The Caravans We’ve Owned: Trakmaster, Kokoda and Why We Chose CRV

This is our personal caravan ownership story, based on the vans we have owned, travelled with and chosen for our next stage of touring.

Buying a caravan from a showroom floor is one thing. Living with it on long highways, dirt roads and remote camps is another. Our caravans have changed as our travel plans changed. We began with a light and very tough Trakmaster Kimberley. We then moved to a Kokoda Armorlite with far more power, water and comfort. Our next step is a new CRV 601 Ontrack, built for five years of travel around Australia.

This is not a laboratory test or a paid brand comparison. It is our experience. The scores reflect how each caravan suited us at that point in our lives—not whether the caravan was simply good or bad.

Our caravan history at a glance

1. 2009 Trakmaster Kimberley: simple, tough and beautifully built

We bought our 2009 Trakmaster Kimberley used in January 2019 and were its third owners. Our tow vehicle was a 2012 Nissan Patrol. The combination completed the run from Adelaide to Kununurra and then from Kununurra to Port Hedland, along with plenty of dirt roads and tracks.

What we liked

• Build quality. Nothing broke during roughly three years of ownership.
• Low weight. It was an easy match for the Patrol.
• Towing manners. It towed like a dream, including on dirt roads and tracks.
• Off-road ability. The simple, sturdy design suited remote travel.
• Strong resale. The resale value was very good.

What did not suit us

The caravan was good for two people, but the east-west bed became frustrating. One of us had to climb over the other during the night. That may sound minor during a quick inspection, but it matters when you live with the layout. It is why we now put so much emphasis on comparing caravan layouts before buying.

The other limit was power. Our van had a single solar panel and one 120Ah battery. It could camp off-grid, but cloudy weather or longer stays required careful power use. We did not upgrade the system because we already knew we would eventually move to another caravan. Before choosing a similar setup, it is worth estimating both your solar requirements and battery capacity.

The Trakmaster also did not have a shower or toilet. That became another key reason we sold it and moved to the Kokoda, which better suited longer trips and off-grid stays.

Resale value

The resale value was very good. The Trakmaster name, the condition of the caravan and the market at the time all helped. Well-kept examples clearly have strong appeal.

2. 2018 Kokoda Armorlite: the off-grid upgrade we wanted

We bought our used 2018 Kokoda Armorlite in 2023 and were again the third owners. We chose it because it solved three main limits of the Trakmaster: the bed layout, the power system, and the lack of a shower and toilet.

The Armorlite had a king-size bed, 740W of solar, 600Ah of battery capacity and three 80-litre water tanks, giving us 240 litres in total. We towed it with our LandCruiser 200 Series and travelled mostly through Western Australia, including Karijini, the Pilbara and the Mid West.

What we liked

• The king-size bed was far easier to live with than an east-west bed.
• The solar and battery system supported extended off-grid stays.
• The three water tanks carried 240 litres in total.
• The outside kitchen and fridge became favourite features.
• Lights around the caravan made cooking and camp life easier after dark.
• The build quality was excellent, and it handled dirt roads and tracks well.

What could have been better

There were no major faults. The pop-top roof used air assistance, and the airbags could sometimes make it awkward to raise or lower. The only breakages during our ownership were cupboard locks and the jockey wheel. Neither issue changed our view of the caravan’s overall build quality.

Resale value

We sold the Kokoda in 2026 because we wanted a larger caravan for long-term travel around Australia. It took about two months to sell, and the resale value was very good.

3. Why we chose a CRV 601 Ontrack for the next stage

Our next caravan is a new CRV 601 Ontrack tandem axle, due for collection in January 2027. We plan to travel around Australia over the next five years, so this purchase had a different job. It needed to be comfortable for long stays, capable off-grid and backed by people we could trust.

We looked at many brands, mostly Australian companies. The final choice came down to the CRV 601 Ontrack and the Jayco Adventurer 19’6 with its 48-volt system. We chose the CRV because of its layout, build quality, customer service and the ability to get the build we wanted.

