Harvok Suit of Armour-AI 2023 Review

In less than two years Australian-Chinese brand Harvok has managed to stir up the local caravan market in a number of ways; initially with a more affordable 48V off-grid caravan, followed by a more radical version boasting an RV industry-first monocoque steel body, similar in construction to a car or delivery van.

Now, a significant hurdle (excessive Tare weight) that was limiting the innovative Suit of Armour model's chance of mainstream success has been overcome, with Harvok releasing a new range of Suit of Armour-AI models, built with lighter aluminium instead of steel bodies to deliver a weight loss of around 200kg depending on the spec.

Despite the increased complexity and costs of using aluminum, the new Harvok Suit of Armour-AI vans still significantly under-cut their Australian-built 48V off-grid rivals, with pricing currently starting at $84,990 for the new single axle 16ft model, with 19ft 6in couple and family variants kicking off at $94,990.

Like the steel versions, the latest Harvok Suit of Armour-AI vans are built in China in an automotive factory where robotic spot-welding of 2mm to 8mm thick, laser-cut sections of Series 5000 and 6000 aluminium sheets takes place, to end up with an aerodynamically-designed, one-piece monocoque body with a smooth, auto-style finish.

The aluminium outer skin is supported by an internally welded aluminium sub-frame, while for insulation there's a composite honeycomb one-piece floor, and up to 65mm thick polyurethane expansion foam within the roof and walls, with a bamboo ply for interior lining.

Harvok has devised a patent pending, heavy-duty clamping system to connect the aluminium body to the steel 150mm x 25mm A-frame and chassis which now comes hot-dipped galvanised as well as protected by a Hammertone coating.

The very first Harvok Suit of Armour steel vans weighed a tow vehicle-unfriendly 3300kg (Tare), with later, stripped-back versions getting down to around 2850kg. The latest aluminium versions are significantly lighter with Harvok reporting an unloaded Tare of 2479kg for the review van -- one of the first to arrive in the country. However, a more realistic Tare weight would probably be around 2750kg, once the van is delivered to the customer with a few accessories added.

The review van was missing some optional items like a front checker plate toolbox, bike racks and a diesel heater which might add up to 150kg or more to the unloaded weight. However, even with a few options it should still allow for a decent payload of more than 700kg for the 3500kg ATM van.

There have been a few other improvements made to the latest Suit of Armour models based on customer feedback, including a new lighter grey 'chip resistant' exterior finish and cleaner rear wall 'cut-out', along with new 'bug proof' exterior lighting and Aussie Traveller midge-proof windows. Locally-made Mawby Hook shackles will also be fitted as standard across the range.

Harvok has also ditched the original's clunky, bespoke aluminium entry door for a more user-friendly, off-the-shelf Aussie Traveller security door, and upgraded the off-road independent suspension to a Cruisemaster XT coil set-up, to go with the DO-35 coupling, 12in electric drum brakes, fold-up jockey wheel and 16in alloys and mud tyres.

As a result there's more ground clearance than before, with the downside a 150mm increase in roof height, making the 3.25m tall van a bit more susceptible to highway cross-winds and campground tree branches.

Cruisemaster XT airbag and ATX suspension are options, as is ESC stability control.

The nine 120W roof-mounted solar panels are now hard-board rather than flexible, with the mounts welded rather than screwed to the roof, and there's also a bigger 10kWh lithium battery pack neatly mounted underneath the van, rather than inside.

The slimline 100mm thick battery packs are IP67 rated and steel protected, and similar in looks to the Australian-designed, chassis-mounted OzXCorp set-up, with the option to add another underslung 5kWh battery pack for more off-grid power storage.

The rest of the 48V power management system including a 3000W inverter and DC-DC charger are located under the bed, with two checker plate-protected 100L fresh water and a single 70L grey water tanks adding to the van's off-grid capabilities.

The analogue gauges, large switches and colour touchscreen are still located on a wall near the dinette for easy access.

There are fewer changes to the Suit of Armour's comfortable and well-equipped 19ft 6in couple's layout, with the addition of more 'name brand' appliances which now include a Dometic 200 litre upright compressor fridge-freezer, Robam twin induction cootkop, Telair rooftop reverse-cycle air conditioner, Camec microwave, Ranger rangehood and Fusion audio system.

