Vision VX 2022 Review

What sets the new Vision RV off-road caravan apart from some of its competitors is long-term sustainability – not so much for its occupiers to survive with comfort off the grid, but for the longevity of its build quality that's designed to withstand constant punishment for years on end, despite its upmarket equipment.

While its new market rival Pioneer, built by Melbourne's Track Trailer and due to go on sale later this year has deliberately ‘kept it simple’ to achieve remote region longevity, the Vision boasts upmarket features like air suspension and power-assisted and ventilated disc brakes on its standard spec list.

While its 30mm thick laser-cut, German-engineered composite walls and roof, honeycomb floor and aluminium internal cabinetry are all assembled off-shore, all Vision RVs are bolted to a 150mm x 50mm Queensland-made, hot-dipped Australian steel chassis in a factory on the Sunshine Coast.

Vision says a total 250 production hours are spent completing the build in the Coolum based factory, including time spent on the internal fit out, upholstery, plumbing, electrical work, installation of appliances and construction of the steel chassis.

Australian buyers have embraced the Vision range in droves since it was first launched in pop-top form two years ago, prompting the Queensland owners to acquire a larger Coolum Beach factory to meet demand.

So we borrowed a new tandem axle 19ft 6in full-height family van to find out why...

Unique Aussie touch

The test Vision RV VX 19ft 6in family van was fitted with an optional Aboriginal 'Waabiny (Play Time)' dreaming body wrap, with $1000 of its $159,850 RRP going directly to Shoreline which helps indigenous children transition through school into the workplace.

It's a lot of money for a caravan, but given the model’s extensive standard equipment, that’s about par for the course in these days of elevated post-COVID prices.

Vision offers the buyer’s choice of two unique Aboriginal art designs specifically chosen to suit its vans and while we don’t usually comment on RV aesthetics, they made the otherwise white caravan look distinctive and fitted in well with the bush landscape that the model will usually be seen in.

Beneath its smooth, hail-resistant exterior, the Vision’s key point of difference here is that it’s 100 per cent timber free. The walls are well insulated thanks to 30mm thick fibreglass sandwich panels, while the floor is a similar thickness polypropylene honeycomb structure.

As well as simplifying its construction, the Vision’s walls are around 150kg lighter than equivalent framed and clad structures, while further weight is saved in its aluminium laser-cut and powder coated cabinetry by large ventilation holes cut into the overhead aluminium cupboard dividers.

As a result, the 19ft 6in Vision VX family van tips the scales at a pretty reasonable 2760kg Tare.

Other external highlights

Otherwise, the Vision externally is visually unremarkable in its styling, befitting the manufacturer's intention to maintain the range’s longevity. The sloping front terminates with an A-frame mounted box that accommodates a Weber BabyQ on one side and a generator on the other – both on slides., with a handy open-topped woodbox on top.

A thoughtful feature on both sides is the separate sliding tool tray that allows frequently-used set-up items like ground pegs, a stabiliser leg winder and the detachable winding arm from the centre A-frame mounted ARK jockey wheel.

In front of this enclosed toolbox and angled so that its stoneguard shielded front deflects stones downwards rather than onto the back of a towing SUV, is a separate compartment with its own lid that houses the Vision’s two 4.5kg gas bottles and twin 20-litre jerrycans.

Also inside this compartment is a manifold water management system that allows you to select which of the caravan’s three 90-litre fresh water tanks (total 270 litres) to draw from, or to empty the 85 litre grey waste water tank, which is mounted inside the front sloping panel. This not only allows easy access, but keeps this essential plastic plumbing safely out of stones’ harm.

The good thing about having all this up front is that it allows the Vision’s rectangular front full body width tunnel boot to be fully useable. Combined with generous storage room inside and its ATM of 3500kg, plus room to mount things like a bike rack, the 19ft 6in Vision should be able to accommodate most of the things that a travelling family might like to take on an Outback adventure.

Other external hatches worthy of opening include the one that allows you to vary the side-to-side height of the Vision’s standard airbag suspension to level the van for overnight stops (with a handy ride height reference on the inner mudguard) and the smaller hatch that allows lower air venting for its large standard compressor fridge-freezer when camping in hot areas.

The caravan’s Truma gas hot water service can also be accessed for easy servicing via another external hatch on the right hand side.

With all its standard technology, it’s also not surprising to find more controls in the panel behind the  Vision’s drop-down picnic tray. These include the toggle switches to level the air suspension, switches for the external lights and those inside the various storage compartments.

There’s also a handy double power point and separate 12v charge points for other devices, a simple in-out switch for the van’s standard double aluminium electric entry step and a bracket with a level gauge on which to locate the Vision’s standard 24-inch TV for outdoor viewing.

Did I mention the electric step and electric awning, two external hot/cold connections (one for each side) for the standard external shower, two spare wheels and a reversing camera? They really have thought of everything!

