Wow, that is quite impressive. I feel like the build quality is a lot better than what we get in the US. I think most of the ones here are all built in the same factory down in Indiana and then shipped off to the different companies. It's just sad to see how much the quality has decreased over the years. Even from when I was a kid and my parents had one. Very nice rig!
The quality is quite high, Australian manufactured using Australian components right down to the steel in the chassis and alloys in the wheels, to the timbers and cabinetry, seating, etc. I'd never buy one that was not made here...but there's some dodgy manufacturers that make the same product branded differently the same as you mention. I've heard many horror stories.
It's sad because the US ones used to be great. You still see a lot of people towing them. They aren't pretty, but they are solid.
Without it on the back, (on the freeway), I use 11L/100km and with it on the back I use 21.5L/100km so it doesn't help fuel economy at all.
No, they aren't really good for that. I see people asking how they can get better mileage all the time. Most people just tell them you have to resign yourself to getting what you get. I forgot to mention, I appreciate your towing mirrors. Many folks who don't have them built in skip adding them and it makes things more dangerous for them and the people around them. One of my biggest pet peeves.
I don't like the built in ones as I mostly don't need them so use a quality set of temporary ones. It's law here and I don't like paying fines for things that were avoidable so I use them. It doesn't make sense not to considering the width of the caravan and inability to see past it without them.
I think a lot of the newer cars have cameras that may give you some sort of view, but I am old school and I prefer to have mirrors. I've lost count of the number of times I have been cut off because the guy isn't using towing mirrors and never sees me