Fantasy Nano Hound Hauler 2026 Review

Dogs have long been proclaimed man’s best friend, and it appears we're embracing this further in contemporary Aussie society. Airlines are now starting to welcome dogs on board, Bunnings are actively encouraging customers to bring their ball-chasing buddies in store, and more and more caravan parks are promoting themselves as pet-friendly.

And now established importer Fantasy Caravan has decided it's time to show the same doggy love in the caravan market...

Sure, plenty of people travel with dogs in conventional caravans, but this would have to be the first 'van we've come across specifically designed for canine companions.

Unveiled recently, the Hound Hauler is based on the 15ft Fantasy Nano Series platform and will suit 'vanners planning mainly on road touring. This layout is ideal for a solo traveller with a dog, but Fantasy Caravan can do a double bed layout too.

With a relatively low ATM of 2000kg, it's also a good option for buyers with mid-range tow vehicles or who'd just prefer not to tow something too big or heavy.

Fantasy builds its caravans in China using contemporary materials, including sandwich panel walls, a composite floor and fibreglass roof.

Up front, there’s a 100mm A-frame with a standard 50mm ball coupling while the chassis comprises 70mm main rails with 50mm risers.

Underneath is AL-KO independent rubber torsion suspension, which is a popular choice for lightweight touring 'vans. Other on-road-spec running gear includes 14in wheels shod with 205R14 light truck tyres and 12iin electric brakes, while ESC is available as an option if you're concerned about trailer sway.

Overall, we'd have to say the 'van looks well put together, and Fantasy is not a blow-in to the Australian market. The company has a background in trailers spanning back to 2014 and commenced caravan importing in 2018, so has a few runs on the board when it comes to selling to and servicing local 'van buyers.

The company currently has five dealers around the country, with a sixth (in South Australia) coming soon.

As is now the case with many RV importers, Fantasy uses a lot of electrical components readily available on the Australian market which means there is strong aftermarket support for many of the appliances fitted in its 'vans. However, we do question the inclusion of an old-school CD player equipped audio unit in a 2026-model!

The Fantasy Hound Hauler is backed by a pretty decent five-year structural warranty for the drawbar and chassis, although the general manufacturer’s warranty only covers the 'van for the first year of ownership.

When you step in the door, the first thing you see is the kennel and enclosure, so there's no doubt that this layout is pooch-friendly. Just for fun, you can have your dog's name engraved on the bone adorning the kennel.

The kennel is bigger than it looks because it's recessed into the cabinetry. It features an external vent for optimal comfort and odour control, and there's a fan nearby just for your dog.

Our Kelpie/Border Collie cross, Jimi, is not a little dog, and he was a tight fit in this kennel. The good news is that Fantasy offers a choice of three different sizes – the pictured kennel is the medium size.

Jimi could sit comfortably in the enclosure and could lie down, just. I am confident he would figure out how to poke half in and out of the kennel if he wanted to sprawl out.

The enclosure floor has a rubber mat, and underneath that is a metal checker plate surface, which will be easy to keep clean.

Beside the floor is a little platform that holds two dog bowls. They're cleverly recessed so your doggie can’t tip them over, and beside the bowls is a handy “tucker box” for storing food and toys.

The enclosure gate can be latched to the kennel or kitchen cupboard to control your dog's movements. Latching the gate to the kitchen cupboard effectively expands the enclosure area, provided you have the main door closed.

Alternatively, with the main door open, you can allow your dog to roam freely from inside to outside, but restrict access to the kitchen/bedroom if you wish. If sufficiently motivated, Jimi could jump the internal barrier, but that shouldn't be an issue for smaller dogs.

The internal enclosure can be supplemented with an inflatable under-awning barrier from a company like Big Sky Innovations, which will set you back around $1200-$1500 and keep off-leash Fido close to hand outside the 'van.

The rest of the van's design is geared for humans. Behind and beside the dog enclosure is a bank of cupboards with stacks of shelves providing heaps of space for a relatively small 'van. The angle-cut doors to accommodate the kennel roof profile are very cute, too.

The passenger side front corner has a combination shower and toilet, complete with a small hand basin. Despite its size, you can fit your hands comfortably under the tap without splashing water everywhere.

The shower cubicle has a couple of spacious overhead lockers with a waterproof veneer, and below the lockers is a towel rail. A shower curtain shields against water, but it might be worth moving the towels while showering.

The 'van's mid-section is conventional with a kitchen bench on the passenger side featuring a flip-lid kitchen sink and a single plate induction cooker. There's the usual storage above and below the bench.

