Table of contents for Issue 653 in Caravan World

We are back on the cold and rainy east coast after some great and memorable times in Western Australia. We pretty much scampered back once we left Dongara, WA, where we spent time with friends. The weather turned cloudy and windy all the way across the Nullarbor, and lingering seemed pointless. After some relatively expensive stays around Ningaloo, we economised most of the way to Byron Bay. Well, apart from the pie shops and the Creative Quarter in Kimba, which is a highlight on the edge of the Nullarbor. It was great to see the community roadhouse at Yalata, SA, back in action, with modern infrastructure and picnic facilities after several years of absence. They sell local Anangu artwork and offer a selection of tasty meals. The wind died enough…

In late August, OnlyVans.com.au held its first-ever Caravan and Camper Excellence Round Up at Rosedale Estate, nestled in the serene hinterland of D’Aguilar National Park just out of Brisbane. This exclusive event gathered some of Australia’s top caravan manufacturers, along with 15 of their latest models, for a unique two-day experience. The focus was simple: building community and sharing innovation without the pressure of competition. Event organiser Michael Rojek, CEO of Only Sales, explained: “We wanted to create a space for industry leaders to connect, talk about their products and celebrate the excellence they bring to the market.” The picturesque setting provided the perfect backdrop for these discussions as attendees swapped stories, shared insights and showcased their caravans and camper trailers in an atmosphere of camaraderie. The event wasn’t just…

HEMA SAFE EVENT FEATURE Caravanners are a hardy lot, so the cold and blustery Melbourne weather didn’t stop them from attending the first Hema Safe event in the grounds of Bosch Australia in Clayton to learn from a team of experts about caravan weights and safe towing. The program included masterclasses on weight definitions, weight distribution and hitching from mobile caravan and vehicle weighing company Weigh Station. Event partners Bosch Australia and REDARC Electronics gave tech talks on caravan safety systems such as sway control, tow assist and electronic brake controllers. A number of other partners were on site with caravans and product displays, including: • Wonderland RV • Zone RV • New Age Caravans • Harvok Caravans • Adrenalin Off Road – Pakenham • MSA 4X4 Accessories • Tough…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO Ford has announced some details on the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and although light on key details such gross combined mass (GCM), price and performance, there is a lot to dig into for those of us who tow. WHAT IS THE RANGER PHEV? The Ranger PHEV is an extension of the everpopular Ranger range incorporating what Ford dubs Pro Power Onboard. This adds an electric motor at the gearbox of the Ranger and a battery bank between the chassis rails, under the tub, giving it the performance and efficiency benefits of a hybrid plus the option to use the battery as a source of 230V power. There are three outlets able to charge and run power tools and pass on power at up to…

Years of prodigious growth in demand and supply in the caravan industry made it clear to the Caravan Industry of Victoria (CIV) that such stellar growth has been accompanied by variability in customer service and product quality. This has led to increases in customer complaints as well as disquiet over compliance and safety. With 93 per cent of Australian caravans being manufactured in Victoria, it made the world of sense for the CIV to address the pressing need for a unified and integrated set of rigorous standards that would protect consumers and promote the whole industry. The concept of a standardised accreditation program was flagged at CIV membership summits in 2017 and 2018 — and it was welcomed by long-standing manufacturers and emerging manufacturers alike. In the ensuing years, and…

It’s a roughly 1000km journey from Darwin or 380km from the Stuart Highway to Borroloola in the Northern Territory’s Gulf country, so it’s remote, and as part of the tropical north, this town is best visited during the dry season between May and October. Those exploring the alternate route along the Savannah Way might perceive the self-effacing main street as just a quick stop for fuel, but as we found recently, first impressions can deceive. To be fair, getting a sense of community was challenging when we first drove into town recently. The settlement spreads out for a kilometre along Robinson Road, with shopping opportunities at roadhouses with groceries, a stand-alone general store and the broken promise of a hotel. All the signs were there, but it was closed years…

