Along with some 48,000 hardy souls, Caravan World Production Editor, Amelia Mansell, and I weathered the heat and wind of the Melbourne Showgrounds to investigate the latest offerings of nearly 80 RV manufacturers. The Victorian Caravan Industry Association has been organising a caravan show since 1953, and its 70th event had entertainment and displays aplenty.
Most manufacturers have been under the pump delivering their backlog of orders, so there were few new models on display in this first event of the 2023 Australian Caravan Show circuit. But as well as caravans and campers, there were more than 200 exhibitors, with many accessory suppliers continuing to bring new ideas. With showgoers always after a bargain or new idea, the halls of caravan-related products were doing brisk business.
In what may be a sign of the times, several dealers had vans available for immediate delivery or with shorter lead times than we have seen in the past two years. And while some of the usual suspects, such as New Age and Snowy River, were absent, a few new fullheight imports were starting to show their stuff. This trend will likely grow if the camper trailer/hybrid segment is an indicator.
