Value, quality and safety set New Age Caravans apart

What’s a global engineering company with its roots successfully buried deep in international motorsport doing at the frontline of the local caravan industry? And why should it matter to Australian caravan and camper trailer buyers?

In a traditionally conservative industry, the Walkinshaw Automotive Group stands apart as a company that champions new ideas that make caravanning a better and safer experience for its customers.

This credo has led the expanded Walkinshaw Automotive Group to elevate and re-shape New Age Caravans into Australia’s top brand for value, quality and safety.

Using its legendary engineering expertise, the former TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) won successive British Touring Car Championships in the 1970s and 1980s, took victory in the Dakar Rally in 1982, won the Bathurst 1000 in 1985, and secured the World Sports Car Championship outright in 1987, 1988 and 1991, including victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1988 and 1990.

It then cemented its Australian credentials when TWR took ownership of the HSV Dealer Team in 1990.

Now, in addition to New Age Caravans, the Walkinshaw Automotive Group is the major certified conversion specialist in right-hand drive conversions of Chevrolet, Toyota and RAM full-size pick-up trucks.

With this enviable record and manufacturing expertise, eyebrows were raised when Walkinshaw purchased a large share in Melbourne-based New Age Caravans, before taking complete control of the growing business in 2018.

It was a calculated move, designed to bring the former cottage caravan industry into the 21st century by leveraging the parent company’s engineering and design expertise to elevate the New Age range of caravans, pop-tops and camper trailers.

Since then, New Age has continuously made headlines with its industry innovations.

For starters, Walkinshaw introduced contemporary domestic-style apartment design and automotive-style exterior features to its caravan production, shaking off the ‘ma and pa’ image of more traditional Australian caravans.

It then went to work on build quality, introducing an automotive-style production flow system to ensure more repeatable quality. Taking a leaf out of the cutting-edge automotive practices it has also supercharged its quality and testing regimes.

Indeed, New Age has brought its caravan benchmarks up to, and in some cases exceeding, automotive standards.

With durability testing of caravans a mixed bag in the Australian RV industry, and many manufacturers simply relying on feedback from customers, Walkinshaw pioneered the use of an automotive-style four-post 'lab testing' rig at its Clayton (Victoria) engineering facility.

In its pursuit of 'fault-free' automotive-style production across the New Age caravan range, the multi-million dollar test rig replicates the ‘pounding’ over up to 20,000km that might be experienced during an extended Outback trip, compressed into just two days.

This ensures that all New Age caravans meet the same rigorous endurance standard in tough Outback conditions.

Another 21st century touch is global certification of the manufacturing process of all New Age Caravans chassis. This ensures the highest levels of quality, safety, and peace of mind for all New Age owners, and exceeds industry standards.

The all-new chassis that underpin New Age caravans and camper trailers are built by Hilton Manufacturing (above), the highest accredited manufacturer in the Australian RV industry and one that already works with leading OEMs including truck heavyweight, Kenworth.

Hilton holds international certification in quality management systems, quality requirements and welding quality – another example of the lengths New Age is pursuing to separate its products from rivals in the crowded Australian caravan industry.

While steadily building a name for itself that is synonymous with quality and innovation, New Age is also making it easier for customers to pick the perfect caravan for their individual needs.

There are New Age models to suit singles, couples, families, off-road adventurers, budget-conscious buyers, and five-star luxury tourers. Even those who want to take their quadbikes and other toys along for the ride.

Each New Age caravan is proudly Australian-designed and made locally by a 300-strong workforce. And it’s all backed by the world-wide resources of the Walkinshaw Automotive Group and its 1000 Australian employees.

You also get additional peace of mind when you tow any New Age caravan away from one of the brand’s 15 nation-wide dealers, with New Age under Walkinshaw leading the way in after-sales service and back-up.

Benefits include a three-year manufacturer’s warranty and 12 months of New Age Assist coverage, plus membership of the very active New Age Caravans Social Club.

New Age took customer wellbeing to a new level during the coronavirus pandemic, giving every caravan that rolled out of its factories a 'deep clean' with an all-natural, hospital-grade disinfectant and sanitiser.

And in another industry innovation introduced during the pandemic, free door-to-door delivery of new caravans was also initiated, replacing the traditional in-dealer new caravan hand-over.

This innovation was later extended to include a free pick-up and delivery of customer vans for servicing.

But the evolution of New Age from a leading caravan manufacturer to a high-quality automotive brand hasn’t yet finished.

The New Age range continues to benefit from design and feature upgrades including the roll-out of aluminium-clad styling first introduced on the Oz Classic, and the introduction of special models including the upcoming Walkinshaw Edition Wayfinder camper trailer (in construction, below).

Other enhancements soon to debut are designed to give New Age Caravans a clear identity on the road and in the marketplace, while delivering better value compared with more staid rivals.

Under the surface, other major production changes are being rolled out to ensure more efficient production and consistent high-quality results.

They really are ushering in a New Age for Australian caravan and camper trailer buyers.

Head to New Age Caravans to explore its wide range of products and for more information.