Vacationer Endura X 2026 Review

Melbourne-based manufacturer, Vacationer, has been operating since 2011, focusing on the glamour end of the market: full off-road, off-grid caravans.

The 15-year old company has also adopted a timberless-build philosophy, offering both aluminium frame and sandwich panel composite models.

We recently checked out one of the more upmarket builds in the aluminium-frame lineup, the Endura X model.

Vacationer offers both the Endura and Endura X series; both targeted at long-term tourers looking for serious off-road and off-grid capability. As you can guess, the “X” delivers extra features, including airbag suspension, a truss chassis, aluminium edge capping and a larger capacity 12V battery system.

At 4500kg ATM, the 21ft Vacationer Endura X21R couple's 'van we're looking at here, really suits buyers with a big tow vehicle like an American pick-up, together with the confidence to pilot a big rig. Once a rarity, this kind of set-up is becoming a more popular part of the Australian caravanning landscape; perhaps filling a sub-$300K void previously occupied by more affordable holiday houses.

Our stylish review 'van gets the increasingly popular club lounge van layout, which is great for couples who like to have camping buddies over for drinks or just prefer to keep a clear separation of the living and sleeping zones.

Pretty nice, actually. The rear club lounge works well with the adjacent kitchen area, with the apartment-style front 'master' bedroom and ensuite taking up the front section of the 'van.

The lounge becomes the focal point to eat, read, work or entertain, and it gives the 'van a more relaxed feel than a smaller cafe dinette. Large windows wrap around all three sides of the lounge for a decent outlook, while also allowing for plenty of natural light and ventilation.

As we often see in club lounge layouts, the kitchen bench space runs on both sides of the 'van. The driver’s side features a large sink and a 270L compressor fridge.

Checking under the sink also revealed an impressive three-way water treatment system: a sedimentary filter for removing dirt, rust, silt, and sand particles; a carbon filter for trapping chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and bacteria, and eliminating foul tastes and chemical odours; and a UV system for eradicating most bacteria and viruses.

It should probably be considered more of an insurance policy for good water rather than a licence to use dirty water!

The passenger-side bench accommodates a two-plate induction cooktop with the 23L microwave below, for an all-electric cooking package.

The 32in TV lis neatly built into the furniture rather than hanging on a bracket. There's also a clever door-mounted bin that doesn’t take up cupboard space, and can be accessed from inside the 'van or outside when the door is open.

The mid bathroom is more compact than a full rear ensuite, and you feel that mostly in limited cabinetry. While the single floor-mounted cabinet has a nicely sized sink on top, it leaves almost no workable bench space.

The single overhead cabinet doubles as a mirror, and beside that is the 3kg wall-mounted washing machine. It’s great for laundry on the road, but does claim space that could otherwise be used for storage.

Across the way is a practical shower with a decent-sized opening and fully moulded mini shelves to place your shampoo.

The bathroom makes up for a lack of space with its increased functionality. With the sliding door on the living area side and the concertina door on the bedroom side, the bathroom becomes a buffer between the lounge and the bedroom.

One person can have a nap while another can read a book. You can also “hide” your bedroom from guests seated in the lounge.

The front bedroom is a classic island-bed set-up, with overhead lockers, robes and drawers on both sides and under-bed storage via the typical hinged bed frame. Vacationer has also built drawers into the under-bed space, which means you don't have to lift the mattress to access some of the storage.

The bedside robes have the usual small storage nook cut-outs, but Vacationer has stepped it up with internal lighting; making this often hard to see dark spot much more user-friendly. The bedside shelf is smaller than some, though still big enough for a phone and a book.

The double window arrangement in the bedroom is another sensible add-on. You can leave the top sections open for ventilation while keeping the lower blinds closed for privacy while lying on the bed.

And to ensure that the separate bedroom and living areas remain comfortable, Vacationer has taken the indulgent step of providing a rooftop air conditioner for each zone.

There's a lot to like on the outside too.

The dark flush-finish windows combine with the black and gold decals to contrast nicely against the sandy taupe walls.

The front toolbox is large and basic, but in a practical way. On the passenger side, there's a slide-out tray and a separate vertical storage compartment.

If you want an external kitchen, you can option one in or just use a BBQ on the slide-out tray. A handy work light can light up the whole front area.

The driver’s side of the toolbox neatly stores out of harm’s way two weight-saving polymer 7.5kg gas bottles sitting on another slide-out tray.

Behind the toolbox, a separate tunnel boot provides welcomed extra storage capacity, with plenty of room for golf clubs, etc.

The rear bar carries a jerry can holder on each side, plus a small toolbox and an open storage area.

The single spare wheel sits a long way out from the rear wall, so the tool and wood box can be easily accessed. However, it shifts weight to the van’s extremity and makes the 'van a bit longer, so extra care is rquired in tight campsites and driveways.

One clever feature is the external access door behind the internal fridge. Opening the door provides service access and helps heat escape from the fridge cavity, for improved efficiency. You just need to remember to close the door if it rains!

