It was only a matter of time before the electric revolution made its way into the world of campers and trailers. And Retreat Caravan and OzXcorp’s latest collaboration may be proof that time is now.

Meet the ERV, a rugged, off-road-capable camper that’s not only completely battery powered; it’s also an ideal mobile dwelling for anyone who wants to live off the grid in style. That’s because a series of roof-mounted solar panels provide the camper’s 14.3-kWh lithium ion battery with all the juice it needs, meaning you don’t even need access to an AC outlet to keep it running.

Australia-based Retreat and OzXcorp claim the ERV will have more than enough juice to power the camper’s impressive list of amenities. That includes an induction cooktop, an electric Webber barbecue, a slow cooker, fridge, washing machine, television, laptop, heating and cooling systems and, of course, lights. Even better, you can run them all at the same time.

The eco-friendly battery setup doesn’t mean you’ll be skimping on style either. Enter the sleek cabin and you’ll find a plush room appointed like a five-star hotel suite. There’s the full-sized kitchen stocked with premium electric appliances and fixtures, a comfortable entertainment area, a spacious master suite bedroom with a king-size bed, not to mention loads of closet space.

But don’t let the luxurious interior fool you. The trailer is also more than game for any off-road adventures you may want to get up to. That’s because it’s been outfitted with a specially tuned suspension and heavy-duty, all-terrain tires, so you take it just about anywhere. Think of it as an eco-friendly glamper’s camper.

If you’ve ever dreamed of really getting away from it all, but would like to do so in comfort, the ERV might be the trailer for you. That kind of freedom, of course, won’t come cheap. The camper’s website doesn’t currently list a price, but Uncrate reports the ERV will start at $75,000. You may not be able to buy it just yet, but you can register your interest with Retreat Caravans and OzXcorp now. Not a bad way to self-quarantine, if you ask us.

Source: Yahoo! Life

The post This New Solar-Powered Electric Camper Will Let You Live Off-Grid in Style appeared first on ERV.

Electric cars are quickly becoming popular, but all-electric campers? Portable electric power has always been a part of the camping experience, but extended off-grid adventures typically include propane along with frugal use of electricity. Australia-based Retreat Caravans has a new offering in the works called the E-RV, and as the name suggests, it’s fully electric. Beyond that, it doesn’t require campers to be overly careful when it comes to power consumption. That’s a good thing, because the E-RV is literally jam-packed with luxury features.

The crux of this camper trailer is, obviously, its source of electricity. A 14.3 kWh 52V battery system houses the power, with a 5,000-watt inverter delivering it to everything from an induction stove and refrigerator to a hot-water heater and air conditioning unit. In short, this kind of available power allows all kinds of items to be running simultaneously, which is one of the party tricks Retreat Caravans likes to show off at events.

Keeping the battery charged is a full bank of solar panels on the roof, which can reach up to 2,033 watts for the largest E-RV model. Power can also be generated while the trailer being towed, and yes, there is a traditional shore plug for hooking into outside power.

Gallery: Retreat Caravans E-RV

As for creature comforts, the E-RV doesn’t skimp. Aside from the aforementioned items, larger models can be fitted with a washing machine but even the smallest model has a full-size bed, dining area, and a full bathroom with shower. A pair of 29-gallon water tanks and a single 29-gallon grey water tank are available, as is an extra 17-gallon tank devoted to drinking water. Trailers feature off-road suspension with all-terrain tires for going properly off-grid, and buyers can choose between five different models.

Going all-electric isn’t necessarily cheap, at least when it comes to initial cost. A report from New Atlas says the E-RV will start at around $109,000 AU, which translates to roughly $75,625 in U.S. currency.

Source: E-RV via New Atlas

Source: Motor1.com

The post E-RV Trailer Goes All-Electric For Australian Outback Adventure appeared first on ERV.

Electric motorhomes and pickup campers have stolen the spotlight throughout 2019, but all-electric caravans have been quietly creeping forward in the backdrop. In the US, Thor Industries, the world’s largest RV manufacturer, worked up a more rigid definition of “off grid” with the Sonic X caravan concept back in March. Later in the year, another brand under the Thor umbrella, Germany’s LMC, followed suit with its own electrified trailer at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. The two models were quite distinct, but both shared the same goal: leaving behind every last trace of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and tying together all onboard equipment with a single electrical architecture.