On the driver’s side, you get a 148L compressor fridge and a 20L microwave. A handy little bit of extra bench space will help with food prep, and there's more storage above and below.

You and your best friend can be kept comfortable with the the reverse cycle rooftop air-conditioner, with an optional diesel heater available for those chilly nights.

The rear section design is also unconventional, with just one dedicated single bed and a café dinette. The seating can be quickly converted into another single bed, but you will have the chore of making up the bed each night.

The darker timber look furniture is a departure from many of the lighter coloured 'vans we see these days, and may well appeal to the demographic Fantasy is targeting with this type of 'van.

I’ve got to say this is a striking 'van with some stylish moulded fibreglass on the front and rear walls. The strutted front boot houses a spare wheel and a 4.5kg gas bottle, and there's room for a jack, stabiliser and awning winder too.

The rear has exactly what it should have on a little lightweight 'van – nothing! Hanging stuff off the back compromises stability and requires more robust construction, which also adds to overall weight. However, it's good to see a wireless reverse camera (with 5in screen) included for the price.

External storage is quite limited, with a modest hatch on both sides of the 'van towards the rear, and one passenger's side hatch that contains the battery.

On the passenger side, you get a manual-style wind-out awning. These are cost-effective and very easy to use, but not as robust in the wind as roll-out style awnings.

There’s also a picnic table, plus a single electric step for this low-to-the-ground tourer.

Despite being lowish, there's another handy dog-friendly add-on in the form of a portable, foldable entrance ramp. Jimi didn't think much of it, but it's a good feature for shorter-legged or aging dogs.

The paw print decals are fun too, but forget trying to be a bit stealth about having a dog on board. Unless you removed part of the decals, which wouldn’t be that hard to do. But then what's the point in that?

The off-grid power setup is pretty good for a bitumen tourer, and can be easily expanded. Standard, there’s a 200Ah lithium battery but you can option in another one. This is worth considering if you plan to run the induction cooker off-grid.

Similarly, the 400W of rooftop solar can be expanded. Renogy takes care of the 40A DC to DC charger and 2000W inverter (not yet fitted to the prototype model we reviewed), while the Projecta PM200 power management system lets you keep an eye on your power comings and goings.

There’s also a 70L freshwater tank and a 70L grey water tank. Although that's a bit light on when it comes to Aussie-spec caravans, the upside is that the grey tank is capable of holding all the used fresh water.

We did notice the PVC plumbing routed to the grey water tank sat unnecessarily low, making it vulnerable to damage. Fantasy agreed with the observation and said this can be easily fixed for the production version.

We didn't actual do any towing as part of this review, but depending on your tow vehicle the 1550kg Tare (plus up to 450kg payload) should make it relatively easy going when it comes to hauling the 'van (and the hound) to the nearest dog-friendly caravan park.

Along with a ball weight of approximately 200kg, the 15-footer is a good candidate for medium SUVs, but you'll still need to do your homework on GVM and GCM.

The Hound Hauler is a niche product, which narrows down its market appeal. It also costs $8000 more than the standard 15ft Nano on which it's based.

However, if you tick most of the checklist boxes below, you'll want to seriously consider buying one because there's nothing else quite like it.

Price: From $59,990 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs
Travel length: 6450mm
External body length: 4570 mm
Travel width: 2300mm
Travel height: 2800mm
Tare: 1550kg
ATM: 2000kg
Ball weight (Tare): 200kg
Body: Composite panel walls and floor, fibreglass roof
Chassis: 100mm A-frame, 70mm main rails with 50mm risers, 50mm ball coupling
Suspension: AL-KO independent torsion rubber
Brakes: 12in electric drum
ESC: Optional
Wheels: 14in alloy, 205/R14 LT tyres
Water: 70L fresh, 70L grey
Battery: Green Ess 200Ah lithium
Solar: 2 x 200W rooftop
Gas: 1 x 4.5kg
Hot water: Truma Ultrarapid 14L
Cooking: Single induction
Fridge/freezer: Frosty 148L compressor
Microwave: Captivating 20L
Toilet: Sanjo cassette
Shower: Combination shower/toilet, plus external shower
Lighting: LED
Air-conditioner: myCOOLMAN 3kW rooftop
Washing machine: Nil
TV: Captivating 24in smart
Audio: Radio/CD player with two internal speakers
Supplied by: Fantasy Caravan, Pakenham, Victoria