The camping and caravan season is just around the corner, and before you know it, you will be planning your outdoor adventure and lining up your outdoor activities. But are you really ready? Is your caravan ready for this year’s outdoor adventure season? As with most things in life, not all caravans are made equal. And while the standard rule of thumb “you get what you pay for” applies here, you know for a fact that your needs and preferences are different from others. One thing you can never go wrong with in choosing a caravan, however, is getting one with off-road capabilities.
Here is everything you need to know about buying and choosing an off-road caravan.
What makes a caravan off-road?
Well, there are a lot of things that make an off-road capable caravan different from regular and non-offroad caravans. Here are some essential features of a 4WD caravan:
Robust Chassis
Most people assume that bigger tyres with better suspension are enough to transform regular caravans into off-road caravans. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Off-road or 4WD caravans are specifically designed to take on harsh road conditions without breaking. Thus, they are built around extremely strong chassis.
Note that strong doesn’t always mean heavy. And while off-road vehicles are designed with thicker steel box sections of ladder-frame configuration chassis, with tons of cross-bracing, more and more vehicle and caravan manufacturers are making solid chassis using lighter materials.
If you are in doubt about the capabilities of your caravan, or you want to switch up to an off-road capable one, then talk to your dealer or do your own research to find the right caravan with an ultra-strong, yet light chassis for you.
Improved Suspension
Since they are designed to take on the roughest terrains, 4WD caravans are equipped with improved shock absorbers.
Standard and non-offroad caravans are built with leaf-spring suspension without shocks, which are today’s standard, and can be considered outdated.
Off-road capable caravans are built with improved shock absorbers to better absorb shock and impact while off-roading, for a smooth and safe ride. Without improved suspension, everything and everyone inside the caravan will feel all the bumps on the roads, vibration forces from tyres touching the asphalt, etc. These will not only damage your stuff (especially your furniture) inside the caravan, but can also compromise the bearings, break the axles, dislodge fittings, and of course, make a really uncomfortable and stressful ride.
All-Terrain Tyres
Better suspension is just one part of the equation. Another equally important characteristic of an off-road capable caravan is big, thick off-road tyres.
Off-road tyres are quite different from regular road tyres, they are bigger and with deeper and specially designed tread patterns for maximum traction on loose dirt, deep mud, sand, etc.
And since they are thicker, they have better load-carrying capabilities and stronger and thicker sidewalls that can resist most punctures and avoid blowouts.
Some use mud-terrain tyres. But this may be overkill for regular off-roading, not to mention it can add more weight, which means more fuel use for your tow vehicle.
Other essential features of off-road caravans include:
- Stone protection – to keep sharp stones from ricocheting onto the caravan and damaging the exterior.
- Stronger coupling – for stronger and more secure connection between the caravan and the tow vehicle. Also the coupling must be able to rotate through a 360-degree angle to allow safer and smoother travels.
- Higher ground clearance – to help avoid sharp rocks and shallow river water.
- Departure angle – raised rear end to help in wading through obstacles.
- Secured compartments – to keep your appliances and stuff inside the caravan from moving.
- Secured plumbing and wiring – no exposed wires or plumbing, to protect them from damage.
Do I really need an off-road caravan?
Do you love driving for extended hours on rough and corrugated roads? Do you like to include traversing through creeks, shallow rivers, spoon drains, dips, and boarding on ferry ramps in your adventures? Do you have (or planning to get) a 4×4 truck or SUV that you wish to take with you on your outdoor adventures? Do you want peace of mind, and not have to worry about your caravan and tow vehicle on rough and unforgiving roads? If your answer to these questions is yes, then you definitely need an off-road caravan.
Owning a 4WD caravan is like having a vehicle with 4X4 capabilities. Though most city roads and many roads in the outback are decent, there will be times that you wish your vehicle was better equipped to handle Mother Nature’s rough terrains. Thus, it is always nice to have 4WD capabilities at your disposal, because you never know when you will need them.
Can you take a normal caravan off-road?
Well, technically, you can, up to a certain point, and if you don’t mind spending extra on repairs afterwards. Obviously, some terrains are impossible to traverse without the 4WD capabilities.
What you need to remember is that off-road caravans are specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions in the outback. They are constructed with sturdy and high-quality materials, which often make them heavier. They also have higher ground clearance, stronger protection on their underbelly, and again, have better (independent) suspension , bigger tires, etc. All of these are important for comfortable and safe off-roading.
The Takeaway
Again, off-road and 4WD caravans are designed for tough conditions, they are fully equipped to traverse all kinds of terrains, from rocky landscapes and slopes, steep uphill ascents and downhill descents, sandy landscapes, mudholes, etc. If you have all these things in your next scheduled outdoor trip, then you are better off with an off-road capable tow vehicle and caravan.
The biggest challenge of using an off-road caravan, of course, is that they are heavier. This means they need a more powerful tow vehicle to pull them through. If you are the kind of adventurer who likes to go deep into the wilderness, then you cannot go wrong with an off-road caravan.