Crusader Caravans set for a bumper hot summer – announcing five new ranges and USA export expansion
Demand, sales and business continue to surge for Crusader Caravans despite the sector seeing a calming of the post-COVID surge in orders from Aussies itching to travel after lengthy lockdowns and the local manufacturer is also ‘hitching its wagon’ to the lucrative US market.
Operating under the guidance of the Mawson Group, one of Australia’s leading business advisory firms, Crusader Caravans has retained a very healthy balance sheet, strong order and production figures, and is launching five brand-new ranges (comprising 30 individual models). Crusader is now the country’s second largest Australian owned caravan manufacturer for units sold and revenue.
Founder and CEO of Crusader Caravans Serge Valentino contributes much of the company’s sustained success to quality Australian made production.
“It’s our dedication to outstanding craftsmanship, superior construction materials and stringent quality assurance processes that set us apart,” he said.
“We’ve been manufacturing high-quality caravans in Australia for more than two decades and since moving into our state-of-the art production facility in Epping in July 2022 our production capacity has doubled – to 40-to-50 vans per week; over 2000 per year.”
Serge Valentino emphasised that ‘one size (and configuration) doesn’t fit all’ when it comes to consumers’ caravan needs and the company is seeing growing demand for high-end vans as well as compact caravans.
“The increasing demand of luxurious yet highly functional caravans and compact, easy to tow models is reflected in our new 2025 range; as is our dedication to create extraordinary experiences that capture the hearts of caravan enthusiasts, from seasoned adventurers to first-timers.”
The five new product range encompasses:
- CRV range (10 models) – compact, functional feature-packed caravans
- LifeChanger range (3 models) – entry-level, affordable luxury caravans named after Crusader’s charity partner, LifeChanger Foundation, that supports youth mental health
- Musketeer range (8 models) – sophisticated yet practical, creating a space that feels like a boutique apartment
- Excalibur range (6 models) – high-end luxury with premium fittings and designer finishes for touring perfection
- XCountry range (3 models) – luxurious and durable off-road caravans equipped with top-tier off-road gear.
All models feature fully composite ‘EcoLite’ composite construction which is considered the future of caravanning manufacturing for its advantages of being lighter, stronger and having superior water resistance and insulation when compared with traditionally built caravans. Crusader is proud of its status as an industry pioneer in the adoption of composite materials – commonly used to build trucks, trams and planes – into its manufacturing. The result is a caravan that’s lighter, stronger and superior to a traditionally built model.
Each model will be built at Crusader’s Epping factory (which employs 220 staff) and undergo comprehensive QA processes – including a high pressure water spraying in the custom-built leak test facility – to help ensure every van’s readiness for Australia’s variable weather and road conditions.
Hot on the heels of winning the 2024 Caravan Industry Victoria award for Excellence in Caravan and RV Manufacturing – the highest industry accolade for exceptional design, quality, innovation, customer service and support – Crusader is also entering America’s competitive RV market.
“Our expansion into the US is a very exciting milestone for Crusader and we’ve already received our first order for 50 caravans from Florida,” Mr Valentino said.
“It is incredibly rewarding to know that the holidays and memories we are helping families create here in Australia are sought after in markets abroad. It’s also testament to our quality product, to have orders from such a competitive market.”
For more details about Crusader Caravans and its new ranges/models as well as best-in-class manufacturing and testing processes, go to crusadercaravans.com.au