Fantasy Caravan Does It Again: Drops an Over-Achieving and Couple-Ready Off-Road Trailer

Folks, the name Fantasy Caravan is sure to sound familiar to you, especially if you frequent our pages. If, however, you don't know much about this crew, our exploration into the Horizon Series (HS) will surely give you a clear idea of how this crew likes to operate.

Now, what sets the HS apart from other travel trailers this manufacturer produces is that this one is all about making it to your destination, no matter the terrain. Even Fantasy Caravans brags about this family being "the ultimate off-road caravan for fearless explorers."

Overall, there are three floorplans available, and the least expensive is the 16F. It cruises in at just $67K Australian, which is roughly $44,300 American. I don't know about you, but if you're into off-grid and off-road living, Australia is where it's at. Oh, and being the least expensive layout, we can also use it as a sort of flagship, showcasing all this lineup has to offer in its most basic form.

While this sort of unit has a whole lot to talk about, for the sake of time and energy, I invite you to pretend that you just spent the cash on a 16F, and it's now sitting in your driveway hooked up to your off-road-worthy rig. Allow me to point out that you'll be towing along a unit that weighs 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs), just so you can have an idea of the sort of vehicle you'll need.

As you're out there pulling this thing along, a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling ensures things don't break apart, and a coil 2.7T suspension with twin shocks ensures you can crawl over everything with all four wheels without ever disturbing your precious cargo inside.

Since this unit is rather new, the manufacturer makes little mention of how that shell is built. However, we do know that XPS foam is used as insulation, and a fiberglass roof stands between you and the elements. There's no mention of the sidewall construction, but aluminum, fiberglass, or both could be present. Checker plate protection lines the lower half of the shell, so don't worry about kicking up rocks and other debris.

But, it's once you've made it to your destination in the middle of nowhere that we really get to see what the HS is all about. Starting with the more important goodies, Fantasy throws in a well-equipped electrical system with which you can spend time off-grid.

There are 270 Ah of battery, a 2,000 W inverter from Projecta, 400 W of solar panel power, and a whole bunch of sockets, LED lights, and room for whatever else you may want to bring along; there's space for an electric generator in the hatches tattered all over the HS's body. Oh, and nearly 60 gals (227 liters) of fresh water can be accessed, water pump and heater included. Yes, as standard.

Yet, off-grid living is just part of the story; creature comforts are numerous in this lineup, and even the smallest floorplan has a whole lot to talk about. For example, a smart TV is set up on a swivel arm, there's a Fusion RA60 radio, a 152-liter fridge from Thetford, and even a washing machine. A microwave, three-top gas range, and outdoor grilling station also complete the picture. Did you happen to notice the massive countertop?

As an idea of the layout in a 16F, at the front of the camper, you'll able to find some of the galley, including that fridge and a large wet bath. Along the right side, the rest of the kitchen is present, and viz-a-viz, a dinette is visible. By the looks of the table, this space may just be modular. Oh, and some floorplans seem to have another drop-down bedding area right above the dinette.

However, the manufacturer does state that the 16F is suitable for just two guests. The rear end of the 16F is reserved for nothing more than East-West bedding. While this bedding layout may be a tad uncomfortable for some, it is one of the best ways to maximize interior space, aside from modular and Murphy beds.

A clean-cut and proper use of LED lighting also lights your way during the day or night, and a large sunroof is there to let you peek into the night sky. Oh, and if it's storage you want, there's more than plenty inside and outside the HS, no matter the layout.

There's just one catch to this rather attractive machine: for the time being, Fantasy Caravan only builds and sells within Australia. So, even if you manage to buy one, you'll encounter tons of hurdles trying to bring it back to your home country. It might just be a better idea to move to Australia altogether. Just a thought.