Kokoda Commando 2023 Review

Melbourne's Kokoda Caravans started off as a budget caravan brand but in more recent times and under new ownership, has been moving up into the off-road luxury end of the market.

While remaining focused on its core range of sub-$100K touring and rough road family and couple's vans, Kokoda has just launched a new top-spec Commando range of feature-packed composite caravans aimed at well-heeled buyers who want to live in the lap of luxury while touring around Australia outside caravan parks.

First off the rank is the 22ft 6in Commando F226 off-grid family caravan which has just about everything you expect plus a few surprises for its $179,990 starting price and standard 3500kg ATM.

With the family company behind Kokoda Caravans (and Rowville Horse Trailers) recently acquiring Billabong Caravans, the new Commando vans will be built in the old Billabong factory in Campbellfield, Victoria, with six Commando models in total expected to roll out this year ranging from 18ft to 23ft body lengths and with both couple and family layouts.

The large off-grid caravan market is starting to hot up, with a growing number of models available from Melbourne manufacturers including Royal Flair, Nova, Retreat, Highline and JB Caravans, not to mention Jayco.

However, Kokoda has sought to separate itself from the pack with a number of novel features on the new Commando range you're unlikely to see on many of its rivals.

"The Commando combines all the innovations and insights we've had to date in the one unit," explained Kokoda Caravans' Trevor Price.

Unlike other Kokoda vans, the Commando models are fully insulated and built using full composite construction including fibreglass XPS foam sandwich panels; 29mm thick for the walls and 32mm for the roof.

The review van has a honeycomb composite floor but future versions are likely to come with a structural grade fibreglass composite floor as standard.

The galvanised Intelligent Engineering chassis is finished in a black Raptor coating, which also protects the front and lower sides of the van. Teko TuffRide Level 4 independent airbag suspension with an onboard air compressor and tank is standard on the Commando F226, with the review van's uprated 4500kg ATM, Cruisemaster DO-45 coupling and disc brakes available as options.

“This particular van is made for adventure travelling on terrible roads and for heading out to remote camping spots,” explained Price.

To help get it back in one piece from a family jaunt down the Gibb River Rd, there's also substantial underbody protection including gal and checker plate shields for the poly water tanks and twin under-chassis rubber stone flaps, as well as recovery points located under the upswept rear end and 17in gold alloy wheels wrapped in chunky Mickey Thompson mud tyres.

The Commando F226 comes standard with enough off-grid power to satisfy many Outback caravanners' needs, including an OzXCorp 51V 7.1kWh lithium battery pack with 5000W smart inverter and four 400W 70V roof-mounted solar panels.

However, for those who want to run the onboard appliances for even longer periods 'unplugged', or indefinitely when the sun is shining, the review van comes optioned up with the ($9000) 14.3kWh OzXCorp lithium battery pack and ($10,500) 3300W rooftop solar panel system.

If you're wondering how you get that much rooftop solar on a 22ft 6in van, Kokoda is the latest Aussie caravan manufacturer to fit a solar panel slide-out system which includes eight 415W commercial grade glass panels, with four of the 21kg panels sliding out via remote-controlled actuators (two panels on each side), with the onside panels sitting just above the powered 19ft awning.

Also power operable (using an electric drill) is the Bos jockey wheel and corner stabilisers, making full set up of the off-grid van relatively easy and quick given its overall size and weight.

The Commando F226 comes with three 110 litre fresh water tanks as standard, so the six tanks in total fitted to the review van (4 x 110L and 2 x 59L drinking water) powered by twin Shurflo pumps should ensure plenty of hot showers for the family before the tanks run dry. Interestingly, the review van had a 40 litre portable bladder that hooks up to the grey water outlet as required, in lieu of a fixed underbody grey water tank.

There's also plenty of scope to make the most of the review van's impressive 1150kg payload (up from around 400kg on the standard version), starting with the extra large and insulated front toolbox that holds a slide-out for the EvaCool 96 litre fridge/freezer, with a storage slot above big enough for the kids' surfboards.

There's space behind the fridge for a petrol generator if you want to carry one, and a standard bike rack on top of the toolbox, along with three open 'bins' at the front for various items like hoses or firewood.

Also a bit different is the 'outside laundry' which includes a 3.5kg front load washing machine locked away in the offside toolbox compartment, with a small locker next to it that serves as laundry chute for any dirty washing sent down from the ensuite cupboard above. It's a great idea as long as it's not raining when you want to put a load on!

There are more large external storage spaces towards the rear including a full tunnel boot big enough for a portable BBQ, camping table and chairs, while another large locker alongside will swallow other family recreational gear like fishing rods, tackle boxes and pool noodles, with the 20 litre hot water unit taking up some of the available space.

Then there's the 'Commando' bar on the rear wall which sits below the reversing camera and LED light bar and has more integrated storage options including a small toolbox and jerry holders, along with side steps and two spares tyres on top, while two (optional) chassis-mounted painted boxes fitted on the offside will carry other small items.

When the weather is fine the Commando's outside kitchen includes some recessed shelving and a drop-down benchtop, along with a swivelling mixer tap, portable sink, plug-in induction cooker and electrical and TV connections.

The Commando F226 also comes standard with two portable Bluetooth speakers with charging docks for playing your favourite tunes inside and around the campsite.

Other external features worth mentioning include an offside locker with SOG fan and carbon filter for the cassette toilet, remote controlled orange/white LED lighting, and an onside locker with controls to adjust the airbag suspension and run the onboard compressor.

