Caravan review: Exodus 16 couples offroad hybrid

With a stylish look and a construction that many boat-builders would be familiar with, the Exodus 16 hybrid is ideal for couples looking for a compact offroader.

In brief:

• 4.8m (15ft 9in) single-axle hybrid
• Fully moulded fibreglass body
• Cruisemaster ATX coil spring suspension
• Forward hinged pop-top roof

When I turned up to look over the Exodus 16 hybrid, I was a little surprised to find the very new owners, Jan Boswell and Chris Hill, there too, along with their dog, Sprocket. The couple was very excited about their brand-new hybrid and gave me some interesting insights into their reasons for purchase. They are old hands in recreational vehicle travel, having previously owned a Supreme caravan and, more recently, a Jurgens TuffTrax. One of the reasons for the Exodus 16 purchase was the couple’s desire to upsize to a slightly bigger van with better ensuite facilities. “We’re ageing gracefully,” Jan told me. “We wanted a few more comforts but without a large van to tow”.

New owners Jan and Chris relax under the awning of their new Exodus 16 hybrid

The build

The Exodus 16 is built by the manufacturer formerly known as Complete Campsite. Unlike many hybrids, the Exodus is constructed entirely in Australia — Newcastle, NSW. It’s also built differently from most hybrids and caravans, using a technique familiar to many boat builders and European caravan manufacturers. The single-piece, hand-laid moulded fibreglass body forms the main structure with a hinged fibreglass roof on top. As any boat builder will tell you, it results in a strong structure, one that doesn’t have to rely totally on the chassis for build strength.

The fibreglass roof is hinged and opens like a clam

Underneath the body, the chassis is hot-dipped galvanised with 100mm (4in) RHS main rails and a 150mm (6in) drawbar. There’s less cross-member steelwork than most caravans/hybrids have. The sub-chassis area has a clean look, with nothing dangling down to get damaged on rough tracks. An option on the Exodus 16 is a bike rack designed to fit around the drawbar storage box. It’s quite a clever arrangement but requires a bit of physical ability to lift the bikes.

Storage compartments and bike rack on the drawbar

The hybrid has an ATM of 2800kg and a tare mass of 1850kg, resulting in a payload of 950kg, thus making it ideal for any dual cab ute or an older vehicle, like the Land Rover Defender that Chris likes to drive.

As an offroad hybrid, it’s well-equipped in the suspension department with Cruisemaster ATX coil springs and shock absorbers. Cruisemaster also supplies the DO35 hitch. Then consider the narrow, compact design and you’ve got a nimble offroader that will fit down tight tracks with ease.

The Exodus offers plenty of external storage for a 4.8m (15ft 9in) van. There are ample storage bins at the front and a drawbar storage box — more than enough for all the bits and pieces carried on a camping trip. The gas cylinders have a compartment within the drawbar box. One of the external bins contains a diesel-fired Webasto EVO5 Hydronic water heater. Instead of directly heating the water, the EVO5 has a glycol tank that heats water via a heat exchange. Innovatively, the EVO5 can have a fan heater attached, which can be used as a space heater.

Lots of external storage

Staying outside

Jan and Chris were looking for a good external slide-out kitchen — “we love living outdoors,” Jan enthused. The Exodus 16 delivers with its slide-out stainless-steel kitchen that sits parallel to the van and rides on purpose-designed ball-bearing runners. In addition, there’s a slide-out EvaKool 95L fridge and large slide-out stainless-steel drawers. It’s a very impressive arrangement that includes a pantry area built into the wall of the hybrid. A clever little idea is the plastic table stored above the kitchen when travelling. The Fiamma awning covers the entire kitchen area.

The external kitchen was one of the attractions for Chris and Jan

Step aboard

Setting up the hybrid doesn’t take long, particularly as an electrically operated actuator raises the roof. Inside, the layout is quite simple. A queen bed occupies most of the front area, but that still leaves plenty of room for the pair of seats, corner ensuite and rear internal kitchen.

The Lagun-mounted dining table can be easily moved around

The bed, measuring 2.05m x 1.53m (6ft 7in x 5ft), sits off the floor somewhat but is easily accessed by using the seats on both sides as a step. The bed head has wand reading lights on both sides and device charger points. Behind the pillow are a couple of storage compartments.

