camping.

The 270 degree, bagged awning is a bit fiddlier but still relatively easy to erect, so add another five minutes or less to fold out the frame and drop down the legs, and secure it with a strap that attaches to the front of the camper.

The polyester style awning material seems decent enough, and although it's a free-standing design you might want to secure it with some guy ropes in high winds. There's also a good chance it will 'pool' in the centre when it rains, with no sloping run-off areas.

Annexe walls, flooring and draft skirts are also included to create a fully enclosed outdoor area, although we didn't get the chance to set it up.

There's some external storage space in the black checker plate front tool box, with the three compartments accessible via their strut-assisted top lids. MDC fit the holders and connections for two jerry cans and gas bottles, but you'll have to add the rest yourself.

There are a couple of LED-lit external storage lockers along the offside wall: one containing the annexe bits and the other including a dedicated section for longer, narrower items like poles, fishing rods or even a boogie board.

Other external highlights include white/yellow bug lights, outside speakers, and an external hot-cold shower, with a shower privacy tent provided that attaches to the side wall.

The Forte 9+ pop-top is also set up for off-grid camping with three 175W rooftop solar panels feeding a 200Ah lithium battery, with a 1000W inverter, battery chargers, solar controller and monitor also part of the onboard electrical package.

Cooking is outside on a sleek stainless steel kitchen that slides out from the side to reveal a three burner cooker, with glass lid and wind shields, a sink with mixer tap, and a cutlery drawer, pull-out tray with dish towel holder, and a twin-shelf drying rack and pantry.

The kitchen is self-supporting and protected by the awning, and all you need to do is hook up the gas hose to the wall-mounted bayonet, and you're ready for some 'caviar camping'.

There's another spot for food and drinks on the drop-down picnic table mounted nearby, and another locker next to the kitchen with a slide-out for a fridge, which you'll also pay extra for; around $1300 if you opt for the MyCoolman 85L litre unit fitted to the review camper.

Entry is through the rear, via some twin pull-out steps and a caravan-style door with separate flyscreen and interior curtains, and tall people will need to duck to get inside.

Once inside though, it doesn't feel too cramped despite not a lot of floorspace, with the front-sloping roofline offering plenty of headroom in the rear 'standing' section.

There's a nice 'mini caravan' feel about the layout too, thanks to some modern decor and the ability to let in plenty of natural light and ventilation by opening up the two bedside windows with their built-in insect screens and blinds, along with the meshed pop-top windows, and skylight roof hatch above the bed.

There's no air-conditioner but the single 12V fan will get a nice breeze going on balmy nights.

There's enough room for two on the comfy, leatherette-lined bench seat to eat meals, fire up the laptop or just kick back, with the large adjustable table still allowing enough space to get through to the bed, when pushed out as far as it can go for maximum legroom when sitting.

The underbed storage space isn't accessible from inside, but there are a few good-sized spots for your clothes and towels, with a drawer, cupboard, and a small wardrobe with shelving located along the wall, opposite the dinette. Although some of the storage space is taken up by the battery and some switches and electrical items including a water gauge.

There's also a handy benchtop for recharging laptops and phones; close to some USB/12V/240V sockets, the audio unit and a flexible arm for mounting an optional TV. Other dials and switches, for appliances like the Truma gas hot water unit, are less conveniently located on a panel close to the floor.

The biggest dealbreaker for potential buyers is likely to be the east-west double bed, which gets a 150mm thick high density foam mattress but is only 1.5m wide so might be a squeeze for some couples. The padded bedhead also slopes the wrong way for use as a back rest.

However, like other MDC campers we've tried, the Forte 9+ comes standard with a diesel space heater for dealing with frosty Outback nights, with the 10 litre fuel tank located in the front toolbox, and a single outlet under the bed. There are also four ceiling lights for night-time use.

The MDC Forte 9+ is an enticing new option for first-time caravan buyers on a budget, as well as experienced RV travellers looking for something smaller and lighter to tow, and a comfortable 'base camp' for some off-grid adventures.

It's well equipped for the price and presents as a thoughtfully designed, nicely finished and solidly built compact hard-wall off-road camper, although we didn't subject it to any adverse conditions apart from some dusty roads.

Price: $34,990
Travel length: 4600mm
Travel width: 2300mm
Travel height: 2360mm
Tare: 1419kg
ATM: 2000kg
Ball weight (Tare): 153kg
Wheels: 16-inch alloy with 265/75R16 Goodride MT tyres
Brakes: 12in drum electric
Suspension: Independent coil spring with twin shocks
Fresh water: 1 x 120L
Battery: 200Ah lithium with 1000W inverter
Solar: 3 x 175W rooftop panel
Gas: 2 x 9kg holders provided
Kitchen: External with sink, mixer tap, three-burner gas cooktop
Fridge: External slide-out for an optional 85L fridge
Hot water: 14L gas
Space heater: 2kW diesel
Audio: Bluetooth with internal/external speakers
TV: Optional (TV arm provided)
Lighting: LED
Supplied by: MDC, Brisbane, Qld