Cheap off-grid campervan undercuts rivals

Campervan and motorhome prices have gone up in Australia by as much as 50 per cent in some cases over the past three years, but that doesn't mean you can't still grab a well-equipped new model at an affordable price.

One of the best motorhome deals going around at the moment is from dealer group RV Sales Qld which is currently offering a well-equipped, 5.94m long full-height campervan based on an LDV Deliver 9 LWB panel van, for just $99,990 drive-away.

With the entire fit-out and conversion outsourced to a local experienced motorhome builder, the cut-price new Gleehawk Explorer campervan is not lacking in too many features, and includes a well-equipped internal kitchen, a fixed east-west double bed and an internal combination shower/toilet in its twin-berth floorplan.

RV Sales Qld claims the Gleehawk Explorer is the only off-grid campervan on the market available for under $100,000, due to the fact it comes standard with a 120 litre freshwater tank and a 60 litre grey water tank, and a 100Ah lithium battery system with 50Ah DC-DC charger, 2000W inverter and 300W rooftop solar.

By off-grid, they mean a campervan that has sufficient on-board water and power capacity for a couple to camp unplugged from mains water and power for up to three days, which might also include running some of the more power-hungry on-board appliances including the 125L upright fridge, microwave and rooftop air conditioner, at least for short periods and if the sun is shining.

By comparison, one of Australia's biggest motorhome builders Jayco lists online its cheapest, entry-level Renault-based JRV campervan at $99,990 drive-away, but that only comes standard with 60L fresh/45L grey water tanks, a 200W solar panel and single 100Ah AGM battery. However, Jayco recently advertised a limited run of manual-transmission JRV campervans fitted with a diesel heater and 120Ah lithium battery, for $102,490.

Other standard features on the LDV-based Gleehawk Explorer camper include a two gas burner stove, sink with mixer tap and rangehood, two 12V fans, a powered entry step, roll-out awning, 24in Smart TV, cassette toilet, hot/cold shower, an innerspring mattress and a gas bayonet for hooking up a portable BBQ.

RV Sales Qld is planning to introduce another layout option, featuring a more conventional rear dinette/lounge that converts to a bed, for the new LDV campervan which boasts a kerb weight of 3160kg and a GVM of 4000kg.

The LDV Deliver 9 LWB base vehicle is powered by a 108kw/375Nm, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with six speed automatic transmission, and comes loaded up with tech and safety gear including Apple Carplay and driver assistance aids including a rearview camera and parking sensors, blind spot detection, lane change assist, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.

The LDV-based Gleehawk Explorer campervan is listed for sale here.