Unhappy campers had shellfish tipped on camping shelters (11)

I believe the answer is:

malcontents

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'unhappy campers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'shellfish tipped on camping shelters' is the wordplay.
'shellfish' becomes 'clam' (clam is a kind of shellfish).
'tipped' says the letters should be written in reverse (letters tipped over).
'camping shelters' becomes 'tents' (I've seen this in another clue).
'clam' in reverse letter order is 'malc'.
'malc'+'on'+'tents'='MALCONTENTS'

'had' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for malcontents that I've seen is " Unhappy chappies".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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