On The Move Crossfire

Specialising until recently in large, upmarket rough-road models, On The Move Caravans recently ‘downsized’ its range to include a more compact model for the growing number of buyers who desire the convenience of a hard-walled caravan with the versatility of an off-road camper trailer.

In other words, those adventurous types who want to be able to tow a van down the same narrow tracks as their four-wheel drive, but don’t want the hassle of canvas when they arrive at camp!

The

new, Melbourne-built Crossfire range includes a single axle, 10ft 6in (body length) hard-top model with a double bed and cupboards inside and an external kitchen, along with a slightly larger, 13ft 3in pop-top model that manages to squeeze in a combination shower/toilet at the rear.

A third, family model with rear bunks instead of ensuite should be available shortly.

For this review we took the ‘prototype’ 13ft 6in pop-top, ensuite model for an overnight trip to Murrindindi in the Toolangi State Forest, about two hours’ north east of Melbourne, to see if it lived up to its ‘all-rounder’ status…

EASY RIDER

With a nameplate Tare of 1614kg, 107kg ball weight and 2100kg ATM, it’s no surprise the Toyota Prado GLX with a towing capacity of 2500kg made light work of the Crossfire.

With a travel height of 2.25m and 1.93m width, it's not much bigger than the Prado on road, so we didn’t need towing mirrors. It also tracked well on the highway even in serious cross-winds.

While perhaps not as versatile as a purpose-built tent trailer, the Crossfire managed some narrow dirt tracks without damage, with decent clearance, an off-road hitch and independent coil suspension, ensuring confidence over deeper gutters, rocks and ruts.

At 6670mm long, the Crossfire backs relatively easily into tight campsites.

Already subject to some serious off-road test kilometres including a blast up Big Red, the ‘prototype’ van boasted a meaty G&S Supagal steel chassis with 12in brakes, 16inch alloys and chunky all-terrain tyres, side scrub bars, tow recovery points and a rear bumper with spare wheel.

Peering underneath, the only visible signs of wear and tear were some ‘shot peening’ of the painted A-frame and scuffing of the two, 65 litre poly water tanks, which will have steel plate protection on production models.

Helping keep frontal damage to a minimum was ‘three stage’ protection including a sturdy, mesh stone guard and checker plate tool box on the extended A-frame, and (optional) padded vinyl across the front of the body.

For this particular model, On the Move has gone for a timber-free body construction, albeit with a marine ply floor.

The 30mm thick, one-piece composite sandwich panels for the roof and sides use aluminium Dibond (exterior) and fibreglass (interior) sheeting, with a foam insulation core and RHS aluminium tubing for additional strength and furniture mounting points.

The result is a smooth, easy cleaning, coated exterior surface that makes sense in dirty, dusty environments.

Unlike the Van Cruiser SUV tested on the same trip, the Crossfire did a good job of preventing fine dust from entering the interior, although unlike the Van Cruiser a vinyl cover had been fitted to the gas vent on the ‘triple locker’ entry door to stop dirt from entering.

SWEAT-FREE SET-UP

This is where the Crossfire and other ‘hybrid’ campers make sense, with a set-up (and pack up) time of minutes compared to half an hour or more for some multi-roomed tent trailers.

After dropping in place the 8inch jockey wheel and four, stabiliser legs, it’s simply a case of unlatching the pop-top roof and raising from inside via the two push-up bars.

Our test van came with a tent trailer-style awning with separate poles and guy ropes. While this will add to set-up time compared to a caravan roll-out awning, the upside is it should cope with windy weather better.

Given its compact internal dimensions, cooking is mostly done outside on an impressively large, stainless steel kitchen that slides out from one of two external, onside lockers.

Pulled out fully, it features a Weber Baby Q BBQ, two-burner gas stove with glass lid, plastic wash basin and a generous-sized cutlery drawer.

Conveniently located nearby are gas bayonets that connect to the two 4.5kg gas bottles, as well as drawbar-mounted hot and cold water taps, running off the Shurflo 12V pump and Truma gas/electric hot water service.

The Crossfire has surprisingly good storage options externally, including the large checkerplate toolbox up front and a full tunnel locker next to the slide-out kitchen.

