MDC Forte 9+ review: We take MDC’s smallest hybrid for a run

At 9 feet long and weighing in at a very SUV-friendly 1450kg, the MDC Forte 9+ is a hybrid squarely aimed at budget-conscious couples who want a lighting quick set-up and pull-down for both short and longer trips into the bush without sacrificing mod-cons or comfort. And it has to be said, if you’re an avid off-road driver who has moved beyond the soft/hard floor camper, are looking for something a little comfier without sacrificing the ability to lug it down rough tracks, and would rather have your wisdom teeth removed by a mate with a Makita than buy a caravan, the Forte 9+ is right up your alley.

We recently spent a week on the South Coast of NSW, towing and living out of the MDC Forte 9+, and while it’s not what you’d call spacious, the comfiness and convenience are off the charts.

Why we’d buy one

As mentioned, for a fully-walled in van, the MDC Forte 9+ weighs four-fifths of bugger all. It has more inclusions than Cher as well as being a legitimate less-than-a-minute-set-up for a quick overnighter. There is a decent-size 120L water tank that can be paired with the 14L Truma hot water system, which we found excellent for both washing up and showers. The external slide-out kitchen has a sink, generous 3-burner gas stove and a prep table, all of which were simple to use and as useful for making a quick cuppa as a from-scratch meal. We actually had an extra fold-up table with us as well, which made life a lot easier, but it’s hardly a must.

Interior

The interior of the MDC Forte 9+ has a 150mm-thick double mattress that was comfy and supportive, and more than enough storage for two people for months. We camped in the middle of summer, so we didn’t feel the need to use the internal diesel heater, but down the High Country mid-year, it’d be worth its weight in Bitcoin.

Power

Over the last few years, MDC have been great at supplying excellent 12V systems, and the Forte 9+ is no different. There are 200Ah of lithium on board, fed by 525W of solar panels overseen by Projecta battery management. There’s also a 1600W Inverter and enough internal and external LED lighting to supply a sports stadium. You know, for if you like your campsite being visible from outer space or really can’t get by without your microwave.

Suspension and chassis

Suspension and chassis-wise, the MDC once again shines with its proven galvanised steel frame (the camper body is aluminium composite panels) and X-Trax suspension with twin shockies. The hitch is a DO-35, which is popular on a bunch of trailers for a bunch of very good reasons, and the drawbar storage boxes house a pair of gas cylinders for the cooker, twin jerry holders and the 10L diesel tank for the heater.

The MDC Forte 9+ also features storage compartments on either side, a pantry that’s accessible from inside and out, plus a fridge slide that we had a 75L fridge on with room to spare. The 270° awning also provided ample coverage for the entrance and passenger sides of the van, not to mention was a breeze to set-up and pack down.

Overall…

Overall, we barely made a dint in the battery consumption, had more than enough water for a week and were kept warm and dry through a couple of exceptionally heavy rainstorms – so not too much to complain about really.

The downsides (there’s always a couple)

It’s a bit twitchy to reverse

Of course, no camper (in our experience anyway) is ever 100% perfect. By its very nature, the short length between the drawbar and axle made the MDC Forte 9+ a bit twitchy, particularly when reversing and needed a close eye kept on it as well as near continuous driver adjustments. It wasn’t as bad as some others we’ve backed up, and never felt anywhere near dangerous, but it’s worth mentioning.

It only sleeps two comfortably

The other obvious thing is that it’s really only for couples and is not particularly family-friendly. If the kids are at an age where they can swag it under the awning, then happy days. But youngins’ will need to sleep in the bed with you and the MDC Forte 9+ is not really designed for that. But you can’t really hold a 9-foot van’s size against it. Its diminutive dimensions are kinda the point.

What it costs and what ya get

The MDC Forte 9+ will set you back $37,990 (rrp)

Weights and ratings

• Tare weight approx: 1450kg
•  Towball weight approx: 140kg
•  ATM rating: 2000kg
•  Payload approx: 550Kg

Dimensions

• Open: 6513mm L x 5498mm W x 3061mm H
• Closed (travel size): 4598mm L x 2298mm W x 2361mm H
• Annex size: Approx. 12m²
• Ensuite tent size: 1.2m x 0.8m

Chassis

• 120mm x 50mm – Q345 galvanised steel RHS drawbar
• Cruisemaster™ DO35 hitch
• 10in swing-up and lockable jockey wheel
• 16 x 7.5 6/139.7 aluminium alloy wheels fitted with 265/75 R16 Goodride radial mud terrain & 1 x spare wheel
• X-TRACK independent coil spring suspension with 2 x TOUGH TRAX shock absorbers on each side
• 12in electromagnetic brakes with handbrake and drawbar mounted emergency breakaway system
• 4x heavy-duty lockable and adjustable drop-down stabiliser legs
• CASP 1500kg high-lift scissor jack & integrated jacking points

Exterior

• Free-standing 270° awning
• Full wrap-around annex, enclosed roof, walls, floor and draft skirt
• 2 x 9kg gas cylinder holders with LCC27 pigtail connector
• 2 x 20L jerry can holders
• 1 x 120L fresh water
• 12V electric marine diaphragm pump water delivery
• External slide-out stainless steel body with gas hob cooktop & sink with plumbed hot & cold water supply
• Chequer plate stone guard & gas storage locker with forward-facing mud flap protection
• Fridge Slide – 1000mm L x 530mm W x 490mm H
• Hot/cold external shower includes wall-mounted ensuite tent
• Inside/ outside rolling pantry (pass-through storage hatch)

Major appliances

• 14L Truma UltraRapid (gas-operated) hot water system
• External stainless steel 3-burner gas hob cooktop with glass lid
• 2KW diesel air heater with variable control and 10L fuel tank

Safety features

• 2.4GHz digital wireless rear view camera + 7in portable monitor
• MDC-LOK^® – coupling lock

Electrical

• LiFePRO+^® 12V 200Ah lithium iron phosphate battery
• 3x 175W Solar Panels (525W Total)
• Projecta IC50 – 12V automatic 50A 7-stage lithium battery charger
• Projecta IDC25L – 25A 5-stage Intelli-Charge 9-32V lithium DC/ solar battery charger
• Projecta BM500-BT – battery monitor with Bluetooth connectivity
• Projecta PW1600 – 12V 1600W pure sine wave inverter
• Internal 12V LED lighting throughout with wireless switching
• Stereo head unit with internal & external speakers
• 1 x Full motion TV bracket
• 1 x F-type antenna inlet mounted externally
• 1 x Caframo Sirocco II 12V wall-mounted 3-speed fan

Internal power outlets

• 1 x 12V accessory sockets
• 1 x 5V dual USB charging ports (1A & 2A split)
• 1 x F-type TV outlet
• 1 x 240V double pole GPOs

External power outlets

• 1 x Anderson plugs
• 1 x 12V accessory socket
• 1 x F-type TV inlet

It’s also worth noting that we took the MDC Forte 9+ prototype camper for a spin, so a few of the accessories weren’t fitted, but we had the chance to look through a production model back at the factory and can confirm that everything works, and packs a hell of a lot into a camper that’s under three metres in length (the body that is, not the whole thing).

If you’re a couple or single traveller looking for a lightweight package that’s as capable on the corrugations as it is at the caravan park, won’t cost the earth and has more than enough comfort to stay in on extended trips, do yourself a favour and check the MDC Forte 9+ out.

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