GoRV’s Greatest Vans 2024!
As 2024 wound to a close, it was time for GoRV’s Greatest Vans, our favourite vans from all the ones we had reviewed and featured within our pages over the last 12 months. This time, we extended the list to 10, because 2024 simply brought a lot of very good caravans. To make this list, one of the things we look for is innovation. Does the van do anything differently to your garden-variety caravan? For me, that’s a big one. I see a lot of traditional caravans and they’re fine for what they are… but what I’m looking for with this list is something unique, something indefinable, a bit of X-factor. And so, in no particular order, let’s get into it…
ROYAL FLAIR EM18
First up, we have the Royal Flair EM18. The EcoMate has been an important part of the Royal Flair line-up for many years. In fact, it’s one of the company’s most popular vans. It’s focus is on off-grid living – and it’s built like a tank.
The EM18 is an 18-footer on tandem axles weighing just over 3000kg Tare. Yes, this was a substantial beast that spared no expense.
Built on a truss chassis with 6in main bearers, the Royal Flair EM18 doesn’t have a frame in the traditional sense. Instead, the walls are made from one-piece 18mm ply clad with composite aluminium and black checkerplate.
An 18ft van with a rear club lounge and full bathroom is going to need a clever bed setup. Royal Flair has employed an elevated bed system that lowers over the dinette to whatever height you prefer. Royal Flair uses this bed a lot in its vans – it has almost become the company’s signature.
The van has 2x300Ah Enerdrive B-Tech lithium battteries, a 3000W Enerdrive inverter; a DC-DC charger, and 1000W of solar, which includes the innovative slide-out system to maximise your rooftop solar real estate.
The countertop material is called Thinscape. It’s a stone-like material that would be much more hardwearing than the laminated timber found in most vans. However, it is heavier, as I discovered in the ensuite when lifting a ‘lid’ section to access the top-loader washing machine beneath.
Overall, no corner of this van is wasted – everything serves a purpose. While it’s on the heavy side for any 18ft caravan, the Royal Flair EM18 is a sincere offroad, off-grid lifestyle caravan with very few compromises.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.17m
External width: 2.5m (including awning)
Travel height: 3.35m
Tare: 3045kg
ATM: 4000kg
Unladen ball weight: 244kg
ON THE MOVE GRENADE
Earlier this year, On the Move launched an all-new Grenade. The Grenade had been part of the line-up for many years but On the Move decided it was time to re-launch it as a full fibreglass sandwich panel van. Each wall panel interlocks with the other, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, while aluminium blocking is used behind the panels to take the screws.
The Grenade was built upon a chassis made of 550-grade steel, which has the structural integrity to accommodate lightening holes – an engineering principle that, effectively, reduces weight without reducing strength. The 6in RHS chassis previously used for the Grenade has been traded for something almost automative in design and appearance.
The van employs a whole host of unique ideas, from the spare wheel carrier on the A-frame to the slide-out trays at the rear of the van.
As for the suspension, the van had an airbag wishbone system with dual shock absorbers per wheel.
Inside, the van makes excellent use of space, thanks especially to the elevating bed. Just push a button and it will electrically lower over the dinette. Overall, this van had a space-saving layout that clearly employed a healthy dose of lateral thinking, which is a sentiment I could extend to the exterior of the van.
As standard, the Grenade came with 200Ah of lithium and 400W of solar; however, that could be upgraded to 400Ah and 800W. The van also came with a Projecta PM300 power management system that included a 2000W inverter, which could be upgraded to 3000W. Ultimately, it would depend on your needs but if it were me, I’d go for the upgrades. Buy once, cry once, as they say.
In the new-look Grenade, I saw a solid van with a great deal of promise at a very good price. I reckon plenty of customers would view the unique ideas on show in this van favourably.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.32m
External width: 2.43m
Travel height: 3.12m
Tare: 2630kg
ATM: 3500 (or 4000kg as an option)
Unladen ball weight: 190kg
MASTERPIECE CARAVANS OPTIMUM EXTREME OFF-ROAD
Now and then, I come across a manufacturer for whom the word ‘innovation’ actually means something. In this case, I’m talking about Masterpiece Caravans.
If you’ve not checked out what’s happening at Masterpiece, I highly recommend you do. These vans are not slapped together.
As 2023 drew to a close, I rode along as Masterpiece torture-tested three of its 2024 models at the Australian Automotive Research Centre, one of which was this van, the Masterpiece Optimum Extreme Off-Road. We absolutely belted this van over some of the gnarliest terrain you’ve seen.