SCAN TO PLAY VIDEO I got the chance to have a look at the first Snowy River SRP-18F in Australia and knew you’d want to know more about it — I certainly did. So off we went on a two-day test around Victoria’s marvellous Licola Valley in Gippsland. The SRP-18F is a mid-size pop-top with bunks. This style of caravan is seeing somewhat of a resurgence in popularity. The low roofline of a pop-top lowers fuel consumption on the freeway, and they fit in more garages and carports than full-size vans. And then there’s the price. Wowser. A POWERFUL PRICE I rarely start a review with the value proposition, I tend to work through what I like about the trailer then ask and answer the question ‘is it worth it?’.…

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS REGULARS NSW Dashville Xmas Weekender 6–7 Dec 2024 Enjoy catching up with friends and family at this weekend-long event full of fun, live music, markets, picnic vibes and much more, held at Dashville in Lower Belford. There’ll be camping available, and more information on the free and ticketed events will be released closer to the event: dashville.com.au/dashvillefestivalsevents Batemans Bay Caravan, Camping and Leisure Roadshow 6–8 December 2024 Head to the Mackay Park District Sports Park on Princes Highway in Batemans Bay this December for the latest caravans, campers trailers, motorhomes, 4WDs, camping accessories and much more. Head online for more information: expozgroup.com/batemansbay-roadshow VIC Wangaratta RegFest 6–7 December 2024 Held in Wangaratta, this family-friendly music festival will showcase some of Australia’s best and emerging country musicians, not to…

SIDETRACKS COLUMNS As unappealing as the name might suggest, Coalseam Conservation Park in Western Australia is well worth the hour drive (87km) off the Brand Highway from Dongara, just south of Geraldton. After winter rains, the area explodes with blankets of yellow, white and pink everlastings, making the park one of the northern wheatbelt’s wildflower hot spots. Travel guides herald our western state as the place to be in spring for the blooming displays of wildflowers. If you like colourful natives, WA tourism suggests many road trips over hundreds of kilometres to track down parades of multicoloured species. But if you are travelling the coast to distant destinations, then another long trip might not be top of mind. So, an easily accessed stopover among the blooms near Mingenew (35-minute drive…

Ninety manufacturers, 40 dealers, 86 exhibitors, 180 brands in caravans, RVs, camping and 4x4 gear and 29,000 visitors over four days in early October. The popularity of the Melbourne Caravan & Camping Leisurefest didn’t wane this year despite the economic downturn, school holidays and Melbourne’s fickle weather. For the Caravan Industry Victoria (CIV), this year’s Leisurefest was the opportunity to publicly launch its RV Masters Manufacturers Program — a stringent set of standards to be met by all participating manufacturers to protect consumers and instil confidence in the sector. The media launch of the program was held the week prior to Leisurefest and attended by Caravan World’s Robert Crack and you can read more about it in this edition. All 13 participating manufacturers were in attendance and proudly displaying RV…

United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin apparently said that by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. I’m a planner, so a big trip to the Kimberley, WA, from Melbourne, Vic, was always going to involve some preparation, but I get that others like to be fluid and just hitch up and take off. Here’s some of my tips and hints for planning a big caravanning trip to remote and warmer climes. CAR AND CARAVAN Cars and caravans can break on rough outback roads and sometimes they do. We saw a few on the Gibb River Road and it’s heartbreaking — and no doubt expensive — for those involved. It’s a no-brainer to get both your tow vehicle and your van serviced before you leave home. Suspension failure is…

“It is home to distinct flavours, gourmet delicacies and boutique brews, and is surrounded by unique, magnificent natural landscapes” Denmark is in Western Australia’s cosy corner, the southwest. Forests of varying tree types, idyllic aquamarine beaches and wine country embrace this sleepy town, just like its more wellknown (and bigger) nearby counterparts, Albany (54km west) and Margaret River (322km northwest). While Denmark may trail behind them regarding major tourist destination status within Western Australia, it deserves time and space for contentment rather than just being another town to fleetingly pass through. It, too, is home to distinct flavours, gourmet delicacies and boutique brews, and is surrounded by unique, magnificent natural landscapes to make you feel small in the world. Wooden sentinels — jarrah, karri and she-oak forests — loom large;…

