JB Gator X 2021 Review

Around 12 months ago we reviewed JB Caravans' flagship off-roader, the Scorpion Sting Air, and more recently we took a closer look at the Scorpion's slightly smaller sibling, the Gator X. Like the top-spec Scorpion, the latest Gator X is loaded with off-road equipment and technology designed to make life easier on Outback adventures, including quality lithium battery and airbag suspension set-ups.

However, with its less bulky 16-17ft body length variants, single axle chassis and lighter Tare and ATM weights, the Gator X presents as a better option for towing and maneuvering around rougher, more restricted terrain.

It's also a tad cheaper, with the downsides a few less creature comforts, storage options and off-grid camping features than the bigger Scorpion.

Built for the tough stuff

Like the Scorpion, the Melbourne-built Gator X features strong chassis and body construction along with Cruisemaster's top-spec ATX height-adjustable airbag suspension, for a smoother ride and easier levelling at camp.

The Gator X van’s exterior is also well protected for off-road touring, with a front mesh stone guard, side brush bars and checkerplate protection for the tanks underneath, plus grippy Cooper STT mud-terrain tyres and two rear recovery points if you do manage to get stuck.

However, in lieu of the usual galvanised rust protection the 2021-model Gator X stands out with a full nose-to-tail Raptor spray-on coating of its heavy-duty steel chassis. Believed to be a first for the Australian caravan industry, the exposed underfloor areas along with the A-frame and chains, side bush bars and rear bar, all receive a thick layer of the Raptor epoxy primer and protective coating.

JB says the trendy Raptor protection offers similar durability to a hot-dipped galvanised chassis, but without the significant weight penalties of the galvanising process. It's also fairly easy to clean with a high-pressure washer after a dusty trip, while any chips or scratches can be touched up with a spray can.

While less colourful than some previous JB caravans, the Gator X's exterior still catches the eye with subtle splashes off red to break up the dark grey and black aluminum exterior cladding, and matching bright red alloy wheels.

The review van's payload of 519kg should be sufficient to carry a decent amount of gear and supplies for a couple heading away from civilization for a while, although you'll want to keep an eye on how much you pack when both 95 litre water tanks are filled so you don't exceed the 2800kg ATM.

Storage and outside living

The 17ft 10in JB Gator X might be relatively compact for a fully loaded, full-height Australian-built caravan, but it still manages to pack a punch when it comes to external storage and outside features.

While it misses out on the Scorpion's extra-large rear external locker, there's a big, LED-lit and gal-lined tunnel locker for larger items like camp chairs, as well as twin toolboxes up front, with a slide-out tray on each side for a generator or fridge, accessed via hinged top lids, and gas bottle storage in the centre.

There's also a firewood rack and two jerry can holders at the rear of the van, while spotlights on all four sides will come in handy when setting up at night or packing up before sunrise.

The JB Gator X also comes standard with a Dometic roll-out awning and quad lock security door, manual entry step, DO-35 coupling, AL-KO ESC, a drawbar tap and gas bayonet, twin 9kg gas bottles, drop-down picnic table, reversing camera, external shower locker, and another 'entertainment' locker with plug-ins for the TV.

The review van was fitted with a 'scupper' roof vent, but we'd prefer something like a Dometic DRS as a way to stop dust from getting inside when travelling on dirt roads, and messing up the luxury fit-out.

The Gator X also comes equipped for off-grid camping with an Enerdrve 200ah lithium battery system with 340W rooftop solar, 40A DC/DC charger and 2000w inverter, and an additional Anderson plug on the chassis to plug in another solar panel if required.

Interior comforts

One of five Gator X floorplans available, the review van's 17ft 10in rear door layout included a front north-south Queen bed, centre offside galley kitchen and onside L-shape lounge/dinette, with the ensuite bathroom running across the tail of the van.

The comfy couple's design was also aesthetically pleasing with the fresh, cottage-style decor of white cabinetry with black handles, to go with the matte black tapware, dark leather upholstery and contrasting light timber benchtops.

Also new for the 2021-model Gator X are European-sourced Cover Styl adhesive vinyl splashbacks, that JB says are a more durable, stylish and lightweight alternative to traditional kitchen and bathroom Perspex splashbacks.