This van uses Masterpiece’s ‘R-TECH’ construction method, which involves a 24mm one-piece floor, ‘Fibroplast’ framing material, and ‘Aircell’ insulation. Fibroplast is a brilliant innovation that replaces meranti timber. It is a composite fibreglass and polyurethane material that takes a screw as well as, if not better, than timber, and it’s significantly lighter. Further, it won’t deform and it will never rot. I have personally tried to snap this unique framing material and couldn’t do it.
This beast was built on Masterpiece Caravans’ special truss chassis while the suspension is a relatively new system known as TerraGlide. Fantastic stuff.
The van was no slouch in the energy department, either. It came with 600Ah worth of lithium, 880W of roof-mounted solar, a Victron Multiplus battery management system, a 3000W inverter, a 120A charger, and a 30A DC-DC charger.
Obviously, there’s a lot more to the Masterpiece Optimum Extreme Off-Road but there’s a good reason why it made this list. Check it out for yourself.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.53m
External width: 2.49m
Travel height: 3.15m
Tare: 3120kg
ATM: 4000kg
Unladen ball weight: 197kg
CONCEPT ASCOT 640
Concept Caravans has been an integral part of the Australian caravan industry for 20 years. The first van it ever built was known as the Ascot, so it was perhaps fitting that the Ascot would be the first van in Concept’s large range to receive a whole new framing material.
While other vans in the line-up are still framed in meranti, Concept had used a special polyurethane product in 42x19mm lengths. This product was imported from Germany and was 40 per cent lighter than its meranti counterpart. Having tried and failed to break a few sample lengths, I can personally attest to the strength of this material.
As for the rest of the Ascot 640, it’s pure Concept. The layout, while traditional, was about as precise as they come.
The van wasn’t an offroader, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The Ascot 640 was built on a chassis by RV Dyamics, Concept’s in-house chassis building company, while the suspension was a rocker-roller setup.
Now, this van was not really designed for lengthy off-grid stays. As such, it had just a 100Ah lithium battery with a DC-DC charger. I do see this van spending a bit of time in holiday parks and again, there’s nothing wrong with that. We sometimes get hung-up on making our vans as big and bad as possible, perhaps forgetting that there’s a huge customer base of people who aren’t into that hard core offroad lifestyle.
If you’re in the market for an on-road luxury touring caravan, the Ascot 640 really should be on your list.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.9m
External width: 2.4m
Travel height: 3.04m
Tare: 2551kg
ATM: 3251kg
Unladen ball weight: 147kg
SPINIFEX NOMADIX 20FT 6IN
You’d expect a van from Spinifex to deliver the goods, and as our northern reporter Jordie Hansen discovered has he towed it through creek crossings and along offroad tracks in Kenilworth, the van had a lot to offer.
With its aluminium frame, 4mm core matt fibreglass cladding, heavy-duty chassis and more, the 20ft 6in Spinifex was a bit of a beast. That’s an internal measurement, by the way – Spinifex measures its vans internally.
Now, there is a bit of a contradiction here. We said that this is a smaller, lighter version of the Nomadix, but at 2760kg Tare, it’s still pretty substantial, which tells you something about the size and heft of its other rigs. Spinifex has long been known for building big outback rigs designed to tackle almost anything.
It rode on Cruisemaster XT Freestyle suspension rated to 4500kg, while offering 600Ah of lithium power with a 3000W Victron inverter/charger and a DC-DC charger as well. With its 700W of solar, 12V power was never going to be an issue with this van.
Partially, the idea behind this van was to offer a rig that could be towed by Australia’s popular heavy-duty haulers, such as the Land Cruiser and Patrol, which are limited to 3500kg. That said, you could upgrade the ATM of this van to 4500kg if you have the right tow vehicle and for some reason need all that payload capacity.
At the end of the day, what we have here is a substantial beast that brooks very few compromises.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.98m
External width: 2.48m
Travel height: 3.1m
Tare: 2760kg
ATM: 3500kg (can upgrade to 4500kg)
Unladen ball weight: 200kg
HIKE RV AMORE ULTRA 22FT 6IN
Hike RV is a reasonably new caravan manufacturer; however, the team behind the company has more than 12 years of experience in caravan manufacturing. It was, therefore, with some curiosity that I climbed aboard this van. I hoped for something substantial, something different. And it delivered.
