What's trendy for caravans in 2025?

It's early days but there are already strong signs of what's in store for 2025, as far as Australian RV buying and fashion trends go...

A recent visit to the 2025 Geelong Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo in Victoria provided a few hints and clues, as local manufacturers and importers rolled out all-new models and refreshed MY25 ranges to entice new buyers as well as existing owners to upgrade...

Whether it's a bank of 4x4-style spotlights at the front of the van, or bold cut-outs within the chassis spruiking the brand, expect even more 'caravan bling' to adorn Aussie-built off-grid models in 2025 than we've seen in previous years...

Lotus is leading the charge so far with its impressive MY25 range of LC Customs optional hardware, that includes everything from a rear-mounted 'drag wing' to a new external entertainment 'window'.

The loaded-up 22ft Lotus Trooper on display in Geelong had no fewer than eight LC Custom enhancements, including a custom front toolbox with in-built 'sink' and an under-lounge powerpack cradle, plus other options that boosted the standard price of $169,000 to more than $194K.

Not to be outdone, On The Move Caravans had a special 'Black Edition' version of its innovative Grenade 6.9F off-roader also on display which apart from the standard tyre cradle and slide-out platform bar, sported unique accessories like four LED spotlights mounted on the roof-mounted scrub bar.

Part of the reason for the big price rises in luxury off-road caravans in recent times is the monster off-grid power systems being fitted, which can add upwards of $25K to the overall price depending on the specification. However, it's the price many are willing to pay to be able to run the air-conditioner for hours on end with no caravan park lead or sunshine for the solar panels in sight...

At the moment a 48V 15Kwh lithium-ion battery pack is about as good as it gets, whether mounted underneath or within the van, but word from a salesperson of a 'Big-3' manufacturer at the Geelong show is that buyers will soon be able to purchase an Aussie-made caravan with a 40kWh battery bank -- almost what you get in a mid-spec EV.

The range-topping 'gas free' Van Cruiser Outlaw Bronco SEV off-grid caravan on display in Geelong also had a rooftop holder and electrical connection for a portable mini wind turbine -- one way to keep the on-board ice-maker, coffee machine, induction cooktop, etc running on windy days or when there's not enough sun to charge the 24V 200Ah lithium battery system through the 1000W rooftop solar.

As homeware trends infiltrate the RV sector, we're starting to see more and more caravan factory and dealer showrooms display the latest home fittings and finishes, with buyers able to choose from 'distressed' soft-touch upholstery, metallic tapware and stone or timber-style benchtops.

One Melbourne manufacturer that's really going to town with this is Van Cruiser, which had its latest top-spec SEV Outlaw van on display in Geelong. The 20ft 6in Bronco had a plush 'coastal chic' interior fit-out including a unique bedroom wall panel/display cabinet made from natural solid timbers, to go with gold tapware, embossed leather upholstery and an artisan stone sink in the bathroom.

3000kg-plus Tare and 4500kg ATM caravans used to be confined to Queensland heavyweights like Bushtracker and Kedron, but now it seems just about every off-road caravan manufacturer has a range-topper that requires a big American pick-up or light-duty truck to tow it. Or in some cases, like Lotus and Titanium, many of their vans sold boast 3500kg-plus ATMs.

The trend for more comfortable, and inevitably bigger and heavier vans, has even spread to Australian RV giant Jayco which showed off a beefed up 'XL' version of its little JPod camper at the Geelong show...