The world of off-grid living is a grand place, one where it’s rather easy to get lost. However, I’ve decided to bring to light an Australian manufacturer of travel trailers that, might I say, have no problem pointing us in the right direction in terms of style, comfort, and capability, especially for those of us that want to spend quality time together.
Photo: Great Escape Caravans
Folks, what we’re looking at is dubbed the Magnum Range (MR), a lineup of off-road and off-grid habitats from Great Escape Caravans, a family-owned Australian crew that’s been hitting this industry with everything they have, in the process, rising to RV stardom.
As for the MR, it’s a habitat that is destined for couples or those of us that just want to grab our significant other or others and hit the road, knowing everything you could possibly need is at your fingertips. That’s right; this one’s for the lovebirds among us, and because of this, expect to see a bit more care and attention than you regularly would in something like this.
Now, if you’re up to date with how they do things down in Australia, you have some idea of what we’re up against. If not, then this is going to be a solid lesson, for all of us, for that matter. But, the MR places countless floorplans at your disposal, all aimed at the lovebird lifestyle. So, to make things easier to understand, I’ll be outlining a few features that apply to all units and some that only apply to the largest available floorplan, the 24 ft (7.3 m) RC, a tandem axle giant with the ability to accommodate up to four guests, if you want, wink-wink.
Overall, these babies use a 6 in (15 cm) heavy-duty steel chassis with a 3,200 kg (7,054 lbs) rocker roller leaf spring suspension. In short, this defines the class as suitable for “semi-off-road” use. Single axle variants include a Dexter Torfles suspension instead, so again, light off-road use is best for these puppies.
Photo: Great Escape Caravans
Beyond that, the shell of these babies is what we need to analyze next. Because Great Escape uses nothing but composite exterior cladding, you can rest easy knowing the element won’t be eating away at your home. It’s still good practice to park in the shade. Throw on some checker-plated siding all around, and you’re good against the occasional stone.
But I do want to attract your attention to all those little cargo bays you see tattered all over the shell. It’s here that you’ll be hiding your batteries, water tanks, gear, and tools and even setting up an outdoor galley. Go ahead, make good use of the pantry and fridge slide-out, and even extend that awning you see overhead. It sounds like the perfect way to spend the afternoon, morning, night, or whatever moment of the day.
As I mentioned, units are available in an array of floorplans, but the 24 RC differs from others, not only in size but the amount of space inside, not to mention the feature layout. At the front of the unit, a large double bed sits in wait for tired bones, and at the other end, a massive U-shaped dinette is also found. By the looks of it, this area can be turned into a bed, too, in case things don’t go well in Loveland.
But, my favorite aspect of this unit is the empty space available. Wait a minute; excited about open space? Yes! Imagine being out there in the wild, with your favorite jam coming out of the speakers, food on the three-top stove, and all the while, you and your significant other are embraced and dancing. Can you imagine dancing in a travel trailer? This one lets you do so, and that’s just amazing! As for the rest of the features inside, they’re partitioned to one side or the other of the unit, so you can easily access anything you need. I particularly liked how Great Escape split the bathroom; one person can shower while the other isn’t bothered.
Photo: Great Escape Caravans
Other than that, the Magnum class is ready with a few off-grid features aimed at tapping into the powers of the natural world. This includes a 100 Ah battery, a solar panel, and a power management system. Drop some extra cash and grab a water-producing system, and you’re set for as long as you have food. If you need more than that for your lifestyle, there’s more than enough space to bring along portable panels and more battery power. There’s a washing machine, too, ensuring you stay out in the wild for as long as possible.
So, how much is this couple’s paradise going to run you? This is where things get a bit out of hand. Because Great Escape offers a wide range of machines, you can find units priced all over the board, typically starting around $65,000 Australian ($44K American at current exchange rates) and reaching well over $100K Australian ($67K American), depending on the unit and features added. In short, the sky’s the limit with this one.
All that’s left to do now is move to Australia to get your hands on one because, as far as I know, the manufacturer doesn’t export the Magnum Range. I’m just here to bring to light the RV and camper wonders of the world; what you do with that news is your choice.