Tekton SVX-4 2024 Review

It's interesting that you won't find some of Australia's most impressive caravans on display at Australia's biggest RV shows.

We're talking here about the likes of Queensland's Bruder X and Kedron, along with NSW's BRS and Victorian brands such as Evernew and Lyfe RV.

You can add Melbourne's Tekton Expedition to this list of 'no-shows', primarily because it's a niche, low-volume builder that relies on word-of-mouth to fill a very limited number of annual production slots at its Boronia, Victoria factory.

In production since 2017, Tekton campers are so rare you won't even find any second-hand examples for sale on caravancampingsales.

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Tough Tekton hybrids gain traction

As we discovered last year, Tekton's three-model range of hardcore off-road pod campers and hybrid pop-tops are pieced together at a rate of not much more than one a month, at a facility not far from where other premium Aussie off-road campers like the Track Tvan and Vista Crossover are made.

While you could say all Tekton campers are a bit special, the review van we spent some time with recently at the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve on the outskirts of Melbourne is a bit more special and unique than most.

It's based on Tekton's mid-range model, the 13ft SVX-4 hybrid pop-top, which sits between the smaller XT-3 pod camper and range-topping 17ft SVX-5 hybrid in the Tekton range.

While the SVX-4 hybrid comes loaded up with just about everything you'd want for its $138,500 starting price, the eye-catching review van has a sticker price closer to $180,000 thanks to quite a few optional extras as well as special features added as part of Tekton's Bespoke customisation program.

Built for an experienced Melbourne caravanning couple, the stand-out feature is the orange Suburu WRX-inspired paintjob, with the Stedi front light bar, rear MaxTrax holders and upgraded Method 17in alloy wheels with 285/70R17 Nitto Ridge Grappler tyres among a number of other special customer requests.

Other Bespoke additions not found on the Tekton options list include a thumping Garmin/Fusion entertainment system including an 1800W amplifier and sub-woofer, and a specially designed 12V-converted Starlink set-up that runs through the Victron battery system and includes an ethernet port for the TV.

Otherwise, the Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, ARK 500 flip-up jockey wheel, and modified Teko Tuffride airbag suspension on a lightweight Duragal 'one piece' sealed chassis supplied by Melbourne's Intelligent Engineering, are all included as standard on the SVX-4, although the review van gets some extra stopping power thanks to hydraulic disc brakes in lieu of the regular 12in drums.

The owners also requested some extra electrical sockets along the offside wall, along with another roll-out awning and picnic tables, to effectively deliver dual outside living zones.

While they provide some extra protection from the sun and rain, we must say the extra-wide awning cases on both sides jut out a bit too far over the front aero nosecone for our liking. But being the European Thule brand they should be super-easy to roll in and out, with some buyers opting instead for a Batwing-style wrap-around awning.

Despite all the extras, the Tekton SVX-4 review van still comes in with a relatively light 1650kg Tare, to deliver an impressive payload of 1150kg. At 2.0m wide, 2.37m high and with up to 250mm suspension travel and 700mm ground clearance when on the move, it should make for easy towing whether you're on the freeway or navigating tight Outback tracks.

Although if you are planning on heading deep into the bush you'll probably want something with a tighter turning circle than Tekton's heavily modified LandCruiser 70 Series tow vehicle, which struggled to make some U-turns along the dusty roads through the Toolangi State Forest during the photo shoot.

Solid composite construction

The other thing that really catches your eye up close with the Tekton SVX-4 (other than the stunning custom colour!) is its very solid looking and smoothly finished 'one-piece' composite body. To achieve the seamless look, Tekton uses CNC-cut 30mm thick German fibreglass sandwich panels which are chemically bonded, before a wet lay-up fibreglassing process is used to seal the joins.

Not unlike the construction of a Bruder EXP-8, the one-piece body is then lifted and mounted on the chassis, with head-to-toe covering of a two-pack epoxy primer and polyurethane coating for protection. In fact, the tough, textured Raptor-like finish is applied to just about all exposed parts including the chassis, underfloor and aluminum trimming, which combines with minimal entry-exit points for wiring and plumbing to reduce the chance of water and dust ingress.

Tekton has crammed in quite a few external storage options considering the SVX-4's compact size, with the extended drawbar also supporting the housing for the disc brake actuator, which doubles as a step to reach the wood rack mounted on top of the toolbox.

There are two side doors with attached jerry holders to provide access to the toolbox storage space, with another two storage lockers located a bit further back within the body shell for holding more outside stuff.

There's another large offside storage locker which would could fit even more items if you didn't tick the option box for the under-bed air-conditioner, as the owners of the review van have.

While another small offside locker neatly houses a carbon fibre-clad 'pod filter' dust suppression unit, diesel heater, air compressor, water pump and associated plumbing.

There's also a Bullfinch shower outlet on the rear offside wall, with an optional shower tent still to be fitted for the owner. While along the rear wall you'll find the bar-mounted spare tyre, twin recovery points, the optional reversing camera and the matching orange MaxTrax with custom mounting kit.

Moving back to the onside, there's another small front locker with room to fit a 40 litre slide-out fridge. Next to it is another locker for the powder-coated aluminium slide-out kitchen, which includes a large prep bench, sink with glass lid and mixer tap, a slide-out shelf and some drawers. There's also some pantry space in the hatch next to the kitchen.

There's also a slide-out slot for the extra-large, portable twin hob 240V induction cooktop that can either be plugged in outside, or taken inside for a hot cuppa or to whip up some pasta when the weather turns nasty.

