Off-Road Camping Trailer from S Africa Group buy

[Swede71]

Group buy for the New 2018 Echo 4 x 4 Tec5, 1279lbs, and Tec2, 1080lbs, offroad camping trailers.

If there is interest I will put together a final package(most of the information is in the links below), I am flying to S Africa to put together an order November 25th and if enough people want to participate I will offer group buy pricing and purchase additional trailers for this. I will need to know who is interested and have initial deposit in hand before I place my order end of November(Group buy pricing and exact configuration will be sent to you before this).


Group buy info/rules.





Minimum 4 participants required.

25% deposit on initial order to start production.

Additional 50% deposit once trailers are ready to ship within 2 months of order.

Remaining 25% payment required once picked up. We charge 5% GST unless you are not from Canada then there is no additional charge from us.

4-5 months, from order to landing in Calgary Alberta, customs cleared/registered and ready for summer(am timing this so they land April 2018). Calgary Alberta is the pick-up location, drive out and Overland back home.

List pricing will be finalized shortly is in Canadian dollars and be about $29,995.00 Tec2 model & $39,995.00 Tec5 model, note pricing is based on current exchange rates/shipping costs and may fluctuate.

Group buy pricing will be messaged to you and is not to be posted, if posted you are eliminated from the group buy now and if we do another.

This Group buy is not to be publicly shared with other forums, if you have someone interested in participating they can contact me directly via the contact info on the website and I will consider.

Note we will be offering Mag rims not the steel ones shown.

Group buy ends 15 December 2017.

Additional products may be offered as well ie roof top tents etc

Links with information on both models, this will be updated in November, any/all questions can be answered if you contact me directly, all info is on the website in the links.

I have seen and set up their previous models and the attention to detail is amazing, what they offer is extremely high end and a lot is MilSpec. These are their newest models which are the lightest and offer the most options.

https://www.streetlegalatv.ca/echotec5/

https://streetlegalatv.ca/echotec2/

 

[Swede71]

Spoke with my customs broker on Friday, and anyone needing help bringing these across the border it is pretty simple and all logistics can be taken care of for you if required.

 

[Swede71]

Just booked my flight, looking forward to seeing these in person, have seen their older models and they are amazing with how they are set up. These are even lighter offering more comfort and capabilities.

 

[Swede71]

A good view of the kitchen side of the trailer with great storage and large slide-out for the fridge/freezer. Tec5 model.

 

[Swede71]

Great storage that can be accessed from inside the trailer main sleeping area for the family. Including pull out storage boxes and door pockets. Tec5 model.

 

[Swede71]

Front view Tec5, showing Nato fuel can mount, firewood rack, hot and cold water taps and dish drying area. Up top is the optional bike/canoe/kayak rack.

 

[Swede71]

These are the actual rims that will come with these, not the black steel ones shown in all of the other photos, finally have a photo of them.

 

[Swede71]

Still waiting to get better photos of how the walls look set-up, these are the best I can find for now, these are not set-up on a full 360 degree awning. The ones I bring in will have a full 360 degree awning with optional walls that can be attached fully around the trailer, with separate entrances and several windows with mosquito netting that can be closed off if there is bad weather and to keep the heat in.

 

[Swede71]

 

[Swede71]

Lots of room for several people, with separate sleeping, eating/entertaining areas. Keeping mind the ones I will be bringing in will have a full 360 degree awning and have the footprint like in the illustration below.

 

[Swede71]

Awning will offer this type of footprint for the Tec5 model:

 

[Swede71]

Awning will offer this type of footprint for the Tec2 model:

 

[po3po3]

I've been considering Patriot and Turtleback. Really prefer Patriot but concerned about after sales support since they are based out of AUS. This trailer group buy seems interesting. Never heard of this company and unsure of their after sales support as well. Are there any clear reasons other than weight why you or anybody would choose this over a patriot considering they are the same price?

Sorry I'm not trying to detract from the OP but never heard of this trailer company and I am sincerely interested since I'm in the market for one in this price range. Thanks.

 

[Swede71]

I've been considering Patriot and Turtleback. Really prefer Patriot but concerned about after sales support since they are based out of AUS. This trailer group buy seems interesting. Never heard of this company and unsure of their after sales support as well. Are there any clear reasons other than weight why you or anybody would choose this over a patriot considering they are the same price?

Sorry I'm not trying to detract from the OP but never heard of this trailer company and I am sincerely interested since I'm in the market for one in this price range. Thanks.

No worries all good questions, will do my best to answer.

Echo 4x4 is one of the leaders in off-road camping trailers in Africa and has been in business since 1989, with 250 employees that have built over 20000 trailer/caravans to date.

