New Chinese-Australian caravans unveiled down under

The NSW Caravan Supershow in late-April was full of surprises, including another 'Dream' caravan brand making a big splash for the first time on the Parravans Caravan World dealer stand.

Around a dozen eye-catching, brand new Dream Journey RV hardtop caravans were on display, alongside a couple more familiar My Dream RV 'vans, including the latest four-tonne ATM Cape S1 off-grid range-topper.

But what's the story behind Dream Journey RV, and what's the connection with My Dream RV which set up a caravan factory in Epping, Victoria around four years ago?

We asked one of the Parravans' salespeople at the show, who simply stated that the imported Dream Journey 'vans were an offshoot of the My Dream RV business.

To find out more, we called the mobile number on the new Dream Journey RV website and spoke to Jinan Solafa, who said she's been working at My Dream RV for a while and is now a Director of Dream Journey RV.

Solafa said how it works is the new Dream Journey RV 'vans are brought in from China as body shells with internal cabinetry. The final fit-out including installing a local-built chassis and suspension, and other locally-sourced parts and appliances, takes place at the My Dream RV factory in Melbourne.

"The caravans come in as a shell, which are finished off by the My Dream factory who then invoice me (for the work done)," she said.

"I've tried to make (the finished product) as Australian as possible," Solafa continues.

"It's my (new) business... I worked with My Dream RV for a long time before starting up (Dream Journey RV)."

Solafa then referred me to a blurb on the website, which goes into great detail about how she chose the name and how it reflects her journey of working at "other large manufacturers" and the "the life I wanted to create with my children".

It also came from her passion or dream of building a caravan range that allows buyers to "wake up wherever your heart leads, in a five-star master suite". 

She said she's currently looking to move into another building that would operate as a stand-alone Dream Journey assembly facility.

I also spoke to My Dream RV co-founder and general manager, Don Rafiq, who said My Dream will be covering any warranty claims on the new Dream Journey 'vans.

"My Dream is supporting Jinan to go out on her own, but what My Dream does is back Dream Journey in terms of its warranty and so forth, as well as fitting everything from suspension to fridges," he said.

"Dream Journey gets charged by My Dream for the work that it does, but the warranty then sits with My Dream."

The Dream Journey range currently includes entry-level Night Shadow and range-topping Night Shadow X full-size hardtop models, in both single and tandem axle configurations and with a variety of body lengths and layouts available.

For an example of pricing, a 15ft Night Shadow semi off-road couple's 'van on display, with a DO-35 coupling, independent coil suspension, 240L fresh water and 80L grey water tanks, dual 9kg gas bottles, external kitchen and shower, a diesel heater, leatherettte upholstery, twin 135Ah AGM batteries, 400W rooftop solar, and lots of other features, was priced at $56,990. It was listed with a 2275kg Tare and 3000kg ATM.

Another 17ft Night Shadow X off-roader at the show came with a long list of features including heavier duty coil suspension, all terrain tyres, a compressor fridge and washing machine, two 300Ah lithium batteries, a 3000W inverter, 600W rooftop solar, a wi-fi reversing camera, Renogy display and a single piece composite roof, for a 'show price' of $79,990. Tare was listed at 2646kg, with a 3000kg ATM.

We also spotted a little 12ft Night Shadow 'van with cafe lounge layout, that was also pretty well equipped for its $47,900 price tag.

Apart from the sharp pricing, the Dream Journey 'vans also stood out with something we haven't really seen before on a local 'van; LED strip lighting around the external body edging, which should look a treat when towed out on the highway at dusk or dawn.

It's going to be a busy few months' ahead for the people behind Australia's newest caravan brand, with Dream Journey RV planning to exhibit at another 27 shows around the country before the end of 2026.

Solafa said there are more Dream Journey models arriving soon too.

As far as dealers go, so far there's the My Dream Melbourne outlet for direct sales, along with the Parravans dealer in Windsor NSW and Base Camp Caravans in Perth. Three more dealers are expected to come on board in coming months.