Why CRV won

• We liked the layout and apparent build quality.
• CRV is a Western Australian company, and supporting a local builder mattered to us.
• Cameron Caravans could build the van around our needs.
• The customer service during the sale and planning stage has been very good.
• We expect local backup service to be a major benefit during ownership.

The CRV GAP offered more off-grid equipment as standard, but price pushed us towards the Ontrack. We then optioned the Ontrack with the systems that mattered to our travel plans. That gave us the layout and capability we wanted without moving to the GAP model.

What we ordered

• Two 300Ah lithium batteries, giving 600Ah in total.
• Six roof-mounted solar panels, expected to total about 1,200W.
• A full Victron power board and upgraded charging system.
• A third 95-litre water tank, giving 285 litres of fresh water.
• An OGO waterless toilet.
• Diesel heating, a TRA roof fan and extra windows.
• An L-shaped lounge, an extra picnic table and added storage.
• BOS stabiliser legs and jockey wheel, sway control and a firewood rack.
• Portable induction cooking and a larger television.

Why the layout suited us

The L-shaped lounge gives us a more comfortable living space during long trips and allows a grandchild to come and stay. That flexibility was one reason a custom build mattered more than simply buying a stock caravan.

Why the power, water and toilet options mattered

The Kokoda showed us how much a strong solar and battery system improves remote travel. For the CRV, the 600Ah battery bank and roughly 1,200W of solar are intended to support extended off-grid stays. The three 95-litre fresh-water tanks give us 285 litres, but that water also uses valuable caravan payload. Our water weight calculator helps show why tank capacity and loaded weight must be considered together.

We were over chemical toilets and emptying a cassette every couple of days. The OGO separates liquids and solids and should reduce the need for frequent dump-point visits. For us, that is not a fancy extra. It should make longer off-grid stays easier. Anyone planning similar travel should compare their full off-grid endurance, not battery capacity alone.

What about the extra size and weight?

We are not concerned about moving from a compact single-axle hybrid to a larger tandem-axle caravan. Our LandCruiser 200 Series will receive a suspension upgrade before the CRV arrives. The complete combination will still need to be weighed after loading. Published ratings and upgraded suspension do not replace real figures, so we will recheck the full vehicle and caravan match.

What we plan to review after collection

We can explain the layout, options and buying process now, but this is not a CRV ownership review. After collection we will share the handover, actual loaded weights, first trips, how the electrical and water systems perform, what the OGO is like to live with, any faults, the quality of backup service and an honest ownership verdict after serious travel.

What these caravans taught us

Each caravan was a sensible choice for a different stage. The Trakmaster proved that a simple, light and well-built caravan can go a long way. The Kokoda showed how much difference a strong power system, more water and a better bed make. The CRV is our move towards a caravan we can live in comfortably for months at a time.

• A good brand cannot fix a layout that does not suit you.
• Bed access matters more after the tenth night than during a ten-minute inspection.
• Solar and battery capacity should match how you actually camp.
• Water storage can be just as important as battery storage.
• Minor fittings may fail even when the main caravan is well built.
• Resale depends on condition, demand, timing and brand reputation.
• Dealer support and the ability to change a build can justify choosing one brand over another.

Would we buy these brands again?

Yes to Trakmaster. Probably yes to Kokoda. We chose CRV because the layout, build approach and local support felt right for our next five years of travel. The honest verdict on CRV will come after we have collected it, loaded it, weighed it and taken it well beyond the bitumen.

A final note on choosing your own caravan

Our needs may not match yours. A smaller van may be the better choice if you value easy towing and tight campsites. A larger van may suit long-term travel or family visits. The best caravan is not the one with the longest options list. It is the one whose layout, weight, storage, power, water and support fit the way you will travel.

Before buying, start with a clear caravan choosing process, compare the layouts you can actually live with and arrange an appropriate used caravan inspection. If a Big Lap is the goal, bring these decisions together in a practical Big Lap plan.