Rhinomax reveals new full-height Lost Trak

Sunshine Coast hybrid specialist Rhinomax is the latest brand to enter the expanding luxury off-road caravan market, with its new tandem axle Lost Trak about to enter production.

The initial 18ft 6in model is likely to make its public debut at the Sydney Caravan, Camping & Lifestyle Expo from September 20-22, perhaps followed by Melbourne Leiseurefest from October 2-6, with other Lost Trak models of different lengths set to come.

Each will be 2100mm wide, allowing them to follow in the wheel tracks of large 4WDs, with the 18ft 6in version weighing in at a competitive 2300kg Tare. Paired with an ATM of 3500kg, it offers a huge payload of 1200kg.

Lost Trak prices, depending on the model and equipment fitted, are expected to be in the $130,000-$150,000 range.

These specs pitch the new Rhinomax model squarely against Australian Off Road’s 2500kg Tare/3400kg ATM 19ft long Aurora that hit the market five years ago in mid-2014.

However, where Rhinomax’ first full-height hard-roof model differs from the Aurora, is that it's designed to fill the gap between hybrid and full height off-road caravans.

Each Lost Trak will be custom-built for its owner, with Rhinomax offering a series of different interior furniture modules that can be swapped to meet individual requirements.

For example, the Lost Trak can be configured as a luxury couples van, or as a bunk bed family model by simply selecting appropriate modules, some of which already exist for Rhinomax’s Renegade, Defender and Discovery Hybrid pop-top hybrid camper models.

Buyers will also have the choice between a spec more suited to outdoor living and camping, or one more focused on inside living, like a conventional off-road caravan.

An Enerdrive lithium battery mated to a 1000W Combi inverter/charger, fed by up to 700W of roof-top solar, Cruisemaster XT airbag suspension and a DO-35 off-road coupling, will be standard on all models.

Also standard will be a full internal kitchen with grille and oven, a large fridge and leather upholstery, plus an internal combined shower and composting toilet ensuite, with an additional drop-down external shower pod as an option.

Designed in-house using 3D software, like other Rhinomax hybrids, the Lost Trak also employs full thickness 30mm composite wall panels, with its hard roof formed from similar material.

Rhinomax partner and Marketing Director Steve Punton, who with former Rolls-Royce aircraft engineer Andy Dean, started Rhinomax in 2011 on the back of a successful manhole cover manufacturing business, said the company found a growing demand from existing customers wanting to combine the freedom of outdoor living with the comforts of an off-road caravan.

"The Lost Trak is not designed to take on the established large off-road caravans like Bushtracker and Kedron,” said Punton. “It is something in between.”

He said Rhinomax already had enough potential buyers to account for Lost Trak production until the end of May next year.

“If the demand continues at this level, it may be pointless stimulating more by taking it to shows,” he said. “Now that we have confirmed that there is a strong demand out there, we are fine-tuning our models and specs to address it.”