Top-10 stories of 2015

If nothing else, the Australian RV market is constantly changing. Barely a week goes by without a new manufacturer setting up shop (or current one folding), new overseas brand, new product, new innovation… it’s a moving feast, with lots to talk about.

So which stories published on Caravancampingsales in 2015 proved most popular with readers? Based on the total number of ‘clicks’ generated, we’ve compiled a top-10 list which combined, generated almost 170,000 page views. 

They cover a range of ‘hot’ topics in the local RV world including safety, towing, off-road travel, Chinese manufacturing and, of course, Jayco.

While not quite making the top-10, special mention goes to fledgling and futuristic Zone RV, which was the subject of two high-ranking stories thanks to the Queensland manufacturer’s initial (and

since abandoned) foray into flat-pack caravans.

Also extremely popular were yarns on a

'mobile man cave’ that cost $14,000; new

member-only parks from Australia’s biggest RV club; the

rise in caravan litigation and a warning about the

dangers of gas-powered appliances.

The two most popular reviews this year were both off-road oriented: Avan’s

Golf Savannah Maxxi and the go-anywhere

Travel Trucks Scrubmaster.

So without further ado, let’s count down the top-10 stories…

10.

Off-road tyre pressure warning: A timely reminder to drop your van’s tyre pressures by up to half when venturing off-road.

9.

Banned! Unsafe butane stoves: Nationwide recall of a number of cheap and popular camp cooking devices.

8.

Big fuss over caravan plate penalty: Crusader Caravans was the manufacturer caught in the spotlight, but how many other caravan builders and dealers are guilty of mounting rego plates too high?

7.

Is an off-road van worth it? Michael Browning tackles the burning question: How many so-called off-road vans are truly suitable for off-road travel?

6.

Star-spangled motorhome for sale: At any time there are around 8000 RVs for sale on Caravancampingsales, but few as rare and eye-catching as this classic American motorhome.

5.

Lifestyle counter Chinese knock-offs: Queensland off-road camper manufacturer fights back against tsunami of cheap, Chinese knock-offs.

4.

Chinese vans spread down under: Chinese-built caravans remain a rarity in Australia but like the entry-level camper trailer market, that could change…

3.

Jayco releases teardrop camper: Of the 17 stories we published in 2015 about Australia’s biggest RV company, none received more interest than the release of the dirt-cheap J-Pod (although the

$11,000 US-built camper wasn’t too far behind).

2.

The truth about 3500kg tow ratings: More than two-thirds of Caravancampingsales visitors own a caravan or camper, according to

latest figures, so an article exposing some of the ‘myths’ around towing a 3500kg van with a latest dual-cab ute was always going to fire up the masses.

1.

2015 RV Show Calendar: If you’re in the market for a new RV, sooner or later you’ll end up at a big caravan and camping show. Apart from Caravancampingsales, where else can you ‘shop’ literally thousands of different models in the one place? No surprise then that our regularly updated RV show calendar, with its state by state listings, was by far the most popular article this year. Stayed tuned for the 2016 edition…