Marvel Runamuk 2019 Review

We almost jack-knifed down a slippery, muddy slope; we nearly rolled on a narrow-rutted track; we rubbed shoulders with nature and scraped the corner jacks in places no caravan should go, and we bent the two-tiered folding aluminium step trying...

But Sunseeker Caravans founder Chris Michel was delighted.

“It’s ready,” he observed of his new 15ft x 6ft 6in Marvel Runamuk full-height, off-road caravan. “No owner in their right mind is going to attempt what we’ve just done.”

The rig we had just taken down some of the worst tracks in the Sunshine Coast’s Glasshouse Mountains was Michel’s third iteration of his cutely-named, compact off-roader.

The purpose was to get it ‘right’, based on his own and customer feedback, while aiming to minimise customer problems and maximise return business.

Michel had been unhappy with his initial choice of the model’s single-axle independent coil spring trailing arm suspension, believing that it didn’t allow enough body control in critical situations.

Then, there was a question mark in his mind as to whether fitting a double, instead of a single step would impact on its ground clearance.

The Runamuk’s compact dimensions come from Michel’s belief that Australian travellers are getting more adventurous, yet have become accustomed to comfort features they are loath to leave behind.

Designed to fit down narrow bush tracks

So, it's designed to follow in the wheel tracks of  a large 4WD and doesn't need clip-on rear-view mirrors, sits on a 100mm Duragal steel chassis with a 100mm raiser and has a 150mm strengthened and extended drawbar, topped by a DO-35 off-road coupling.

Underneath, the Runamuk's spec is just as impressive, with Cruisemaster XT coil spring suspension with twin shocks per wheel, off-road vented disc brakes and massive 285/75R16 (33-inch) knobby tyres mounted on load-rated alloy wheels.

Thanks in part to its chunky off-road rubber, the Runamuk has plenty of ride height to allow scrape-free creek crossings, but not so much that it compromises interior space.

Built in Campbellfield, Victoria to Sunseeker’s specifications, its construction comprises smooth aluminum composite cladding over a traditional Meranti timber wall frame and a hail resistant one-piece fibreglass roof.

Add twin 62-litre fresh water tanks, a standard 50-litre grey water tank, 200AH of deep-cycle batteries and two 110W roof-top mounted solar panels controlled by a Projecta PM300 battery management system and you have off-the-grid camping sorted.

Good storage for its size

Countering this inside are most of the comfort features of a larger off-road caravan.

Queen bed (tick); full-size 216-litre compressor fridge freezer (tick); full across-the-rear separate shower, toilet and vanity bathroom (tick); a wall-mounted Daewoo Mini 2.5kg front-loading washing machine (tick).

One area where you might expect a compact off-road van to be space-deficient is in the area of external storage, but not the Runamuk.

Up front, there's a big checker plate storage box on the extended drawbar, with room to house a portable fridge on one side and a generator on the other, plus holders for two jerry cans and two 9kg gas bottles behind a full-width stone shield.

Working down the door side, the first locker houses the Runamuk's standard slide-out stainless steel two burner or hot-plate hooded BBQ and a round stainless-steel washbowl with mixer tap. With a corresponding hatch on the other side, it’s effectively a through body tunnel boot, but with the kitchen stored, there’s only room for a couple of hoses, a power cord and a couple of wheel chocks – but not much more.

No matter, as there’s another roomy locker to its rear that looks capable of housing a decent sized tool box or a dozen bottles of wine – take your pick.

Meanwhile, there's  a full-length roll-out awning, and a picnic table is standard on the door side, encouraging outdoor living in remote areas.

Compact compromises 

Inside, there have been some compromises made, as you'd expect in a 15ft x 6ft 6in caravan.

They start with the front queen-size bed to the left of the front-centre entry door, which sits transversely across the van, instead of north-south, for space efficiency. Now, many people are averse to this arrangement, but the bed in the Runamuk is relatively accessible via the cushion of the lounge that sits against the right-side wall, so unless you have a real mobility problem, it’s a compromise well worth making for the van’s off-road versatility.

