Top-5 predictions for 2016

MORE TECHNOLOGY...

Electronic trickery, including ‘hands free’ technology, is taking over cars and boats, so no surprise it’s starting to creep into Australian caravans and motorhomes as they move further upmarket.

First there were caravan electronic stability control systems,  followed by anti-theft tracking technology
and wi-fi for caravans.

Now Finscan is leading the charge
of smart phone-operable, centralised digital management systems that allow you to run your van’s systems from the comfort of your camp chair.

Also set to invade the RV market in a big way in 2016 is the lithium battery
which, combined with the latest management systems
and invertors, could revolutionise Outback travel.

Even caravan suspensions are going hi-tech, following the announcement of Vehicle Components’ wirelessly-controlled airbags

What’s next? Keyless door entry and 360 degree ‘bird’s eye’ camera systems to assist when reversing your caravan can’t be too far off…

And will 2016 see the arrival of the

first electric-powered SUV with Prado-like towing capacity?

MORE HI-TECH MATERIALS...

Europe leads the way in high strength but light weight composite construction and Australian caravan manufacturers are slowly hopping on board, albeit often reluctantly from old ‘stick and tin’ construction methods.

Tapping into the latest colour craze, more

local manufacturers have been testing the waters with products like Alucabond cladding borrowed from the building industry. While more affordable slick, fibreglass composite finishes

from the likes of Jayco should increase demand.

Inspired by cutting-edge construction from the UK’s Swift and Bailey, Queensland’s Zone RV is taking the lead locally with timber-free construction. While others are dabbling with more exotic materials like Kevlar

Exterior personalisation should also go up a notch in 2016, as Aussie manufacturers move from stick-on artwork to perhaps more sophisticated options like

digitally-printed, aluminium panels.

MORE ONLINE DISRUPTION...

Technology 'disruption' is the mantra of our latest Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,  so no surprise new online players are springing up left, right and centre in the RV travel 'space', trying to replicate the success of international players such as Airbnb and Uber.

While it’s still early days, online ‘disruptors’ including

HomeCamp, (a website that helps turn spare backyard spaces into mini caravan parks) and. MyCaravan.com.au (connects  RV owners with travellers who want to rent a caravan or motorhome on the cheap) are starting to influence the current generation of switched-on travellers. 

How long before we see a Uber-style operation taking on traditional motorhome rental businesses, ‘renting’ out space in some-one’s caravan or motorhome on their next road trip?

MORE IMPORTS...

While most caravans and motorhomes sold in Australia are still built here, an increasing number aren’t, thanks to the growing presence of quality imports from the UK, Europe, US and other countries.

It’s picked up pace over the past 12 months with the ‘official’ arrival of America’s Winnebago, Canada’s Alto, Germany’s Knaus,  South Africa’s off-road Jurgens range and the

Thai-built Caria.

This trend is unlikely to slow down in 2016, as new importers hope to grab a slice of one of the world’s biggest and most lucrative RV markets. Having already penetrated the local camper trailer market, Chinese manufacturers are also expected to make further forays into the local caravan market. 

While the emergence of slide-out Euro vans is yet another threat to local manufacturers.

MORE MOTORHOMES AND HYBRIDS...

Caravans should continue to comprise the bulk of RV sales in Australia, but recent growth in motorhomes and hybrid campers should continue. The top two motorhome manufacturers, Avida and Jayco are promising more new models and increased motorhome production in 2016.

Bigger A-class motorhomes are also set to make a comeback with Queensland-based World Class RV just one brand promising to increase the number of super-sized, coach-based offerings available down under.

With the rise of ‘glamping’ corresponding with the drop in demand for premium tent trailers, expect more hybrid, hard-roof camper models to hit the dirt in 2016, following the rush of recent releases from the likes of Pioneer, On The Move, Van Cruiser, Rhinomax, and Jurgens.

However, despite Jayco entering the market we expect interest in fifth-wheel caravans to remain subdued.

What do you think will be the major trends of 2016?