Australia’s Retreat Caravans goes beyond concepts, breaking free from LPG with what it calls the world’s first fully electric caravan, the ERV. It relies on a Centralized Energy Management System (CEMS) supplied by Australian caravan tech startup OzXcorp. Co-founded by Andrew Huett, a businessman who spent nearly two decades living completely off the grid and has racked up some 43,000 miles (70,000 km) traveling around Australia, OzXcorp was formed to bring caravan tech and design into the smart age. With the CEMS, OzXcorp hangs an automotive-grade 14.3-kWh lithium battery pack inside a galvanized steel chassis and distributes power through a 48-volt electrical architecture.

The OzXcorp CEMS mounts the 14.3-kWh lithium battery neatly in the end of the chassis

The CEMS battery has roughly 12 times the kilowatt-hour capacity of the 100-Ah batteries common in RV construction, and Retreat needs every last watt-hour. Resisting any temptation to pare down features to conserve energy, Retreat loads the ERV with a lengthy equipment list that pushes well into glamping territory. That list includes both heating and A/C; a water heater; a washing machine; a comprehensive entertainment system with 24-in smart TV, indoor/outdoor stereo speakers and available outdoor TV; LED lighting; and the aforementioned kitchen with dual-burner induction cooktop, convection oven/grill and 274L standing-height fridge/freezer. For its show trailer, Retreat even accessorizes the kitchen with an electric coffeemaker, kettle and toaster. Outside, there’s a slide-out Weber electric grill and separate 36L fridge freezer. All equipment is powered off the battery, and a CZone smart command center offers full digitized monitoring, control and problem diagnosis.

Retreat ERV interior

To shore up efficient energy usage, Retreat relies on a new composite construction with optimized thermal insulation, helping the cabin retain heat in colder weather and cool air in warmer temperatures. The all-electric design in turn streamlines construction, eliminating the need for the exterior venting needed for gas appliances, thereby making it simpler to seal and dust-proof the shell. Eliminating vents that interior air could escape through also improves thermal efficiency.

The ERV’s 5,000-watt inverter can keep multiple appliances and components humming all at once. At shows and events, Retreat demonstrates this capability by dropping bread slices into the toaster, switching the kettle on, firing up the cooktop and blowing the hairdryer, all with the air conditioning running in the background. That sounds more like a weekday work morning than a camp morning, so the ERV shouldn’t have trouble keeping up with a more leisurely holiday routine.

Up to 2,033 watts of solar panels find home on the roof

The ERV does of course include a shore power hook-up for times it’s parked in a fully equipped campground, but it’s really built with off-grid travel and living in mind. It pulls charge from the tow vehicle while driving and includes a robust roof-mounted solar array that packs up to 2,033 watts, depending upon floor plan and overall roof length.

During the prototype phase, Retreat and OzXcorp put the ERV through grueling real-world testing, traveling more than 12,400 miles (20,000 km) through the heart of Australia over six months. The goal was to make the trip relying solely on solar power, keeping the trailer unplugged from both the tow vehicle and all shore power hook-ups. The travelers did have to connect a back-up generator when the battery dropped particularly low during shady conditions, but beyond that, they remained true to the goal of relying on solar power. At one point during the journey, the ERV was even powering its own equipment and two additional caravans.

This prototype traveled 12,400 miles around Australia to test out the CEMS electrical system

The ability of ERV buyers to have the same kind of fully unplugged trips will depend upon their power usage and available sun. Even knowing a little about how luxury-laden Australian caravans are, we’re surprised with just how much battery-sapping equipment Retreat has loaded into this one, since it could have easily left off or sized down a few of those components. But we guess the point was to make a strong statement about how campers don’t have to skimp to go electric.

The ERV carries water in an isolated 65L drinking water tank and two additional 110L tanks. The large interior fridge and outdoor auxiliary fridge help ensure travelers have plenty of fresh food on hand when traveling to remote locations.

Retreat debuted a more refined, production-ready ERV at the Melbourne Leisurefest in October and is completing work on the first ERV-1 Off-Road, an 18.6-foot (5.7-m) model. From there, it intends to offer several different floor plans on various length single- and dual-axle trailers. A Cruisemaster TS off-road suspension and Mickey Thompson all-terrain tires will eat up the type of off-grid ground for which the ERV’s impressive electrical underpinnings are engineered.

The ERV will start at $109,900 in Australia

Retreat tells us the ERV will start at AU$109,900 (approx. US$75,625), and we’ll look to publish a more complete breakdown of layouts, standard features, options and prices after the first models push their way out of the production facility. For those interested in doing some power math, Retreat has wattage figures for the various electrical components and accessories listed on the ERV homepage linked below.

