Radical off-grid caravan goes next level

Getting regular access to fresh, potable water is a big priority when caravanning, particularly when touring in more arid or remote regions.

Some RV travellers resort to carrying hundreds of litres of water in their tow vehicle and caravan, for fear of running out, and fit industrial water filters to make HO drawn from bore or creek sources more palatable.

Manufacturers like NSW-based Trakka have devised innovative solutions like a Rain Water Retrieval (RWR) system which collects and stores rainwater from the motorhome's roof, while other cutting-edge, water-generating technology is starting to make its way to the RV market, like the vehicle on-board drinking system from Israeli start-up Watergen that can generate up to 25 litres of fresh water daily, from ambient air...

Now West Australian caravan repair and conversion specialist RV Solutions WA is working on what could be the world's first 'desal plant' for a recreational vehicle, that will be able to conveniently convert salt water into drinking water when travelling in coastal regions.

Announced on social media recently with little fanfare, the forward-thinking Perth-based business is keeping tight-lipped about its potentially ground-breaking innovation except to say that the presumably battery-powered, in-built desalination unit will be able to generate "around 100 litres fresh water per hour from the ocean".

The 'desal plant' will be just one of many unique custom features available on a new $200,000-plus 'Boss Level' off-grid caravan, designed to showcase the in-house talents and skills of owners and staff at the Rockingham-based repair shop and retail outlet.

"The desal will be a while away yet as we’re still going through final testing and approvals," RV Solutions WA's marketing manager Ayla Smith told caravancampingsales.

RV Solutions says its hot-rodded 'Boss Level' caravan, which started life as an otherwise well-equipped, Melbourne-built $157,990 Wonderland XTR family 'van, is "going to be the maddest custom off-road and off-grid caravan you can get" when completed later this year.

"We live and breathe off-road and off-grid camping so the Boss Level Project is just about making the most impressive caravan we can," she said.

Some of the eye-catching 'mods' include new 'Boss Level' decals designed by local outfit The Various Artists and a custom Segway bike rack, J Mould-insert annex lighting, personalised 'Boss Level' plates, a gun safe, and blue LED lighting around the wheel arches to highlight the black 18in Method Race Wheels alloys shod with chunky Mickey Thompson rubber.

Underneath, the 4500kg-rated Cruisemaster ATX wireless airbag suspension will boast Ken Block-style King shock absorbers, while the impressive off-grid power system includes 720Ah lithium batteries, six 190W rooftop solar panels, a 3000W inverter and an Enerdrive ePro battery management system.

Other latest tech includes a CelFi Go mobile phone signal booster, RV Wi-Fi and a Carafan 'dust buster' unit.

"Boss Level is not a one-off project, it will be constantly evolving as we come up with new ideas, as we love to push the boundaries of what is possible," Smith explained.

"The current Boss Level van will be available for purchase in a couple of months, and we will move onto Boss Level 3.0 and continue to add further upgrades to the current list. We’ve just got a few trips to take it on first."

As well as caravan repairs and custom builds, RV Solutions WA specialises in top-spec campervan conversions and food truck fit-outs, and is the Western Australian dealer for Wonderland and ProRv caravans as well as Queensland-built Patriot Campers.

The Boss Level 'van joins a growing number of hardcore recreational vehicles originating in the west, including new models from Elross and Explorex, and the reborn OKA motorhomes.