Like many modern off-grid 'vans, the power board is accessible through an external door on the driver’s side. Vacationer has opted for an easy-access wide door at about waist height rather than a tall door where you need a ladder to access electrical components.

The compartment also has extraction fans to draw out heat to protect the electrical gear onboard.

I also like that the water pump is installed under the floor, so you'll hear less noise inside the 'van, and potential water leaks will be harmless compared to an internally mounted pump.

Also under the floor is an air compressor and tank for the suspension system. Like many premium systems, an air hose connection is also provided on the passenger side wall to make tyre inflation simple.

A picnic table, pull-out step and external shower round out the external features.

The Endura X21R features proven off-road caravan construction techniques.

We're talking aluminium framing with riveted wall sections and TIG-welded roof sections. Bonded to the wall frame is composite aluminium cladding and to the roof, a one-piece fibreglass panel. The structure sits on a one-piece honeycomb floor, and it's all finished off with aluminium capping.

In turn, the body sits on a truss-style chassis manufactured by Melbourne-based SilverShine specifically for Vacationers' premium models. Mated to the chassis is Vacationer’s own brand Track Hawk trailing arm suspension featuring twin Pedder shock absorbers, Airbag Man controls and airbags.

Raising the left and right-hand sides independently at the touch of a button enables the 'van to be levelled at the campsite, or it can raise the body for increased clearance on uneven ground.

Running gear also includes 12in drum brakes, and 16in rims with LT265/75R16 all-terrain tyres. The DO-45 Cruisemaster coupling is rated to 4.5T to match the 'van's ATM.

Vacationer has a factory in Campbellfield, in Melbourne's north and, for what it's worth, is one of just four manufacturers that currently boast RV Master accreditation.

The Endura X21R has a strong off-grid package for a 12V-based system. The 'X' package includes two 200Ah lithium batteries, four 200W rooftop solar panels, a Renogy off-grid management system with 7in Vision screen, 3000W inverter and a 40A DC-DC charger.

Additional energy sources are provided with two 7.5kg composite gas bottles for the instantaneous hot water service (and BBQ if you like), plus a diesel tank for the diesel heater.

There are also two 95L freshwater tanks and a single 95L greywater tank. The aforementioned water treatment system provides greater confidence in taking on board water in outback locations.

The Endura X21R has big towing numbers with a 3077kg tare, a 4500kg ATM and 200kg tare ball weight. This supports a large 1423kg payload, but it also puts the 'van in serious tow-vehicle territory.

Buyers will need to look beyond promoted towing capacity and carefully check tow vehicle GVM, GCM, rear axle load and ball weight ratings to ensure a suitable match.

The 200kg tare ball figure is relatively light for a 'van of this size, but tare ball weights are only a starting point. Water, batteries, tools, a generator, barbecue, food, spares and other gear will shift the balance.

The air suspension provides adjustability for varying loads but does not remove the need for correct loading and a properly matched tow vehicle.

The Endura X21R is for buyers who want a large, comfortable couple's caravan with a proper multi-terrain touring fit out.

The running gear is robust; the electrical package supports modern off-grid living (although there's a lot to run with two air-con units!), and the exterior features are functional.

If you like to entertain or just want some space from your partner at times, the layout is a smart choice.

The compromises are mostly the ones that come with the format and size. The mid bathroom is not as spacious as a rear ensuite, and the towing numbers put it beyond the average tow vehicle.

It feels right for owners who will really use and appreciate this impressive RV, not just admire it in the driveway.

Price as reviewed: $162,000 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs
Options fitted: diesel heater, white and gold tapware
Travel length: 9200mm
External body length: 6400mm
Internal body length: 6200mm
Travel width: 2400mm
Travel height: 3200mm
Tare: 3077kg
ATM: 4500kg
Ball weight (Tare): 200kg
Body: Aluminium frame with composite aluminium walls, one-piece fibreglass roof and honeycomb floor
Chassis:  SilverShine truss
Suspension: Track Hawk Level 2 airbag suspension
Coupling: Cruisemaster DO-45
Brakes: 12in drum brakes
ESC: Optional
Wheels: 16in Wrath rims, Tracmax LT265/75R16 all-terrain tyres
Water:  2 x 95L fresh, 95L grey
Battery: Baintech, 2 x 200Ah lithium
Solar: Instapower, 4 x 200W rooftop
Power management: Renogy off-grid system with 7in Vision screen, Renogy 3000W, Renogy 40A DC-DC charger
Gas: 2 x 7.5kg composite bottles
Hot water: Instant HWS Endless
Cooking: Hawk twin plate induction cooker
Fridge/freezer: Sphere 270L compressor
Microwave: 23L LG
Toilet: Thetford ceramic cassette
Shower: Fibreglass cubicle
Lighting: LED
Air-conditioner: Gree 3.5kW inverter
Washing machine: NCE 3kg wall-mount
TV: 32in smart
Audio:  Fusion Bluetooth
Supplied by: Off Track RV, Campbellfield, Victoria
More info: Vacationer Caravans