The video below dives into the ERV experience with John and Fran Huett, the couple who made the cross-country prototype trip.

Source: New Atlas

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What’s the 2020 Retreat ERV Hyper all about?

While the caravan industry generally evolves at a steady pace, the 2020 Retreat ERV Hyper promises the rarest of things: a step-change in technology. It also has the potential to consign the use of gas in caravans to the history books.

Produced by Melbourne-based Retreat Caravans, the new ERV Hyper range is an all-electric line-up of off-road caravans. With roof-top solar panels, a large lithium-ion battery and a smart inverter, the ERV (as in, Electric RV) Hyper range promises extended off-grid living and reduced dust ingress.

Caravancampingsales recently overnighted in the new 2020 ERV Hyper 200R, to get a better idea of its capability and to examine the clever technology at the heart of this innovative caravan.

Smart power

The patented technology utilised in the 2020 ERV Hyper is supplied by OzX Corp. Based in Campbellfield, Melbourne, the firm’s slogan is “recreating recreation”, which it’s doing through developing cutting-edge digital architecture, power management and battery storage technologies.

It’s even developing a hybrid hub drive system for caravans, which has the potential to reduce tow vehicle fuel consumption and improve towing performance on uphill climbs.

This 2020 ERV Hyper 200R has a 20ft body that accommodates 16 slimline roof-top solar panels. They’re raised a little off the actual roof for thermal efficiency and slightly curved to maximise solar power generation as the sun’s angle changes throughout the day. Retreat says this model’s setup offers 1712 watts of power, while the largest ERV Hyper layout boasts a 2033-watt arrangement.

That power is then stored in a 14.3kW/h, 48-volt lithium-ion battery housed between the chassis rails. The equivalent of a 2380Ah AGM battery or a 1330Ah lithium-ion battery at 12 volts, it’s a big-capacity unit and it needs to be, given it’s the sole source of power.

The battery weighs approximately 115kg and is roughly the same size as a 90-litre water tank. In fact it sits next to one of the 110lt fresh water tanks underneath the van, where it’s protected by a 50mm crush-resistant shell. The battery housing has an IP67 rating, which means it’s totally dust proof and waterproof to one metre for around 30 minutes.

ERV Hyper says the battery can handle nearly 4400 full cycles (i.e. from fully charged to fully flat) and still retain 80 per cent of its original capacity. It estimates that with typical usage, the one battery should have a life of up to 20 years.

The power is fed to a smart inverter with a continuous 5000-watt capacity that allows multiple 240-volt appliances to be powered simultaneously.

How much does the Retreat ERV Hyper cost?

The 2020 ERV Hyper 200R reviewed here is priced at $113,000 drive-away, as tested. It’s the second smallest of the five ERV Hyper layouts available, which start with the ERV Hyper 186R and culminate with the ERV Hyper 226R.

The entire range comes in an off-road format, with high clearance, a variety of off-road suspension set-ups, all-terrain tyres, and a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling.

With a smooth-sided composite panel construction and insulated flooring, our test van rides on a modified off-road chassis (150mm x 50mm) from ARV along with four-wheel ARV Alpha Extreme Duty independent coil suspension.

Granted, $113,000 is not a small change, but our test van is fitted with just about every major feature you’d care to mention, in addition to the largely hidden OzX Corp technology.

The list spans a ‘two burner’ induction cooktop with rangehood, combination microwave/convection oven/grille, a big 224 litre compressor fridge/freezer, washing machine, stereo, television, reverse cycle air-conditioning, LED lighting and a full ensuite.

The amenity continues outside, where you’ll find a slide-out Weber electric BBQ in the tunnel boot, a slide-out fridge in the checkerplate ‘toolbox’ on the drawbar, a full-length awning, and an electric step, among other features.

Why should you buy a Retreat ERV Hyper?

As an off-road van with impressive solar power capacity, the 2020 ERV Hyper is well suited to those looking to live ‘off-grid’ for an extended period, or even those who simply prefer to avoid the crowds at a caravan park. After all, with the ERV Hyper there’s less reason to pay the extra for a powered site.

In fact Retreat Caravans says it thoroughly tested a prototype ERV Hyper in 2019. On a six-month, 20,000km journey that looped through WA and the Red Centre, the company says it never plugged into external power once.

That’s a big claim, but it gives an idea of the platform’s potential. Obviously, power generation is aided by a blazing sun, so typical Outback conditions will be more beneficial than, say, the conditions you might encounter in Tasmania. In any case, you can still plug in to external power if required.

