Tardis-like toy hauler coming

A unique range of toy hauler caravans that can sleep up to eight people and carry various 'big boys' toys including micro-light aircraft, is being rolled out to dealerships across the country.

Canterbury Caravans’ sales manager, Ian Sadler, said the Bayswater, Victoria-based multi-brand dealership has already sold one of the latest Caria toy haulers since initial stock arrived around late-August.

Although a wide range of models are available, the Melbourne dealership currently only has an 18ft Caria Toy Hauler 360 in its yards, which features dual fold-down bunks to accommodate up to six people. Priced at $44,490 and rated for semi off-road use, it’s well equipped with 150 litre water storage, air-conditioner, kitchen, awning, reverse camera and external shower among its standard list of features.

But it’s the top-spec, eight-berth GT-8 Grande Tourer (pictured), due to arrive at Canterbury Caravans next month, that Sadler says should create the biggest buzz.

It will be priced at $89,990 but is described as the “ultimate in luxury” with a long list of features including an unusual ‘pop-top’ upstairs bedroom and internal shower/toilet.

With payload capacities of up to 1500kg, Sadler said the Caria toy haulers are designed to carry jet skis, motor bikes, quad bikes, and even small aircraft in their spacious rear ‘garage’.

They’re also “wheelchair friendly”, thanks to a drop-down electric tailgate and open floorplan.

Sadler said Caria toy haulers were previously available factory-direct from the Melbourne-based manufacturer, but are now being rolled out to dealers.

The company's “new business profile” also means the caravan bodies, comprising fibreglass panels and steel framework, are now manufactured in Thailand before being delivered in flat-pack form to Australia, with “60 per cent of the work done here”.

Looking “outside the square” in regards to marketing the attention-grabbing caravans, which are available with a range of bright exterior and interior colours and patterns, Sadler said Canterbury Caravans would be the only caravan dealer exhibiting at the Moto Expo motorcycle show at the Melbourne Showgrounds later this month.

As well as Canterbury Caravans in Victoria, the Caria toy haulers are available from Trailer Camper Australia in the ACT, All Boats and Caravans in Western Australia, and the The Caravan Shop in Queensland. Or visit the Caria Caravans website for further details.