We’re excited to announce that Crusader Caravans’ range of composite caravans has arrived at Lewis RV! You may be wondering, what is a composite caravan? Why would I want a composite caravan? In this article, we’ll share some advantages and answer all the questions you may have surrounding this exciting new caravan construction method.
What is a composite caravan?
Composite is a new caravan construction method that is taking the industry by storm. Composite caravans are constructed with composite panels that are stronger, lighter and more durable than your traditional caravan.
Composite caravans vs aluminium frame caravans
The main difference between a composite caravan and a standard aluminium caravan is the way they are constructed and the materials used. Crusader Caravan’s composite construction consists of three different layers. Two of the layers comprise of fibreglass glass reinforced polyester. The final inner layer is made from structural XPS foam, which stands for eXtruded, high strength, closed-cell Polystyrene. Crusader’s standard range of caravans is made from 450MPa Australian steel.
How composite caravans are manufactured
Crusader Caravans use a one-piece construction method. This means the flooring, walls and roof all comprise of just one panel. Furniture is CNC machined for precision, assembled free-standing for strength, and then attached as the walls are added, using a strong polymer adhesive which results in a secure structure. The noticeable difference from standard caravan construction is the absence of an aluminium or timber frame.
Benefits of composite caravans
Composite is leading the way in new caravan manufacturing innovation. These benefits of composite caravan construction include:
Lighter & stronger
Composite panels are lightweight, meaning you’ll notice a difference in the overall weight of your caravan. Owning a lighter caravan has many benefits. More vehicles will be able to tow them and depending on the individual caravan weights, you may be able to load more items into it!
Better protection against the elements
The great thing about composite panels is that it is a one-piece construction method. Fewer seals and joins in construction will reduce the chances of any water seeping through. Plus, the strong composite outer layer provides superior protection against hail, compared to your standard aluminium frames.
Fuel efficiency
Having a lightweight caravan has many benefits, one of which is fuel economy. A caravan that’s lighter to tow will offer your tow vehicle greater fuel savings.
Discounts on insurance
Composite caravans are built for Australian conditions. Did you know some insurance providers may offer you a discount on your premium for having a composite caravan?
Why choose crusader caravans when searching for full composite caravans?
Crusader Caravans have won the Caravan Manufacturer of the Year award for three consecutive years now. Crusader has been refining its composite panel construction for years now and is leading the innovation in caravan construction methods. As one of Australia’s leading brands, rest assured your new composite caravan will endure a long life for many years ahead.
Visit Lewis RV to check out our composite caravans
Composite caravans are the future of caravan construction and offer many benefits over traditional caravans. If you’re in the market for a new caravan, be sure to check Crusader’s composite range at Lewis RV. With our wide range of options and prices, there’s sure to be a caravan that fits your needs and budget. Come see us today and check it out for yourself.
FAQs
When looking for Australian manufacturers, look no further than Crusader Caravans. Crusader's leading models including the Excalibur and Musketeer are now available in full composite construction. We’re also excited to announce that Crusader’s composite range is expanding and coming to Lewis RV soon! Get in contact with our team or visit our dealership in Guildford to learn more about it!
There's no doubt that composite construction methods are the future of caravan construction. They offer superior strength and rigidity, superior thermal and acoustic insulation, and are much lighter than traditional materials like aluminium or timber frame.
There are some challenges to using composite sandwich panels in caravan construction, mainly related to cost and availability. However, as manufacturing processes improve and the cost of materials comes down, we don’t doubt that composite sandwich panels will become the industry standard for caravan construction.
Contact Lewis RV to learn more about the different composite caravan models currently in production. We are more than happy to help you build the perfect composite caravan for your needs.
