Scout-19

The Scout-19 tops Stoney Creek's off-road caravan range, the dearest model the maker currently builds. A queen bed and full-size ensuite fill out the largest body in the Scout line.

Tare is 2,750kg against a 3,500kg ATM, a 750kg payload margin. Ball weight sits at about 145kg at tare, light for a van of this size. That margin still covers a loaded upright fridge and both water tanks with room to spare.

A queen bed with a memory foam mattress leads into the living area. The kitchen runs a Thetford grill, oven and stovetop under a range hood, over a stainless basin with mixer taps. An upright compressor fridge with a freezer handles the cooling. A full-size ensuite carries a spacious shower and a separate toilet.

Two 230Ah Haidi lithium batteries give 460Ah of standard capacity, fed by 700W of roof solar. A 3000W Renogy pure sine wave inverter powers appliances off grid.

Two 120 litre tanks hold 240 litres of fresh water, backed by a 75 litre grey tank. Truma air conditioning covers the cabin, with an overhead skylight for extra light.

A hot-dip galvanised frame carries the 3,500kg-rated tandem axle on independent trailing arm suspension and airbags. Two spare mud terrain tyres travel with the van, behind a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling. A Black Jack electric jockey stand and a slide-out kitchen speed up setup at camp.

Dual gas bottles and a manual roll-out awning come standard. A reversing camera and 22 inch smart TV round out the entertainment and safety fit-out.

Buy it through one of six Stoney Creek branches rather than a third-party dealer. 12 months of warranty covers materials and workmanship; 5 years covers the chassis.