Hike Tanzanite 2022 Review

One of the issues in recent times when buying a new caravan is actually being able to take delivery in a reasonable timeframe. Waiting lists are out to 18 months or more on some popular brands and models, although this seems to be easing of late.

Of course, not all RV manufacturers are at full capacity – some have a little slack in their schedules. There are also some newer brands that have sprung up to take advantage of those less patient buyers looking for something nice to get away with in time for Christmas...

One of these new-kid-on-the-block brands is Campbellfield, Victoria-based Hike Caravans, which offers a six-model range of fixed-roof, luxury ensuite caravans that are all ready to go (at the time of writing, at least).

Priced in the $75,000 to $90,000 range, the well-equipped timber-framed vans are exclusively available from Sydney dealer Everything RV (formerly New Age Sydney) with 10 enticing drive-away deals currently advertised on the caravancampingsales website.

Here we're taking a closer look at the range-topping Hike Tanzanite twin-berth, tandem-axle touring van...

What's fitted externally to the Hike Tanzanite caravan?

The Hike Tanzanite (named after an indigo/purple gemstone) is a 21-foot (body length) full-size road van with plenty of space inside, including a large ensuite for a couple on tour.

Its 2640kg unloaded (Tare) weight means it can be towed by anything with a 3000kg towing capacity, although one of the many 3500kg tow vehicles is preferable given the Tanzanite’s 3200kg fully loaded (ATM) weight.

External features are in abundance. For starters, the A-frame holds an aluminium checkerplate tool box containing two 9kg gas bottles, as well as offering a storage hatch on the nearside. A centre-mount jockey wheel means you should be able to fit weight distribution hitch (WDH) brackets without issue.

You should also be able to fit plenty of gear in the front tunnel boot with its locking hatch access on both sides. A small coach light is fitted next to the nearside hatch for better visibility at night.

Beyond that and past the access door there’s a fold-down picnic table halfway down the nearside wall, as well as a coachlight/grab handle at the entry door and three LED strip lights for outside dining at night.

You also find here two audio speakers and a 12V socket, 240V point and TV aerial connection for watching the footy in the fresh air. A large roll-out awning and a small upright locker are other welcome external features on the big Tanzanite tourer.

With its checkerplate lower wall finish, the Hike Tanzanite has an off-road caravan look about it, although it's clearly designed mostly for sealed roads with its highway tyres and leaf-spring suspension.

That said, underbody protection is quite good overall, if you do end up towing over some dirt or gravel roads, although the plumbing towards the back of the van is a little exposed when it comes to the type of obstacles often encountered on more rougher terrain.

There’s not much else to report on the exterior, with a spare wheel mounted on the bumper at the rear and the toilet cassette hatch and gas heater and fridge vents on the offside wall.

What's the interior of the Hike Tanzanite caravan like?

Moving inside the Hike Tanzanite involves pulling out the spring-loaded step, and you’ve also got an inset step to navigate before reaching floor level of the interior.

The decor of this particular van is light and naturally bright, helped by a couple of large windows and the roof hatch up front. You'll want to switch on the lights in the ensuite, however, as it can be quite dark with only a small window near the toilet and a tiny ventilation hatch over the shower cubicle.

Back to the 'bedroom' area up front, there's a north-south queen bed with pillowtop mattress and ample walk-up space on each side, as well as some delightfully large-opening side windows that, like the rest of the van's windows, include mesh and blind options.

There's a lot of cupboard space too, with three handle-free lockers above the bed, a hanging wardrobe at each side, along with a drawer and small cupboard underneath.

If you're camping off the grid, the Tanzanite comes standard with 190 litres of fresh water capacity, a 110-litre grey water tank, two lithium batteries and two roof-mounted solar panels – enough for a few days of short showers and running small appliances before you need to head back to civilisation...

What's it like to cook and eat in the Hike Tanzanite?

The centre nearside kitchen in the Hike Tanzanite has all the basics covered, including a large 171-litre fridge/freezer and a microwave above it on the opposite wall. Bench space is pretty good with the four-burner gas-electric cooktop cover closed, but otherwise you might have to resort to using the dinette table for some food prep when preparing a feast.

The sink is nice and deep, and there's a filtered water tap as well as the single mixer tap. You also find plenty of cupboard space below the bench and in the lockers above.

A bonus is the really large pull-out pantry which should store enough dry goods for a big trip away from supermarkets, and there’s a neat securing lock to ensure that the pantry won’t slide against the closed door during transport stages.

The lounge/dinette across the walkway on the offside is in the familiar café dinette style with a sturdy, pull-out three-piece table, lift-up foot rests and some nicely stitched leatherette upholstery.

There’s another small cupboard for odds and ends under the table against the wall and a handy map/magazine/tablet pouch on the back wall of the dinette, not to mention more storage lockers above.

One of these storage lockers houses the BMPro electrical system, along with power switches for the hot water and 240V circuit breakers.

What's in the Hike Tanzanite bathroom?

Moving back past the kitchen and dinette area gets you to the over-sized, full-width rear ensuite... And what a bathroom it is!

While some might debate the use of having such a large space devoted to an area in which you will most likely spend relatively little time, it should appeal to those who appreciate having a home-style bathroom while away from home.

The generous floorspace means there's enough room not only for the shower, washing machine and sink, but plenty of storage capacity with a bank of drawers, lockers and cupboards for clothes, towels, sheets, etc.

As mentioned, the main criticism we have is a lack of natural light entering this area (although once the multiple 12V internal lights fired up, it's not a problem).

We also noticed that the corner lockers cannot be opened at the same time (although this is a common problem with this type of design, where lockers abut at each corner).

This is not really a ground-breaking caravan in any way in terms of design or layout, although the bathroom is huge and there's been a nice attempt at some on-trend 'van life' decor in this particular van thanks to its pleasant cream/light timber colour scheme with contrasting black highlights. If that's not to your liking then Hike offers six other interior colour schemes for buyers.

While it's early days for Hike as a caravan manufacturer, build quality including fit and finish appeared pretty good on first impressions, although our test drive was only a short distance from the dealer.

As Hike's top-spec model, the $90,000 Tanzanite offers a reasonable value proposition with plenty of standard features and interior space, along with an acceptable 560kg payload for a three tonne-plus ATM van.

Even better, you can buy one now – while stocks last!

How much does the Hike Tanzanite 21ft couple's caravan cost?

Price: $89,990 (tow-away, NSW)
Options fitted: None
Travel length: 8900mm
External body length: 6300mm (21ft)
External body width: 2500mm
Travel height: 3000mm
Interior height: 1950mm
Tare weight: 2640kg
ATM: 3200kg
Ball weight (Tare): 180kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, Alucobond aluminium composite cladding
Chassis: SilverShine Chassis with 6in galvanised steel A-frame, 2in raiser
Suspension: Leaf-spring roller rocker
Brakes: 10in electric drum
Stability Control: Yes
Wheels: 15in alloy
Water: 2 x 95L fresh, 110L grey
Battery: 2 x 105Ah lithium
Solar: 2 x 170watt panels
Air-conditioner: Belair 3400 roof-top
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: 28L Swift
Cooking: Swift 500 Series 3+1 and grill
Fridge: Thetford 171-litre three-way fridge/freezer
Microwave: NCE
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: 24in TV
Supplied by: Everything RV, 260 Hume Highway, Lansvale NSW
More info: Hike Caravans