While the outside kitchen set-up is quite good, Tekton is planning to introduce a more user-friendly new U-shape kitchen design for an upgraded GEN2 SVX-4 model coming out later this year. Other GEN2 improvements will include a new-design front toolbox/wood rack and external storage lockers, plus a new pop-top roof system with electric-lift option.

Tekton is also promising an even lower Tare thanks to the use of more lightweight composite materials in the GEN2 version.

Getting into the SVX-4 is easy with one-touch ride-height control and a single pull-out step, with the airbag controls and outlet conveniently located just inside the entry door. An optional smart phone app makes it even easier to level out the camper on uneven campsites, like the one we chose for the photo-shoot.

At 5.3m long overall (and 4.0m long internally), Tekton reckons the SVX-4 is the smallest pop-top on the market with an internal ensuite. With the rear-tilt roof manually popped, it feels relatively airy and comfortable inside the cosy couple's layout, although there's limited floorspace to move around the fixed queen bed, central dinette/lounge, and rear kitchenette and corner ensuite.

There's more than enough headroom for taller types, at least in the rear half of the camper, and sufficient light and ventilation thanks to the fixed side caravan windows and screened openings in the vinyl pop-top roof.

There's also a boutique hotel-feel inside the review van, thanks to the many personalised touches including custom colour stitched leatherette upholstery and matte black cabinetry, while the full length mirror on the shower door is another optional extra.

The 'rot-free' ABS lightweight composite material used for the cabinetry also helps keep the weight down, with Tekton sourcing many of the upmarket components for the SVX-4 from local suppliers including a yacht upholsterer and custom mattress maker.

The review van runs the standard Victron battery system which includes 500Ah lithium batteries, a 3000W inverter, 120amp AC charger, 30amp DC-DC charger, and two MPPT solar controllers; all snugly installed in one of the bench seat bases.

The impressive 'gas free' set-up also includes 750W rooftop solar panels (there's an 880W option), along with a Webasto diesel hot water and air heater (with optional ducted system), two Sirocco fans, plus various LED reading and strip lights, and sockets to plug in your devices. For free camping there are two 110 litre freshwater tanks and a 50L grey water tank.

Room to stretch out

The north-south queen bed up front is fitted with a 'Hydroflex' high density foam mattress, with the option to run two single beds. Surprisingly, Tekton has fitted a 'star gazing' caravan wall window above the bed, rather than a more traditional roof hatch or skylight, presumably as it's a better fit for that particular section of slanted roofline.

There's enough room for four people at a pinch on the two opposing bench seats, with the Lagun adjustable table easily swinging around to cater for an impromptu breakfast-in-bed.

The rear kitchen area features an optional 130L compressor fridge/freezer instead of the standard 85L unit, which cuts into some of the storage space while also raising the benchtop height. Interestingly, the review van wasn't permanently fitted with a water filter connected to the internal sink and mixer tap, as you find in many caravans these days.

The Victron touchscreen and Fusion head unit are conveniently located around head-height at the rear, although this will be replaced by a new GEN2 Garmin smart management system that will control more electronics including the airbags from a single touchscreen or app.

Interior storage is more like a camper trailer than a traditional caravan, with most of your clothes, shoes and towels likely to end up in either the bedside 'pods' or the two large drawers that pull out from under the bed.

There are also some camper-style pouches around the bedhead, albeit made from creamy leatherette rather than low-rent canvas! Otherwise a few shelves and benchtops are scattered around the camper, along with some small drawers and cupboards up back for kitchen-related items.

One clever storage solution is the location of two in-wall, sealed storage lockers within the shower/toilet cubicle, which are deep enough to hold items like towels and toilet rolls and keep them dry while showering.

Continuing the tailor-made theme, we also like the Tekton-branded, marine-style shower floor mats that fit around the optional OGO composting toilet (a portable toilet is standard).

Summing up

The Tekton SVX-4 adds to a growing number of options available in the premium Aussie-built, off-grid hybrid caravan market. However, it does manage to stand out in a few ways, including its classy composite construction, inviting interior layout, and the option to add a few personal touches to what is otherwise a true off-grid camper.

The added bonus is that if you order one today you'll also benefit from the GEN2 upgrades due to be rolled out on the production line later this year.

Price: From $138,500 ($180,000 as reviewed)
Overall length: 5360mm
Body length: 4000mm (13ft 1in)
Width: 2000mm
Height: 2370mm (travel), 2545mm (max. open)
Tare: From 1450kg (1650kg as reviewed)
Ball weight (Tare): 90-110kg
ATM: 2800kg
Chassis: 100mm x 50mm x 3?mm Duragal with Raptor coating
Body: Fibreglass composite, Raptor coating
Suspension: Modified Teko independent airbags, four shock absorbers
Brakes: Hydraulic disc (optional)
Wheels: 16in ROH Vapor with BF Goodrich tyres (standard)
Water: 2 x 110L (fresh), 50L (grey)
Battery: 500Ah lithium with 3000W inverter
Solar: 750W total, roof-mounted
Gas: Not fitted
Hot water: Diesel instant
Space heater: Diesel
Cooking: Portable twin hob induction cooktop, internal/external sink
Fridge: Bushman 130L compressor fridge (optional)
TV: Starlink ready (optional)
Air-conditioner: Truma, under-bed (optional)
Bathroom: Internal combined shower and toilet, external shower
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Tekton Expedition, Boronia, Victoria