The premises in Centurion between Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, has a 4wd fitment centre, a 4wd shop, café and showroom as well as the steel fabrication, paint shop with its own steel chemical treatment plant and a powder coating facility and assembly lines.
The premises consist of a high tech manufacturing plant with a design and retail outlet.
State of the art equipment is utilized such as;
C.N.C Robotic Welding (steel),
C.N.C Router Milling,
C.N.C Turning/Milling,
Laser cutting and CAD (computer aided design),
CNC 3D plastic printing
CNC (computer numerical control)
CAM (computer aided manufacturing) is utilized.
C.N.C High definition Plasma Cutting
C.N.C Punching (sheet metal fabrication)
PVC Welding
CO2 Welding (steel)
Tig Welding (specialized)
Sheet metal Fabrication
Canvas Fabrication
Powder Coating Plant
Spray Painting Plant
Composite Manufacturing Plant

Additional services rendered
Special Trailer Manufacturing for mines, Defence Force, Police etc.
Special Vehicle Body Modifications
Special Electrical 12v Vehicle modification
Special build mast trailers for mines
Camping Equipment Manufacturing
Single Quad Trailer
Double Quad Trailer
Vehicle Transport Trailer


National Tent & Sails is a wholly owned subsidiary of Echo 4x4 that has been supplying quality products including military products for over 40 years.

To simplify, last time I was in S Africa this was the main brand that I saw everywhere, and when I checked the pricing for used Echo 4x4 trailers they really held their value.

As of October 2017, these are now available in the US and have been available in Canada for the last 3-4 years, so there will be support on either side of the border. I did contact all of the major manufacturers and did decide to go with Echo 4x4 based on quality/workmanship and usable/workable/well-designed space in their trailers based on how they are set-up on how I would want to camp with comfort for myself and with up to 6 other people. As a side note this all stemmed from my girlfriend saying last year was the last year for sleeping in a tent, so I set up the 4-Runner as an overland vehicle for us to use in preparation to being able to import these trailers for us and others that would appreciate what they have to offer.

As for pricing I believe we are a bit less being I have priced these 2 models in Canadian dollars in the first post, so the Tec2 model would be in US Dollars about US$23,500.00 and the Tec5 would be about US$31,500.00, this is based on today's exchange rates and is an approximation using a currency app.

I did look today at the Patriot models to try and compare. First off they look very well built as well, and I had considered importing this model as well to Canada however decided to go with Echo 4x4 instead. There is not a lot of information or pictures on the US website for me to compare what is offered based on cost, it does seem like a fridge/freezer is not included and can be added for a price on all of their models, where it is included in the packages I am putting together. I will be putting together a complete package for both models once I am there and see their newest product line that I will be importing and finalizing all details/specs etc. My goal is to make it so that when someone wants one of these 2 models there are only a few small add-ons they can choose from based on their camping lifestyle instead of a multitude of add-ons/costs, to simplify the experience for everyone.

Regarding turtleback trailers, they do have a good reputation as well and I did price them out and I do believe that we are a similar or lower price point based on everything offered.

I believe all 3 trailer models you are comparing have a lot to offer, it comes down to what you want, my preference after months of research is the Echo 4x4 line. And at the end of the day you will choose whichever one suits you best. I will be taking more pictures and getting more information once I am there and will add this when I have time, which will give a better perspective on everything they have to offer.

Hope I answered your questions for now and if you have any others let me know. Also I have been contacted by people here that have purchased the older Echo 4x4 models from the last company that had the Canadian distribution rights and all they can say is how happy they are with their trailers. I have seen and set up their older models and the attention to detail is there and the usable space is very impressive to make the camping adventure no matter what the weather comfortable for everyone involved. I am very excited to see the newer Tec5 and Tec2 models that offer even more than what was originally imported here.

 

[po3po3]

No worries all good questions, will do my best to answer.

Echo 4x4 is one of the leaders in off-road camping trailers in Africa and has been in business since 1989, with 250 employees that have built over 20000 trailer/caravans to date.

The premises in Centurion between Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, has a 4wd fitment centre, a 4wd shop, café and showroom as well as the steel fabrication, paint shop with its own steel chemical treatment plant and a powder coating facility and assembly lines.
The premises consist of a high tech manufacturing plant with a design and retail outlet.
State of the art equipment is utilized such as;

Very well said. Nothing really beats seeing something in person and getting your hands on it.

Any idea if there are any upcoming shows or current owner forums? Maybe I can find someone in Southern California who has a previous model. I'll start googling to see if I can find anything too. Thanks for the detailed responses.

 

[po3po3]

What's the warranty details and who will service it in the USA?

 

[Swede71]

Very well said. Nothing really beats seeing something in person and getting your hands on it.

Any idea if there are any upcoming shows or current owner forums? Maybe I can find someone in Southern California who has a previous model. I'll start googling to see if I can find anything too. Thanks for the detailed responses.

I am not aware of any upcoming shows where they will be involved, however if it was me with the distribution rights down there I would make sure that I would be advertising at any show that would make sense. If you go to the RV trader website you will find them listed at other dealerships in the US, where you will have a chance to see them in person if you like. Hope that helps.

 

[Swede71]

What's the warranty details and who will service it in the USA?

Once I have met with the manufacturer I will have exact details on the warranty offered. These are being sold in the US as well and could be serviced at those locations and realistically any reputable RV/Trailer location.

Electronics, propane heater are specific to our North American market to comply with regulations, so they would be easy to work on if needed. Fridge freezer can be serviced with anyone that carries the lines ie National Luna, Dometic etc.

 

[Swede71]

Group buy is extended until 15 Dec 2017, to allow me time to offer more pictures and details after visiting the factory in S Africa end of Nov. This will make it easier for anyone interested being this is a larger dollar value for those considering.

 

[Swede71]

Picture of the Tec2 with rooftop tent and full 360 degree awning set-up.