The Suit of Armour-AI also comes Starlink 'ready' as an option, and the kitchen furniture has been re-configured to include an extra set of drawers in lieu of a cupboard.

Otherwise, the kitchen also gets a large stainless sink with mixer tap and drainer (but no filtered tap) and storage-wise, there's a bit more empty space under the bed, although you'll want to put some protection around the 48V electrical components to avoid any damage from loose items over bumpy roads.

The walk-around queen bed up front gets a comfy innerspring mattress and padded leather bedhead with reading lights, while the cafe dinette is available with either flat or club lounge style cushioning, to go with the two flip-out foot rests and tri-fold table.

The nice leather upholstery is available in various colours, and is also used for the multiple magazine pouches located near the entry door as well both sides of the bed.

There's some blue mood lighting built into the rooftop air-con, but otherwise standard zoned ceiling LEDs along with some dimmable reading lights. The bedside robe cut-outs incorporate 240V, cigarette and USB sockets, and the Fusion stereo comes with inside and outside speakers. A TV aerial and internal and external TV mounts are fitted but you'll pay extra for the TV itself.

The full-width rear bathroom comes well-equipped with an extra-large wash basin, Dometic cassette toilet, a 3.5kg top-load washing machine, a few cupboards and a large separate shower cubicle with 12V fan hatch. There's the option to fit a composting toilet.

A family version of the 19ft 6in Suit of Armour, with an east-west parents' bed and triple bunks will also be available, as well as another couple's layout with twin single beds.

Harvok has upgraded the catches on external lockers to enhance dust sealing, and with no internal gas appliances fitted a positive pressure dust reduction unit is also not fitted nor required, according to Harvok.

There's space to carry an external gas bottle and bbq if you do want to do some old-school outside cooking, as well as an external diesel container for an optional Webasto or Aufocus space heater.

The standard Awnlux roll-out awning is electrically operated but the double pull-out entry steps require some muscle power, while other external features include a rear bar with spare tyre, a hot/cold shower, outdoor 'entertainment' connections, a drop-down picnic table, tunnel locker and a rear camera.

Overall fit and finish appears to a high standard although we did spot some untidily finished LED front light mounts, and Harvok was yet to fit an external catch to the review van, to help hold the entry door open.

Overall, the van seems pretty well protected externally for Outback driving, with the option to get some additional Raptor spray-on protection if you're really concerned about stone chips or branch scrapes in more vulnerable spots.

The Harvok caravan revolution continues, with earlier weight problems solved and a raft of other improvements designed to make it more appealing to Aussie caravan buyers seeking a luxury off-grid camping lifestyle at a more affordable pricepoint.

While we'd like to see some items included as standard, like a water filter, 12V fans and A-frame toolbox, it's still cheaper spec-for-spec than just about anything else on the market, even if the latest van is yet to be fully tested in harsh Outback conditions unlike some of its pricier rivals.

Add in the larger range of models, and we expect sales to ramp up as Harvok makes the move from niche to mainstream player...

How much does the Harvok Suit of Armour-AI 19.6ft off-grid caravan cost?

Price: From $94,990
Travel length: 8500mm
External body length: 6200mm
External body width: 2300mm
Travel height: 3250mm
Internal height: 2000mm
Tare: 2750kg (approx. depending on accessories fitted)
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 150kg
Construction: Welded one-piece aluminium body on hot dipped 150mm steel chassis
Suspension: Cruisemaster XT tandem independent trailing arm suspension
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Wheels: 16in alloy with Goodride Radial 265/75-16 M/T tyres
ESC: Optional                                         
Water: 2 x 100L fresh, 1 x 70L grey
Battery: 10Kwh 48V lithium-ion
Solar: Roof-mounted hardboard panels, 1080W total
Gas: Not fitted
Hot water: Swift electric
Cooking: Robam twin burner induction cooktop, plus Camec microwave
Fridge: Dometic 200L upright compressor fridge-freezer
Shower: Internal and external hot/cold
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Air-conditioner: Telair rooftop reverse-cycle
Lighting: LED
Audio: Fusion Bluetooth with internal/external speakers
TV: Optional (TV arm and aerial fitted)
Washing machine: 3.5kg top load
Supplied by: Harvok RV, Dandenong South, Victoria