Explorex Bushrat 2019 Review

It’s clever how some RV manufacturers can hide the detail beneath the skin. In some cases that’s bad - covering poor workmanship with a pretty cover - and sometimes that rewards the canny buyer with the quality to ensure reliability and durability.

Explorex Caravans opt for impressive structural strength and good design beneath the aluminium and checker-plate exterior of its product range, using the same manufacturing techniques applied to its rugged mining-camp caravans to its latest touring models.

The commercial caravan origins of the family-owned Perth company, started in 2003 by farmer Greg Ferguson and his wife Jen, imbued Explorex with a recognition that to survive for long periods being dragged around the outback as part of a mobile mining exploration party, quality and strength were top parameters.

Explorex maintains a strong market with the mining community and is building its reputation with private caravan owners more intent on trouble-free leisure time than working remotely from an isolated caravan.

Based in Perth and selling through George Day Caravans in WA, Explorex caravans are also shipped to eastern states buyers, with the 10-year structural warranty on the steel frame and galvanized chassis against cracking, showing how serious the company is when it comes to minimising problems.

Small but tough

Explorex has 14 models available for the 'private' holiday market, segmented into ‘Off-Road’, ‘Extreme Off-Road’ and ‘Extreme Adventure Series’ to reflect the intended use, and measuring from 4.9 metres to 6.9m with a price band of $78,650 to $125,400.

Reviewed here is an Extreme Adventure Series version of the Bushrat single-axle model; the smallest from Explorex at 4.9m and predictably the one that will lure a couple with a mid-size SUV or ute not only for its size but its $78,650 price tag (plus on-road costs).

The Bushrat has a Tare weight of around 2040kg and an ATM of 2500kg, together with a (Tare) ball weight of 140kg, so the 2019 Toyota Hilux that was used to tow it with for this photo-shoot, hitched up with a Cruisemaster D035 coupling, proved a good match.

More impressive was the way the Bushrat handled the inclines and bumps of the roads through the hills east of Perth, with the independent coil suspension dismissing any tram-lining tendencies through a section of new bitumen road.

The relatively compact dimensions of the single-axle Bushrat also help with maneuverability along twisting tracks or when positioning in a site.

“Our caravans are all designed for off-the-road applications so they’re tougher than rivals, and have a higher ground clearance and approach angle," explained Explorer marketing manager Mitch Dunn.

“A lot of the design focuses on ensuring the caravan is off-road ready. For example, there’s scrub bars to prevent the body from hitting the ground when crossing steep dips in the track.

“Even if the owner isn’t doing a lot of off-roading, the Explorex is a caravan that can do it if the owners - or subsequent owner - wants. There’s so much to explore in Australia and a lot is accessed on gravel or dirt roads.”

The Bushrat and its longer sister, the 5.4 metre Numbat, are 2.2m wide which is 200mm narrower than the other vans from the manufacturer.

“That means it's easier to manoeuvre and fits easily behind the tow vehicle,” Dunn said.

“Because it fits almost perfectly behind the tow vehicle - in this case a Toyota Hilux - it’s good for aerodynamics which in turn minimises fuel use.”

Customer demand for smaller van

Dunn said the 16ft Bushrat came about because people asked about a smaller van.

“Previously, the smallest was the Numbat so this is now the smallest van we make. People who want a bit more space would specify the Numbat.”

The Bushrat has been on the market for about six months and the company has sold three units but demand has meant more are now under production.

“This is a caravan for someone moving up from a camper trailer or smaller van, such as a Track Trailer Tvan,” he explained.

“Our caravans are not the cheapest on the market but they’re built to last and that means materials are of better quality than some competitors.

“It also means they have great resale value.”

Big water capacity

Like all Explorex caravans, the 16ft Bushrat gets a decent 164-litre water capacity although there's the option of three tanks to extend the time you can free camp.

Accessed through a smokey glass door, the rear combination bathroom includes a cassette toilet and hot-cold shower, in a one-piece fibreglass cubicle.with an adjustable roof hatch and a fan with light.

As an option, there’s an outside shower with handset and taps that can be further enhanced with a fold-out shower screen that attaches to the side of the van. The optional screen is made by South African company QuickPitch.

