2014 GIC Commando

[Mitch.mccabe]

So the wife, kids(3) and I are over the tents and swags and chucking everything into the box trailer to go camping. We put our order in on the new 2014 GIC Commando (old extreme off road equivalent) Anyway we pick it up in 3 weeks and I cant wait to set it up and start seasoning it and putting in the 12 volt system.
I will put some photos up when we get it!!

[MEGOMONSTER]

So the wife, kids(3) and I are over the tents and swags and chucking everything into the box trailer to go camping. We put our order in on the new 2014 GIC Commando (old extreme off road equivalent) Anyway we pick it up in 3 weeks and I cant wait to set it up and start seasoning it and putting in the 12 volt system.
I will put some photos up when we get it!!

Hopefully it's a good one and they build it well. I can't remember who, I think BA could be wrong but he had big problems with his new camper with really bad welds everywhere.
Not sure who's though, could be MDC not sure.
Just check thoroughly before pick up and final payment.
Make sure it's everything you want to be, check it like you built your self.

[threedogs]

@ Mego it was Mudski with his MDC,
look forward to pics of your trailer and tent set up
4x4 Aust mag just did a compare on camper/trailers, I'll did it out
and let you know their thoughts

[outback]

Interesting as GIC is a word not to be uttered.

OK I am interested as at times I need a camper/tent trailer vs caravan so your opinion and assessment will be of value.

[Mitch.mccabe]

So I have now got my camper. So far so good, although a few hiccups on day one
1. Arrived at 0900 to pick it up as I had to go get it registered first, So picked up the paperwork, signed the rest of the $$ over and went to the rta at Bankstown, All good so far, spent just under an hour getting this done, Bankstown RTA had around 50 people in there. Got back to GIC at 1030 and gave them the paperwork, when Steve asked said to me, 'mate you hadn't booked to pick it up until Friday'. Out came Mat who I had been dealing with, apparently there was some mix up between office and workshop, Camper wont be ready until after 1300. Damn it I had my day fairly booked out, and Staying at blacktown I didn't want to drive back out there. 2 1/2hour wait. So I said, throw in the storm cover ($250) and i'll be happy. Happy days they threw it in.

2. Got back at 1300 and was pissing down (big downpours last Monday in Sydney), Camper was out in the pouring rain, hadn't been stamped or plates put on, waiting waiting waiting, short break in rain and done, but unable to really go through/over camper so I took it happy with what I could see without getting drenched.

3. Drive back to Blacktown in more torrential rain, get to furniture joint pick out my mattress, and reverse to get camper undercover in warehouse. The attendant comes up to the window and tells me something is hanging from the back of the camper. F%$# I think. Get back there and the number plate and holder is hanging by the twincore electrical cord it is plugged into, Jesus lucky that didn't fly off on the motorway and smash through someones window. So i rang them up and did the whole 'How did they miss that? heads will fly' spiel. No harm no foul, Just ringing to let you know someone could've been killed because of a $1 bolt and nut you forgot to put on. Got it to the father in laws, and had a quick look as it was still raining, No water inside the trailer, or in the tool box. Thought with that much rain it was a perfect test.

So that was Day 1 and i thought what the fuuuk have i done

I was away for 3 days and got back to Blacktown to drive the camper back to the Ridge. Had a good proper look now that it wasn't raining, There were a few rust spots that had appeared which I would expect, Overall I'm pretty happy for a cheaper style camper.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/29.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC5NQo)

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/30.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC4zuB)

So far i have gotten home, got everything out, set up the whole camper and seasoned it over the weekend. Wow what a huge tent, Plobably took my wife and i about 15mins to set up the main tent, and about another 30+ for the full annex, Everything is pretty easy even though the instructions are a bit basic ( we have since laminated the pole selection sheet, as otherwise you'd be lost trying to set it up without it). everything there seems fine

Got some Marine carpet and lined the tool box, and the camper.

The paint work still seems very flimsy, I scraped (by accident) the paintwork and could see blue, From the original steel work. So stills seems like they are not putting enough effort in the paintwork, but for a cheaper camper what should you expect? I'm not expecting a Tvan quality camper. So I'm still happy with what i have. The test will be once i take it offroad full and give it a bit more of a run in, Will put up pics along the way.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/31.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC3j5F)

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/32.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC2ZqX)

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/33.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC2SHP)

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/03/34.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mC1NSX)

[Stropp]

Thanks for the effort to do the write up Mitch and keep us informed.

[threedogs]

4x4 Aust mag just did a compare on camper/trailers, I'll dig it out
and let you know their thoughts[quote]

They didn't cover your model in the comparo, sorry for late reply

[Drewboyaus]

4x4 Aust mag just did a compare on camper/trailers, I'll did it out and let you know their thoughts

Which edition number was that comparison?

[Sir Roofy]

A tip for when not using it make sure its perfectly dry before packing up
and put under cover so it dosent sweat under the storm cover and cause
mildew or mould inside and out

[threedogs]

Out of interest can you "unbolt" the mud guards and
re bolt them higher up to allow fitting of 16" rims to
better suit the tow vehicle

[threedogs]

@ Drewboy it was no363 April 2014.The compare was more the $10-$15 grand plus campers
Plus some good reading on the chinese flat packed trailers on the market today.

[Mitch.mccabe]

Hey 3d, the guards are welded, someone like you maybe able to increase the size, would you like some close ups of guard?

[Mitch.mccabe]

So we took out the camper for 2 nights at the Nindigully pub. How good are campers, so easy to use! The hand pumps are cheap and nasty so I'm going to rig up a 12 volt water pump and decent taps! The camper still seems alright, no other issues from the weekend, we are going to get a cage put in front of the toolbox to utilise the space, just something to store firewood along trips

[Mitch.mccabe]

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[Mitch.mccabe]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/04/20.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nbae9z)IMG_3561 (https://flic.kr/p/nbae9z) by piercemenow1 (https://www.flickr.com/people/57135140@N03/), on Flickr

[megatexture]

Camper looks good mate! Next time you use your annex try packing up with it attached we throw ours over the top and fold it up in it, saves us a lot of time as ours is quite high and saves folding it up every time.

[Mitch.mccabe]

Yeah we haven't used the annexe yet, the problem is there is like a Dozen different poles that are numbered, probably takes 45 mins to put it up, I'm going to get rid of the different sized poles and just buy a dozen of the same, it will save some time

[mudski]

Camper looks good mate! Next time you use your annex try packing up with it attached we throw ours over the top and fold it up in it, saves us a lot of time as ours is quite high and saves folding it up every time.

Thats what we do with our camper. And we take a smaller ladder too. Great to see your enjoying it. After I have fixed the ef ups with mine I will take pics for all to see.