For this layout at least, it was best put to use as splash protection behind the bathroom sink, with the large window in the cooking zone and the cooktop's lift-up lid limiting use of the fancy new material in the kitchen.

The kitchen was otherwise well equipped with a four hob cooktop, grille and oven, rangehood, 25 litre microwave and big 274 litre compressor fridge/freezer. While some big-van storage options like a pull-out pantry were missing, there were a few cupboards and drawers along with sufficient benchspace for food prep or to plug in a sandwich toaster or small coffee machine, alongside the deep stainless sink with its separate filtered water tap.

Many of the switches, fuses and displays for the electrical components were neatly stored in an overhead cupboard in the kitchen.

There were no complaints about the luxuriously leather-lined L-shaped dinette with its sturdy multi-adjustable table, with the option to drop the tabletop to form another bed with the supplied cushion insert, and an under-seat drawer for storing shoes.

Pulling out the bed extension for the queen-sized coil spring mattress to accommodate longer legs does cut into the space around the foot of the bed, but there were quite a few storage cupboards and shelves located in the bedroom area, including some bedside 'nooks' with 240V/USB sockets. There's also room for larger items under the lift-up mattress, although some of that space was taken up by electrical components including the batteries.

Another unique caravan feature

Our Gator X review van was also fitted with another unique interior feature for an Aussie-built caravan: a Midland five watt UHF radio. Wired up permanently inside the van near the TV connections, it allows families to stay in touch when camped out and exploring in remote regions, although many RV travellers would already have a two-way radio fitted in the tow vehicle.

Other handy camping items fitted including two Sirocco fans facing the bed, plus two roof hatches and large double glazed windows for natural light and ventilation, while there's also a rooftop air-conditioner and separate reading lights for the dinette and bed.

We also liked the solid sliding door for the rear ensuite, which packed in a cassette toilet, vanity with ceramic bowl sink and large mirror (there's another mirror on the shower door), some cupboards and shelves and a 3kg wall mounted washing machine, while leaving enough standing room to towel off or get changed.

The fibreglass shower cubicle was also big adult friendly, and there's a small window above the toilet and two 12V fan hatches to remove the smells and steam. There were also sufficient electrical sockets and lighting options in the bathroom as well as throughout the van, with a touchpad to control all the lights near the entry door.

Summing up

Currently listed at $91,750 driveaway from the Melbourne dealer, the 17ft 10in JB Gator X off-road couple's caravan represents strong value, backed up by a five year manufacturer's warranty that covers full off-road travel.

If you don't need all the goodies like adjustable airbag suspension, you can save around $10,000 or more by opting for the slightly less feature-packed but still dirt road-capable, entry-level Gator model.

Either way, JB's single-axle Gator range is an enticing option for those who want the latest big off-road van features in a slightly smaller and more towing-friendly package.

How much is the 2021 JB Caravans Gator X?

Price: $91,750 drive away (Vic)
Travel length: 7600mm (25ft 4in)
Body length: 5350mm (17ft 10in)
Body width: 2480mm (8ft 1in)
Travel height: 3000mm (10ft)
Interior height: 1980mm (6ft 5in)
Tare weight: 2281kg
ATM: 2800kg
Ball weight (Tare): 214kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, aluminium composite cladding
Chassis: RHS 150mm A-frame and chassis, Raptor coated
Suspension: Cruisemaster ATX Airbag 2.8t with DO-35 coupling
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Stability Control: AL-KO ESC
Wheels: 16-inch alloy with Cooper STT 265/75R16 MT tyres
Water: 2 x 95L fresh water, 1 x 95L grey
Battery: 200Ah Enerdrive lithium
Solar: 2 x 170watt
Air-conditioner: Dometic Ibis4 roof-top
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Girard instant gas
Cooking: Swift 500 1 electric/3 gas hob, oven/grill
Fridge: Thetford 274L 12v/240v compressor
Microwave: 25L NCE 240v
Toilet: Dometic ceramic bowl cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: 24in LED smart TV and Winegard antenna
Audio: Fusion MS-RA770 with interior/exterior speakers
Washing machine: NCE 3kg wall mounted
Supplied by: JB Caravans Melbourne, Campbellfield, Vic
More info: JB Caravans