Caravan review: My Dream RV 18ft Dream Delight

My Dream RV might be the new kid on the block, but the team certainly knows the industry and have a comprehensive plan to deliver quality models into the market.

The last few years have witnessed several new caravan brands emerging in the local market. Some might be considered risky at best, with minimum experience and a shallow pool of financial resources. There’s an old saying about the Melbourne caravan industry that suggests all you need to start a caravan business is a staple gun and a box of silicon, but that has changed with new rules around the Recreational Vehicle Standards Approvals (RVSA) compliance.

The company

With that in mind, seeing a fresh and professional approach from the team fronting the recent start-up, My Dream RV, is encouraging if experience and deep pockets are anything to go by. The owners have backgrounds at the head of significant caravan companies, as a leader of production and a successful owner of a large mining company. They came together as spectators at their children’s soccer games and hatched the plan to shake up the local caravan scene with an innovative approach.

When we visited My Dream RV’s purpose-built manufacturing and sales facility in Epping, north of Melbourne, the paint was fresh on the impressive office fit-out, and the spacious showroom was taking shape. Talking about shape, the showroom display stocked a range of models, all with the distinctive rounded shape of the van’s front end, which was chosen from among more than 800 designs.

A well-rounded build

The van on review is the company’s 18ft touring model in the Dream Delight range. It joins a 20ft family version in the same range and six models in the offroad-oriented Dream Catcher lineup, so the overall offering from My Dream RV fills the most popular sections of the market without overstretching resources. The company was among the first to meet RVSA standards, adding an aura of professionalism to the story.

Under the van is a black powder-coated Proline 100mm x 50mm box chassis that connects to a 150mm x 50mm A-frame at the spring hangers. Suspension is a simple leaf spring arrangement on a beam axle without shock absorbers. Light truck tyres with an all-terrain pattern cover the black spoked 15in alloy wheels, and stopping power is from 10in electric drums. 

Good attention to detail under the van includes waterproof Deutsch electrical connectors to the brakes, all wiring and plumbing secured neatly out of the way and beautifully executed welds on the chassis rails.

The designers have chosen to stick with the traditional meranti frame construction because a properly built timber van has the advantages of light weight, flexibility and economies of production. Timber gets a bad rap due to the poor process of some builders. If done with the diligent sealing seen in the Dream Delight, timber vans will last for years with regular maintenance. When we visited the production line, the extra care in cutting and assembling the timber frame was apparent. The timber is cut methodically so that joins are square and even. Notches for electrical leads are neatly spaced with good separation of 12V and 240V power. The team fills voids in the wall and roof frames with insulating material before cladding the exterior with aluminium composite panels and a lower skirt of black checkerplate. Unlike most vans, the floor comprises sections of marine ply over metal supports, which My Dream RV believes is more robust. When I stepped aboard it certainly gave a firm feeling underfoot. 

Exterior features

A 50mm ball hitch up front simplifies connecting the van and underlines the Dream Delight’s mainly on-road credentials. Only a couple of 9kg gas bottles share the A-frame with a removable jockey wheel, so there’s ample room to swing the handle. Even so, I’d like to see something like a BOS drill-powered jack that can stay in place when travelling. A brass tap has a guard against flying stones, and a stoneguard is an option if you plan on hitting some gravel roads. The review van features gold-coloured front and rear panels that impart a distinctive look, especially as the colours change from actual gold through various tones to green as the sun angle moves. 

Along the passenger side are a touring van’s usual features, including a neatly lined full-width tunnel boot, a picnic table, external marine speakers, a 15ft awning and a TV mount with power outlets. Fittings and the alloy wheels are finished in satin black for a modern look, and simple graphic lines help with the well-balanced and contemporary appeal.

At the back, the single spare wheel sits on a two-arm bar. Lights are bright LEDs, and repeater parking lights up high ensure you will be seen at night. A Safety Dave reversing camera is standard.

A dreamy interior

It’s refreshing to see the release of a new van with the traditional character of an Australian couples touring van but with up-to-date equipment and style. When stepping aboard, the Dream Delight lived up to its name because the impeccable finish and warm colour scheme immediately made me feel at home. Especially given this is an 18ft van, the amount of space and usability is impressive and proves that bigger isn’t always better. There are a lot of advantages of a smaller van, including less weight and better manoeuvrability, so this might be the ideal size for many couples.

