Top-5 RV innovations of 2024

Who are the industry trailblazers and outside-the-box thinkers that stand out in the Australian RV industry in 2024? Here are five worth highlighting...

Amphibious park cabin

Described as a 'pioneering project', the unique flood-resilient cabin at Dunbogan Caravan Park on NSW's mid-north coast, was installed after a lengthy three-year process that began after the park experienced severe flooding that adversely affected many of its longer-term residents who rely on the park for affordable housing.

While it looks like a traditional caravan park fixed accommodation unit, the amphibious cabin is designed to rise with the flood waters and is mounted on a pontoon base with guide piles to prevent it from swaying during flotation....

Flexible solar awning

Described by its distributor, Australian RV Accessories, as ‘the world’s first flexible solar awning’, this electric roll-in, roll-out awning essentially swaps traditional fabric for flexible solar panels, allowing RV owners to generate their own power anywhere they roll their awning out, in favourable sunny conditions.

The solar awning is available in 12, 14 and 16ft lengths, and depending on the size of the awning, peak power generation can range from 850W to 1250W, and between 75 to 100A...

Handbrake Assist

This new Aussie invention takes the hard work out of engaging and disengaging the caravan park brake, by providing power assistance to the caravan braking mechanism at the push of a button.

Handbrake Assist is the latest invention from South Australia-based RV Electronics which supplies a number of products to the Australian RV industry including water tank monitors and breakaway systems...

Fold-out entry stairwell

Available on Melbourne-built Design RV and Essential caravans, this new, solid fold-out entry-step system with built-in hand rail provides a safer way to enter and exit from an off-road van. It's a neat solution in particular for any high-riding, flat-floor van, and is designed to swing out of the way and quickly lock down in place behind the entry door when travelling...

Built-in beer tap

And in the spirit of the festive season, our final Top RV innovation of 2024 is the built-in beer keg and tap fitted to the show-stopping 22ft Snowy River 'Van Cave' slide-out caravan displayed at various shows throughout the year.

You can pour a coldie by either opening the small onside locker and accessing the built-in beer tap, hooked up to a 19 litre keg, or there's another beer dispenser inside, perfectly positioned between the two very comfortable 'Gold Class' recliners directly opposite the wall-mounted big screen TV...

Related: Top-5 Australian caravans of 2024