Around the bed, good-sized windows are fitted into the front and offside walls. There’s a smaller window on the nearside, mainly because some helpful cupboard space fills the rest of the wall area. For extra ventilation, there’s a fan hatch in the ceiling. Behind the floor hatch under the bed is where the battery charger, inverter and associated electrics are to be found.

Electrics access

Two people will comfortably sit in the twin lounges. When mealtime comes around, the Lagun-mounted table is easily fitted into position. Like the bed, there are windows on both sides, with the extra bonus of screened windows in the roof gusset above.

Compact but convenient

Across the back wall, the compact nature of this rig is obvious. There’s a small kitchen with a smoked glass-topped stainless-steel sink. That leaves a nominal amount of benchtop area but a more generous amount of drawer capacity. Under the benchtop is where a Simarine touchpad, inverter controls, light switches and a roof switch are located. That, in addition to the 240V power point and charger hub above, makes it the electrical centre of the van.

Compact kitchen at the rear

Jan and Chris like the internal bathroom’s convenience. They find the shower as comfortable as you’d expect and are getting used to the composting toilet, which they haven’t used before. “We like the self-sufficiency capability,” Chris told me, “It’s better than a cassette toilet.”

Jan and Chris optioned on an internal combo ensuite

On the subject of self-sufficiency, the Exodus 16 is well equipped electrically. There are three 120Ah lithium batteries, 760W of solar panel capacity and a 2000W inverter. Given the hybrid van has a gas hob and no air-conditioner, that’s plenty of capacity for extended stays off the grid, provided a little bit of care is taken with water usage — the main freshwater tank has a 120L capacity and there is a 100L underbody tank for 220L total.

Water tank fillers are readily accessible, yet out of sight

Planning to head off the beaten track for an extended period? Read our guide to power management here.

Customer care

Exodus Off Road Campers offers a lifetime warranty on the chassis and GRP (aka fibreglass moulded) body. There’s a two-year warranty on all other work done by Exodus. The original manufacturer’s warranty covers items like the electrical fittings and windows. Warranty work must be handled by Exodus.

Final thoughts on the Exodus 16 hybrid

Chris and Jan have travelled extensively. I asked them their favourite destination, and they said, “anywhere with blue sky and red dirt”. There’s no doubt that Exodus 16 is well-equipped for a destination like that. What impressed me was the overall build of the hybrid van, particularly the moulded fibreglass body and the weight-saving features. If the aim is to have a compact van that can travel narrow offroad tracks, offer a primarily external lifestyle with a few internal comforts — that’s what the Exodus 16 offers, and exactly what Jan and Chris wanted.

Measuring up

Pros

• Fully moulded fibreglass body
• Well-equipped external kitchen
• Longer than standard bed
• Composting toilet
• Storage capacity, inside and out

Cons

• Compact interior space
• Price point may not be for everyone

Note: External ensuite is standard

Although my review van had an internal ensuite, it’s an option included on this reviewed model. In standard form, the Exodus 16 has an external canvas ensuite that fits along the rear wall. It comes complete with a toilet and shower but does add to the setup time. Not having an internal ensuite does give more space inside, but for a couple I know what I’d be opting for!

The add-on canvas ensuite is standard

EXODUS 16 RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY

It’s hidden, but much of the value in this hybrid van lies in the engineering and building

TOWABILITY

Easy towing by a wide range of mid-sized vehicles

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

It is well designed for getting outback, either on rough roads or smooth highways

BUILD QUALITY

A few minor issues, but the overall structure is good

LIVEABILITY

Adequate interior space and well set up for the outdoor lifestyle

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

High capacity 12V electrical system along with the composting toilet means that the water usage is the real limiter

CUSTOMER CARE

Two years manufacturer warranty, lifetime on chassis and body structure. OEM warranty on items like suspension and windows

INNOVATION

Moulded fibreglass body structure with lighter weight chassis

X-FACTOR

A great looking and well set up hybrid

EXODUS 16 SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Exodus 16 price from $136,550

OPTIONS FITTED

• Internal ensuite

  Bike racks

Exodus 16 price as shown $139,147.50

MORE INFORMATION

Complete Campsite / Exodus Off Road Campers

39B Munibung Road

Cardiff NSW 2285

P: 0412 656 271

THE NEXT STEP

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