There’s a large front window for ventilation, supplemented by a standard Sirocco 12-volt fan, plus a roof-mounted scupper vent designed to create positive internal pressure when open to reduce the inroad of dust.

The lounge with its slim, rectangular dining table on an eccentric single leg is large enough for a couple to dine together or watch the van's standard 24-in TV.

The compact galley opposite with its microwave oven above. alongside two good-sized cupboards, has limited preparation space, but it's adequate given that many owners will want to cook outdoors anyway.

Where the Runamuk does earn extra points is with is its large, 216-litre Dometic fridge-freezer, whereas most caravans of this size have under-bench fridges to maximise serving space. Buyers have a choice of 12v compressor, or three-way power.

Finally, there’s a separate toilet and shower cubicle bathroom across the rear of the Runamuk, with a wall-mounted Daewoo Mini front-loader washing machine and a small, central vanity basin and mirror.

It’s all there, albeit smaller than you'd expect to find in a larger touring caravan.

More boxes ticked

So, from a practical viewpoint, the Runamuk ticks most boxes. Then there’s its $74,990 price, which may sound a lot if it was Chinese-made, but inexpensive for a solidly-built and full-featured Australian-made off-road caravan.

What’s missing? Well, not much, as the Runamuk is loaded with equipment that often appears on the extra-cost option list of other off-roaders.

Personally, I’d add a gas or diesel heater, as overnight inland temperatures in winter often drop to low single digits, but not much else. Even adding one wouldn’t add much to the Runamuk’s RRP, which by my measure gives you a lot of caravan for the money.

Easy towing

On the highway, the Runamuk towed easily behind the Nissan Navara tow vehicle and without drama, even below its towball limit, thanks in part to its custom-made anti-sway control, while off-road it followed the tow vehicle like a faithful Labrador, with its extended A-frame allowing full lock turns in tight situations.

The ventilated disc brakes were also a real asset here, allowing smooth and progressive operation, even after water crossings and grab-free retardation when cold. Every off-road caravan should have them, although they do add to the overall cost.

So, what’s the catch? None really, unless you want a big brand nameplate and distinctively-styled van to brag about and you’d like full composite wall construction for even better insulation.

The Runamuk’s styling, even with its distinctive decals, is pretty conventional, so you’re not going to stand out from the crowd, if that is your aim but you can choose your decal colour.  There’s also no air suspension or lithium power either, but both are available as extra-cost options.

Sunseeker could have included them in the spec, but the aim was to keep the Runamuk relatively affordable and simple, given where adventurous owners might want to take it.

After our test on some of the most demanding caravanning country owners are likely to encounter, I’d say he has succeeded very well...

Summing up

The Marvel Runamuk nails the compact off-road caravan concept for substantially less than many big name and big dollar alternatives.

Specs: 2019 Marvell Runamuk

Travel length: 7200mm
Interior body length: 4500mm
External body width: 2000mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Internal height: 1980mm
Tare: 1913kg
ATM: 2600kg
Ball weight: 216kg
Body: Aluminium composite cladding over Meranti timber wall framing with one-piece fibreglass roof
Chassis: Supagal steel 100mm x 50mm chassis with 100mm x 50mm raiser and 150mm x 40mm extended A-frame
Suspension: Cruisemaster XT coil spring and twin shock absorber per wheel trailing arm independent suspension.
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes with iQ7 power booster
Stability Control: Custom-made
Wheels: Alloy 16in with 285/75R16 Thunderer Trac Grip M/T tyres
Water: 2 x 62L tanks
Batteries: 2 x 100Ah AGM
Solar: Roof-mounted 2 x 120W
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: 28L gas/electric
Washing machine: Daewoo Mini wall-mounted 2.5kg front loader
Cooking: Swift 500 series cook-top with 3 gas + 1 electric hob, plus grill and oven
Fridge: Dometic 2 door 216L compressor refrigerator/freezer
Microwave: Sphere
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Full-height one-piece moulded fibreglass
Lighting: LED
TV: 24in HD LED with USB input
Price $74,990 (delivered in Queensland)
Supplied by: Sunseeker Caravans, Warana, Queensland