Big plans for Global Caravans

Yet another new caravan manufacturer has set up shop in the RV manufacturing hub around Campbellfield in Melbourne’s west.

Joining the likes of Supreme, Lotus, Royal Flair, On the Move and JB Caravans is Global Caravans, which started manufacturing a new line of family caravans in a small factory in Campbellfield just four months ago.

After more than 10 years working in the industry, for various manufacturers including Roadstar and Royal Flair, 28-year old Ramsen Joseph decided to set up his own production facility in early-2012, focussing initially on building luxury family caravans.

The company’s first production model is the Grande Quadrivium (pictured), a 21ft 6in four-berth family van with 2380kg Tare and 400kg payload.

Packed with features, it comes with an innerspring double bed along with adult-sized bunks, 184 litre fridge/freezer, leather lounge/dinette, washing machine, solar panels, LED TV, external BBQ, air-conditioning, water purifier, reversing camera, kitchen and full ensuite.

Priced at $70,000, Mr Joseph says the tandem axle model has a range of features normally only seen on vans retailing for $30-40,000 more. What's more, as a small manufactuer Global Caravans can offer fully-customised layouts and focus more closely on quality control, with an aim to deliver "more than everybody else, with better workmanship at a better price".

Mr Joseph said Global Caravans will also set itself apart by introducing some innovative features, starting off with the classy, wooden venetian blinds (with unique, toggle attachment) fitted to  the Grande Quadrivium.

Also on the drawing board is a dual on-road/off-road van with variable-height airbag suspension, and a solar-powered 12V battery system that can cover all the caravan’s energy requirements for weeks at a time.

“I don’t want to come into the industry and copy everyone else. I want to be doing something different,” he says.

Another exciting development is the modern fit-out of an aluminium-framed 1970s Viscount caravan (pictured), that Global Caravans is currently undertaking for a customer.

If there’s sufficient demand, Mr Joseph says he plans to introduce a similarly-styled production version that would retain the Viscount's sloping roofline but drop the 'wrap-around' front windows in favour of more modern, flat windows.

"I'd like to introduce new things to the caravan industry that haven't been done before,” he says. 

The other plan is to move to a new, larger factory in Campbellfield in the near future, which will enable production to be increased to around five caravans a week.

Global Caravans’ new range is set to be unveiled at this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest at Sandown Racecourse on October 4-7.

For further details go to the Global Caravans website, or click on this link.