The idea of having a choice of facilities is carried over from the shower to the cooking equipment, with both indoor and outdoor kitchens fitted.

The slide-out Swift barbecue is like one fitted to a camper-trailer and has a two-burner cooker, sink and food preparation area. The outside cooking area is protected by a roll-out awning which comes standard.

The cooker inside has three gas burners and one electric hotplate, with a combination griller and oven for other heating and baking options. Also included is a microwave oven and a 190-litre Dometic compressor fridge-freezer that runs on 12-volt or 240-volt.

Interior storage

The interior includes slide-out pantry drawers with chrome-steel holders, and there's plenty of storage available - 12 pop-drawers plus hanging space, some room for pots and pans, cutlery and so on - plus bench space.

The cupboards have piano hinges and quality catches and the bolts that hold them in place go into the steel frame of the caravan for strength.

Hanging space is reasonable although some people may want more depth in the cupboards for longer clothes. The lounge has two seats and a centre bi-fold table that extends for dining.

Dunn admits the double bed, with a huge storage area underneath and some drawers, is placed east-west so may not suit all buyers.

“However, it really works by maximising the space within the caravan,” he said.

“It is a large bed but we can fit a queen-size mattress that has a chamfered edge to make it easier to walk past to the door.”

Electrics sorted

The electrical board includes individual switches, the radio with inside and outside, and USB ports, 12-volt and 240-volt outlets. There's also a gauge for the water tanks and the battery. The hot-water system runs on gas or electric, taking about 15-minutes to heat the water for the shower.

Along with the usual caravan windows the main compartment includes a Heki skylight with built-in flyscreen and a night blind.

However, the caravan’s steps beneath the door are an Explorex design made from tough, galvanised steel that fold up and slide back beneath the chassis.

External storage include lockers for luggage or a generator set and other camping equipment. The A-frame toolbox is an option that's available in different sizes.

The spare tyre located at the rear can be joined by an optional second tyre on a swing-out cradle, plus there's room for carrying bicycles or other gear. The standard GT Radial tyres are on 16-inch alloy wheels and the axles have 12-inch electric drum brakes with a conventional adjustable brake system.

Options include the bigger fridge, outdoor shower, side panels for the awning, satellite TV dish and racks for bicycles or even a motorbike. AL-KO electronic stability control is also an option.

Summing up

Explorex is an off-road caravan brand that doesn't often come to the attention of 'eastern' caravan buyers, but do any travel in Western Australia and you're likely to see a few on the dirt and bitumen roads.

With their welded steel frame construction and 'DNA' in tough-as-nails mobile mining homes, these Perth-built vans are well worth consideration if you're looking for a durable and solidly built off-road touring van.

2019 Explorex Bushrat 490 XOR

Overall length: 7200mm
Body length: 4900mm
Travel width: 2200mm
Travel height: 3000mm
Tare (plated): 2040kg
ATM: 2500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 140kg
Body/frame construction:  Welded steel frame, aluminum Dibond composite walls
Chassis construction: 100mm galvanized steel
Wheels/tyres: 16in alloy, Speedy Territory Black 265/75R16 AT tyres
Suspension: Cruisemaster XT Coil with twin shock absorber
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Stability control: AL-KO ESC optional
Cooking: Thetford Minigrill MkII cooktop with grill (oven optional)
Microwave: Panasonic 22L
Fridge/freezer: Dometic 190L 12V/240V
Shower/toilet: Combined
Air-conditioner: Dometic Ibis 4 roof-mounted
Space heater: Optional
Hot water: Suburban gas/electric 30L
Fresh water: 2 x 82L
Grey water: Optional
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Lighting: 12V LED
Batteries: 2 x 100Ah AGM
TV: Axis 23in
Radio: Axis CD/DVD/USB/MP3, speakers inside and out
Solar: 2 x 150W roof-top panels
Price: From $78,650. As reviewed (driveaway) $81,815
Options fitted: Carafan Dust Pressuriser ($1895 - free on Bushrat), A-frame toolbox ($1375), External shower ($275), Quickpitch fold away shower tent ($640), 2 x Sirocco 12v fans ($330 each)
More info: Explorex Caravans, Wangara, Perth, Western Australia