And if you baulk at the idea of dirt road travel because of the dust that invariably penetrates the van, the ERV Hyper could well address that issue. No gas means no gas venting – a major culprit when it comes to dust ingress.

An ERV Hyper should also be on your shopping list if you want a fully featured van that, for a couple, can provide most of the comforts of home for an extended period.

The layout adopts a forward bedroom with north-south island bed, a well-appointed mid kitchen/dinette, and a rear ensuite, the latter with full-size Thetford toilet, separate shower, and a vanity (with concealed top-loading washing machine).

Backing the long list of inclusions is a healthy level of internal and external storage, with a payload limit pushing near 700kg.

Mind you, the ERV Hyper is no lightweight. With a tare weight of 2816kg our tow tug, a RAM 1500 Express – with its 4.5-tonne towing limit – took the load in its stride, although we did experience the odd instance of mild trailer sway at 100km/h (it was fine at any lower speed). The van was completely unladen, right down to empty water tanks, and we’d be very surprised if the issue didn’t vanish with a little weight.

In any case, factor in something like a big American pickup or a full-size 4WD for towing duties, rather than say a standard Aussie dual-cab 4×4 ute (or SUV-based equivalent) when doing your sums.

Who will the Retreat ERV Hyper appeal to?

The 2020 Retreat ERV Hyper is tailor-made for adventurous couples looking to travel further, and for longer. This is clearly no entry-level caravan, and so it will suit discerning, experienced caravanners who know what they want (and who have a healthy budget!).

Having said that, prospective purchasers of the ERV Hyper will also fall into the ‘early adopter’ category – those who are eager to jump on new technology to reap its benefits here and now, rather than wait to see how that technology (and the company behind it) stands the test of time.

It’s those people who will appreciate touches like the 5-inch ‘C-zone’ touchscreen master control, that allows you to swipe through the banks of buttons and power switches for bespoke settings, or to select from a variety of modes (cabin, night, day) to power up what you need most while isolating those you don’t.

It’s just one smart aspect of the van’s digital architecture, which also drastically simplifies its wiring and is said to afford easier, faster troubleshooting should any issues arise.

Clever tech aside, the ERV Hyper platform itself appears to be a solid proposition. We’re talking quality components from quality suppliers, with a construction that – based purely on this relatively brief trip – appears to have been carried out with a careful eye. Of course, the real proof of that particular pudding will come once you’ve hauled an ERV Hyper the length and breadth of the country…

So, what do we think of the Retreat ERV Hyper?

The ERV Hyper 200R has caught our attention as much for what it could represent as what it actually is. Because while it’s a well-featured off-road van in its own right, it could also be the start of a new wave of caravans in this country – gas-free vans with cutting-edge power technology that mean our off-grid travels are limited only by the amount of water and food we can carry.

The technology isn’t exclusive to Retreat Caravans, either, so we could well see it popping up in the near future across multiple brands.

While we only had a 24-hour period in which to assess this ERV Hyper, we were impressed with its power potential. Over the course of our stay, and despite several hours of running the underbed air-con heater (and a frosty night that saw temperatures drop to below zero), the battery level dropped from 100 per cent to 70 per cent by sunrise, before a weak Victorian winter sun starting topping it up again the following morning. It reached 75 per cent before we hooked up for the run back to Melbourne.

More impressive was the ERV Hyper’s ability to power multiple appliances simultaneously. At one point we were running all the lighting, the fridge/freezer, the microwave, and the air-con, while also charging a laptop and a phone, without a worry.

We like the modern look of the ERV Hyper too, both inside and out. It’s a comfy and sophisticated van with a generous 2020mm ceiling height and 880mm-high benchtops that will happily accommodate taller types. While there isn’t masses of food preparation space in this 20-foot layout, the kitchen ticks just about every other box and places everything within arm’s reach.

The reverse-cycle air-conditioner is under the bed, which reduces travel height and improves the van’s aerodynamics

Our test van’s innerspring mattress was on the compact side at 1540mm wide by 1860mm long, but the slide-out extension can accommodate a longer mattress and we really like the bedside cubby holes, with their own lighting and power point.

And for when visitors come knocking, the plush dinette with fold-out table will accommodate four at a pinch, or allow two to spread out. There’s a double power point (with USB ports) nearby, and a healthy number of power points dotted about the van in general.

There’s reasonable room in the ensuite too, with its full-size loo and separate (and spacious) shower cubicle.