SPONSORED FEATURE CARAVANS COFFS COAST More than 16 years ago, Andrew and Sarah Altschwager and their young family left behind a cold Melbourne winter and embarked on a caravanning adventure of a lifetime. They really loved caravanning and chose Coffs Harbour, NSW, for their sea change lifestyle before starting their own caravan dealership — Caravans Coffs Coast — in 2008. Over that time, the business has grown into a thriving dealership which now specialises in purpose-built offroad vans for adventurous couples and families who enjoy time off-grid. Caravans Coffs Coast boasts a highly experienced team which manages daily business operations including personalised customer service and sales, administration, handover technicians and after sales warranty. “We love what we do and are lucky to be able to do it in the awesome…

GREAT AUSSIE CARAVANS SPONSORE FEATURE While the Great Aussie Caravans brand name might be on the newer side, the company has been establishing itself as a trusted name in the caravan industry since 2017. The company began its journey building a range of caravans for a Queensland-based dealer, where the team was able to rebrand the caravans with their own names. Then in 2020, after years of working on their design, the team made the shift and launched Great Aussie Caravans, introducing its range of vans to the Aussie market. In the years since, Great Aussie has continued to expand and gain industry recognition. It has been named finalist at our past two Caravan of the Year competitions and at the inaugural Australia’s Best Hybrids event held late last year.…

RECIPES ON THE ROAD COOKING I love coffe. I’m addicted to the stuff. It’s the first thing I drink when I wake up and the last thing I drink before I go to sleep. I know it’s bad. Don’t judge. Also, I’m from Melbourne — a coffee town. Think Pellegrini’s in Bourke Street. Brunetti in Lygon Street. There are independent roasters popping up in just about every suburb. We are spoilt for choice. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for remote outback Australia, so when we set out on our latest caravanning adventure to the Kimberley in WA, including the Gibb River Road, I didn’t take lightly the decision to leave the coffee machine at home. Here’s why. • Space: Space in an 18ft 5in caravan is limited. When we…

The handbrake mechanism is the first line of defence in preventing your caravan from rolling away when parked. (We need to mention that chocking wheels is a necessary second line of defence as handbrakes are notoriously ineffective.) The handbrake cable is the link between the hand operated lever mounted on the A-frame and the lever mounted on the drum brake assembly. The brake cable can become corroded or frayed giving the potential for it to fail and release the brake mechanism. The RV Repair Centre showed us how to replace the handbrake cable. We had the luxury of performing the task on a hoist. The average DIYer is likely to perform this task on the ground. It is critical that all steps are taken to ensure the van does not…

GEAR REVIEW REGULARS → To get the van level, I have tried rocks (too many snakes), blocks of wood (not enough variation) and some levelling blocks that are either too steep or too long to fit between tandem wheels. So, when TRED Outdoors asked us to take the TRED GT Levelling Pack away on our recent trip, it was worth giving it a go. We have used various TRED products over the last couple of years, and the quality impressed me. A set of their traction boards got a mate out of trouble in the sand on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island), and we are running one of their compact storage boxes on the roof of our LandCruiser 200 Series. I like that they have a good range of 4WD equipment and…

REGULARS NEWS The demand for vehicles capable of towing 3500kg-plus is growing as trailer weights with boats, caravans and light machinery increase in size. Enter the US-built Toyota Tundra — a 1500 Series cab on chassis ‘truck’ built to compete with market leaders Ford, RAM and GM, sharing similar specifications for weight, size, engine ratings and load and towing capacities. Like its competitors, it is remanufactured locally from left-hand drive to right, this time by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE TUNDRA? The Tundra is built on the TNGA-F platform that also underpins the LandCruiser 300 Series and soon-to-released Prado 250. Car companies have been moving to more modular platforms for years now, but single-market variants — like the Tundra — do not share that many…

SEND PICS TO WIN “We’re travelling in our Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Jayco Silverline on a trip around Australia.” “Our friends were halfway through their trip around South Australia when they had to unexpectedly fly back to Queensland, so we offered to drive their van and car back for them. Just completed the pre-dawn check of lights before leaving from a roadside stop in central Queensland.” “Admiring the wildflowers while travelling from Noccundra to Alroy Station in Queensland.” “We travel and work as we go (five plus years now), most recently managing a caravan park in Alice Springs.”…

