Melbourne-built caravans make US debut at SEMA

In what is believed to be a first for the Aussie caravan industry, two Melbourne-based caravan manufacturers are making their US market debut at the bigger-than-Texas SEMA auto show in Las Vegas.

Epping, Victoria-based Titanium Caravans has ripped the covers off a stealth jet-look, tandem axle Titanium Ti22 S4 21.6 off-grid model that it's displaying at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 4-7.

The big off-road 'van retails from $179,295 in Australia, and rolled into the show behind a matching big-ticket tow vehicle: a Ford Shelby F-250 Super Baja pick-up that retails in the 'States for around US$155,000.

Earlier this year Titanium announced on social media it was "officially going global" with its display at SEMA.

"This November, we’re heading to SEMA in Las Vegas - one of the world’s largest automotive and adventure expos, for our official US launch. We’re unveiling a purpose-built Titanium Caravan, engineered specifically for the American market. This milestone marks a bold step forward as we take Australian off-road innovation to the world stage," the company said. 

Melbourne neighbour Urban Caravans, also announced earlier this year that its off-road 'vans are now officially available in the United States under the Urban X Camper brand name.

The Urban X caravan on display at SEMA is a 20ft Tungsten X-Treme X; an aluminium-frame off-grid model also available in Australia where it's priced around the $200,000 mark. American buyers can also purchase the single-axle Tungsten Armorlite pop-top model from the new Urban X Camper brand.

RV Business reports that Urban X is currently establishing a dealer network in North America and to counter tariffs on imported caravans, there are plans to set up local assembly within 24 months.

Pricing starts at US$115,000 for the Armorlite, with the X-Treme X starting at US$145,000. US orders will take about three months to be shipped from Australia.

On its website Urban says as well launching in the US it has other big plans including "a number of groundbreaking projects and global partnerships that will reshape the future of caravanning – both here and abroad".

Known for its wild aftermarket builds and cutting edge innovative products, the SEMA trade event is one of the biggest and most popular automotive-themed shows in the US. Last year it had around 2200 exhibitors from 140 countries, and close to 160,000 attendees through the doors over the four days.

It's not the first time Aussie RV builders have attended the big SEMA show, with Queensland's Patriot Campers attending on more than one occasion including the debut last year of its cutting-edge ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition.

South Australia's Redarc is also launching new products at SEMA this year, while ARB is also displaying its Earth camper at the show.

A number of other Aussie RV manufacturers including Track Trailer, Lifestyle, Bruder and Crusader also currently sell campers and caravans in the US through various outlets.

For a full run-through of both SEMA 'vans check out the video below...