A Detailed Guide To Buying Off-Road Caravans
Are you in the market for an off-road caravan? Do you know what to look for to get the best off-road caravan for your needs? Choosing the right off-road caravan can be a serious challenge when you don’t know what you are looking for. As the term “off-road” can be fairly ambiguous, it can be very confusing when you start researching different caravan models.
In general, off-road caravans are designed to handle regular and extended travel off the beaten track in a safe and comfortable way. However, some are designed to do this better than others. To help you make an informed buying decision, read on for a comprehensive guide on what to consider when buying off-road caravans.
Chassis
The caravan chassis is the foundation of any off-road caravan and is designed to provide the strength and stability required to support the entire caravan. When buying an off-road caravan, look for one with a chassis made from quality high-grade Australian steel like ARV Chassis.
Suspension
The right off-road caravan should be equipped with a similarly capable off-road caravan suspension system. To handle unpredictable and challenging off-road terrain, off-road caravans require a sturdier suspension system. An independent coil spring suspension with dual shock absorbers is a great fit. Such a setup can handle the demands of the roughest off-road terrains, without shifting the centre of gravity or placing unnecessary pressure on the chassis.
Ground Clearance
If you intend to tackle uneven terrain on a regular basis, you will need an off-road caravan with sufficient ground clearance. All of the essential components beneath the chassis, like electrical wiring and plumbing, should be properly protected to keep them from being damaged when tackling rough terrain or river crossings.
Off-grid Camping Capabilities
If you are in the market for an off-road caravan, it is highly likely that you will be venturing off the grid on a regular basis. With that in mind, you should look for an off-road caravan that can provide all the power and water you need to survive off the grid for extended periods of time.
You should have at least 2 x 95L water tanks as standard on your off-road caravan. Furthermore, to make sure that you don’t have to stop to recharge the batteries on the caravan or use a generator, the caravan should come with a solar and battery power system that is sufficient for your needs.
To enhance your solar and power capabilities even further, the DCX Power Solution is a great choice. The DCX Power Solution is designed specifically for mobile applications. This holistic system solution is patented that provides and also manages all the power requirements for caravans, RVs and other similar applications.
Hitch/Coupling
Coupling is the connection between the caravan and the tow vehicle. The best off-road coupling should allow for 360-degree articulation. This will make it possible for the caravan to adapt to the terrain while reducing the level of strain placed on the tow vehicle. The Cruisemaster DO35 V3Plus and DO45Plus range are great choices.
The Cruisemaster DO35 V3Plus and DO45Plus range of couplings come with the highest quality acetal bushes which is fully greaseable and help to reduce wear and tear despite the toughest terrains. The positive locking 2-stage locking mechanism is ADR compliant and gives you complete reassurance the tow vehicle and off-road caravan are safely secured.
Cabinets
Since you will be travelling along bumpy roads frequently, you should be confident that the items packed in the caravan’s cabinets will remain in place. As such, the cabinets should be equipped with quality hinges such as full-length piano hinges that provide a reasonably powerful connection.
Tyres/Wheels
In comparison to regular tyres, off-road caravan tyres provide better all-around performance, including enhanced sidewall protection and improved traction, thanks to their bigger and chunkier construction. Larger wheels and tyres also help boost the caravan’s ground clearance. With this in mind, the IDCE range of tough wheels is a perfect choice.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous factors to consider when it comes to buying an off-road caravan. In addition to the above factors, you also need to consider your budget and the capabilities of your tow vehicle.
If you are looking for the best off-road caravans for sale in Australia for your next big adventure, you can’t go past Retreat Caravans. Please check our full range of off-road caravans below, all carefully designed with you in mind:
