On The Move Caravans continues to roll out new models, and this latest couples offroader has innovation and style in a sub $100k package.
To launch its latest model, On The Move Caravans invited journalists from RV publications to a weekend escape in the foothills of Mount Warning in northern NSW to check out the pre-production Grenade 6.3. It suited me because I was already staying in our van not far away. The crew assembled a tiny village of half a dozen different model vans for camping and a kitchen marquee on the banks of a bubbling creek. But the well-laid plans came undone when the internet crashed, along with the travel plans for half the journos. Still, it gave me plenty of time with the new model, including extended driving through the valley and hills around Tyalgum.
The company
When new owners bought On The Move Caravans, it was already considered a high-end brand and one of the industry’s foremost innovators. While it never took off commercially, one of the first models back in the day was a van with a boat garage under the cabin. So, changing the production model to a mix of locally made and offshore-produced versions seemed like a brave decision. However, at the base of the plan was a team of industry veterans with years of experience, including at the Fleetwood arm of Windsor in Western Australia and with Coromal Caravans.
The latest model includes a significant change to the van’s name. Until now, the company differentiated the locally built vans as On The Move and offshore versions at OTM. Now, all vans will be known in full, bringing all models under the same strong branding.
On The Move Caravans’ Grenade 6.3 couples van
The build
It surprised me when I learned that the cost saving for overseas production of the vans isn’t simply about wage differences. The reality is that the Chinese Government supports its industry’s automation, and the On The Move factory has invested heavily in robotics and cutting-edge machinery, reducing worker hours. So, the labour costs are lower, but not simply in the way you might think. I’m told that without this mechanisation, an equivalent locally made van would be 20–30 per cent more expensive. It’s also important to recognise that quality automation brings high levels of accuracy in the build process, which is evident in the millimetre perfect fit of the composite walls, roof and floor.
Under the van is a proprietary chassis like nothing else on the local market. Instead of the traditional 150mm x 50mm box section, there’s a tapered I-beam that ranges from 170mm–180mm. Holes punched into the 550-grade high-tensile steel form flanges that strengthen the structure and save weight. Huck rivets tie the main and cross beams together and join the tapered A-frame into a robust unit. The rivetted and punched C-section construction saves around 200kg over a traditional box-section chassis.
The suspension sits in a cradle bolted to the chassis rails, making it simple to set the wheels for optimum balance to suit different configurations. The unique suspension uses robust independent transverse 70mm wishbone arms with twin airbags and twin vertically mounted shock absorbers at each arm. The system offers a smooth ride, and the two airbags provide the security of redundancy in rugged travel. An external pump controls the airbags to set the ride height, but the company will soon offer the option of an air tank and already offers an onboard compressor for more accessible pressure adjustment.
Independent wishbone suspension with twin airbags
Airbag adjustment
The vans are built from the inside out for maximum strength and durability, locking all the elements of the body and furniture together. First, the 40mm honeycomb floor is bonded to the chassis and the furniture locks in place into CNC-cut grooves on the floor. The 30mm composite side walls then seal to the floor and furniture before the 55mm thick one-piece ends and roof lock into their respective grooves.
The sections are then locked and bolted through aluminium sections built into the panels giving a caravan body that’s solid and well-sealed against the elements.
Internal furniture is now also timber-free. The composite cabinets are built from aluminium-clad foam and fit into the walls and floor recesses to add strength.
The exterior
The latest model follows the brand’s now-familiar external theme of distinctive underpinnings on show under the high-riding body. Lots of dark colours dominate the exterior, and only a relatively shallow panel up high recognises our hot climate. Red accents to the chassis and yellow suspension sections add colour and intent, while a dark grey Raptor covering rises high to a mid-band of shiny black. I like the use of the Raptor finish as it’s easily repaired if scratched and is lighter than checkerplate in the all-important race to save weight. For added protection and a bit of offroad cred, black scrub bars run under the forward section of the van, and you could customise the colour for an individual touch.
Up front is an oversized aluminium toolbox, the first of many innovations the new model debuts. The toolbox has a slide-out for a 55L fridge on the passenger side and introduces a pair of 12V extractor fans to minimise heat. On the driver side is provision for two 4.5kg gas bottles, and up top are tiedown rails for any number of storage options. The designers have located two spare wheels to the rear of the toolbox, and I like their thinking. Three-section aluminium cages cover the wheels for security and fold out as ramps to access the spares. Anyone who has tried to lug one of these heavy spares around will appreciate the improvement.
Front toolbox and ramp to access the spares
Along the sides, we find that everywhere possible is dedicated to loads of storage. There’s a tunnel boot up front, high enough to store oversized chairs, tables and lots more, while at the back of the van is a second full-width boot and a set of lockers at each side. I was already impressed with the amount of external storage available when the team revealed a hidden gem. The rear bumper has a couple of nifty storage lockers and slides out to showcase a pair of storage drawers that will be a great place for recovery and camping gear. I’ve seen similar under ute trays, but it’s a first for a caravan for me, and it’s brilliant.
Rear storage drawers
Liveability
At 6.3m external length, the Grenade is at the larger end of what’s practical in an offroad van. So, the roomy interior is designed for a couple keen on a comfortable retreat for long-term travel. The entry is towards the front and opens to a spacious ensuite to the left and an open living space to the rear.
The kitchen splits across the central space, with a twin-door 188L compressor fridge, a six-drawer storage box on the driver’s side, and the main kitchen opposite. Everything here is on-trend and well-positioned. A black designer sink and tapware lead back to a cooktop and floor-level convection microwave. Large windows on either side, a roof hatch and strip lighting all around brighten things up.
