Bold new OTM caravans break the mould

Melbourne's On the Move caravans displayed at the 2023 Queensland Caravan Supershow a radical new Chinese-built chassis and independent airbag suspension that is being exclusively fitted to a new range of OTM Adventure off-road caravans,

The unique and eye-catching off-road chassis was designed by former Perth-based Coromal-Windsor general manager Peter Naylor who was also the brains behind the West Australian-built Windsor Hybrid and Coromal Pioneer XC Evolution off-roaders.

Naylor was head-hunted by the Melbourne RV manufacturer in 2021 and the new chassis is being displayed 'naked' as well as under some of the five new OTM models at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

While designed and engineered in Australia, the chassis components are fabricated in China using Australian 550 grade high tensile steel and bolted together by On the Move in Melbourne.

A series of pre-drilled holes allows the chassis to be built in varying lengths to support five different models from a 5.5 metre body length with a couple's layout to a 7.2m couples/rear club lounge model, with two family models in the mix.

OTM’s Marketing Manager Simon Kerr said the chassis box design and bolted construction was stronger and lighter than a conventional welded chassis, saving as much as 130kg per unit depending on length. This has resulted in a relatively light Tare weight for each model, with a 20ft 9in family van weighing in at an average of 2808kg (Tare), with a standard ATM of 3500kg.

Naylor’s innovation continues with the OTM’s suspension, which employs twin long-travel, centrally-pivoting tubular steel wishbone A-arms to locate either single or dual wheels per side, with twin Chinese-made air bags and twin telescopic shock absorbers per wheel providing the suspension.

The entire suspension set-up is attached to a sturdy bolted-on steel sub-frame which can be located in the optimum position on the chassis, depending on its chosen length.

Inspired by the suspension system employed laterally on American Humvees and long before that on the ubiquitous Citroen 2CV, the long suspension travel results in excellent ground clearance and shock absorption, combined with one degree of suspension toe-in for stability, making it an ideal system for an off-road caravan.

Kerr said those who towed the completed vans to the Brisbane show commented on the ease and smoothness of the experience on rough sections of road despite stiff-walled 265/75 R16 off-road tyres on alloy rims.

Although suspension height is pre-set, each OTM is supplied with a separate air compressor that can be used to inflate the bags to match the road conditions.

Body protecting bikini scrub bars, a DO-35 off-road coupling, 10-inch electric brakes and a heavy-duty ARK jockey wheel are other off-grid chassis features.

The OTM’s body construction is also well-suited to off-road all-temperature travel, with a single-piece timberless 55mm thick roof, 30mm thick composite walls and a 40mm honeycomb floor, combined with 900mm high black high-strength body jacketing.

Off-grid power is supplied through four 100W roof-mounted solar panels feeding a 200AH lithium battery through a Projecta PM300 Control System, while a 2000W inverter is also standard.

To keep weight down, lightweight ply is used for the OTM’s interior furniture.

For off-grid camping the OCM vans also get 200 litres in fresh water storage with a separate 100 litre grey water tank; while other standard features include a 180 litre Dometic compressor fridge, 24-inch flat screen TV, a WiFi booster,  Dometic Harrier Lite air-conditioner and a wall-mounted washing machine. 

Advertised show pricing included $77,990 for an Adventure 5.5 model and $79,990 for an Adventure 6.3.

The five new OTM models will be sold exclusively at Caravan HQ dealers in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.