Supreme Territory X 2023 Review

Supreme Caravans has dabbled in a variety of models over its close to 40 years of existence, from compact pop-tops and slide-on campers, to camper trailers and the odd custom van.

But the popular Melbourne manufacturer is now firmly focused on the highest-volume sector of the Australian RV market -- large full height caravans -- with an extensive eight-model range of mostly timber framed, semi off-road and off-road single and tandem axle models, available with dozens of layouts to suit both couples and families.

There's even a toy hauler option, while more recent arrivals include the lighter weight Eclipse Sunray touring van built using the latest sandwich panel construction, and the appropriately named Spirit Tiny Home 'apartment on wheels'. And that's not including the two model ranges offered by Supreme's Leader sub-brand.

One of the latest additions is the range-topping Territory X model which is essentially Supreme's entry into the growing off-grid luxury caravan market. Sitting in the $130,000-$150,000 price bracket, the Territory X full-size off-road van is available in just two tandem axle variants; a 20ft couple's van and 21ft family bunk model.

Here we’re looking at a 20ft Territory X couple’s van supplied by Queensland dealer the Australian Caravan Centre which comes with a standard equipment list as long as your arm, and a hefty three tonne plus weight to match, for its listed price of $150,990.

For that you get a very sturdy platform including a tough six inch galvanised chassis, supporting a timber framed and smooth aluminium clad body that’s protected by a front mesh stone guard, side checker plate, scrub bars and plenty of underbody armour.

The Territory X rides on Cruisemaster’s top-spec ATX adjustable airbag suspension, with the airbag controls on the review van located in a chassis-mounted checker plate box; you can opt to have them higher up in a side locker along the onside wall if you prefer.

It's no surprise there's plenty of ground clearance for off-roading, to go with painted skid plates on the in-house built Road King chassis, 12in electric drum brakes, and 16in alloy wheels with all terrain tyres.

You'll need a decent tow vehicle to lug it around, with a listed tare weight of 2886kg, ATM of 3536kg and ball weight at tare of 247kg. That said, the big tandem axle, airbag suspended van towed quite well behind our Isuzu MU-X, although the Isuzu's 3.0-litre diesel had to work hard up any sort of incline. The six-speed auto also tended to shift down to fourth gear when trying to maintain 90-100km/h on anything but dead-flat highways.

We averaged around 16L/100km on our run from the dealer in Burleigh Heads to our camping ground near Gympie and back, which delivered a decent range of around 500km from the Isuzu's 80 litre fuel tank.

Setting up the Territory X is made easier with some extra-long extendable corner stabilisers, with switches located just inside the door to operate the electric fold-out entry steps and the powered roll-out awning.

Cruisemaster’s DO-35 coupling and an electronic sway control unit are also fitted on the drawbar, together with a checker plate toolbox containing a slide-out for a generator and spots for two 9kg gas bottles, while up back there’s a rear bar with the spare tyre, a reversing camera and a wall-mounted bike rack.

Outside cooking is on a nice big Dometic slide-out kitchen with cutting board, gas cooktop and sink, which isn't far from the twin picnic tables, a TV entertainment locker and a big Bluetooth speaker.

Competing in the increasingly competitive off-grid caravan segment, the Territory X is set up for longer stays outside caravan parks, with five 210W roof-mounted solar panels feeding its big 600Ah lithium battery system, and a 3000W invertor to help run the onboard appliances. There’s also 190 litres fresh and 100 litre grey water capacity, for when travelling in national parks and more remote areas.

Step inside the 20ft Territory X and it goes from rugged off-roader to luxury apartment, with a very inviting fit-out that includes a walk-around queen bed up front, a central café dinette and kitchen, and a large rear ensuite.

It might not be the biggest van on the market but it's one of the more spacious couple's layouts with been in recently, with lots of floorspace both down the central walkway as well as around the bed. This isn't a caravan where you'll be bumping into one another, so should appeal to those planning on extended Big Lap-style trips.

That said, the cafe dinette is on the smaller side although it's still very comfortable and stylish and comes equipped with a tri-fold table, fold-out footrests and some upholstered storage pouches, plus a few other storage spots and sockets in the vicinity.

The kitchen comes well equipped with a large sink and three burner cooktop and oven, along with a microwave and a 224 litre compressor fridge, and there are quite a few storage options too including a large pull-out pantry.

In fact, storage is a highlight throughout the van, with lots of cupboards, drawers and nooks everywhere you look, along with some space under the bed where the diesel heater and some electrical components including the inverter are located.

Climate control is taken care of by the rooftop air conditioner and diesel space heater, with some 12V fans to help with airflow around the bed. There's also a motorised dust reduction unit in the ceiling to keep the interior nice and clean when travelling on unsealed Outback highways.

The reasonably roomy rear ensuite area comes well equipped with a deep sink and mixer tap, cassette toilet, wall-mounted washing machine, and a number of open and closed storage spaces to keep all your toiletries neatly contained.

There shouldn’t be any complaints about the size and set-up of the shower either, although the clear see-through door instead of more traditional frosty type won’t be to everyone’s liking.

Designed to please

Being Supreme's range-topping model, there are also lots of nice if somewhat old-fashioned touches throughout the van, including window pelmets with curtains, waterfall-style benchtops and extensive use of stitched leatherette upholstery, not to mention the black tapware which is the only option fitted to the review van.

The solid sliding ensuite door and matching shower door with their black framing also have a decidedly Japanese Ryokan inn feel about them, while other upmarket touches include an upholstered bedhead, and reading lights, storage nooks and electrical sockets around the bed.

The battery management unit and audio controls are conveniently located in an overhead cupboard, while a large TV, strip lighting and roof mounted speakers are also part of the Territory X package.

It's no surprise that Supreme has grown to become one of Australia's biggest selling caravan manufacturers, with the latest Territory X a good example of providing exactly what many Aussie buyers want in a premium off-road caravan, and all at a competitive price.

Sure, it's big, bulky and out of reach price-wise for some buyers, but Territory X owners will have little to complain about once they've pulled up at camp and taken a few easy minutes to set up, before kicking back and enjoying all the inside and outside features packed into this 20ft van.

Price: $150,990 as reviewed
Body length: 6090mm
Internal body width: 2225mm
Travel length: 7728mm
Travel height: 3195mm
Internal height: 1980mm
Tare: 2886kg
ATM: 3536kg
Ball weight (Tare): 247kg
Chassis: Road King box-section Permagal 150mm with 50mm riser
Body: Meranti timber frame with aluminium composite panels
Suspension: Tandem axle Cruisemaster ATX airbags, M46 shocks
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Wheels: 16in alloy with 265/75-16 A/T tyres
ESC: Lippert Sway Control                                       
Water: 2 x 95L fresh, 1 x 100L grey
Battery: 2 x 300Ah lithium-ion with Redarc Redvision and 3000W inverter
Solar: 5 x 210W roof-mounted panels
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Gas-electric
Space heater: Diesel
Cooking: Hawk 600 Series 3+1 cooktop, grille and oven
Microwave: dLuxx
Fridge: Dometic 188L upright compressor fridge-freezer
Shower: Internal cubicle and external hot/cold
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Air-conditioner: Dometic Ibis rooftop reverse-cycle
Lighting: LED
Audio: Fusion Bluetooth with internal/external speakers
TV: Kogan 32in LED
Washing machine: Livable 3.0kg wall-mounted
Supplied by: Australian Caravan Centre, Burleigh Heads, Queensland
More info: Supreme Caravans, Campbellfield, Victoria