Kokoda Digger 2: Caravan Review

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Without question, I am more partial to single-axle caravans over their tandem-axle counterparts. They’re easier to tow, back-up, store and behave in a more nimble fashion. This is one of the reasons the Digger 2 by Kokoda Caravans stood out to me. The other reasons: it is equipped out of the factory for long-haul touring, with an excellent layout and quality fit and finish.

The 18ft 7in Kokoda Digger 2 sits in the manufacturer’s range of couple’s vans. It is an offroader designed to go anywhere your 4WD can reasonably go.

As Victoria (and other states) were being hammered by rain in early October, we seized upon a brief lull in the weather to hitch it up and take it for a test tow…

WELL-BALANCED LAYOUT

Anyone would agree that the fit and finish throughout the van is done to a high standard. While this is the main layout offered for the Digger 2, you can opt for an L-shaped lounge instead of the cafe-style dinette seen here.

The Kokoda Digger 2 is characterised by its amount of internal living space. It is actually quite deceptive – while the van looks reasonably compact on the outside, there is plenty of internal elbow space without sacrificing features.

The rear ensuite is a case in point. Yes, there’s an offside cassette toilet, nearside shower cubicle and a vanity across the rear wall. However, the Digger 2 also offers a full-height linen cupboard comprised of numerous shelves. There’s even a 2.5kg top-loading washing machine hidden beneath the benchtop. It’s attractive as well as very functional.

The kitchen sits across the nearside wall. While the bench space is limited – which is to be expected – the griller and four-burner cooktop are recessed below, with a hinged section of bench above. The sink offers optional filtered drinking water in addition to the expected hot/cold water mixer tap (a 28L hot water service is fitted beneath the dinette).

The Kokoda Digger 2 has a rear door, aft of the kitchen, which allows for a spacious front bedroom with plenty of room around the queen-size bed. It doesn’t feel cramped at all. You’ll find three overhead lockers here, along with wardrobes either side complete with a niche containing a 240V powerpoint each. The multidirectional reading lights come with built-in USB charging points; however, 12V charging points are included in the niches as well – a good move, I think. And let’s not forget that the bedroom features optional 12V fans either side, as well as a mounting bracket for the supplied 24in TV. It is well-positioned, as it allows you to watch TV from either the bed or the dinette.

Some of the space under the bed is occupied by the housing for the Digger 2’s tunnel boot; however, there is still a decent amount of room for bulky items.

As I looked through the van, I noted that each locker door was secured by piano hinges – the strongest way to do it, especially for an offroader. I also appreciated that the dinette was fitted with two reading lights, a 240V powerpoint and a 12V point. Some might prefer for these points to be moved to under the tri-fold table so that cables wouldn’t clutter the table, but it’s horses for courses.

Kokoda has opted for the Belaire Houghton reverse-cycle air-conditioner as well as a 188L Thetford three-way fridge, which faces the entrance. Overall, it was hard to fault the interior. Aesthetically, it is great. In terms of living space and functionality, it is excellent.

KOKODA DIGGER 2’S EXTERIOR

The Kokoda Digger 2 is built atop a 6in DuraGal RHS chassis with 6in A-frame. Kokoda Caravans has given the van Tuff Ride independent coil suspension rated to 2.7 tonnes, while the 16in alloy wheels are shod with mud terrain tyres.

Kokoda builds its vans using meranti timber for the framing and smooth composite aluminium for the cladding coupled with a generous amount of checkerplate protection. It’s a time-honoured way to build a van and Kokoda does it well.

Like the interior, storage space is a major theme on the outside. There’s a large checkerplate storage box on the A-frame that includes a slide-out tray on both sides. There’s even a tray for firewood or messy sullage hoses, not to mention a mesh stoneguard.

Kokoda has included two gas bayonets nearby (one of them is an option), allowing you to connect up a portable gas appliance that you might house on the nearside tray, as well as the optional slide-out kitchen. This kitchen is the premium, self-supporting Dometic unit, which has two gas burners and a sink with hot and cold water. It’s just a matter of connecting up the water and gas lines.

I liked that Kokoda Caravans included an LED light above the kitchen (for obvious reasons), but the manufacturer hasn’t forgotten to also include a couple of speakers, an awning light, picnic table and more. The back of the van even includes a reversing camera and a couple of jerry can holders either side of the bumper-mounted spare wheel. The only thing I’d add is an external shower.

The 12V system should do the job nicely. It is made up of two 100Ah deep-cycle batteries, which are fitted behind protective checkerplate on the offside chassis rail, two 170W roof-mounted solar panels with 30A regulator, and a BMPRO HAII battery management system, which is fitted in an internal locker along with the water level indicator and the hot water service switches.

Water wise, the Kokoda Digger 2 is equipped with two 95L water tanks forward of the suspension, while there’s a grey water tank to the rear. Each tank is protected by galvanised sheeting, and while there is some exposed PVC, it’s well back from the wheels. Everything else appears neat and tidy, and not particularly vulnerable to stone-strike.

At Tare, our review van weighed a pleasing 2180kg and had an ATM of 2800kg, giving it a payload capacity of 620kg. The unladen ball weight of 210kg was about right for this van, too. It towed nicely and without any issues over a variety of terrain, including undulations, gravel tracks and highway bitumen.

GORV’S VERDICT

Beyond the aesthetics of the Kokoda Digger 2, it was the above-average storage space and well-balanced layout that really appealed to me.

While our review van was packaged up with a few options, it is well weighted, hitches up and tows easily, and offers all the comforts of home in a reasonably small package.