MDC Forte 9+ Shakedown Trip and First Thoughts

[@francoerp]

Small, practical and versatile camper but without food storage. I will check it out for sure. Great video !!!

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey, sorry for the late reply… Thank you so much for your interest and your comments and hopefully you have joined us as a subscriber because we certainly do need them :-)

[@antruok4950]

A very neat little van - nice video - Thanks for sharing

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey, thank you for your comments, and hopefully you have joined us as a subscriber… Lord knows we need them 😊

[@zoezoe610]

Congrats for your new van they make camping so much easier. We like Perron too for a camp sometimes. Thanks and enjoy your travels.

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Thanks yep what a ripper campsite :)

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey mate yep easy as we have 250 kg constant springs because I carry lots of tools etc through the week FJ is also my tradie Ute … and we have airbagman airbags with about 15psi in them when the vans on

[@MarkHenderson-mv4xv]

Thanks for the tips Mark, much appreciated!

[@explore_moor]

Love the FJ and van combo. An ideal set up for the light tow capacity of the FJ. Thanks for sharing

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Yep we think it’s perfect:)

[@markh3376]

I am interested in MDC 9+ future 🤔

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey mate sorry for the late reply some folks have had some dramas but overall we have had a great experience from MDC Perth

[@dylan5324]

Great video! Could you do a quick walk round of the outside? Curious what’s under all the hatches / storage around the place

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Yep will do on the next trip out :)

[@BordertotheShore]

Awesome! We just purchased a MDC XT12HR… 🇦🇺

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Good choice!

[@robertwilson1827]

What tipped you over the edge and bite the bullet?

[@BordertotheShore]

@@robertwilson1827 end of model runout price.

[@MarkHenderson-mv4xv]

Hey Mark, enjoyed the video of the new MDC caravan. I’m interested in your FJ cruiser as the tow vehicle as I have one. Was wondering if you’ve upgraded the suspension etc. to improve its towing capacity for the caravan? Any tips would be appreciated 😊. Cheers, Mark

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey sorry for late reply we have airbags at rear and spring upgrades and recently swapped out shocks to top dog foam cells but stock will handle it fine 🥂

[@gungahlin10]

So what do you do for a fridge as it doesn't seem to have one?

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Yep it has a large fridge drawer at front on kitchen side we got a fridge in there and room for pantry items stacked around it 🥂

[@Monderr-38]

Hi you have had the forte9 for a few months the now, what do you think?

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

sorry for the late reply - love the van we only use the inside to sleep and get dressed etc as our version of camping is outside by the fire etc - we swapped out the mattress for a deeper one and made a foam headboard and we move the TV bracket up a bit - lots of solar - still havent used the inverter but will soon - easy to tow - having hot water is a huge plus

[@EthosAtheos]

I'm in the USA, I've got an FJ and I'm considering that exact trailer. I see you uploaded this about 8 mo ago. How does the FJ perform towing it? Do you have an Auto or is it a Manual transmission? What is your opinion of the camper quality? I'm in a very different environment temperature wise but, do you find that when you use the heater in the cold the walls get wet?

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey Mate and Gday from Down Under as you guys say - yep we love it and the FJ eats it up unless youre heading into a nasty headwind as wtih all tow cars / vans experience - our FJ Is Auto 2011 model and has just gone over 400,000 KM never misses a beat - yep we do use the diesel heater to warm up before we hit the sack if its cold then turn it off - then if its a chilly morning pop it on again takes a few mins to heat up but not too long - we are camoing this coming weekend and will be a chilly evening and morning I tested the hot water and heater yesterday and all good after being laid up for a couple of months over winter ..overall any MDC van is good Ive found - just gott ebsure your local dealer has a strong warranty dept as with any van there will be issues - our dealer sorted our camera at rear and swapped it out for a new one - no trouble MnM

[@robertmuirhead6486]

Thanks for the video and a good insight into the van . How did you go with the v6 petrol for towing the van . I have the v6 petrol hilux.

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey mate think I mentioned it in the vid but … I normally get around 13L/100 ish and heading into the wind we got smashed as many van towers will attest to prob close to 25s but on way back the car scanner I have that feeds back live data averaged 19 which I thought was acceptable

[@robertmuirhead6486]

@@markandmandyoutandabout so it towed ok , didn’t feel too heavy?

[@DanielOSullivan-ob7wx]

Is there room somewhere to put underneath a aircon unit

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

I’d recommend a portable one like an EcoFlow

[@tyzon00800]

A cd plays?

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Yep the CD works :)

[@darrylcullen2409]

Can I ask why you got rid of the camper. We are deciding which way to go at the moment, Camper or this little caravan. Ta

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey thanks for the comment and hopefully you have joined us as a subscriber:) Anyway I have developed a bit of a back issue and putting up and pulling down the previous camper just became a bit much and took some of the fun out of the camping experience This unit you go in back and I clip two clips on outside then simply push roof up and a few minutes later you’re enjoying a drink

[@Podge.]

Love the new van guys

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Thanks mate :)

[@GregPovah]

Love them as camp neighbours with that music NOT !!!

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Yep we love being on our own 🥂

[@PaulSmith324]

Hey mate, what’s the ball weight ? We’ve also got an FJ 👍🏼 just got you to 500 subs 👍🏼

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

Hey mate …. Light as check out the specs www.marketdirect.com.au/product/forte-9-plus-hybrid-offroad-caravan/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADzZg03joWmgOy2SYgUHVWkTB2qo1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTfZ3obvFjimA3GyqZmXU4RGkTTtnCevq-KQzmjDsTD3NoGONSl4i3UaArvUEALw_wcB

[@BirdManVRX]

Did you need to upgrade the rear springs on the FJ. Fully loaded your ball weight will be up around 180kg

[@petermercer5968]

the car you're driving a lot of gay people drive them . Just saying , but the van is really nice.😊😊

[@markandmandyoutandabout]

LOL :)