X Series RV reinvents off-road caravan suspension

Aussie caravanners have another trick suspension option to consider, with emerging imported brand X Series RV revealing details of its new top-spec Signature off-road caravan range that comes loaded up with 'RV firsts'.

"For the first time in Australia, a caravan has been engineered with true automotive wishbone suspension, a heavy-duty steel chassis strengthened through an advanced fusion-paint process, and full automotive-grade disc brakes," it says on the X Series RV website.

"Most caravans on the market use trailing-arm suspensions that swing back and forth as the wheels move. The motion isn’t purely vertical, which can cause uneven wheel travel, increased tyre wear, and instability on rough terrain. The new X Series (suspension) eliminates this completely, " the company says.

According to X Series RV Australia's Business Development Manager Kelvin Murray the new Signature range of hardtop caravans which debuted at the Melbourne Leisurefest show in September boasts "a whole heap of firsts for the Australian caravan industry".

"We've partnered with a half a trillion dollar US automotive manufacturer to build a caravan," he said.

"These guys are experts in their field. We've worked with them to design a new (chassis and suspension) system for the Australian market.... We're exclusive partners with this car manufacturer with access to their tech and then we've brought our caravan knowledge of over 20 years."

X Series RV says the Signature's electrophoresis coated chassis is "built using an advanced technique rarely used in caravans".

"Once the chassis is made they use a process where the paint actually gets absorbed into the top layer," explained Murray. "It's not a coating of such, it becomes part of the steel... And the tensile strength of the steel, allows us to use it in a way that makes it lighter as well..."

The "Australia first" electrophoresis coated chassis and wishbone suspension utilises conventional twin shocks and coil springs, with airbags an option.

"We don't have trailing arms; we've gone with a wishbone suspension that's similar to your classic four-wheel drive (wagon)," he said.

"It moves vertically so there is no backward travel or forward travel, so you don't end up with two wheels moving in different directions. The wheels are truly independent from each other and they can travel vertically inside the wheel well."

The end result according to X Series RV is improved handling and control on uneven surfaces and smoother towing and reduced body roll on bitumen highways. The company says its new Signature model has been "fully road tested in a tailor-made off-road testing facility and track".

The 3500kg ATM rated off-road 'vans also come fitted with a Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, hydraulic disc brakes, and an "electronic parking system".

The range-topping Signature is available in four body lengths -- from 17ft 6in to 22ft -- with both couple and family layouts available, and comes sharply priced from RRP$89,299 to RRP$99,449.

For that you get a long list of standard features including a full composite body and a minimum 600Ah lithium battery/600W solar/3000W inverter off-grid power package, separate internal shower and toilet and an external shower, a 274L compressor fridge, reversing camera, two 9kg gas bottles, a powered awning, leather upholstery, twin 95L fresh and single 100L grey water tanks, and a rooftop air-conditioner and diesel heater.

Extra-cost options include an external slide-out kitchen, a 62L portable fridge and a petrol generator.

The Chinese-built X Series RV range first broke cover in Australia in mid-2024, and now includes a variety of RV configurations including pod campers, pop-tops, hardtop caravans and toy haulers.

The X Series Signature's novel wishbone set-up joins a growing number of bespoke off-road caravan suspensions available on the local market, including the popular Cruismaster XT and ATX, the Alpha Polyair 'four-corner' multi-adjustable airbags, AL-KO's Enduro X and Premcar's TerraGlide semi trailing arm suspension. 

While other brand-specific suspensions include Snowy River's Tvan-style SR-Xplore, Jayco's JTECH coil and airbag options, and OTM's wishbone-style independent set-up inspired by earlier Coromal models.