Golf drives into six figure range

Big-selling Victorian budget caravan brand Avan has dipped its toes in the premium six-figure priced caravan market, with one of its Golf-badged dirt-road family caravans displayed at the 2022 NSW Caravan Supershow boasting a 'show price' of $109,950 -- almost double the cost of a similar-size Golf 650 'Tourer' when the big family model was launched less than three years ago.

However, the 21ft 6in Sydney show 'van was loaded up with quite a few additional features to help justify the premium price-tag, including upgraded AL-KO Outback independent trailing arm coil suspension, a grey water tank and additional fresh water tank (to make three 95L tanks in total), Thule bike rack, twin 120Ah lithium batteries, leatherette upholstery, external speakers and 12V/TV points, an outside shower, picnic table, awning strip light and wall-mounted 3kg washing machine.

The Golf Tourer 650-3 HT Tourer tandem axle 'van also boasted a slide-out club lounge/dinette, to go with a large indoor kitchen with 185 litre fridge, four hob cooktop/ grille and microwave, and a front east-west parent's bed and triple bunks at the rear, alongside the ensuite with separate shower and toilet.

Other standard features included a rooftop air-conditioner, twin gas bottles, front toolbox and large tunnel boot, an AL-KO 50mm swivel ball coupling and gloss curved interior cabinetry.

Not only one of the most expensive 'vans ever built at the Pakenham, Victoria factory in Avan's 29-year history, it's also one of largest and heaviest with an overall length of 8870mm, 2470mm width, 3000mm travel height, and an approximate Tare weight of 2225kg.

Avan boss Jeffrey Van Baardwyk said due to COVID-19-related supply and production issues and unprecedented demand, waiting lists for most Avan and Golf models had stretched out to two years, with a shorter order bank of around 14 months currently for the original Avan A-shaped folding-wall camper.

However, prices for the lightweight A-liner camper have also been hit by a 'COVID tax', with the base price of an entry-level Sportliner model advertised at $29,950 - an increase of around 25 per cent on 2018 prices.

Van Baardwyk said the good news is that all advertised prices are 'fixed', so Avan buyers won't be hit with any additional price hikes on delivery.

"We're upfront with buyers that it's now a two year wait (for delivery). But because we hold a lot of stock we can guarantee a fixed price, even if our costs go up in the meantime," he said.

Avan's major rival Jayco is also struggling to keep a lid on pricing, with Australia's largest RV manufacturer recently advertising a 21ft Silverline Outback with optional solar panels and gas heater for $100,771 drive-away - believed to be one of the first six-figure priced Jayco-badged 'vans, not including the short-lived American-built Airstreams.

However, the steeper prices also reflect a higher level of standard equipment now fitted on many of Jayco's up-spec All Terrain, Silverline and Journey caravan models, with some 2022-models displayed recently at shows loaded up with pricey new features including Dometic DRS 'dust busters', Truma space heaters, Winegard 4G Wi-fi boosters and premium lithium battery systems.