Mighty Mountain Trail off-grid caravan breaks cover

Albury, NSW based premium RV builder Mountain Trail has just launched its most prestigious caravan model ever at the 2025 Melbourne Leisurefest show at the Sandown Racecourse.

Starting at $264,990 the LXV 6.4 Paragon twin-axle, 4.2 tonne ATM off-roader steps up from other models in the full composite range, with full touchscreen control of the electricals and a repackaged floorplan that has allowed the inclusion of a 'walk-through' vertical front tunnel boot.

The full-sized, 3155kg standard Tare weight caravan (it measures 8492mm long overall x 2495mm wide x 3025mm high at standard airbag height) continues the brand's steady range expansion and upmarket moves over the past 20 years, commencing with campers and then hybrids and more recently, 'hardcore' off-grid caravans.

“The new LXV 6.4 has been named the Paragon, meaning model of excellence, and it brings the range to the next level with a sleek new electrical system and reconfigured layout," explained Mountain Trail Managing Director, Nick Edwards.

One of the stand-out features on the LXV 6.4 Paragon is a new Garmin touch pad interface that integrates virtually all the controls, eliminating a multitude of switching hardware found on lower spec models. A single touch activates modes for setting up camp, preparing for sleep, packing up camp plus on-the-road travel.

"We have significantly updated the electrical system incorporating Garmin control with Victron charging and an OzXCorp underslung chassis-mounted battery," Edwards said.

The long list of switching available through the Garmin screen includes powered entry steps and awning, water tank selection, lighting, hot water, fridges, stereo, two TVs, water pump, compressor, Starlink, electric jockey wheel, inverter, air bags, diesel heating and air conditioning.

While monitoring functions include water tank levels, battery status and power coming in and going out.

There’s a panel mounted inside and outside, which provides redundancy if one fails, and the external one is portable, allowing the freedom to control the 'van from anywhere at camp.

Edwards said the touchscreen can also be mounted and used inside the tow vehicle "so you can monitor and control the 'van while you're driving and even check the tyre pressures".

Mountain Trail RV selected the Victron power system for its seamless interface with the Garmin controller. A 3000W inverter delivers 240V power and the 100 Amp system charges batteries from the tow vehicle, rooftop solar (1350W) and shore power.

The recently released, standard eight kilowatt/hour (equivalent to 628Amp/hour) OzXCorp lithium battery is underslung to the chassis to keep weight low and centralised. Water capacity is 335 litres (fresh) and 125L (grey).

Mountain Trail has drawn on elements from two other full sized caravan models to finesse this new release. It essentially uses the layout from the 6.2 model and the larger bathroom from the 6.7 model to create the 6.4 Paragon model, which designates an internal body length of 6.4 metres (21 feet).

Premium design and construction elements carried through from other Mountain Trail models include frameless composite panels for the walls/roof/floor and a laser-cut, welded hot dipped galvanised chassis. The suspension system features trailing arms designed and fabricated in-house, with the air bags allowing ride height adjustment and campsite levelling.

However, perhaps the most distinctive Mountain Trail design element is the laser-cut, CNC-pressed aluminium cabinet carcasses using nutserts and bolts - with no timber or screws.

External living features aligned with such a premium price tag include slimline front storage compartments, the giant full height tunnel boot, expansive electric awning, and 32 inch smart TV.

The display 'van is fitted with $16,425 worth of optional extras to boost its price to more than $280,000, including a third tunnel boot, 30L drawer fridge, an in-house manufactured, 1.5m long slide out kitchen, rear protection bar with spare wheel, and a bigger 942Ah (12kWh) OzXCorp LiFePO4 battery.

As mentioned, the internals are based on the 6.2 model with a walk-around queen sized bed, café seating and a decent sized kitchen and rear bathroom.

Not surprisingly the appliance suite is premium and includes an Eberspacher diesel heater and hot water service, a 250 litre Vitrifrigo compressor fridge/ freezer, Camec induction cook plate and a roof-mounted air-conditioner. The bigger bathroom includes your usual separate shower and toilet and increasingly popular wall-mount 2.5kg washing machine.

Meanwhile, Mountain Trail appears to have abandoned its attempt at re-introducing a smaller, camper-style model to its range, following the launch of the $90K 11ft XVR pod camper in early 2024.

The smallest and most affordable model now listed on its website is the LXV 4.7 hybrid caravan, with a starting price of $171,640.