AussieBushGhosts 12 month experience with BT.
Its just over 12 months since we picked up the BT, so thought I would post our experience covering the period from the decision to get a caravan to now.
Before we placed an order for the BT & F250, I was lucky enough to be visiting Sydney, Melbourne and of course Brisbane which is our home base, every week for six months.
I used this opportunity to visit many Caravan Manufacturers and Canopy manufacturers (for the F250) in Vic, NSW & Q’ld, going through the production facilities where the manufacturer would allow.
In our mind, there was no decision to be made with the Caravan, BT won hands down, for reasons covered later.
The canopy which was manufactured by MFI in Warragul Vic was also well ahead in the areas BT were, Ie, Flexibility to customise, but pretty unforgiving in any customer requirement that risked a reduction in either safety or quality.
Both were definitely not the cheapest by significant $’s.
From our perspective both were well ahead in value for money, and in fact I honestly believed that both were under priced when one listed the features and estimated costs, including the appropriate overheads and higher manufacturing costs that are created when low volume customised manufacturing is involved.
This triggered a concern that both these organisations may not be profitable enough to sustain longevity, and therefore create problems after the sale, by ceasing to exist.
A visit to the production facilities where I reviewed the manufacturing methodology in both operations, convinced me otherwise. This is not to be interpreted that both operations were perfect.
Far from it, but they were both miles ahead on value for money, engineering & robust ability to do the job over a sustained rugged life span
I was concerned at the problems BT were experiencing with workflow in their old factory/factories. By subtle questioning, I was convinced that BT were very much aware of these problems and the costs it was adding to their production flow, and had already addressed the issue with their new factory, which was scheduled for completion well before we were ready to place an order.
To be sure we did visit the new factory, before we placed the order, and observed the improvements to work flow which would flow through to their bottom line.
Incidentally, I have heard comments around the industry that BT have moved to high volume production line manufacturing. What utter rubbish! Anyone thinking this should visit a high volume production line manufacturing “anything”,.. and observe the difference.
BT do an effective job in creating an efficient workflow for a customised product.. This should not be interpreted as “BT have a perfect production line”. This too is rubbish, as there are ample opportunities to improve, however, they are of a high level of efficiency compared to the manufacturers we visited.
In the off road vans they are miles ahead in work flow.
They also have a high level of consistency with quality……. Easy to prove by talking to customers, and comparing with customers of any customised product. Be aware that if you want to make comparisons like this, do it properly with random samples of a suitable size….. not from one or two who get vocal.
Anyway back to our experience with BT.
During the 12 mths, we have only covered approx 12,000 ks, but we are extremely satisfied with everything about it, and apart from a couple of minor items that were easily addressed have had no problems.
In fact, if we were to start again, I doubt that we would change much in the design.... it suits us well………And we would certainly get another
Bushtracker and a canopy from Metal Form Industries.
A couple of experiences that confirms that listening and responding to the guidance offered by the BT guys during the design/ ordering process was worthwhile.
1.
We were bush camped at Copeton Dam (on the other side to the caravan park ) in January 04,(our first outing in the BT) and a severe storm pounced on us virtually from nowhere. We had our awning and annexe up, as did the rest of our friends and rellies who were all camped on this isthmus in the dam.
Our annexe was the only one that stood up to the storm, (that did not get pulled down in panic as the storm hit).
There were awnings wrapped over motor homes & caravans, plus some that were completely wrecked.
We had our Aussie Traveler, tied down with ropes to solid tent pegs, from where the corners of the main outer support beam is supported by the poles, (not relying on the wire loops at the bottom of the poles, VERY SOUND ADVICE)
(Not sure if this advice came from BT or the Aussie Traveler lady, but its very sound advice)
Whilst I was expecting something to give way in the 10 minutes of the storm, it survived undamaged. The only damage was my stress level at the time.
2.
Also at Copeton, another BT and ourselves were the only rigs that did not have trouble with their solar power. Admittedly there were some "Heath Robinson" or "jury Rigged" or whatever the term is, but some had supposed experts fit their solar gear and batteries, which even a layman like me could see were ill advised, particularly after having experienced BT teams advice.
I can recall during the manufacturing period of the BT a significantly robust discussion I had with one of the BT Directors, relative to batteries (I started my work life nearly 40+ years ago in a technical field that included maintaining batteries). I was convinced he was wrong in the stance he was taking, however technology had moved on significantly and I eventually discovered that I was wrong.
3.
We find ourselves in a position where with full water tanks etc., we can go over the 3500kgs if we do not meticulously watch the loading....... should have listened with a keener ear to the advice relative to weight, and for example not installed the heavy Latex mattress, which whilst its great to sleep on added unnecessary weight.
This issue will address itself as we upgrade the F250 to legally tow 4.5 tonne, now that the F250 has been “certified” to do this.
Whilst we have had more than our fair share of problems with the F250 during the first 18,000kms its done, its a great tow vehicle, and the combination of the BT & F250, we find is great, particularly with the canopy.
Another surprise was the ability of both the
Bushtracker and the Canopy to resist dust penetration. In fact even after travelling on outback tracks, I have not cleaned the inside of the canopy since acquiring it and the only “dirt” or dust inside is that from a box of potatoes we bought in Tasmania.
To us, this is very impressive, as I was convinced that bull dust would penetrate virtually everywhere, and quite frankly this alone makes the canopy worth the extra dollars, and the investment in the
Bushtracker sound.
This was also a major and robust discussion with one of the BT Directors over a design spec that I wanted relative to dust penetration. I took the advice and very pleased that we have had no unpleasant bull dust experiences within the van.
It would be great to hear from others their experiences with the BT.
Bob & Louise Lemon
AussieBushGhost
