- FIT FOR INTENDED PURPOSE
2. INNOVATION - SELF-SUFFICIENCY
- QUALITY OF FINISH
- BUILD QUALITY
- OFFROAD-ABILITY
- COMFORTS
- EASE OF USE
- VALUE FOR MONEY
- X-FACTOR
DAVID COOK
CTA RATINGS
MDC EXPLORER FORWARD FOLD
and front and rear tent hoops. These latter
two could easily be fixed in size as they fold
into the camper’s internal space at pack-up
and this would simplify set-up by removing
four adjustment points. If there is any universal
complaint about Chinese-made campers it is that
they have too many poles, spreaders and tent
adjustment points, making for complex set-ups.
All that aside, the tent and 16oz plain weave
canvas appeared well made, with double seam
stitching and reinforcing around the top for
added waterproofing. There were six windows,
all with internal and external blinds and zip-out
midge mesh, as well as external canvas awnings,
though the need to carry two steel poles for
each seems a weight and space penalty that
exceeds the benefits.
The awning can remain attached when
packing up – a great benefit – though it was
awkward to get over the top and required a lot
of poking to get it all in under the lid. It had three
poles and several spreaders and is definitely a
two-person job to erect.AROUND THE OUTSIDE
The camper comes with an excellent slide out
stainless steel kitchen, with a Smev three-burner
cooktop, sink and electric water pump – which
occupies most of the kitchen’s 1080x540mm
surface – and a 420x540mm pull-out extension.
Underneath is a wide fold-down door behind
which is storage for the water and gas
connections and a cutlery drawer, and adjacent
to the kitchen are two 12V plugs.
The water travels in an 80L heavy duty poly
water tank. Some of the hosing servicing is held
by plastic cable ties which wouldn’t last long on
stony tracks.
The fridge box at the front comes with a
sturdy carpeted slide with excellent tie-down
points and an adjacent 12V plug and a 490mmThere’s plenty of storage for
all you need to take with youSit back, relax and enjoy the views