2023 Best New Technology finalists announced

With the finalists announced for the Best New RV, Best New Product/Accessory and Best New Safety Feature categories in the 2023 caravancampingsales Innovation Awards, it's time to reveal the six contenders in the fourth and final, Best New Technology category.

As we've seen in previous years, a number of stand-outs have emerged over the past 12 months in the booming area of RV technology advances, both in Australia as well from overseas.

These include innovations in caravan construction and 'one touch' automation, off-road suspension and off-grid capabilities including electricity and freshwater generation and storage.

The 2023 caravancampingsales Innovations Awards are judged by an expert panel, with trophies awarded in four categories: Best New RV, Best New Product/Accessory, Best New Technology, and Best New Safety Feature.

We'll be announcing the winners on caravancampingsales in early-December.

Patriot GEN2

Since releasing its first multi award-winning off-road bush basher around 10 years ago, Patriot Campers has been stretching the boundaries of what's possible when it comes to a lightweight, go-anywhere tent trailer.

The 2023 launch of its latest GEN2 range continued that theme, with the forward-thinking Queenslander manufacturer introducing a number of innovations across the line-up, including a new 'hands-free' automated set-up and a world-first 'weld-free' body panel construction that bonds composite components to sheet metal to deliver benefits in weight, flexibility and strength.

The more user-friendly powered composite hard roof system includes new soft touch buttons that replace all external latches, soft opening locker doors and a new central locking system, while the cutting-edge GEN2 campers also boast a new lighting and electrical set-up that is fully controllable via a smart phone app.

TerraGlide

Quality, purpose-built off-road caravan suspensions are nothing new in Australia, but the new TerraGlide coil and airbag set-ups from Melbourne-based Premcar is the first time Aussie skills and talent have been utilised to bring high-end automotive off-road suspension know-how to the caravan market.

Designed to deliver improvements in both ride, handling and durability, the unique semi-trailing suspension geometry has been carefully optimised using sophisticated computer modelling and mechanical simulation, before fine-tuning and durability testing on an automotive test track.

As well as providing a class-leading 230mm of total wheel travel, the custom-designed jounce bumpers allow for progressive wheel deceleration, while the use of anti-roll bars permit softer spring rates and deliver an improved 'bounce' frequency. The TerraGlide's single, high-performance Monroe twin-tube shock absorbers are also borrowed from the off-road automotive tuning industry.

Pebble Flow

2023 is shaping up as the year of the 'futuristic caravan', with the arrival of some US-built, eye-catching examples of caravans tapping heavily into the Tesla and iPhone generation.

Although it's unlikely we'll see the spaceship-styled Pebble Flow caravan whishing through the Outback any time soon, many of its off-grid and towing innovations would be welcomed by Aussie caravanners including its active propulsion assist system, and regenerative and solar charging of its 45kWh LFP battery pack.

The Pebble Flow would also make life easier at the campsite, with its hands-free and automatic hitching up of the caravan to the tow vehicle, together with a 'one touch' set-up that automatically controls the awning, stairs, lights and auto-levellng stabilisers, via a smart phone app.

Thirsty Nomad

This clever Aussie invention promises the purest water available to Aussie caravanners and campers, via what it claims is the only chemical-and power-free, inline caravan water purifier on the local market.

The unique filtration system was devised using the principles of quantum physics and can almost completely destroy all harmful waterborne bacteria and viruses instantly.

It's all very hi-tech, with the Thirsty Nomad 5 in 1 purifier pack consisting of a 5 micron carbon fibre block, medical grade bacteriostatic nano cloth, activated media that removes micro-plastics, as well as the patented Quantum Disinfection™ media.

Thirsty Nomad also caters to off-roaders as well as caravanners, with its portable Creek Draw Kit.

Lightship L1

The brainchild of a couple of ex Tesla employees, the futuristic Lightship L1 stretches the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to caravanning off the grid and having to rely solely on renewable energy.

The L1's slick body design was developed in a virtual wind tunnel and is claimed to be three times' more aerodynamic than a conventional caravan, while the automotive-grade composite body mounts on a purpose-built EV 'backbone' with optional motorised axles and 80kWh battery pack.

Telescoping hard-side walls raise the roof electrically to 3.0m high in Camp Mode, and the twin extendable solar awnings on the roof deliver up to 3kW of solar power.

The Lightship L1 also has a 'green' footprint with extensive use of durable, eco-friendly materials inside, including stain-resistant countertops made from ocean waste, and automotive-grade seat upholstery developed from 70 per cent recycled polyester.

OzXCorp

Melbourne-based OzXCorp is blazing a trail in innovative caravan power systems, and its prototype off-grid caravan promises to set a new benchmark with its promise of limitless power, self-production of water, hybrid drive systems and maintenance-free appliances.

Now undergoing rigorous testing, we can’t wait to see what this clever van can deliver, but early indications are it’s a window to the future of RVs in the new power economy.