Ep 08 - Why MDC FINALLY Made an On-Road Caravan // James Field

“While we've built our reputation on award-winning off-road 4WD models, we recognize the need to venture into a new market to better serve our customers. After all, not everyone's journey leads them off the beaten path.
Our goal with the Forte SR Series is to offer something different, something tailored to those who seek the comfort and convenience of sealed road travel. With seven models ranging from 9ft to 19ft in length, there's an SR caravan for every kind of adventure seeker, and now it’s even more affordable."
James Field, MDC General Manager - Commercial & Product
This week in OFFGRID DOWNUNDER is very exciting, because MDC are doing something that might come as a shock to most people already familiar with the brand… the company is launching the new Forte SR Series - a Sealed Road caravan range that sits alongside their highly popular and award winning 4WD range. The ‘on road’ range is being launched at the Let’s Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Show in Brisbane between 5th and 9th June 2024, and the SR Series marks a significant milestone, because it helps more people get into caravanning, sooner and more affordably.
We sat down and spoke with James Field, the General Manager - Commercial and Product at MDC, and he shared with us a behind the scenes preview into the launch, and we asked him all the questions you would want to know, and hopefully we’ve answered them for you in this episode!
Who is James and why is he the absolute authority on MDC’s Forte SR series? James has worked in the camping industry all of his adult life and is a family man that enjoys taking his young family camping frequently with friends and family. He also holds a very influential role at MDC, and is part of the high-level team that conceived, designed, pre-tested, created and fine-tuned the
Forte SR range.
James started his career with a modest background, as a blue-collar 17-year-old cabinetmaker for a European motorhome company. He learned all aspects from the interior, plumbing, electrical, and chassis engineering, from the ground up and very many hands on. From there, he moved on to one of Queensland's largest caravan dealerships and ran their workshop for several years - from service repair, warranty, pre-delivery, and product development model improvements.
He worked for TAFE Queensland, as a training provider and developed some technical resources to help people in the trade to learn more about how to build and repair caravans, working for some companies that did high end electrical installations on yachts, boats, 4WDrives, caravans and motorhomes.
Then he worked for the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, which is the peak national body for everything caravan and camping, working in compliance including government regulatory change and assisting a lot of manufacturers in changes required to bring them up to a higher standard.
With his extensive knowledge, industry know-how and attention to detail, James was brought over to MDC, where he was “really excited about the direction that the company was heading, and the vision that MDC had, for the product, and for their customers, was really important for me.”
One of James’ roles at MDC was to also help bring the Forte SR Series to life. And to make MDC more accessible to people who might not require all the features of a heavier, more robust 4WD caravan, but to create a range that allows customers to enter the market for a cheaper price and easier towing, but maintain the same high quality, luxury accessories, safety, reliability, energy conscious and camping lifestyle that all MDC owners are lucky to have.
James says:
“At MDC, our passion for caravanning runs deep. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a full-time traveller, we invite you to experience the freedom and flexibility of the SR Series for yourself. Join us at the Queensland Caravan Show and discover a new era of caravanning with MDC.”
We hope you enjoy this podcast, and really welcome your feedback to this episode and any others you might have watched. If you would like to learn more about our Forte SR Series, then follow this link to our website:}
www.marketdire...
If you’re watching this episode in real time, we’d love to see you at our official launch at the Let’s Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Show in Brisbane between 5th and 9th June 2024. Or visit a local showroom near you after this date.
Melissa J Scott
MDC Community Manager
www.marketdirect.com.au
Many thanks to:
MDC Caravans and Camper Trailers
Facebook: / marketdirectcampers
Instagram: / mdc_camper_trailers
KZbin: / @marketdirectcampers
#caravan #camping #caravanandcamping #MDC #MDCUSA #4WD #travelaustralia #caravanningaustralia #caravanlife #offroad #australia #offgriddownunder #mdcowners #travelqueensland #onroad
Link to our website page:
www.marketdire...

[@evanandgemma1]

I’m on my 2nd MDC camper and have never had a problem with either. Looking forward to updating to the SR 11 👍

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

that's exciting to hear, make sure you share with us when you do!

[@goeffburdon7351]

we like the new 16 foot mark 3 model looking forward in the near future to purchase one🙂

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Fantastic! Make sure you join our MDC & AUSRV Owners Group so you can really be involved in the community

[@craigharrop2756]

Hi, just wondering if its possible to add the wall mounted washing machine to the SR 16 island and at what cost? What a great range of vans.

[@slinca]

The videos mdc produce highlight just how different and professional you guys are.

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Thanks so much, we work hard to stand out and let people know just how different we are. So thanks for noticing!

[@whatupg1]

How different are the chassis compare with the equivalent size off road models?

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Great question, you can head over to the website to have a look at those answers, or if you're around a showroom you can pop in and ask those questions personally of the sales team. We are launching the range early June at Brisbane Supershow if you're around there.

[@123JumpingJacks]

Wondering what all the differences are that make them more affordable.

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Make sure you head over to the link provided in the description so you can go to the website and check it out in more detail. Or if you're in Brisbane, you can head to the showroom or upcoming show to see for yourself!

[@johnh5215]

Hi Mel, the Nationwide Service Map you showed in this clip had me scratching my head! Does MDC have 4 service centres in WA? The main reason I ask is that we are currently on the road heading for the bash and will need to have a service along the way. Naturally, we'd love to have a MDC specific service centre do the work.

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

It's a pretty extensive network, let me get some more detailed information for you on that so we can help you out better!

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Hi again, got that information you are after: Albany Albany Caravan Repair Centre Brrome Kimberley Trailer Parts Esperence Esperence Caravan Repair Centre Karratha Jolly Good Auto Electrical Perth Direct Caravan Services

[@johnh5215]

Hi Mel, That's terrific. Sadly, we're past those spots. Does MDC Qld do servicing? Might make a detour after the BRB if so. Thanks. John

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

@@johnh5215 Hi, oh bugger! That's all good, we have a number in Qld too (not the factory but plenty of providers). We'll be updating the website with that information soon so if you're on our email list, you'll be notified about it when it's live! Safe travels and meet you at the bash!!

[@webbey6479]

Not sure what took manufacturers so long to do this!

[@campertrailers4498]

Probably the same reasons they didn't create owner manuals, customer get togethers, Tagalongs etc. Didn't think they needed to until MDC or someone else did it or just don't have a team that have the talent or initiative to do it.

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Sometimes it's all in the timing! But they are launched now and the interest in them is fantastic! Hope you get a chance to check the range out in person soon.

[@sing904]

Hello MDC, please make more use and holiday videos on your Forte series. Please convince us to finally get one, we are so close!

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

Hey there! We're actually taking a trip this weekend with a few of our vans, including the Forte 9+ That video will be out within the next 2 weeks, so look for that real soon! Here's hoping we can convince you ;)

[@fifis101]

So does "on road" mean sealed/bitumen roads only or does it also include gravel roads etc that are still marked on a map?? It's odd having independant suspension and AT tyres and you mention sealed roads over and over but don't necessarily clarify what on road covers.

[@MARKETDIRECTCAMPERS]

"On road" means sealed roads. We encourage you to speak with a sales rep at your nearest showroom and ask all the questions you need :)