Sneak peek! First full metal jacket family caravan

Trend-setting, fledgling caravan manufacturer Harvok RV has released more exterior images of its ground-breaking new 19ft 6in caravan built with automotive-style 'one-piece' steel monocoque body construction.

Following the arrival of the first batch of 14ft 6in Harvok Playstation unitary hybrid caravans in Australia in late-January, the larger 'suit of armour' 19ft 6in side-door versions will feature similar family and couple internal layouts as the 'first generation' Chinese-built Harvok 48V vans released locally in 2021.

In what is believed to be an RV industry first, the all-steel unitary structures for the new Australian-spec Harvok caravans are manufactured in a Chinese automotive factory, with the interior fit-out also taking place in China at Harvok's new 30,000 square metre RV production facility.

The all-steel body and chassis for the new 19ft 6in full height 'one-piece' monocoque caravans are built in the same Chinese factory as Toyota Coaster buses, with the steel caravan body and chassis robotically welded together to form a single unit before being dipped into anti-corrosion liquid baths.

In other RV industry firsts, a spray-on rubberised underbody coating and 40mm thick polyurethane expansion foam is used to further protect and insulate the body, with 5mm thick water and fire resistant, bamboo-based ply used for the interior walls.

The final fit-out of ancillary appliances and components occurs after shipping at Harvok's Dandenong South, Victoria facility, not far from the Jayco mega-factory.

Harvok is hoping the first imported 19ft 6in monocoque vans will be ready in time for display at the 2022 Victorian Caravan Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds from April 6-10. Pricing hasn't been announced but Harvok is hoping to keep the starting price for the new all-metal 'van under $100,000.