Caravan review: Eden Caravans Wildtrax 19ft 6

The Wildtrax 19ft 6 by boutique caravan builder Eden Caravans has been designed for those who like to head out into the wild blue yonder with confidence.

Eden Caravans is a family-owned manufacturer based in Campbellfield, Victoria, the caravan capital of Australia. All the boutique company’s vans are built for use anywhere in Australia, which is one reason why Andrew Altschwager, dealer principal at Caravans Coffs Coast, has Eden’s caravans in his range.

A very typical example is the Wildtrax 19ft 6, an offroad caravan built to very exacting standards. The Wildtrax van is an impressive looker. Apart from anything else, the metallic grey colour stands out in the crowd, but the van also has a very purposeful air.

Structure

The body is formed by a 25mm C-section aluminium frame that is Henrob rivetted and includes metal gussets for extra strength. There’s no timber in the frame. All the cavities are filled with insulating foam and the outer cladding for the walls is a 3mm aluminium composite panel. A little differently, the roof is 32mm thick with fibreglass composite panel cladding that is hail-resistant and has high-density foam insulation. Twelve-millimetre structural ply timber is used for the floor.

A rear-door entry van, it has a front tunnel boot, drawbar storage box and an awning that matches the metallic colour of the van. Midway along the nearside wall, there’s an entertainment unit and a picnic table. Under the awning, a bright LED light illuminates things nicely by night. 

Forming the structural base of the van is a S&M Australian steel SupaGal chassis with two 100mm (4in) rails laminated together and 150mm (6in) RHS used for the drawbar. There are no surprises in the coupling choice; it’s a Cruisemaster DO35. A front stoneguard is fitted to the extended drawbar. That protects the two 9kg gas cylinders and the alloy checkerplate storage box. It has slide-outs on both sides, the nearside one for a barbecue, the offside for something like a generator. 

Eden Caravans has opted for a topline suspension in the form of a Cruisemaster XT Level 3W setup with trailing arms, twin shocks, airbags and wireless activation. The 16in alloy wheels are shod with offroad tyres and fitted with hydraulic ventilated disc brakes with DeeMaxx calipers. The stopping power of these is quite noticeable. 

For an offroad van, the Wildtrax van isn’t overly heavy. Its tare mass of 2640kg and ATM of 3500kg was easily handled by the turbo diesel RAM tow vehicle that I was using. However, while the van is not really in dual cab ute territory, a correctly loaded LandCruiser should not have a problem. The payload of 860kg is very generous and even with the gas cylinders and water tanks filled, still leaves a good capacity. 

Interior look

The Wildtrax 19ft 6 layout is a rear-door entry van with the very popular front island bed and rear bathroom setup. Along with the large windows, the white interior creates an incredibly spacious feel, nicely offset by the tan-coloured upholstery and the faux timber laminate. 

The cabinetry work is highly impressive. Clearly, the Eden team takes pride in the timberwork. And timber it is, too. The cabinets are hardwood framed with poplar ply doors and drawers, and the benchtops are made from solid timber ply. Anyone who appreciates looking at good woodwork will be impressed. 

Centre stage in the Wildtrax 19ft 6 is the cafe dinette. Its dual high-density foam seating oozes comfort, especially with wall cushions and hinged footrests. There’s nothing like kicking back in comfort with feet up. Between the seats, the multi-fold table has a mains power point and USB hub on the adjacent wall. A bonus feature is the large window that gives a great view of the scenery.

A benefit of a van this size is the large kitchen bench. The four-burner (three gas, one electric) hob with grill and adjacent sink takes up the usual space but still leaves a generous benchtop area. Four good-sized drawers slide in and out very smoothly, and together with a single cupboard, they greatly increase the storage area. A neat idea is the wire basket pantry at the rear end of the kitchen. It can be used conventionally — sliding out the basket — or the contents can be accessed by a hinged door at the end of the bench. Overhead cupboards offer more storage and house the microwave. 

For long-distance outback trips, the Dometic 224L compressor fridge is well-sized for plenty of cold drinks and essentials such as chilled prawns and prime meat steaks. Its position allows easy use from inside and out. 

Like the rest of the Wildtrax van, the bedside cabinetry is well put together. There are the expected side wardrobes and overhead lockers, but I liked the pillow cubbies with an internal light fitted. Despite the corner cupboards at the base of the bed, there’s still a decent walk-around space. 

The rear bathroom is nothing squeezy. It has all the usual accoutrements — Dometic cassette toilet, large shower cubicle and vanity cabinet — but there’s still room to turn around. Of note are the large mirror-door cabinet and the corner cupboard, kitted-out shelf space, and a drawer. Included in the vanity cabinet fit-out is a top-loading washing machine. 

Off-grid

Extended stays without facilities are quite possible with the Wildtrax’s freshwater tank capacity of 200L and a 90L grey water tank. There is the limiter of the toilet cassette, of course, but no problems on the electrical side. Two 9kg gas cylinders offer plenty of capacity for the hob/grill, external barbecue connection and water heater. 

For the battery power, there’s an Enerdrive 200Ah lithium LiFePO4 battery, three 180W solar panels (540W total capacity), an optional 2600W inverter and a 40A DC-DC charger. It’s what might be described as a no-worries system. 

Customer care

Caravans Coffs Coast has established a good reputation for service and warranty work. That’s no mean feat in the caravan industry today. Eden offers a three-year structural warranty on its caravans and the usual 12-month warranty on the OEM components. 

The bottom line

Eden Caravans is well described as a boutique manufacturer and that’s certainly reflected in the build and quality of the Wildtrax 19ft 6 van, inside and out. Designed for those who like to head out into the wild blue yonder with confidence, the Wildtrax has much to offer. Everything from its Cruisemaster suspension setup to lithium battery capacity means a well-appointed van. The price certainly reflects the high level of appointment, but for a couple who like all the comforts of a van built for the rough stuff, the Wildtrax has much to offer. 

MEASURING UP

Pros

• Spacious and bright interior
• Good payload
• Tows well
• Good workmanship, particularly the cabinetry
• Comfortable cafe dinette

Cons

• Little of note
• Very rainy day for photography

EDEN WILDTRAX 19FT 6 RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY 
Not the cheapest van on the block but the appointment level is very high

TOWABILITY
It is a very well-behaved van but definitely heavy-duty tow vehicle territory

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING 
Hitch up and head outback!

BUILD QUALITY 
No problem with the outside look but inside, the cabinetry is very well put together 

LIVEABILITY
Spacious layout with room to move

SELF-SUFFICIENCY
200Ah of Lithium battery capacity and 540W of solar power says it all

CUSTOMER CARE
Eden offers a three-year structural warranty and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty

INNOVATION 
Little things like the different design of the wire basket pantry and the pillow cubby lighting

X-FACTOR
The fit and finish of the internal cabinetry

EDEN WILTRAX 19FT 6 SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Eden Caravans Wildtrax 19ft 6 price from $124,990 (including NSW ORC)

OPTIONS FITTED

• Cruisemaster Level 3W airbag trailing arm suspension
• Disc brakes
• 2600W Enerdrive Inverter

Eden Caravans Wildtrax 19ft 6 price as shown $134,900 (including NSW ORC)

MORE INFORMATION

Caravans Coffs Coast
186 Pacific Highway
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
P: 02 6652 5523
E: sales@caravanscoffscoast.com.au

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