Hike RV offers three model tiers: Hiker (base), Terrain (mid-tier), and Ultra (top-end). Each tier provides a different level of features and equipment, including the framing material. In the case of this 22ft 6in Amore Ultra, it is 25mm riveted aluminium studs clad with composite aluminium and black checkerplate, while the floor is a special honeycomb structure which, aside from the strength factor, helps to reduce weight in the van.
It was built upon a substantial 14in Raptor-coated truss chassis. Further, the underside was very well protected. Sheets of checkerplate had been fixed to the chassis rails to guard against debris flicked up by the wheels.
The Hike RV had one of the most appealing interiors I had seen in some time. The brown colour scheme seen here might not be for everyone and yes, a full colour scheme is available. But the layout was well balanced and there were a number of interesting touches you won’t find on most vans. I’m specifically referring to the large niche in the forward kitchen wall. This cutout was designed to accommodate the 28in flatscreen TV provided in the Ultra pack.
When it came to the bedroom, the standout features were obvious: two attractive niches within the corner cupboards at the foot of the bed, and a vertical light panel incorporating a strip of LEDs within the void between the bedroom wall and shower to act as a night light.
The 12V system as standard might not have been as extensive as some of the other vans on this list, but it’s still decent, with two 150Ah lithium batteries and 660W of solar.
Overall, this was a very attractive and well-sorted caravan, inside and out.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 9.2m
External width: 2.5m
Travel height: 3.2m
Tare: 2940kg
ATM: 4500kg
Unladen ball weight: 210kg
EVEREST CARAVANS KOMBAT PERFORMANCE
This Everest Kombat Performance was a family van built specifically for a customer. I was told that it was a ‘beast’, and Everest wasn’t wrong.
Everest doesn’t do things by halves. The meranti framing is reinforced and blocked at almost each join, as well as being bolted to the honeycomb floor. Structural integrity is taken seriously – the front, back and sides are secured with nuts and bolts. The internal cabinetry is also reinforced. Everest even provides a 10-year structural guarantee – double that of many other manufactures. That should tell you something about its build quality.
The Kombat Performance sat atop a 6in Raptor-coated chassis that included 4.5-tonne-rated independent trailing arm coil suspension with Pedders shockers on each arm. The van was clad with composite aluminium and X-plate, an elegant upgrade over standard black checkerplate.
Something different: the blind for the door was on an automatic roller. Just push a button on a remote (also voice activated) and the blind will electrically lower or roll up again. The interior conveyed a sense of strength and rigidity. Again: there was nothing flimsy here.
Everest had strategically added a door to the leading edge of the kitchen, facing the entryway, to provide easy access to what’s in the pull-out pantry without having to step inside the van – a thoughtful touch.
The Kombat Performance was equipped with 600Ah of lithium inside a vented offside locker – along with an impressive 1050W of solar, a battery management system, a 3000W inverter and a DC-DC charger. It’s a very decent 12V setup that would allow the owner to run the compressor fridge as well as his portable induction cooktop. Now, although this was basically a ‘gas-less’ caravan, the owner still opted for some gas so that he could cook with a gas-fired barbecue. This is wise, in my opinion. I am a proponent of going ‘gas-less’ but I do think having a gas back-up so that you can at least still cook should something fail is a good idea.
Overall, this was a very well built, very strong caravan – we have no doubt its owner was pretty happy when he took delivery.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.56m
External width: 2.4m
Travel height: 3.15m
Tare: 3046kg
ATM: 4500kg
Unladen ball weight: 200kg
HILLTOP CARAVANS HOTHAM LUXURY LIMITED EDITION
The Hotham is arguably Hilltop Caravans’ flagship van. It was, after all, the first model ever produced by the company, all the way back in 2015. So when Hilltop released this special version of the Hotham, known as the Hotham Luxury Limited Edition, we had to check it out.
The Hilltop Hotham Luxury Limited Edition came with a number of new features – things we hadn’t seen before. First up, we had the interesting external shower setup. There’s a separate hose that very easily and quickly connects to a flush-mounted point on the side of the van, and by then giving it a twist, not only is the hose connected, you can control the water pressure and the temperature.
This van also sported a new door from Camec that had a combination lock. Anything to reduce the amount of keys on the caravan key ring is a good idea, although the door can still be locked and unlocked with a key. And when you open the door, the entry step automatically deploys, and retracts when you close the door – another neat idea.
