Back to the future fibreglass caravan is built like a boat

An American RV start-up is bucking the trend and releasing a range of old-school moulded fibreglass caravans.

Like the short-lived Queensland-built Soul 22 caravan, the new MorningStar tandem-axle caravan from Ohio-based Awaken RV, is built a lot like many boat hulls, with an upper single-piece fibreglass shell, joined to a lower section also moulded in one piece.

This in itself makes it stand out from the majority of caravans on the market that utilise modular construction, or pieced together panelling, rather than this style of monocoque or mono-shell construction.

When it comes to the new MorningStar 'van, Awaken RV says it also uses dual quarter-inch hulls placed on top of each other, to create 'air gap' insulation.

"We insulate the interior of the outer hulls using the air gap on both top and bottom, combined with reflective R-19 insulation," it says on the Awaken RV website.

More popular in decades gone by for its built-to-last qualities, only a handful of American companies persist with moulded fibreglass caravan construction, putting the new MorningStar 'vans in exclusive company.

Awaken RV is the latest venture of industry veteran Scott Hubble, who most recently stepped down as CEO of teardrop trailer manufacturer nuCamp.

"I saw there was an opportunity here, with a pretty big gap right in the middle of the market. I think one of my skills is identifying unredeemed opportunities, so that’s why I decided to start Awaken RV,” Hubble told RV Business.

The gel-coated molded fibreglass shells are mounted to aluminum chassis, with large insulated, acrylic windows and a mix of real wood cabinetry and fibreglass internal fittings, also part of the fit-out.

"I’m a big fan of having a lot of windows to let in natural light, so you’ll see that with these units." he said.

The fibreglass moulded parts are provided by a couple of external suppliers, with the 'vans pieced together at a new factory in Apple Creek, Ohio,

Due to their robust 'all season' construction, the 19ft (body length) 'vans boast a dry weight (Tare) of just over 2400kg.

The Awaken MorningStar model is being targeted at older RV buyers looking for something that will stand out on the road, as well as offer the rock-solid build quality of something like an Airstream. It should also appeal to fans of sleek Euro caravans, with a barely distinguishable 'beltline' where the upper and lower sections are joined together.

Awaken RV will initially offer a twin single bed layout, with a more conventional queen bed couple's floorplan to follow. Other included features are a big off-grid power system, ducted heating and air-conditioning and a "24-square-foot dry bath".

Awaken RV says it's also pitching the MorningStar at a 'mid-tier' price point, although its price tag of just over US$80,000 puts it more at the pointy end of the American moulded fibreglass 'van market.

The new business is currently setting up a dealer network and expects to start production later this year. However, based on slow sales in the past of similar style 'vans down under, don't hold your breath for it to be available here...