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Photo: Caravan Camping Sale | YouTube
It’s no news that Australia makes some of the best and most capable caravans on the market. But what happens when an Australian caravan manufacturer sets out to build a Class C motorhome? Well, it’s time to find out!
Ladies, gentlemen and lovers of all things wild, the Class C motorhome you have before you is none other than the work of JB Caravans, an Australian team that has been on the market since 2010 and has over time become appreciated for its incredible off-road and off-grid travel trailers. However, 2024 brought with it the first Class C motorhome from this team; it made its debut at the Let’s Go Brisbane Caravan Show 2023. Let’s see what it takes for a Class C to take on the rugged outback.
First of all, let me point out that this piece of hilly habitat is not cheap, not by Australian or even North American standards; it currently has a starting price of AU$226,000, or about US$153,000 (at current exchange rates), so a lot, but there seem to be many reasons for that.
Photo: Caravan Camping Sale | YouTube
First up, we’re looking at a machine that’s built to take on the harshest weather conditions Australia can throw at you. To do this, a full composite body shell is fitted to an Iveco chassis. Sandwich panels with extruded polystyrene cores are mated to a single-piece fibreglass roof and floor panel to create an insulated shell that’s also impact resistant.
This is part of the magic that awaits you. The second part of the JB Touring is dedicated to the off-grid features that this manufacturer puts at our disposal. Let’s start with a complete EcoFlow power kit with 4 kW of energy that can be expanded up to 15 kW kWso there’s plenty of power. This system can also be charged with up to 4,800W of solar power, much like shore power. JB then adds two 2kW lithium batteries to the mix, a 3,600W inverter, AC and DC-DC chargers, and 600W of solar panel power. Two hundred liters of fresh water also accompany this unit’s off-grid capabilities, as does a water filtration unit.
But off-grid living isn’t all this pup can do; it’s packed with all the creature comforts to make you feel at home no matter where you are in the world, more than I’ll ever have time to go through, but we can still point out that you’ll find air conditioning units, heaters, washing machines, microwaves, entertainment centers, residential-style kitchens, and massive showers all part of the mix.
Photo: JB Caravans
One aspect of the build that I would like to highlight is the internal layout of features and spaces. As we enter the unit, we find ourselves to the left of the kitchen block and, straight ahead, a dinette is also present. Behind the dinette is a huge refrigerator and plenty of slide-out storage options, but it is the rear half of the Touring that I preferred.
Once we pass the kitchen, the Touring’s standard floor plan beckons with an east-west bedding layout that extends from the starboard wall and provides a full walk-through, including to the rear of the camper, where a beautiful, well-appointed bathroom spans the entire width of the unit.
Relax for a moment and imagine waking up in this space, heading to that bathroom to freshen up, making a cup of coffee and breakfast, and then going outside to enjoy the sunrise from the outdoor dining area you brought. Sounds like a beautiful way to wake up if you ask me.
Photo: JB Caravans
As the day goes on, you and your significant other (it’s a couple) decide to explore the local landscape or even climb some nearby rock formations. All the while, the Touring will be there, working its magic and recharging the systems so they’re ready for the next leg of the journey.
Later that night, you return to a unit that’s exactly the temperature you desire, and the granite countertops are eager to see what dishes you have in mind for tonight. This time, it’s chicken Alfredo with lava cake for dessert. Sure, you could enjoy all of this at the dinette, but the starry sky outside catches your eye.
Things will usually carry one like this wherever you decide to stop and explore the wild world around you, but there is a catch with this machine, and it has to do with the fact that you will have to move to Australia to get one. Too bad, I know. Or is it?! Honestly, if you can afford something like this, then you probably have the money to move to kangaroo country and start a new life. After all, This is what the JB Touring offers:a new lifestyle.