For as much equipment as this van offered inside, it was the quality of the fitout that really caught my eye. I don’t think anyone could credibly fault it, and it is quite characteristic of what we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer.
The 12V system included an impressive 1000W of solar on the roof and a Hitech electrical panel that incorporated a 2600W inverter, a 60A MPPT solar regulator, a 60A DC-DC charger, a 40A mains charger, as well as a Hitech battery monitor. 400Ah of lithium were supplied too.
Complete with a lot of small touches, from the treatment of the nearside picnic table to the inclusion of a powder-coated steel rear bar, the Hilltop Hotham Luxury Limited Edition had a great deal to offer any Australian caravanner.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.7m
External width: 2.45m
Travel height: 3.15m
Tare: 3100kg
ATM: 3980kg
MDC XT19HRT
It had been a long time since I’d climbed aboard a van by MDC. And, in all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect. The company started over 15 years ago importing campers, but over the years has invested heavily in its Australian operations. The upshot is, each van in the MDC line-up receives over 50 hours of ‘finishing off’, including gas and electrical, with a heavy focus on compliance. In fact, it was the first RV importer in Australia to receive RVMAP accreditation.
If MDC’s brand new XT19HRT, a tandem-axle offroader, is anything to go by, MDC has come a very long way. In short, this 19-footer was much more than anything I expected.
The internal fitout was just as well finished as any offroad caravan I’ve seen this year, if not more so. The layout itself didn’t break new ground, but it looked well executed. The attractive rear bathroom even contained the first wall-mounted washing machine that MDC had fitted to any of its caravans.
Stepping outside, the first thing that grabbed my attention was the rear service ladder. MDC is not the first company to include a ladder for roof access, but what a great inclusion.
The nearside of the van isn’t short on features, either. A slide-out tray for a portable fridge is included, along with an Anderson plug to power it. And then there’s the stainless steel slide-out kitchen with permanently plumbed water lines – fantastic.
The 12V energy provision is above average. There are 2x200Ah lithium batteries with a 3000W auto-transfer Projecta inverter, along with 1225W of solar. With a first rate fitout and a long list of features, the XT19HRT by MDC should be on the list of anyone in the market for a mid-size offroad caravan.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 7.7m
External width: 2.34m
Travel height:3.14m
Tare: 2921kg
ATM: 3500kg
Unladen ball weight: 257kg
WONDER ROO PEARL XX4 OFF GRID, OF ROAD AIR
A unique, heavy-duty chassis. An extensively-equipped exterior. A smart interior. And one young family about to have the time of their lives. This was Wonder Roo customers Justin and Carissa Morgan’s new caravan, a Pearl XX4 Off Grid, Off Road Air. It was a beat.
This Wonder Roo was a 19ft 6in bunk van on a special chassis inspired by the heavy vehicle industry. Two laser-cut, folded 12in steel rails complete with lightening holes ran the length of the van, tapering at the front to form the drawbar. This was not your conventional RHS caravan foundation.
The electrical system was inside the tunnel boot behind clear plastic. It was comprised of a Projecta Intelli-Grid power management system as well as a 3000W inverter. The van had been given two 200Ah lithium batteries, stored in an offside locker, as well as 750W worth of solar.
When it came to this caravan’s exterior, I was left with one lasting impression: this van was about as tough as they come. It was not some el cheapo build. It’s reinforced, sturdy and finished to a high standard.
The interior was also finished to a high standard. In the rear were two bunks on the nearside, a large wardrobe on the rear wall, and a beautiful bathroom on the offside. Justin and Carissa intentionally omitted the bathroom door. The effect was to open up the rear space of the van significantly and to give their girls more room back there.
All the features and comforts had been included, from a 3.5W air-conditioner to a 23L flatbed microwave.
There’s a school of thought that says the right van for you is the one you have now. There’s truth to that, but in this case, it would be dismissive of the excellent workmanship on show here. Could I fault the interior? Not really. Like the outside, it’s properly finished off and well thought out. Together with Justin and Carissa Morgan’s input, this is one serious caravan.
QUICK SPECS
Overall length: 8.5m
External width: 2.5m
Travel height: 3.3m
Tare: 2945kg
ATM: 3500kg
Unladen ball weight: 193kg
The post GoRV’s Greatest Vans 2024! appeared first on GoRV.
Source: https://www.gorv.com.au/gorvs-greatest-vans-2024/
