Strong support for all-Aussie campers

A number of patriotic caravancampingsales.com.au readers have come out in support of a group of Aussie camper trailer manufacturers campaigning against the threat of cheap, imported campers, especially those being misleadingly promoted as Australian built.

After running two news stories on the emotive topic last week, True blue campers fight back, and Cup Campers invests locally, we've received a flood of emails, ranging from those who back the ‘Made in Australia’ cause, to those outraged by the lack of protection provided by government for Australian manufacturers.

"It's good to see some Aussies sticking up for their products," expressed Shane Turner. "Like a lot of people I'm sick of being told Aussie-made when most of it is done in China or some other cheap labour/ materials country.  Not only is the canvas inferior but their steel is nowhere the quality of ours either."

Darren Mendoza also got behind the 14 local manufacturers who have formed the new lobby group, Australian Manufactured Camper Trailer Guild.

"I strongly agree with your fight back," Darren wrote. "You also need to contact all the Australian builders of campers and Australian canvas manufactures that build the tents.

"I personally purchased a second-hand, Australian-made Dingo camper over a new China built one and went to the manufacturer to purchase items that needed to be replaced, and found that the owner builder was distressed due to low sales as people were buying the lower priced China-made campers and (so) may face closure .

"I have also been told that some Australian camper builders are getting components for their campers built to their standards in China to be competitive in the market... if you ask around people agree with buying Australian made... but they will always buy a cheaper item, then complain about wanting higher wages which adds to the cost of manufacturing the goods or item they are involved with...

"I hope you can make the Australian people see that they are part of the problem and the government isn't making thing any better or easer for any of us."

Ron Jones continued this theme when he argued: "How much longer can our manufacturing sector continue to operate on a level playing field with no protection when the Chinese protect their manufacturers with a devalued currency and underpaid workers?"

But it was Bill Gordon, who summed up the thoughts of many readers when, referring to Cub Campers, he said: "It's good to see an Australian manufacturer committing to Australia production. I hope they continue to expand their operation."