The bed raises to the ceiling to reveal the club lounge underneath
The cooktop and convection microwave
We have seen that the new Grenade brings a raft of intelligent features, and it continues with a lifting bed for a layout that maximises the space inside the 6.3m body. Such beds might be familiar, but the designers take a different approach, fitting it between a row of high cupboards to allow extra storage, while most similar beds take the whole width of the van. There’s also no need to remove lounge cushions as the bed deploys on four web belts at the corners, while a two-stage switch avoids kids or the unwary accidentally setting the bed in motion.
With the bed raised to the ceiling, the space below reveals a club lounge with a large dining table surrounded by wide windows.
A couple of niggly finishing details in the prototype of the new model will surely be solved as the vans roll out. It could do with a cover over the bed end and the lifting mechanism when raised, but the concept itself is great.
Self-sufficiency
As standard, four 50L freshwater tanks are laid out over the suspension, but our prototype had an optional extra 100L fresh tank. With frugal use, the 200L setup should last a bit over a week. A 100L grey water tank is standard and good news for those planning for council and other restricted stays.
For shorter trips, 400W of solar power and a 200Ah battery is ample. Upgrades include 400Ah batteries and 800W of solar power, which might be more suitable for extended travel and keeping the fridge working in cloudy weather. The optioned-on dust reduction system is an important upgrade to keep the interior clean in extremely dusty conditions.
The electronics, including a Projecta PM300 charger and 2000W inverter, are in a cupboard on a slide-out panel ahead of the fridge, making for easy access and a cool, dust-free environment. It’s a neat setup that will ease maintenance and any future upgrades to the system.
A slide-out panel provides easy access to the electronics
For more information about calculating your power usage, check out this feature by John Hughes.
Towability
Our extended time with the Grenade 6.3 gave a variety of road conditions and terrain. Setting up the van for travel is a set-and-forget task of levelling the ride height to suit the tow vehicle. My 200 Series LandCruiser has a 2in Tough Dog suspension with airbags, and I generally run around 30psi when towing. With a standard Toyota tow hitch, we soon had the van levelled and ready to go.
Our journey took us along tarred rural and gravel roads, with 100km/h sections thrown into the mix. Over a couple of hours, the van towed perfectly with no hint of pitch or sway while the 10in drums stopped as they should. Tare weight is 2630kg, so a range of twin cab utes will make suitable tow vehicles as long as you keep combined and gross vehicle weights in control.
The Raptor finish is a nice touch
The bottom line
On The Move has positioned the Grenade in the competitive sub-$100k market, admittedly with only a $10 difference. What you get is impressive, even if many buyers will opt for water and power upgrades as we see as options here. The drive-away cost of $107,740 includes four-position rearview cameras and a screen, which I love for the added safety.
It’s not often that a new model has as many innovations or improvements on ideas as the new Grenade, and it makes an impressive package. The On The Move team continues to bring impressive technology and value to the local caravan scene. I can only see things getting even better as they adjust to their production model and the demands of volume the brand has created.
Measuring up
Pros
- Roomy and versatile couples van
- Sturdy offroad independent airbag suspension
- Weatherproof and well-insulated composite body
Cons
- An on-board compressor would be good
ON THE MOVE GRENADE 6.3 RATINGS
VALUE FOR MONEY
At this price, the Grenade 6.3 will attract a lot of attention
TOWABILITY
Tows without vice. Suitable towing with a range of twin cabs
SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
Couples will love the space and luxury
BUILD QUALITY
Innovate, well-considered build processes
LIVEABILITY
Loads of room and plenty of storage
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
A basic standard package will get you on the road
CUSTOMER CARE
There is a three-year warranty on the body and five years on the underpinnings. Appliances have their warranty
INNOVATION
The biggest collection of new ideas I have seen in a van
X-FACTOR
Looks tough and talks the talk
ON THE MOVE GRENADE 6.3 SPECS
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
| Body length | 6.3m (20ft 7in) |
| Overall length | 8.3m (27ft 3in) |
| Width | 2.4m (7ft 9in) |
| Height | 3.2m (10ft 5in) (air bag pressure dependent) |
| Tare | 2630kg |
| ATM | 3500kg |
| Payload | 870kg (calculated) |
| Ball weight at tare | 190kg |
| Ball to tare ratio | 7.2% (calculated) |
EXTERNAL
| Frame | Frameless |
| Cladding | Fibreglass composite |
| Chassis | Desert Master high tensile steel |
| Suspension | Esy-Tow Wishbone suspension with dual airbags |
| Coupling | Cruisemaster DO35 |
| Brakes | 10in drums |
| Wheels | 16in alloy |
| Water | 4 x 50L freshwater (200L total), 1 x 100L grey water tank |
| Battery | 200Ah lithium with Projecta PM300 |
| Inverter | 2000W |
| Solar | 400W |
| Gas | 2 x 4.5kg |
| Sway control | Not standard |
INTERNAL
| Cooking | Four-burner cooktop with grill |
| Microwave | 30L convection |
| Fridge | 188L Dometic compressor |
| Bathroom | Full width |
| Hot water | Instantaneous |
On The Move Caravans Grenade 6.3 price from $99,990
OPTIONS FITTED
- Four-way camera
- Extra 200Ah lithium battery
- Extra 100L freshwater tank
- Extra 400W solar
- On board compressor
- External TV box
- 12V dust reduction system (DRS)
On The Move Caravans Grenade 6.3 price as shown $107,740
MORE INFORMATION
18 Business Street
Yatala Qld 4207
P: 1800 668 436
THE NEXT STEP
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