Unique king bed layout

Take the few steps up to get inside the high-riding Commando F226, through the sturdy Dometic security door and with help from the manual pull-out steps and grab handles, and you'll discover an appealing five-berth floorplan unlike most you see in other large Australian family caravans.

In some ways, Kokoda has given the Commando F226 caravan more of a motorhome flavour inside thanks to a 'reverse' layout that sees the kid's bunks and ensuite located at the front instead of the rear of van, and the parent's 'bedroom' down back.

It's also managed to fit in a (183.5cm x 203cm) domestic-size king bed, that will not only accommodate the tallest adults but also a couple of small kids if they wanted to join the party on the premium foam contoured mattress.

The upright padded rear wall also allows for a bit more head and sitting up room when watching the standard 32in TV from its adjustable arm located opposite the bed.

There's a double glazed opening window for each side, together with reading lights and twin Sirocco fans (with another fan in the dinette area). You won't find an over-bed skylight but there's the option to fit a customised leather ceiling pad above the bed.

One compromise of this king bed 'reverse' layout is the slightly smaller than expected, single bench leatherette lounge/dinette, although it should be enough to squeeze a family of five around the telescopically adjustable, ironing board shaped tabletop.

There are are no traditional side robes or drawers either, nor underbed storage accessible from inside; just four lidded side storage 'bins' on one side of the bed for your clothes, plus the usual overhead lockers.

However, re-locating the washing machine to an outside locker has freed up more clothing space in the full height front cupboard between the bunks and ensuite.

Bunk and bathroom conveniences

There are also a few cupboards and storage spots in the front corner ensuite, along with a roof hatch, opening window, towel rails, a toilet roll holder and a vanity with ceramic basin, mixer tap and mirror. There's sufficient space around the cassette toilet and vanity without feeling too cramped, and the shower cubicle with its stylish black tapware and 12V fan hatch is a large size too.

The kids are also well treated in the triple bunk stack (twin bunk beds are standard), with a good sized mattress, opening window, fan, reading light, electrical sockets and magazine pouch for all three levels.

There are lightweight smokey Perspex doors to separate the ensuite from the bunk beds, as well as the kids' sleeping area from the main living area, although closing this at night will restrict cooling air from the rooftop mounted air-conditioner. The kids won't suffocate though with 12V fans, opening windows and large roof hatch for ventilation.

The Commando's kitchenette runs along the onside wall and boasts an extra-wide 'waterfall' laminate benchtop and LED-highlighted overhead cabinetry, along with a black sink with retractable mixer tap and (optional) filtered water, a twin hob induction cooktop, rangehood, 274 litre compressor fridge/freezer and (optional) Euro convection microwave (a conventional microwave is standard).

The under-bench drawers are fitted with sturdy Titus Tekform runners, and there's also a pull-out pantry and a cupboard that opens to reveal a domestic-style double bin for waste and recyclables.

Another overhead cupboard above the dinette contains the three water gauges among other other electrical items, with another colour touchscreen mounted high up near the entry door.

Speaking of options, the main unit for the ($2000) Starlink mobile satellite internet service resides in another overhead cupboard, with Kokoda permanently attaching the portable dish to the caravan's roof using a special fixture, although as an alternative a new Starlink RV version with flatter rooftop aerial should be available soon in Australia.

Summing up

There's a lot to like about the Kokoda Commando F226 family caravan, from its impressive off-road, off-grid set-up and external storage options, to its inviting king bed 'reverse' layout and number of 'surprise and delight' touches you're unlikely to find on its rivals.

We'd like to see some optional items included as standard, like the filtered tap and Dometic DRS dust reduction system, but overall pricing seems competitive when compared to similarly specced Melbourne-built rivals.

While matching up the $213,790 review van with a suitable tow vehicle like the Chev Silverado used for the photo-shoot, puts this sort of RV rig out of reach of most, if you have the means to blend home comforts with the freedom of Outback caravanning, it's worthy of serious consideration...

How much is the Kokoda Commando F226 family off-grid caravan?

Price: From $179,990. As reviewed: $213,790
Travel length: 9100mm
External body length: 22ft 6in
External body width: 2450mm
Travel height: 3180mm
Interior height: 2000mm
Tare: 3250kg
ATM: 4500kg (optional)
Payload: 1050kg
Ball weight (Tare): 210kg
Body: Fibreglass sandwich panel walls and roof, composite floor
Chassis: Intelligent Engineering 6in DuraGal with Raptor finish, Cruisemaster DO-45 coupling
Suspension: Teko Tuffride Level 4 Automatic Airbag
Brakes: 12-inch electric/hydraulic disc
Wheels: 17in alloy, 265/70 Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ
Water: 4 x 110L plus 2 x 59L drinking (40L portable grey water bladder)
Battery: 1 x 51V 14.3kWh lithium battery (optional) with 5000W inverter/charger
Solar: 8 x 415W, roof-mounted (optional)
Hot water: 20L electric
Cooking: Safiery induction twin hob, portable induction cooktop, (optional) Euro 240V 34 litre convection microwave
Fridge: Thetford 274L compressor
TV: 32in Smart TV/DVD with (optional) Starlink dish
Audio: Furrion portable Bluetooth speakers
Air conditioner: Truma Aventa reverse-cycle, roof-mounted
Bathroom: Separate shower and Thetford cassette toilet
Washing machine: 3.5kg Destination RV Mini front load
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Kokoda Caravans, Carrum Downs, Victoria