There are two more hatches on the offside that contain a hot/cold shower outlet, and a cluster of electronics including a fuse box, 25 amp battery charger, and 30 amp solar regulator for the two solar panels on the roof. The only issue is access height to the displays; shorter folk will require a ladder.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Entry via the Aussie Traveller security door is made easy with a drop-down step and once inside, there’s enough headroom for lanky types (my 192cm frame just touched the ceiling).

There’s also just enough floorspace inside the doorway for a couple to move around freely and get dressed, without causing injury.

As is the case externally, there are plentiful storage options inside, including a big, three-quarter height cupboard with shelving on the right of the entry door, and two, decent-sized three-drawer cabinets. Further storage options lie under the two seats near the base of the bed.

Like most pop-tops, there’s decent bench space once the roof is raised.

Taking up the front half of the van is a wall-to-wall king-sized bed, which has a comfortable, 12cm thick foam base and converts to an even larger (2060 x 1840mm) bed when the small table and two-seat dinette is converted to mattress duties.

Our review van also came with the optional LED TV, viewable from the dinette and bed, along with Winegard antenna. Various ‘plugs’ in the vicinity included two USB, two 240V and a solitary 12V socket.

Adding to the airy, liveable feel were plenty of gusset windows plus a large roof hatch and two double glazed windows with block-out blinds and screens surrounding the bed.

Bright interior and exterior LED lighting including a ring of LEDs around the roof hatch ensured almost every corner of the van could be lit up at night. There’s also a party trick, in a removable light switch that operates remotely, via a wireless module located separately in the van.

Other interior appliances included as standard are a 140 litre two-way fridge and a microwave, but you’ll pay extra for the roof-top air-conditioner and an audio entertainment system.

But perhaps the most appealing feature of the Crossfire, considering its compact size is the spacious, combination toilet/shower at the rear. With ample room for one person, it features a one-piece moulded shower recess, Thetford cassette toilet, separate basin with hot/cold taps, 12V roof fan and two lights.

Other nice touches were the handy, top-mounted shower curtain to keep water out of the main living area, and a large mirror on the outside of the door.

VERDICT

Rugged and compact enough to be dragged down many off-road tracks, yet offering some of the luxuries of a touring caravan, the Crossfire Poptop is an enticing proposition for a couple who want to head bush without sacrificing too much in the way of comfort.

Considering it already had some serious off-road miles under its belt, build quality seems up to scratch.

About the only area lacking for those who want to head off the beaten track for an extended period is the relatively limited water storage compared to some of its rivals. And a $50,000-plus caravan really should have a stereo fitted as standard!

WE LIKED:
>> Fit and finish
>> Light-filled, comfortable interior
>> Interior and exterior storage
>> Sturdy off-road underpinnings

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Optional TV, air-con and stereo
>> External cooking only
>> Insufficient water storage for longer trips

ON THE MOVE CROSSFIRE POP-TOP

Travel length: 6670mm
External body length: 3975mm
External body width: 1930mm
Travel height: 2250mm
Overall height (excl. air-con): 2600mm
Tare weight: 1614kg
ATM: 2100kg
Ball weight: 107kg
Body: Aluminium/foam/fibreglass composite walls and roof, marine ply floor
Chassis: G & S Supagal, 100 x 50mm chassis, 150 x 50mm A-frame, DO35 hitch
Suspension: 2500kg rated, single axle Control Rider TS independent coil springs with dual shock absorbers
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Stability Control: Optional
Wheels: 16in alloy with 265/75 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 65L fresh water
Battery: 2 x 100Ah deep cycle AGM
Solar: 2 x 150W roof-mounted
Air-conditioner: Optional
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water: 14L Truma gas/electric
Cooking: Two-burner gas cooktop/Weber Baby Q
Fridge:  Waeco 140 litre 12V/240V compressor
Microwave: Dluxx
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: One-piece fibreglass cubicle/ external shower
Lighting: LED
Price $52,990 (As tested: $56,990)
Options fitted: Air Command Sparrow air-conditioner, LED digital TV, internal TV point, front padded bra
Supplied by: On The Move Caravans, Campbellfield, Vic