Aussie Caravans: Booming Sales new normal

Oh... what I would give to have one of these in the US. I'm pretty disappointed nobody has anything like this over here. I enjoy camping in remote areas, and the current offerings the US has are pretty limited.

212Coleman wrote:
Do you have 5th Wheels over there?

Now you are not going to see anything like this in the US, bulk of their range is built for sustained Off Road use, no "flipped axles" but thousands of miles Off Road use their 5vers range from 21-30ft, no slides. Southern Cross Caravans 5th wheelers


Old Video of a Southern Cross 5ver

AirForceAngler wrote:
What does everyone pull these with in Oz? Utes, mostly?

No diesel SUV's, Asian Pickups to a lesser extent. Then you have US HD 3/4 and 1 ton Pickups, for some heavier Caravans, bit of a variety in tow vehicles

What does everyone pull these with in Oz? Utes, mostly?

Avan Caravans, mass market producer

From a company called Kokoda who has several builders build their Caravans
They range from mid $50,000 to about $80,000 This is probably their cheapest model.
Take note, a great number of Aussie Caravans can be customised . The Bottom end like Jayco and Avan, not that much


Now bottom end A'van, they also make PopTops, a bit like your hybrids

Another update from the Show

Nova first with wi-fi hotspot
words & photos - Chris Fincham
Melbourne’s Nova Caravans helps travellers stay connected with new wi-fi router designed specifically for caravans


Melbourne's Nova Caravans is the first RV manufacturer to offer a new wi-fi router kit specifically designed for caravans and motorhomes.

Developed and tested by new Melbourne-based company RV Wi-Fi, the RV-specific router is permanently fitted and creates a wi-fi hot-spot around your caravan, even while driving.

“The RV Wi-Fi routes use Telstra and Optus (pre-paid) 3G and 4G services so you only pay for the time you’re using the van,” said RV Wi-Fi’s Business Development Manager, Ross Irvine.

“So if you only go away at Christmas you can buy $30 of data, and you’re covered.”

The 19ft Nova Vita Workabout model on display at the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, had the wi-fi router fixed to a wall inside a cabinet, with wiring running to a small, ‘hockey puck’ antenna on the roof
“At the moment we’re the only supplier of a product that’s specifically for the RV market,” Irvine said.
“When people go on holiday they still want Facebook, they still want email, those things that they do at home and they want to do it easily.”

As the router runs off the van’s 12V system, a wi-fi hotspot is available even when driving. The range is up to 92m with no obstructions, or around 40m with obstructions, such as other caravans around.
“As long as you’re in range of a (Optus or Telstra) tower you can connect (to a mobile phone, table tor laptop),” he said.

Irvine said the system is a better option than creating a ‘hotspot’ off a mobile device, especially when that can quickly drain your device’s battery.
“The external antenna also gives it superior range, and the fact that it’s built-in and running off the 12V battery means it’s always on and available.”
For a limited time at the Melbourne Supershow, Nova was offering RV Wi-Fi for free with any van purchased. It’s otherwise available as an option for around $400.

The Wi-Fi kit can also be retro-fitted to older vans, and Irvine is hoping to convince other RV manufacturers to offer it to buyers

RedRocket204 wrote:
So, what is the price tag for something like in the first post?

About $65, 000 Australian. Super top end about $85,000, but one manufacturer was asking $100,000
Most of these go for $52,000-$55,000 with cheaper units about $45,000

So, what is the price tag for something like in the first post?

4X4Dodger wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Trailer Life? What a joke. An even bigger joke is their towing guide.

I agree about Trailer Life. It's sad because it could play a real important part in improving RV quality if it just had some "Editorial Guts". Instead it is a creature of it's advertisers more than just about any magazine of it's kind out there.

TL has been around for more than 50 years. In fact if you watch the Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball Movie The Long Long Trailer, you will see a copy of TL on the table in one of the last scenes which takes place in a Trailer Park Office.

It is now basically a marketing tool for Good Sam Enterprises not a serious publication for anything more than "Press Release Journalism".

The other thing to factor in here is of the current 140 Caravan Manufacturers, they are ALL Independent, not one group owning many different builders. You have about 6-8 5Ver builders,about 15 Motorhome builders, 50-100 Campertrailer, Hybrid, Crossover and TC builders. A LOT OF COMPETITION