The chosen layout is the most popular across the mid-size caravan section, with the bed up front and the entry and bathroom down the back. You lose a bit of bench space compared to an entry near the bed, but the trade-off is more privacy and easy access to the ensuite. Colours are contemporary and calming, with large areas of white walls against glossy mocha joinery and beautifully crafted microfibre upholstery. 

Locating the kitchen along the passenger side makes sense as it gives direct access to the outside for serving snacks or meals. Lots of big drawers and overhead cupboards should store enough dry food for longer trips, and there’s also a slide-out pantry for cans and bottles.

For meals, there’s a choice of a microwave over the fridge or a Mobicool gas/electric cooktop and mini grill. Refrigeration is a decent-sized Dometic 173L fridge/freezer with gas or electric power options. Well-padded lounges at the cafe dinette allow a couple to dine comfortably or stretch out to relax against the side-mounted backrests. More storage is under the seat bases and in a small cupboard below the wall end of the folding table.

Up front, a padded bedhead adds to the luxe interior, while the extra space of the rounded front end adds a handy storage nook for books and personal items. Access to the island bed is easy, and the bed lifts on struts for more storage space.

Most couples in this style of van expect a roomy and well-appointed ensuite. The eighteen-footer doesn’t disappoint with a large single-piece moulded shower with an instant hot water system and a vanity with room enough for the essentials and generous storage. Tucked into the corner is a top-load washer that still leaves good elbow room around the cassette toilet.

Off the beaten track

While the Dream Delight is predominately a main-road tourer, it’s classified as a semi-offroader with enough off-grid personality to spend a few days away from the crowds. The standard setup is a single 195W roof-mounted solar panel feeding a chassis-mounted 130Ah AGM battery through a BMPRO 35A charger. The wiring is as good as you will find, and the BMPRO Odyssey link monitors the system from your phone.

Two 9kg gas bottles take care of cooking, and the three-way fridge when away from power, or you can swap over to 240V when staying in a caravan park. The single 95L water tank might limit off-grid forays, but there’s provision for a second tank if you want to spend more time in the bush. Given that the gas provides cooking and heating, the single battery isn’t overworked, powering only the lights and the TV or radio.

The tow test

Our tow vehicle for our 150km round trip to Riddells Creek north of Melbourne was the very spicy and rare Mercedes-Benz X350d twin cab ute. Sadly, given its smooth ride and performance, it’s no longer in production, but the 190kW from the 3L V6 Mercedes-Benz engine was more than adequate for the 2458kg van at empty. The van towed smoothly and without any bad habits over the review course and along some rougher dirt tracks in search of a photographic location. Standard BMPRO sway control is on hand if needed, but with proper weight distribution, you shouldn’t have to call on it to keep safe.

While the Merc isn’t an option for new buyers, many mid-range tow vehicles will suit. ATM is 3200kg, so it misses out on the Prado if you load it to over 3T, but most of the twin cab variants will pair well with the Dream Delight. 

The bottom line

The My Dream RV range stands out as a well-built brand with a pleasing and distinctive appeal. The warranty covers five years on the underpinnings, three on the body and interior and the typical period for appliances.

At $78,990 the Dream Delight is a sharply priced van that will appeal to couples wanting a comfortable mid-size model that’s easy to tow and easy on the eye. I guess we will see more and more of the distinctively shaped vans on the road as buyers recognise the brand’s value and high build quality. 

HITS AND MISSES

Hits

• Good layout for a touring couple
• Well-appointed interior 
• Sensible weight will match to most twin cab utes

Misses

• Limited kitchen bench space

MY DREAM RV 18FT DREAM DELIGHT RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY
A well-priced and well-finished van with most of the things needed for touring

TOWABILITY
Sensible weight and well balanced. Standard ESC is a good safety backup

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
Designed for mainly onroad touring and short stays off-grid. Capable of moderate corrugated roads when sensibly driven

BUILD QUALITY
Beautifully finished inside and out

LIVEABILITY
Proves a mid-size van can deliver on comfort and space

SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Limited off-grid capacity which can be upgraded

CUSTOMER CARE 
Five years on the chassis and suspension and three on the living space is better than many brands

INNOVATION
Well-considered storage options and a fresh approach to design

X-FACTOR
The well-balanced design stands out with the distinctive curved front panel

MY DREAM RV 18FT DREAM DELIGHT SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

My Dream RV 18ft Dream Delight price from $78,990

MORE INFORMATION

My Dream RV 
7 Nexus Road
Epping Vic 3076
P: 0439 392 080 / 03 7042 1009
E: mathew@mydreamrv.com.au

THE NEXT STEP

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