Van Cruiser Family HTO 2023 Review

In business now for close to 15 years, Van Cruiser Caravans is a boutique Melbourne RV builder that has evolved and adapted its range over the years to meet the changing needs of buyers.

Never short of ideas, Van Cruiser founder Enzo Gnocato dabbled in sporty teardrop campers and 'floating' plastic camper trailers early on, before being a front runner in the now booming hybrid caravan-campers market, as well as a driving force in caravan 'dust busters'.

Van Cruiser also led the pack with its brightly coloured bodywork, ‘waterfall’ benchtops and branch bars, although it's fair to say other innovations like Australia's first spa bath caravan never really took off...

After having a crack at a Cape York style base-station camper, Van Cruiser has now moved to a more mainstream range that focuses on fixed roof, heavy-duty off-road, single-axle caravans designed specifically for Outback travel.

Currently building around 150 units a year at its factory in the Melbourne suburb of Carrum Downs, the five-model Van Cruiser HTO (Heavy Terrain Outback) line-up spans 14ft to 17ft body lengths, with the choice of both couple and family ensuite layouts.

Our review van from Melbourne dealer Caravan HQ (which also supplied the van for our recent My Dream RV review and is located right in front of the Van Cruiser factory) is a 16ft 7in Family HTO X16 model that manages to pack in all the hard-core off-road gear plus inside and outside kitchens, an east-west parent's bed, lounge/dinette, double bunks and an ensuite with separate shower and toilet, into a relatively light and compact package weighing 2241kg (Tare) and 2800kg (ATM).

Its sticker price of $114,990 includes an off-grid lithium battery system, 12V cabin pressure system and other items you expect in a serious off-road van, as well as plenty of comfort and luxury items, albeit without some of the interior appliances you'd get in a larger family van with more interior space...

Aimed at families with up to two kids who like to holiday well off the beaten track, the Family HTO X16 like all Van Cruiser caravans comes standard with the top-spec Cruisemaster ATX coil spring suspension and D0-35 off-road coupling, with the option of fitting the more expensive ATX airbag set-up.

Construction-wise, the Family HTO is built on a sturdy hot dipped galvanised chassis supplied by Melbourne's S&M Chassis which features an extended 6in A-frame and 4in main bearers with a 4in riser, along with 16in alloy wheels, 12in drum brakes, all-terrain tyres and an 8in jockey wheel.

The van's Meranti timber frame has polystyrene foam insulation in the walls and wool in the roof, while the combination of grey aluminium composite panels and black stick-on decals, and extensive use of black checker plate along the sides, front and rear walls, delivers the macho stealth look that's been popular on Aussie-built vans in recent years.

There's plenty of ground clearance to get down and have a good look underneath and see even more shiny checker plate protecting the twin 95 litre fresh water and single 95L grey water tanks, along with other underbody protection including an ABS coating for the standard one-piece timber ply floor.

A mesh stone guard up front and a number of mud flaps provide further protection against stone chips and other off-road nasties.

The Family HTO also comes standard with twin 9kg gas bottles to run the hot water unit and internal and external cooktops, or a portable BBQ if you wanted to hook one up to the onside gas bayonet.

Van Cruiser has also taken various steps to prevent road dust from entering through the mandatory gas vents and other possible interior entry points, including fitting a powerful 12V dust pressurisation rooftop unit and a plastic dust deflector on the entry door's lower vent. Both of these items are also available from Van Cruiser's HTP Heavy Terrain Products after-market side-business.

We also noticed on the rear underbody some rubber deck type white disc and extra silicon sealing around floor entry points for various wiring and hosing, in other dust sealing measures.

Also at the rear of the van are recovery shackles and a three-arm bumper bar holding a spare wheel and jerry holder, and the rear bar also provides protection for an inward-facing brass cold water tap and brass connector for mains pressure water. There's also a wireless reversing camera and a small LED light similar to those located on the other three sides of the van.

There are plenty of external storage options on the Family HTO X16, starting with a front A-frame mounted toolbox with large wood rack on top. The toolbox incorporates two separate compartments; one with a slide-out and socket for plugging in a portable 'drinks' fridge or carrying a generator.

There's also a large LED-lit and lino-covered tunnel boot, with some of the storage space taken up by various battery-related equipment. Another small external storage locker is located along the offside wall, close to an outside hot/cold shower.

The Raptor K3 pull-out kitchen is a neat design and includes a three-burner gas cooktop and a sink with mixer tap (both with glass lids), as well as a slide-out tray at the end for holding food and drinks.

Then there's the 12ft wide Aussie Traveller roll-out awning, drop-down picnic table, two external speakers and fittings and connections to watch the 24in TV outside.

Our review van came with a Milenco portable step instead of the usual fixed pull-out entry step that might get snagged when tackling tougher terrain. However, a fixed entry step can be fitted as an option.

To help get inside there's grab handle just on the inside of the triple security door which incorporates a flyscreen and roll-down privacy blind.

The cosy parents' 'nook' immediately to the left as you enter features an east-west queen bed with generous 1950mm x 1450mm coil spring mattress. If you're after a slightly more convenient 'island' bed layout you'll need to step up to the 18ft 2in Family HTO model.