Gripes? Only that the floor got pretty darn cold after dark (although it was a freezing Victorian winter night) and that we found a couple clearance issues – the freezer door can smack into the bulkhead between the kitchen and ensuite, and a couple of the lower drawers in the vanity extend out to hitting the toilet. No big issues once you’re aware of them.

How much does the 2020 Retreat ERV Hyper cost?

Price (as reviewed): $113,000 drive away (Victoria)

Travel length: 8280mm

Body length: 6200mm

Overall width: 2390mm

Travel height: 3000mm

Interior height: 2020mm

Tare weight (plated): 2816kg

ATM (plated): 3500kg

Ball weight (at Tare, plated): 195kg

Coupling: Cruisemaster DO35

Body: Fibreglass composite panel walls, floor and roof

Chassis: ARV off-road, 150mm x 50mm drawbar, galvanized steel, laser cut

Suspension: ARV Alpha Extreme Duty independent off-road coil suspension

Brakes: 12-inch electric drums

Wheels: 16-inch MPC alloy with Mickey Thompson Baja AT2 265/75 all-terrain tyres

Fresh water: 2 x 110 litres

Grey water: 1 x 110 litres

Hot water: Swift, 240-volt, 24 litres

Battery: 14.3kW/h lithium ion with 5000-watt smart inverter, OzX Corp

Solar: 16 roof-top panels

Air-conditioner: Truma Saphir comfort RC

Gas: N/A

Cooking: Thetford Topline 902, 2 x induction

Fridge: Dometic 224L compressor fridge/freezer

Oven/microwave/grill: Euromaid combination

Toilet: Thetford

Shower: Separate cubicle

Lighting: 12v LED

Television: Yes

Other features: NCE top-loader washing machine, Weber Pulse 1000 electric slide-out BBQ, slide-out MyCoolman fridge, Fusion stereo, full-length Dometic awning, reversing camera with LED light bar at rear

Supplied by: Escape RVs, Campbellfield, Victoria

More info: ERV Hyper

Source: Caravan Camping Sales

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Australia has developed a well-deserved reputation for building some of the toughest no-nonsense camping trailers on Planet Earth. Engineered to surgically explore some of the most remote topography on continent and planet, Aussie trailers and caravans are marvels of modern engineering that pair military-grade construction strategies with amenities lists that make some vacation homes look shoddu and outdated. With a proper 4×4 vehicle out in front, a quality Aussie trailer will go anywhere you have the courage to take it. These are some of the highlights from the sea of towables at the recent Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow

Lotus Off Grid

The 23-foot Lotus Off Grid is one of the longest floor plans in the lineup

The Lotus Off Grid looks worlds different than it did when we first spotted it in 2016. What started off as a compact, single-axle 14-footer for three has blown up into a full range of family caravans that land between 16.5 and 23.3 feet (5 and 7.1 m). While smaller, stouter camper trailers are considered Australia’s most rugged, Outback-worthy way to tour, caravans like the Off Grid aren’t exactly highway-tethered road tourers. The Off Grid’s marine-grade German-composite body is fortified with checker-plate body armor, and a Control Rider twin-shock independent suspension eats up bumps below.

23-foot Lotus Off Grid

Rugged doesn’t mean “roughing it,” in this case, as the Off Grid lives considerably more comfortably than a standard hotel room. The spacious 23-footer pictured sleeps a full family of six with a double bed and four bunks. It keeps that hearty family fed and entertained with a four-burner cooktop, microwave, oven/grill, compressor fridge, 24-in LED TV and Fusion premium sound system. It also packs standard heat and A/C, along with a washing machine. Two 120Ah AGM batteries and three 170W solar panels team to keep all that essential and non-essential equipment humming. The 23-foot model wore an AU $96,719 (approx. US$56,000) price tag at the show.

AOR Sierra

The Raptor-coated fiberglass AOR Sierra has a unique look

A versatile Aussie squaredrop trailer, the 14-foot (4.3-m) Australian Off Road Sierra consists of a Raptor-coated livable lockbox atop adamantine bones. That latter bit means a Supagal high-tensile steel chassis that chews through the rough stuff with help from an independent trailing arm suspension with off-road shocks. Bash plates around the tanks and stone protection on the pipes ensure that all systems are go on arrival, no matter how rough the journey there. A standard river-drawing system even lets you tap into Mother Nature’s bounty for camp water.