PRIME EDGE CARAVANS ADVENTURER REVIEWS “We backed ourselves because we knew we could build quality caravans” THE COMPANY The Prime Edge story as told by company owner Vlad Suplinovski is a fascinating one. The beginning of the story is familiar in that Vlad and his brother Nick worked for other van manufacturers before starting their own business in 2016. The venture started with humble beginnings building benchtops for the caravan industry. Vlad explained: “We started with nothing working out of a garage. We used all the savings we had from building benchtops and put all of it into building our very first caravan. We backed ourselves because we knew we could build quality caravans. Originally, we built caravans for other companies because we did not have any brand reputation or…

When it comes to Aussie-made suspension, Tough Dog 4WD Suspension is the self-proclaimed leader of the pack. We’re certainly fans, with our chief ( John Ford) running a GVM upgrade in his personal LandCruiser 200 Series and plenty of first-hand experience with Tough Dog upgraded rigs. Tough Dog has been producing its innovative suspension setups since 1985 and has a combined experience of more than 100 years, with all products researched and developed at the company headquarters in western Sydney. They are by no means an unfamiliar name in these pages, having been a major sponsor at our Caravan of the Year competition for two years now, and joining us as the naming sponsor of our inaugural Australia’s Best Hybrids event last year, when they did something new and exciting…

HARRIETVILLE TO HOTHAM HEIGHTS (33KM) About 4km from Harrietville, the Great Alpine Road (GAR) enters the Alpine National Park and climbs steadily through a changing landscape of peppermint, alpine ash, snow gum and heathland to the Hotham Alpine Resort, on the slopes of Mount Hotham (1862m). After entering the alpine zone, travellers reach Danny’s Lookout, which provides spectacular views of Mount Feathertop and over the Alpine National Park as far as Falls Creek. The road to Mount Hotham can be treacherous during the snow season with ‘black ice’ and poor visibility. In some conditions, vehicles (particularly 2WDs) may not be able to safely negotiate the steep, exposed sections without wheel chains. During the declared snow season (usually from the June long weekend to the first weekend in October), it’s a…

THE WATERFALL WAY, NSW TRAVEL The Waterfall Way can be travelled from either the east coast near Coffs Harbour or the New England High Country region near Armidale. End to end the drive takes under three hours but, unless you need to get from the coast to the country quickly, why rush it? For those with time on their hands, a caravan in tow and sightseeing in mind, this mini road trip packs a big punch. The Waterfall Way scenic drive spans 185km and, like its name suggests, is a road trip filled with waterfall wonders and many twists and turns. Is it better to go up or down? After all, there’s a bit of braking required on the descent. Well, of course that depends on where you’re starting from…

“The van is continuously exposed to external forces such as wind or bumps in the road which move it around” At the most basic level a caravan is a trailer with a little house built on top. Vans are often long and heavy and subject to all kinds of dynamic forces when coupled to a tow vehicle travelling down the road. If these forces are not managed correctly, they can lead to extremely dangerous towing scenarios — among the most apparent being trailer sway. In this article, we provide simplified explanations of some of these dynamics without attempting to fully cover the complexity of how they may interact with each other. We also shed light on how some of the dangers of these forces can be mitigated. You should use…

ALL ELECTRIC BIG LAP COLUMNS CAMPSITE FAQS How does the EV handle towing? With 280kW of power and 700Nm of torque from twin electric motors, the Kia EV9 Earth has more grunt than a V8 LandCruiser. Since electric motors deliver full torque from ORPM, it’s ideal for towing. Smooth, quiet and powerful — it handles the two-tonne camper like it’s not even there. What kind of range do you get? We’re clocking around 280–300km towing. Unhitched, we’re hitting about 480km on the highways, and up to 550km cruising around town. Can you find enough chargers out there? With EV infrastructure rapidly expanding across the country, like the WA EV Network and the NRMA Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Network, we’re never far from a power-up. We’ve only had to wait once…

→ If I’m away in the caravan for a weekend, or even a week or two, I can put up with ill-fitting bed sheets which come loose every night and need constant re-tucking to keep all the excess fabric out of the way. But when you’re living in your van for months at a time, it quickly becomes tedious. You see, a queen size mattress in a caravan is not the same size as the standard queen size mattress you have at home. Apart from being a few centimetres shorter and narrower, a standard caravan mattress has a square shape at the head of the bed and rounded corners at the foot of the bed. They were designed this way to make it easier to walk around the foot of…