4X4 MOTORHOMES

The Global Xplorer is a 4×4 motorhome, based on the Fuso Canter cab/chassis. It’s designed with rugged simplicity, for off-road adventures and prolonged, remote-area off-grid camping. Outback Travel Australia checked out the 2022 model.

Earthcruiser motorhomes are now built mainly on the Iveco Daily 4×4 platform. There are short-cab and crew-cab versions.

If you’ve priced a built-up motorhome recently, you’re possibly still recovering from the shock.  We’re not suggesting for a moment that the pricing isn’t justified in producing a professional and labour intensive end result, but there are quite a few of us capable of a DIY job.

The Austral slide-on pod range is made in China, but the electrical and plumbing work is done at Austral’s facility in Queensland, ensuring Australian compliance. We caught up with the 4.2-metre truck-mount model at the 2021 Camping and Caravan Show in Sydney.

Sherwoods have almost always been built on Toyota chassis and the 2021 Conqueror was the first to ride on the latest generation of the SR5 4WD HiLux. Our mates at iMotorhome had a preview.

Well known light commercial chassis and suspension maker AL-KO has teamed up with German electric propulsion specialist company, Huber Automotive, to produce new hybrid chassis for light commercials and motorhomes, and an electric trailer chassis.

Suncamper’s Sherwood looks like a cross between a slide-on camper and a motorhome, but it’s a proper C-class motorhome, albeit a compact one. Our colleagues at iMotorhome took one on a bush excursion.

SLRV Expedition Vehicles has fitted a motorhome body to the Hino 817 4×4 chassis, with mixed results.

In the second half of 2018, Earthcruiser added the Mercedes-Benz G-Pro to its motorhome vehicle range. The ‘Benz cab/chassis allowed more compact dimensions than Earthcruiser’s larger models. The post-2020 version is being built on the LandCruiser 79 Series cab/chassis.

Paradise Motor Homes is a well respected brand that hasn’t been well known for off-roading, but the Inspiration Explore 4×4 model changes that situation. Based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 platform this vehicle is very well equipped.

Earthcruiser’s motorhome module can be mounted on the back of Mercedes-Benz’ U430 Unimog.

Trakka’s FWD Trakkaway 700 may well be the motorhome for people who want some modest rough-terrain ability, without the complication, increased floor height and additional cost of a 4WD motorhome.

4×4 Motorhomes Australia is part of the Bus 4×4 Group, the Brisbane-based motorhome builders on Iveco and Isuzu 4WD cab/chassis and secondary manufacturer of 4WD Toyota Coaster and Commuter vehicles.

​Many tradies and handy-folk have built their own campervans and motorhomes. Here’s a guide to the process, so you can see if such a project is right for you.

Autarky, by definition, is the quality of being self-sufficient. To Nick Reed, proprietor of Gold Coast-based Xcentrix Campervans, surfer and lover of the outdoor life, self-sufficiency is paramount. It’s why Nick called this unique vehicle the Autarky 4X4 and it’s one of the reasons he started Xcentrix, Richard Robertson of iMotorhome reports.

All Terrain Warrriors is a Queensland-based motorhome builder, specialising in 4WD light truck cab/chassis conversions. Our test Global Warrior model incorporated two years of design and evaluation under Australian off-road conditions.