The AOR Sierra has a teardrop-style cabin-filling bed, albeit with a large window to gaze out

Up above, the lightweight fiberglass shell has been sliced and shaped for optimal off-road capability and filled with a 6-in (15-cm) multi-density foam double mattress laid out next to a picture window. The side-access kitchen has enough drop-down and slide-out space to house a dual-burner stove, sink, fridge/freezer and BBQ grill. The shower tent, available roof-top tent and available annex tent add serious canvas-walled expansion space. A 150Ah lithium battery with battery management system feeds onboard electrical equipment.

Only in Australia can $42,500 (US$24,625) be considered “entry level” for a trailer, but we reckon hardened, demanding adventurers will find plenty of value in this innovative “micro camper.”

Lumberjack Birdsville

The Lumberjack Birdsville is a compact trailer, but it creates a large base camp when its wraparound awning is deployed

With a similar (but less green) all-terrain squaredrop look, the 17.7-foot (5.4-m) Lumberjack Birdsville seems quite like the AOR Sierra at first glance. However, this squaredrop has a very different layout. Instead of merely accommodating two people inside the insulated fiberglass walls, Lumberjack cuts the roof open, attaches some hinges and creates a forward-folding tent topper. With a combination of double bed in the tent and convertible sofa/dual bunks inside the hard walls, the Birdsville becomes a camper for the whole family, sleeping two adults and two children. And with a hot-dip galvanized chassis, dual-shock independent suspension, skid plate-protected double-water tank system and dual-battery electrical system backing them, that family is free to chase as much adventure as it likes.

Inside the hardshell/softshell interior of the Lumberjack Birdsville

The Birdsville was retailing at AU$29,999 when we first covered it last month but is now advertised online for a reduced $27,999 (US$16,225) price.

Retreat ERV

The ERV is available with various exterior amenities, including a slide-out BBQ grill, slide-out fridge and outdoor TV

Camper trailers might be better than caravans for straight-lining away from civilization, but the off-grid-friendly ERV caravan might just be the world’s best for staying away. That’s because it does away with fuels like LPG and diesel, relying solely on electricity to keep all the onboard equipment running. Designed by Retreat Caravans and OzXcorp, the ERV was billed as the first of its kind when it debuted last year, feeding a 14.3-kWh lithium battery pack with up to 2,000 watts of solar charging and distributing that battery power through a robust 5-kW inverter meant for running multiple appliances at the same time. That system doesn’t merely run basics like the induction cooktop and LED lighting but a glamping-level amenities list that includes heating, air conditioning, a microwave/convection oven, a 24-in TV, a full-size 274L fridge and even an electric BBQ grill. A Supagal chassis and off-road suspension enable the ERV to wander far enough away from the grid to put that robust power system to the test.

The ERV comes in several floor plans; this one features a sofa lounge instead of a vis-a-vis dinette

In addition to the central dinette layout we looked at in December, the wraparound sofa dining lounge floor plan pictured above was on display in Victoria. ERV plans five floor plans in all, with pricing starting around AU$110,000 (US$63,725).

Vista RV Crossover Classic

The Vista RV Crossover is a large teardrop with pop-up roof

Designed to fill the space between caravan and camper trailer, the aptly named Crossover series from Vista RV comprises off-road teardrops with pop-up roofs and walk-in cabins. The 16-foot (4.9-m) all-weather Crossover Classic pulls out the stops in supporting an indoor/outdoor camping getaway. Inside, it features a convertible dinette/queen bed, radio and kitchen block with 80L fridge, pantry and sink. Outside, it completes the kitchen capabilities with a slide-out stove and sink and available door-mounted storage pantry. The drop-down shower tent around back lets campers wash down after sweaty, dusty adventures, and the 160W solar panel and Redarc battery management system keep the lights on.

Inside the Vista Crossover trailer

The Crossover’s hot-dip galvanized chassis, asymmetric link suspension, and mixed fiberglass, vacuum-pressed composite and sheet metal body construction provide a mix of extreme off-road readiness and smooth highway driving. The smallest, base-level trailer in Vista RV’s three-model lineup, the Crossover Classic starts at AU$70,200 (US$40,675), according to the invoice we spotted at the show.

Find a fuller walk-around of each camper and a few additional hardcore trailers in the gallery.

The post Aussie camper trailers pack Outback-grade mettle, five-star comfort appeared first on ERV.

Almost unlimited, self-contained power for caravans has become a reality with Melbourne manufacturer Retreat Caravans confirming its solar-boosted ERV model is now on sale after successfully completing a plug-free 20,088km, 176-day trip across the country.

