Avan launches new hardcore off-grid caravan

Big-selling Melbourne manufacturer Avan has released its most capable and luxurious off-grid caravan model to date.

On display at the 2024 Melbourne Leisurefest, Avan Director Scott Van Baardwyk said the new-range topping Golf Grand Tourer Xtream off-road caravan is a step up from the Grand Tourer model released a couple of years ago, and is aimed at buyers who want to spend even longer off-the-grid without sacrificing comfort levels.

"The Grand Tourer Xtreme is aimed at those who want to spend longer periods of time off-grid, with greater capacity all-round including 840Ah of under-floor mounted lithium batteries, instead of 400Ah of lithium on the Grand Tourer," Van Baardwyk said. "The charging system is the Projecta Compact 100 which incorporates 180Amp of AC charging, 60A of DC charging, and up to 80A of solar charging."

"Having used this exact system myself in the last couple of weeks, it means you can get fully off-grid and with the 3000W inverter, use all your normal appliances from home including the air-conditioner, toaster, kettle, air fryer, and electric hotplate," he said. "This also has 1200W of rooftop solar so it will more easily keep the batteries topped up so you can run the appliances for longer when not plugged in."

The 6.2m (20ft 6in body length) GTX 620-3 couple's van on display has a Tare weight of 2750kg, 260kg (Tare) ball weight and 3490kg ATM, and is priced at around $165,000 which includes the optional AL-KO Enduro-X self-levelling airbag suspension, and wired-in Starlink satellite system.

Built with a hot dipped galvanised chassis with an AL-KO off-road coupling and aluminium sandwich wall panels, the Golf GTX 620-3 off-grid couple's van is loaded up with external features including two gas bayonets, twin 9kg gas bottles, a wireless reversing camera, external shower, rear bike rack, electric awning, slide-out kitchen, AL-KO ESC, a front light bar and three 95L fresh water and one 95L grey water tanks.

A roomy couple's layout incorporates an extra-large rear bathroom, and an electric drop-down bed that slots above the front club lounge/dinette when not in use, to maximise interior space. The 2.0m x 2.0m 'super king' mattress boasts the desirable north-south orientation for easier access for both sleepers at the front.

While other internal features include a 200 litre compressor fridge, microwave, cooktop and oven, a rooftop air conditioner, leatherette upholstery, front load washing machine, 5G router, a dust reduction unit and a touchscreen manager.

For the first time Avan is also offering on the Golf GTX as well as other models, the option of a fully customisable interior including colour and decor choices.

"We're no longer limiting buyers to the four interior colour options in the range; we're giving buyers the supplier book and saying you can pick this colour for this, and this other colour for that," he explained.

"We feel that's important at this pricepoint to allow customers to personalise their van, and given that we now source all the materials locally rather than from Italy or Germany it gives us the flexibility to do this."

The GTX option pack is available on any Golf Tourer or Grand Tourer caravan variant, and is available in four exterior colours: white, green, silver or sandy taupe.