There's a bedside benchtop that lifts up to reveal some storage space, to go with the three overhead cupboards. That's probably not enough for all Mum and Dad's gear but there are more overhead cupboards above the kitchen and dinette that could be used for any overflow.

Getting some natural light and ventilation in shouldn't be an issue though, with a couple of small double glazed opening windows around the bed, along with two 12V Sirocco fans and a 12V rain-sensing roof hatch above the bed.

There are also bedside reading lights and 240V/USB sockets, with another mini skylight positioned towards the rear of the van.

Also mounted in the ceiling is a roof-top air conditioner and twin speakers, with the NCE audio unit and BMPRO Odyssey colour touchscreen monitor located on a head-height panel just inside the entry door.

The Family HTO comes pretty well equipped for a comfortable few days off the grid, with two 100Ah lithium batteries fed by three 200W rooftop solar panels, and a 2000W inverter to run some of the less power-hungry 240V appliances as well as a laptop, hair dryer or coffee machine.

Not surprisingly given the limited internal space, the kitchenette is on the small side, although it manages to fit in a two burner gas cooktop, rangehood, and a sink with combined mixer and filtered water taps.

There are glass lid covers for when preparing food, and quite a few under-bench drawers with heavy-duty runners as well as cupboards for storing cooking gear and food. No room for a microwave, grille or oven, as you might find in a larger family van, however...

The 150L compressor fridge-freezer is a decent size and will happily run off the lithium batteries when not plugged into 240V mains power.

The adjustable arm for the TV is located right near the sink which might be an issue if some-one is preparing dinner while the kids are watching TV.

The dinette lounge directly opposite has a single cushioned bench that should be sufficient to seat all the family behind the big adjustable table, along with some nice leatherette upholstery and an under-seat drawer.

There's some fashionable black and chrome tapware for the small sink and separate shower nestled in the compact ensuite in the right corner of the van, along with some storage options including a benchtop and cupboards, some LED lighting and electrical sockets, a small mirror for shaving or hair-drying, a toilet roll holder and some space-saving flip-down towel hooks.

There's another light and a 12V fan hatch in the fully enclosed fibreglass shower cubicle, and a little bit of legroom in front of the swivel-seat Dometic cassette toilet.

Each bunk bed gets a window, small cupboard, Sirocco fan, reading light, wall pouch and USB electrical sockets, and there's a lightweight portable ladder to help get up to the top bunk. There's also a couple of drawers under the bottom bunk for some of the kids' shoes and clothing, while the single mattresses are 1780mm x 700mm high density foam.

There are no privacy curtains for the kids' bunks but the ensuite gets a concertina door. Also missing from the ensuite is a washing machine which once again is only available on the 18ft 2in Family HTO model.

DSC sway control is also not listed on the Family HTO's standard equipment list so you'll probably have to pay another $1500 or so for that towing safety feature.

Van Cruiser is competing in one of the hottest segments of the caravan market with its range of compact full-height off-road vans, but it's not hard to come away impressed with some of the attention to detail to important issues like dust ingress and external protection that really come to the fore when touring Australia's great Outback highways.

While missing out on a few appliances and the luxury of a north-south main bed, in many ways the 16ft 7in Family HTO will make a lot more sense than a bigger, heavier and wider van when you're trying to drag it down a narrow track into that remote bush campsite.

Van Cruiser like other Aussie caravan manufacturers has not been immune to COVID inflationary pressures, but there appears to be enough included features and build quality high-points in the Family HTO X16 to justify its six figure price tag...

Price: $114,990 (ex-Melbourne)
Travel length: 7700mm
External body length: 4975mm (16ft 7in)
External body width: 2275mm (7ft 7in)
Travel height: 3050mm
Interior height: 2000mm
Tare: 2214kg
ATM: 2800kg
Payload: 586kg
Ball weight (Tare): 155kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, aluminium composite wall panels
Chassis: S&M Chassis hot dipped galvanised, extended 6in A-frame with 4in chassis, 4in riser, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling and Dexter ESC
Suspension: Cruisemaster ATX trailing arm coil suspension with 12in drum brakes
Wheels: MPC 16 x 8in alloy, 265/75R16 BF Goodrich A/T tyres
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Water: 2 x 95L fresh water tanks plus 95L grey tank
Battery: 2 x 100Ah lithium with 3 x 200W rooftop solar panels
Hot water: Swift 20L gas/electric
Cooking: Two gas burner cooktop, rangehood, sink with filtered tap (internal), three gas burner cooker, sink with mixer tap (external)
Fridge: Thetford 150L compressor
TV: 24in Smart TV/DVD, Winegard antenna
Audio: NCE radio/Bluetooth player with internal/external speakers
Air conditioner: Dometic Harrier Lite reverse-cycle, roof-mounted
Bathroom: Separate shower and Dometic cassette toilet
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Caravan HQ, Carrum Downs, Victoria
More info: Van Cruiser Caravans, Carrums Downs, Victoria