The latest development of the hi-tech ‘smart’ caravan platform unveiled earlier this year, the ERV built by 15-year-old Retreat in conjunction with Australian technology company OzXCorp, uses a lithium-ion battery ‘bank’ and extensive roof-mounted solar panels to deliver enough grunt to power a range of appliances simultaneously and for extended periods of time.

The first test caravan is a 20-foot unit that runs on a self-generated 240-Volt system using a special inverter and has no gas system.

It allowed ERV test couple Fran and John Huett to travel for 20,088km over six months from their home base in Melbourne via the Nullarbor to the west coast, travelling the Gibb River Road to Darwin before returning south via Alice Springs

“This was completely ‘off-the-grid’ travelling,” said ERV national sales manager George Drak who spoke to caravanancampingsales after the latest ERV show van was displayed at the recent Perth 4WD and Adventure Show.

“For test purposes, the prototype ERV accomplished this without any charge assistance via the Anderson plug of the tow vehicle or any 240-Volt mains power. This was a class-leading six-month test, not a week-long sprint that most caravan manufacturers do.

“It proves the ERV is a renewable power plant on wheels as well as a home away from home.”

He said the technology employed in the ERV is being developed not only for Retreat, with the potential to be offered to other caravan manufacturers in Australia and other markets.

“We have global interest in this caravan and the technology,” Drak said. “We know this will take off.”

On the test journey, the Huetts used the ERV to feed two other caravans with electricity, running two air conditioners and appliances and still having power spare — even when tested in the shade.

The battery is rated at 16 kW/h but is conservatively de-rated to 14.3 kW/h to ensure reliable and consistent power, while the inverter had a “huge” 5000-Watt continuous rating.

“The lights are the last function to go, but that is very unlikely to happen,” Drak said.

“If the battery is critically low, the lights and fridge will continue to draw power right to the end. This keeps the occupants safe and ensures they have food.”

Rather than lying flat on the roof, the lightweight roof panels use a patented curved mounting system to improve access to the sun’s rays and sit above the caravan roof to keep the panels cool and reduce heat flow through to the caravan roof.

They also cover most of the roof (although different panel layouts are available on production models) with space for a vent and antennas where needed. To free up roof space the air conditioner is located underneath the bed.

At the Perth 4WD show, ERV demonstrated a breakfast scenario with a toaster, kettle, induction cooktop, air conditioner and hairdryer operating simultaneously, drawing from the batteries.

“Onlookers had to be reminded that the lighting, TV and the full-size fridge were all running simultaneously as well,” he said.

“All this without being plugged into the grid-connected mains, a generator or any other external power source while running any combination of 240-Volt appliances up to 5000-Watts continuous.”

By not using gas as an alternative energy source, the ERV van doesn’t need to comply with gas regulations including additional vents in the caravan.

Drak said the caravan’s chassis-integrated energy system is dust proof as well as waterproof to a depth of one-metre for about 10 minutes. There’s also a 50mm ‘crush-resistant’ shell around the batteries for severe off-road conditions.

The ERV electrical system is fed by an OEM automotive-grade 14.3kWh, 48-Volt lithium-ion battery, a 5000-Watt Smart Inverter and up to 2033-Watt solar system. It runs a lithium battery about the size of a 90-litre water tank and weighing about 115kg.

The ‘wow factor’ electrical system also features a 15-Amp industrial heavy-duty socket outlet in the tunnel boot that is capable of running any three-pin, 15-Amp welder.

“Having a fully self-contained power pack gives the caravan – and the traveller – almost unlimited scope to travel off the power grid, to remote areas previously difficult to access,” he said.

“It also brings the economical benefits of not having to choose a powered site at a caravan park, taking the non-shaded site, and even the potential of reduced fuel consumption because there’s a flush roof without an exposed air conditioner.”

The ERV uses a Retreat van as its donor, with structural changes to the chassis to allow the placement of the lithium-ion battery. It sits beneath the floor in the same placement as the van’s potable and grey water tanks.

With a Tare weight of 2700kg, the fibreglass composite bodied 20ft ERV2 model displayed in Perth featured a 150mm A-frame, DO35 coupling, 16-inch wheels with 265/16 Mickey Thompson AT tyres, 10in drum brakes and a Dexter sway control system.

Standard ERV suspension is Control Rider TS (twin shocks) but buyers can opt for Al-Ko or Simplicity coil suspension as well as airbags.

Other features on the ERV2 included electric steps, powered awning, and a slide-out for a Weber BBQ, along with a Fusion sound system and optional outdoor TV unit.

