Harvok DreamCruise 2025 Review

The RV industry has very quickly adopted new technology in recent years, and the Harvok brand is an early adapter -- almost the Tesla of the RV world. It has produced its monocoque chassis caravans for some time, starting with steel then aluminium, while also incorporating free camping lithium technology to a degree you don’t see at this relatively low price point in the industry.

While the opening $79,990 (plus on-road costs) is not exactly lunch money, for a fully featured and full-size, 19ft van these days, that’s not expensive. In fact that’s roughly $15,000 less than the first 19ft 6in gas free van Harvok introduced in 2021.

We’ve already written plenty about the Harvok brand, and you can find all 12 articles here including two reviews, if you're keen for the full history...

In a nutshell, this is a fully imported van from China where it’s built in an automotive factory using the same car monocoque principles. The variation to that theme here is that the DreamCruise is brought in without wheels and suspension, which are supplied by Australian company Trailparts and fitted locally.

The Harvok DreamCruise might look like just about any other recent full-size van until you get up close. It’s then you notice the seamless joins on the exterior panels, which is a big departure from the largely leak-prone J-mould and silicone seal approach to caravan building in this country, although that's starting to change.

While the Harvok’s monocoque ‘one-piece’ body is more likely to last longer without water ingress issues, any accident repairs to the external body structure might be more involved.

The exterior is furnished with the type of features you expect at this price point, with no real surprises. On the nearside there’s a powered Awnlux roll-out awning, TV unit bracket/wiring compartment and a tunnel boot with access on both sides.

There’s also a fold-down picnic table, and an Aussie Traveller security door, while on the offside there’s an external shower. 

Despite being a mild off-roader there's plenty to suggest that Harvok didn’t want to hold back on some off-road features. Up front on the A-frame there’s a mesh stone guard with mudflaps fitted and a Cruisemaster DO-35 hitch.

The brass water tap with shield and chain storage hooks when parked up on the A-frame are nice additional touches.

Underneath it’s all pretty tidy with no exposed low-hanging wiring or plumbing; it’s all tucked up as much as possible. The underslung lithium battery pack is fitted centrally for better balance and is tucked up high, and well within the longitudinal chassis rails.

The water tanks (twin 100L fresh and single 70L grey) are encased in checker plate aluminium for better stone protection.

The couple's fit-out is in the main a familiar one; a north-south queen-size bed at the nose of the cabin, then a nearside kitchen, offside club lounge dinette with fridge and microwave behind it, and the ensuite bathroom at the rear.

The standard fit is a cafe lounge; here we’ve got the optional club lounge arrangement. There’s also an optional family four-berth bunk layout, which reduces the ensuite space to allow room for the bunks.

The white laminate/pale timber benchtop with contrasting grey seat material in the review van is bright but not bland.

The bedroom area has the sort of detail finish you’d hope for but don’t always see in a budget-priced van like this. For example, the bedside tables each have a cut-out that allows easy access for knick-knacks and also the convenience of 240v charging points.

There are hanging wardrobes each side with drawers below, plus lockers above the bed.

While not exactly huge these storage options should be enough for a couple to store their clothes, together with the underbed storage available. The underbed area also houses the electrical hardware such as the DC-DC charger, bi-directional 3000W inverter-charger and fusebox access at the foot of the bed.

There’s also a small automatic fire extinguisher attached to the bed base for peace of mind. The (optional) twin Sirocco fans are also a nice addition to keep energy use down while still getting air to circulate.

The kitchen has plenty of storage and a good amount of usable bench space, and the single tub sink is deep and offers a good amount of drying space.

The induction cooker and the rangehood above it are neatly fitted, but while the large window at the kitchen allows in plenty of natural light, without adequate splashback space this might be something that will need regular cleaning after cooking.

The U-shape club lounge-dinette opposite the kitchen has all the trappings of such an arrangement, including retractable foot stools, an adjustable table and storage lockers above. The space is a bit tight, but that’s a compromise when fitting this much into a 19ft van.

There are also readouts and controls for water and energy use on the back wall of the dinette, along with light/power controls.

Between the dinette and ensuite you'll find the 200L Dometic fridge/freezer and a microwave above it. While its position makes sense a high-mounted microwave like this could be a stretch if you’re not tall.

Even in this digital age the pouches on the nearside entry wall are a welcome addition for incidental stuff such as a small torch, maps or whatever you need to put there. Again, this is not unusual to see in caravan layouts but it’s pleasing that Harvok has included it.

The ensuite up back is a good size given the overall dimensions. The shower recess is big enough so that you won't hit your elbows on the walls constantly, and the neat top-loader washing machine under the bench is another welcome addition at this price point.

There’s more than enough storage in lockers and cupboards back here too.

The key feature that the Harvok DreamCruise offers (as do all Harvoks) is the advanced self-contained power system.

The 5kWh 48volt battery, fed by 480watts of solar gives the capacity to run high current draw equipment like the reverse-cycle air-conditioner and induction cooker, as well as the compressor fridge and washing machine while free-camping.

Of course the management of such power draw is important and it’s not quite like being hooked up to the grid. At least there’s comprehensive readout info to keep an eye on water and power use on the rear lounge wall, but the design, while user-friendly is a bit old school - the analogue dials look like old Smiths instruments!

The 19ft 6in Harvok DreamCruise is a well-specified two-berth, luxury caravan with a load of technology, solid build and above-average off-grid power system for the money.

While the layout design and materials used are not quite as clever as its construction and battery systems, the DreamCruise is hard to ignore if you're searching for a large modern van that won't break the bank.

Price: $81,270 (as tested), plus on-road costs
Options fitted: 2 x Sirocco fans ($80 installed), club lounge layout $1200
Travel length: 8500mm
Body length: 6200mm
Body width: 2200mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Interior height: 2000mm
Tare weight: 2483kg
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight: 160kg
Body: Monocoque aluminium with polyurethane expansion foam insulation, composite honeycomb floor
Chassis: Hot-dipped galvanised 6 x 2in, Rhino coated
Suspension: Trailparts torsion beam tandem axle
Brakes: 12inch electric drums
Stability Control: Optional
Wheels: 16inch alloy with Kapsen LT245/75R16 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 100 litres (plus 1 x 70-litre grey water)
Battery: Lithium 48volt 5kWh
Solar: 480watts with 48v solar charger
Air-conditioner: Telair roof-mounted
Gas: No
Hot water: Swift electric
Cooking: Twin hob induction cooker
Fridge: Dometic 200L compressor
Microwave: Camec 25L
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Washing machine: 3.3kg top-load
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: Optional
Audio: Fusion
Supplied by: Harvok NSW, Minchinbury, NSW
More info: Harvok Australia