Loaded up inside

Inside, the Vision’s standard features that many other vans list as extra-cost options continues. Let me list them:

The gas stove, with its grille and four-burner cooktop, plus an oven; four 12v Sirocco fans – one for the front queen bed and one each for the three single bunks up the back; USB charging points for all beds; hidden foot-lights in the kitchen area; a 24-in TV and roof-mounted antenna; a standard front-loading, rear wall-mounted washing machine; a composting toilet; a large roof skylight in addition to its reverse cycle air conditioner, and the largest available side windows...

Powering all this for long-term sustainability off the grid is a 300AH lithium battery with a 40AH DC to DC charger, fed by a total 600 Watts of solar panels on the roof. Inverters rated at 2000W or 2600W are popular options, as is an upgrade to an Enerdrive lithium battery and a 60AH ePower smart charger.

Even better, you can view the state of battery charge from the display above the cooktop fan, while all the van’s fuses are adjacent to it and clearly marked. The temperature dial for the Vision’s Truma gas hot water system is to its left, as is the control for the optional Enerdrive inverter that is wired so that every power point in the Vision offers 240v power.

Room to move

With its centre-front entry door and transverse queen bed, the family-friendly Vision feels roomy inside, with its large windows enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. This feeling of space is further enhanced by the L-shaped lounge that spreads along the wall opposite the galley, overlooking its Corian topped dining table that's well-suited to family dinners.

The galley is also well-equipped for family dinners and incorporates a large oven, as well as a grill and a four-burner cooktop, with its microwave oven mounted high above – a bit too high for safe handling of hot dishes by shorter people in my opinion. 

A nest of deep, soft-close drawers below the acrylic splashback, Corian benchtop and deep stainless steel sink with its glide in and out drawers on robust rails to house everything you might need to cook up a storm, while hidden footlights guide your way.

There’s a choice of two interior colour schemes – black (as in our review Vision) or white. I prefer the latter as the reflected light makes the family 'van feel even more spacious.

Kid friendly quarters

While the adults have a great living space in the Family Vision, the kids are also well looked after.

Their quarters are a triple bunk bed in the right rear corner of the 19ft 6in van, separated from the lounge by the caravan’s family-sized 224 litre compressor fridge-freezer and opposite the separate shower and toilet ensuite.

The ensuite and bunks are separated on the back wall by the Vision’s wall-mounted and large front-loading NCE washing machine, leaving no excuse for the kids to avoid loading their dirty clothes.

They're well catered for in other ways too, as each bunk has its own opening window and Sirocco 12v fan, plus a double USB charging point for their various devices and LED reading light, while a fixed ladder makes accessing the upper bunks easy.

The washing machine sits above another handy folding bench and a nest of drawers, meaning there is plenty of storage space for fresh towels and linen.

Behind the wheel

Towing with the Vision Family caravan proved pretty easy considering its size, with the 19ft 6in VX feeling a size smaller behind our Nissan Navara tow vehicle.

One thing about its standard airbag suspension, moderated by dual ARB Old Man Emu Nitrocharger Sports shock absorbers, is that you can tackle rough surfaces and corrugations with the confidence that it will handle them in its stride.

Unlike some caravan airbag systems that automatically select the optimum riding height, the Vision’s system allows you to raise the entire van in preparation for major obstacles such as deep trenches or creek crossings, while allowing you to lean the van away from trees that encroach on narrow bush tracks and to level it out again for a good nights’ sleep.

Not that you ever feel that the Vision is stretched in any terrain you are game to take your tow car over, with its monster 285/70/R17inch Mickey Thompson tyres providing plenty of ground clearance and rarely testing its underbody shielding.

Verdict

The 19ft 6in Vision VX family caravan offers loads of standard features including air suspension, disc brakes and power steps and awning to make family holidaying off the grid as easy as possible, combined with a high level of engineering and finish to ensure the experience is repeatable.

How much is the Vision VX 19ft 6in full-height family off-road caravan?

Price: $159,850 (As reviewed)
Travel length: 8.13m
External body length: 6.0
External body width: 2.34m                                                                   
Travel height: 3.13m                                                                           
Tare: 2760kg
ATM: 3500kg
Ball weight: 140kg
Body: 30mm thick full composite walls and poly honeycomb floor
Chassis: Australian hot dipped galvanised steel 150mm x 50mm
Suspension: Height adjustable independent by airbags and ARB Old Man Emu Nitrocharged Sports shock absorbers
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes
Wheels: 17-inch alloys in 5 or 6-stud mount with 285/70 Mickey Thompson tyres
Water: 3 x 90 litre fresh water tanks; 1 x 85L grey tank
Battery: 300AH Lithium
Solar: 3 x 200W roof-mounted panels
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg bottles
Cooking: 4-burner Thetford internal gas cooktop, oven, microwave
Fridge: 224 litre compressor fridge/freezer
TV: 24in LED with aerial
Bathroom: Separate shower and composting toilet with adjacent wall-mounted NCE Front-loading washing machine
Lighting: Dimmable LED throughout                      
More info: Vision RV
Supplied by: Sunseeker Caravans, Qld