Other external equipment included a reverse camera, single spare-wheel carrier, jerry-can holder, dual slide-out tool box, fold-down picnic table and external shower.

Inside appliances included a convection oven and grill, induction cook top, 274 litre fridge, full LED lighting and a 24-inch TV with arm. The van also came with a Swift 48-Volt electric hot water system and 12-Volt water pump.

Cabinetry by Retreat included acrylic doors, extended door runners, tile-finish splash back and shower recess, waterfall kitchen bench top and plenty of under-seat and under-bed storage.

Also part of the ERV2 package was a ceramic cassette toilet, 3kg top-loader washing machine, two 110-litre water tanks plus another 65-litre tank for drinking water and 110-litre tank for grey water.

The ERV range will be available from March next year in a range of layouts and five body sizes, from 18ft 6in to 22ft 6in.

Prices start from $109,900 and all ERV vans come with a five-year warranty. The ERV2 as displayed at the show was $119,900 with the off-road suspension and the larger 2033-Watt solar panel array from the top-spec ERV5 model.

The ERV by Retreat is the first to leverage power technology from OzXCorp. However, buyers will have to wait a bit longer before getting hold of a production version of the Hybrid Drive system that uses electric hub motors to power the van wheels, also developed by OzXCorp.

Drak said ERV would conduct testing when the technology was made available from OzXCorp.

“No release date has been given by OzXCorp so we are unable to comment on a planned or proposed launch of the system by ERV,” he said.

The post GROUND-BREAKING GAS-FREE CARAVAN POWERS UP appeared first on ERV.

The first thing you notice about the Australian- designed, world-first E-RV solar-powered electric caravan is the lack of gas bottles on the front A-frame.
Without gas, this caravan doesn’t need vents, which means dust can’t get in when you go off-road.

It also means the interior temperature can be more easily controlled because the composite panel construction provides good insulation and there are no vents to let the climate-controlled air out.

The E-RV’s entire roof is covered with solar panels, so the air-conditioner is under the bed.

The Australian-designed E-RV is the world’s first solar-powered electric van.

With 2033 watts of solar panels, integrated automotive-grade 14.3kW/H battery, coupled with a 5000-watt smart inverter, the E-RV’s self-generating battery energy storage system revolutionises the truly off-grid experience.

The inverter allows you to run toasters, kettles, air-conditioner and hairdryers, as well as all the interior lights of the caravan, at the same time.

This energy supply delivers more power than a conventional kitchen at home.

The battery is integrated into the 100mm x 50mm hollow channel chassis with off-road suspension and Micky Thomson all-terrain tyres.

All the appliances in the kitchen are electric and can be used at the same time.

At the front of the extended A-frame is a recessed DO35 coupling. A dual slide-out tool box is also on the A-frame, along with a jerry can holder.

Outside is the lined tunnel boot, electric awning, slide-out electric barbecue with illuminated digital thermometer controls, Fusion sound system, fold-down picnic table and shower.

Underneath are two 110 litre water tanks, a 65 litre freshwater tank and a 110 litre grey water tank which are all protected with galvanised guards.

Inside, the front bed has a padded three-piece bedhead with a pillow-top inner spring mattress.

The lounge around the trifold table has adjustable headrests and upholstered seats with E-RV diamond series stitching.

The bed has a padded

three piece bed head with a pillow top inner spring mattress.

The kitchen has a convection oven and grill, induction cooktop and a slide-out rangehood, 274 litre fridge and sink which can be covered for extra bench space.

The rear ensuite has a tiled shower, ceramic cassette toilet, 3kg top-loader washing machine, and black taps and basin.

Tested on a trip from the Kimberley to the south coast of South Australia over 20,000km for 176 days, the experimental van didn’t have to plug into power. In fact at one stage the test van had three other caravans plugged into it.

With the E-RV, what was normal in a caravan is not so normal any more. The E-RV’s energy-efficient thermal rating construction and revolutionary energy supply mean you can live in your caravan just like you would at home, using what you want, when you want, where you want.

The 14.3KW/Hr

battery sits neatly in the chassis.

The company is in the process of producing five models, which will range from 5.6m to 6.8m.

The E-RV is on display at Luxury RV’s exhibition at stand 58 at this weekend’s 4WD and Adventure Show at McCallum Park.

E-RV

Price: From $109,990 depending on size. The display model at the show with all the updated specs is $119,990

Frame: composite walls

Warranty: Five years

Suitable for: Off-road

Weights: The design team is making changes to the design

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