Olympic Javelin X8 2024 Review

Olympic has been in the caravan building business for more than 35 years, and the Campbellfield, Victoria-based manufacturer currently offers six caravan models, ranging from single-axle twin-berth road vans to tandem rough roaders that can sleep up to six.

Here we're taking a closer look at a twin-berth 21-foot (6.4m) Javelin X8 with a few interesting points of difference...

The main changes to this Olympic Javelin X8 dirt road van, as specified by one of Olympic’s NSW dealers, RV Connection (and it's currently for sale), is the Sandy Taupe exterior and a unique interior layout that includes an extra-large ensuite and ‘black-out’ finish to the cupboards, sinks and power outlets.

As standard, the Javelin X8 includes all the features of Olympic's Marathon model, plus a six-inch Supergal chassis equipped with Electronic Stability Control and, in this case, independent suspension, to make it a bit more rough-road ready.

The off-road Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling is attached to the six-inch A-frame on to which two 9kg gas bottles and a large toolbox are also secured. The jockey wheel is mounted centrally on a cross beam that links the A-frame; that way you can more easily fit Weight Distribution Hitch brackets, without the issue of having to remove a side-mounted jockey wheel.

The external brass tap mounted on the A-frame is protected by a checker plate shield. The water pipes and wiring under the van are not fully protected but don't look overly vulnerable to potential damage from road debris.

The two fresh water tanks are protected with galvanised steel sheeting and sit just ahead of the wheel sets, while a similarly protected grey water tank sits just behind.

The Olympic Javelin X8 rides on the now familiar AL-KO Enduro X independent suspension, along with electric drum brakes and 16-inch alloy wheels matched to all terrain tyres that sit at the end of the stub axles.

The three lithium batteries are housed externally on the offside chassis rail, protected in checker plate aluminium housings.

At the rear of the van is a steel bumper bolted to the chassis, which also serves as the mounting point for the (alloy) spare wheel.

The stabilising legs are the standard issue AL-KO drop-down type at each corner.

There’s quite a few external storage options on this 21ft (body length) van, to help make the most of a reasonable 600kg payload.

For starters there's the big toolbox up front, which is partitioned into two halves and accessible by a lockable, forward-hinging hatch door on both sides. The off-side compartment also includes a generator slide.

Further back there’s a tunnel-style boot, but with access only on the nearside which might make fishing out items deep in the cavity a bit awkward. At least it has a light, and the boot’s internal walls are lined with galvanised sheet steel for durability. The boot also houses the jack, wheel brace and awning pole.

An external power point is fitted on the nearside wall and there's also a TV bracket and power access in a hatch behind a fold-down picnic table. On the offside rear wall is another tall storage compartment.

The Olympic's body is framed with Meranti timber clad in aluminium composite, and its Taupe Sand colour is reminiscent of a not dissimilar beige hue used on many of the original fibreglass Olympic vans built in the 1960s.

The black checker plate aluminium protection used for the lower side panels on this 2023-build van are a thoroughly modern feature, while the lower parts of the nose and tail boast the same treatment. This reduces the risk of more expensive shiny composite panels suffering stone or other impact damage.

There are also two LED coach lights and a large awning on the nearside wall for outside living, while entry to the inside is via the usual multi-part security door with lockable flyscreen and a double (non-powered) fold-down step.

The unique layout in this Olympic Javelin X8 includes a north-south queen bed, up front and ahead of the entry door; a cafe dinette and kitchen around the mid-point, and a rear bathroom.

We should probably go straight to the bathroom, because that's really the centrepiece of this custom layout. It's a very large ensuite space for a caravan, and one that would put some small apartment bathrooms to shame.

The bathroom includes a bunch of storage cupboards and lockers, with cupboards above and below an L-shaped bench, and another full-height cupboard in the nearside wall adjacent to the large shower cubicle.

There’s also a ceramic cassette toilet, a raised sink bowl and the large fibreglass moulded shower recess includes a roof hatch and exhaust fan.

There's plenty of room left for the top-loading washing machine, which is set in the bench on the offside.

There's also a small opening and screened window to allow in some natural light into what might otherwise be a dark space (unless you just switch on all the LED lights to make it nice and bright).

Moving back to the centre of the layout, you'll find the nearside kitchen and offside cafe dinette. No surprises here, with the angled kitchen bench providing a good compromise between access and bench space. The dinette table being a tri-fold also gives the option of more walkway space if required.

Two leather elasticised pockets on the entry wall provide a convenient spot to put your magazines and keys, and there's also a padded leather piece above the entry door to protect your head when exiting.

The cafe dinette provides enough room for two adults to comfortably sit across from each other, but three or four might find it a little tight due to restricted legroom near the wall side where the wheel arch protrudes.

There are fold-out leg rests if you want to stretch out, and a small cupboard under the table and three large storage lockers above. LED reading lights are also included.

The kitchen, directly across from the dinette offers quite a wide, deep bench space for food preparation and meal serving, particularly when the fold-up bench section over the cooktop is down.

The Swift cooktop has three gas burners and one electric hob, and there’s also a grille and oven below. The microwave sits above the deep sink and drainer with its mixer tap, and the fridge-freezer is a large Dometic 216-litre compressor model, with the roof-mounted reverse-cycle air-conditioner also from the Dometic range.

There’s loads of storage for food and utensils, with large (although not that deep) lockers above the kitchen benchtop, and several drawers and cupboards below. There's enough storage options that you probably won't miss the fitment of a dedicated roll-out pantry.

The queen island bed also has plenty of storage underneath its gas strut-lift base, as well as above in three lockers plus some hanging space and drawers on the sides.

You'll also find the audio player in the kitchen area, along with a fitting point for the 24-inch TV (which can also be mounted externally).

With 340 watts of rooftop solar and three 100Ah lithium batteries, the Olympic is pretty well set-up for some decent time camping off-the-grid, especially if there’s only two of you.

This 21ft Olympic Javelin X8 couple's dirt road van is proof a well-designed layout and a few stylish touches can help make an otherwise fairly conventional Melbourne-built caravan stand out from the crowd.

This is certainly a van that looks and feels a bit different from your typical sub-$100,000 model. We're not sure if it deserves a 'gold medal' in its class, but if you like a bit of space in the bathroom it deserves a closer look.

Travel length: 8200mm
Body length: 6400mm
External body width: 2300mm
Travel height: 3300mm (approx.)
Interior height: 1950mm
Tare: 2590kg
ATM: 3190kg
Ball weight (Tare): 195kg
Body: Meranti timber, aluminium composite
Chassis: Galvanised 6in steel
Suspension: AL-KO Enduro X independent
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Stability Control: AL-KO
Wheels: 16in alloy with AT tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 90L (plus grey tank)
Battery: 3 x 100A/h lithium
Solar: 2 x 170W roof mounted
Air-conditioner: Dometic reverse cycle 240v
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Swift 28-litre gas/electric
Cooking: Swift 3+1 gas/electric cooktop, grille and oven
Fridge: 216L Dometic compressor fridge/freezer
Microwave: Yes
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: 24in TV/DVD and antenna
Price: $89,990 (drive-away NSW)
Options fitted: Custom layout, Sandy Taupe exterior finish
Supplied by: RV Connection, St Marys NSW
More info: Olympic Caravans