Outback RVs Overlander

WE LIKED:
>> Generous external bin storage
>> Bright and breezy interior
>> Cupboard space at front of van
>> Well-appointed electrical system

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Nothing, given this is a custom-built van to owner requirements – there’s nothing wrong with the build quality

It's no surprise to find  the manufacturing premises of Outback RVs close to the tourist destinations of Noosa Heads and Fraser Island on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Outback RV vans are very much built for sandy beaches and outback tracks, and that was certainly the case with this particular Overlander model I borrowed for a test.

It was built for a customer very keen on fishing who wanted to get to some of those out-of-the-way fishing spots without sacrificing the comforts of home.

Certainly the tow vehicle, a 70 Series Land Cruiser trayback, had everything needed for the keen fisho. With its 4.5 litre, 151kW turbodiesel motor and 3500kg tow rating, it also proved up to the task of hauling the Overlander, which had a Tare of 2620kg and ATM of 3500kg.

HOW'S IT BUILT?

The Overlander comes with a hot-dipped galvanized 150 x 50mm-railed chassis. Naturally, there's also a fully independent trailing arm suspension setup complete with shock absorbers and airbag suspension.

Stopping power is provided by 12in electric brakes on each 16inch wheel.

Bolted between the rails are four 85 litre polyethylene water tanks (keep in mind the van’s load capacity) which are individually plumbed, one with drinking water only.

All of the under-chassis fittings, I should point out, are strapped out of the way, giving a clean ground clearance.

In addition to the usual drawbar fittings – Hyland offroad hitch (all future models will have a Hitchmaster DO35), power jack with LED lights, hand brake and twin 9kg gas cylinders – are a mesh stoneguard, jerry can holder and a small alloy checkerplate toolbox atop a mesh grill.

At the rear, a strong bumper bar supports two spare wheels.

Underneath the aluminum and alloy checkerplate bodywork sits a fully-insulated, welded aluminium frame.

In addition to the front boot, which contains three batteries, are several storage bins along the nearside, including one containing a slide-out barbecue for under-awning cooking.

Also fitted are 240V/12V sockets and an antenna connection for a TV, as well as low-mounted external speakers.

STEP INSIDE...

With a Tassie oak finish to the cabinetry, the Overlander is a pleasure to look at. It doesn’t dominate the interior but creates some beautiful lines.

Although a typical front bedroom/rear bathroom layout, it’s done with a few differences from the norm. For a start, the front bed is east-west to the nearside, the dinette is much simpler than what you’ll find in comparable vans, and the rear bathroom is large.

LED lighting is fitted throughout and, along with the large Seitz-style windows, two large hatches let in plenty of light and fresh air.

The kitchen comes with a 230 litre Vitrfrigo fridge with LG microwave above, on the offside between the bathroom and the sideways-facing lounge and table that make up the dinette.

Although the dinette might sound a little too simplified, it doesn’t take up much space and is quite a flexible arrangement. But, given the location of the flatscreen TV – forward of the overhead lockers above the lounge seats – it can really only be viewed from the bed.

On the opposite side, the kitchen bench comes with four drawers, one cupboard and three overhead lockers, and the splash panel at the bed end of the bench is a nice touch.

Like all the other doors and drawers in the van, the kitchen’s are fitted with positive-locking catches, and the drawers on 30kg-capacity runners.

Despite the generous amount of storage, there’s still a four-burner cooktop, grill and oven alongside a stainless steel sink and drainer.
In the bedroom, the front wall is filled with cabinets, with four doors that give access to multiple shelves.

On either side of the queen-size bed are neat bedside cabinets, and lifting the contour slat bed base reveals more storage – an external bin door also gives access to this area.

The rear bathroom is fitted with a nearside shower cubicle, offside Dometic vacuum-flush toilet, vanity, and an-off-the-floor front loading washing machine that’s squeezed into the offside corner.

Like any good offroad van, the Overlander comes with a well set-up electrical system. Given the fridge is a 12V compressor model and there's also a 1000W pure sine wave inverter, having three 120Ah batteries that can be charged from either the Electro 30A mains unit or the three 120W roof-mounted solar panels is certainly an asset.

VERDICT

There’s no doubt the Overlander is a well built, fit-for-purpose offroad van. Custom-built by Outback RVs in this case, it contains many owner-required specifications and has a price to match.

That said, the owner couldn’t wait to get away in their new mobile home and feel the first fish biting on the line. Who could argue with that?

OUTBACK RVs OVERLANDER

Overall length:7.9m (25ft 11in)
External body length: 6.64m (21ft 9in)
External width: 2.27m (7ft 5in)
Interior height: 2.05m (6ft 8in)
Travel height: 3.15m (10ft 4in)
Nameplate Tare: 2620kg
Nameplate ATM: 3500kg
Frame: welded aluminium
Chassis: hot-dipped galvanised
Suspension: independent trailing arm
Cooktop: Smev four-burner/grill/oven
Fridge: Vitrifrigo 230 litre
Microwave: LG
Shower: Separate cubicle
Toilet: Dometic vacu-flush
Lighting: 12V LED
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 4 x 85 litre
Price: $98,000 (tow-away, Qld)
Supplied by: Outback RVs, Noosaville, Qld