Caravan review: Spinifex EpiX Premier offroad couples van

Queensland boasts some of our best offroad caravan builders and this latest van from Spinifex Caravans shows that our northern neighbours have what it takes to produce something special as John Ford discovered.

In brief:

• Capable offroad and off-grid
• Set up for couples
• Needs a high-end tow vehicle

Spinifex Caravans is a boutique caravan builder on the Sunshine Coast of Southern Queensland. It specialises in quality, custom builds for customers who want to travel far and stay away for extended times. Each of the caravans that leaves the Deception Bay factory is numbered and competition can be strong for prime numbers as we saw a few years back with Steve Caunt’s amazing blue wonder, number 400.

Spinifex owners join a welcoming community of fellow travellers and keep in touch with each other and the factory, creating a bond and a great source of feedback and suggestions for change. Once owned, the vans are closely held, with many owners only relinquishing their van when they order a newer version. Some owners are on their fourth Spinifex, updating to a new one as electronics improve.

I expected a lot for this review. After all, Spinifex was Caravan of the Year (COTY) winner in 2023 with a model that company owners Elise and Steve Thompson took on a three-month trek straight after the event. As much as we loved the extra care taken with that event winner, the latest version here — number 560, by the way — is a step above in contemporary design.

The EpiX Premier has an alluring ambience across the interior that adds to its x-factor and heightens its liveability. But before we took the review van out on the road, I toured the Spinifex factory to see into the build process as vans advanced along the production line.

Plenty of external storage for extended stays away from it all

Like many premier caravan builders, Spinifex keeps as much of the construction as possible in-house. The process starts with its designers working on computerised CAD programs to best match layouts with optimum liveability and weight distribution. The team needs to consider the implications of payload, water capacity and suspension dynamics to get things right. The proof of their success was on show when we hit the road because this EpiX Premier is among the best balanced I have experienced, and it towed exceptionally well despite a tare weight of well over 3T.

Two fabricators are dedicated to the metalwork, including the proprietary chassis and toolboxes. The same applies to the aluminium frame, the beautifully crafted furniture and electrical installation. Consistent excellence is achieved by employing a tight-knit team of 20 workers — many of whom have been with the business for years. Close attention to quality control also minimises warranty problems by doing things correctly the first time.

The EpiX chassis is a laminated combination of three 75mm x 50mm (3in x 2in) BlueScope steel sections forming an immensely strong and rigid entity. Up front is the hefty 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) A-frame, which includes an engineered ladder bar below for added strength at this high-stress point. Once the chassis fabrication is complete, it’s sent for hot dip galvanising to ensure a lifetime of rust protection.

Aluminium U-channel sections join together with rivets and interlocking cutouts at the corners for a frame that moves enough with the undulations of the terrain to avoid cracking but is otherwise inherently robust and rot-free to last miles of rough treatment. An external cladding of reinforced 4mm core-matt fibreglass covers the walls and roof for superior weather protection, while the floor is a single 20mm composite panel. High density foam fills all voids for insulation.

All the joinery is hand-built in-house and has a high-class finish throughout. Upholstery is also a step above. I particularly liked the dinette lounge, which was crafted from Scottish leather and padded with pillow top inserts that contoured comfortably into shape.

Getting offroad with the Spinifex EpiX Premier

Over the years, I have spent more time lying (the honest kind, under caravans) than most folk and the EpiX held my attention for quite a while. The triple-laminated chassis is unusual and impressive. Nothing is bolted on, so it’s a single piece of engineering from the drawbar to the sturdy rear tyre carrier and wood box. All the water tanks are protected in shiny aluminium propeller plate, and that’s a feat because there are six tanks across five 80L freshwater tanks (400L total) and an 80L grey water tank. The iRV composting toilet will help save water, so long showers are the go.

The black tapware and sink continue into the bathroom, with an iRV composting toilet aiding extended off-grid staysCruisemaster ATX suspension

Cruisemaster’s independent suspension is built for rough road travel. The Cruisemaster ATX suspension with the all-new body control system including horizon levelling and an auto tyre inflation system coupled with the adjustable dampening shock absorbers is a serious upgrade from the standard shocks. The top of the top-of-the-line system has the latest M60 Unleashed piggyback shock absorbers. At $1900 apiece, the four M60s look the part with their stainless-steel guards and, as we found later, they do a great job. A stainless-steel chassis-mounted air tank delivers a fast variation of airbag pressure through remote control operation. Black alloy ROH Hammer wheels are rated to 1550kg and shod with Venom Power 285x70/17 AT tyres, while stopping power is via electronically activated 12in discs. Up front, the Cruisemaster DO45 hitch mounts on an OZ Glide airbag system to reduce shock through to the drawbar on rough tracks.

It’s not a small couples van by any means, but the extra length allows for a roomy interior

A couples layout

Spinifex uses the interior length to denote its models, so this 21ft 6in (6.55m) review van looks big if you are used to the more accepted external length. However, it’s a deft sleight of hand that delivers more room than you might expect. The actual body length is 21ft 9in or 6.62m, so it is larger than average and delivers a roomy couples interior, with the option of bunks for a family edition.

A rear entry/front bed design is my favourite as it offers maximum privacy for the sleeping quarters and reduces foot traffic to the ensuite from the outside. You notice the extra length too, with an extended kitchen bench and a driver-side club lounge with space to seat four.

A contemporary interior with a front bed/rear door layout

Roomy club lounge thanks to the extra length

Large windows and white walls, including a funky tile splashback, lend a bright and well-ventilated impression warmed by pale timber cupboards with minimalist handles. Like the COTY winner, this van eschews overhead cupboards at the bed, preferring the cleaner open look. However, storage under the bed and in a linen press in the bathroom make up for the loss of storage. A tunnel boot and hatches add to external carrying capacity. Also, outside is a slide-out electric barbecue, and a second fridge is also on a slide. On the driver’s side, I noted a neat and handy storage bin behind the fridge to store hoses, power cables and other items for setting up camp.

A handy storage compartment for all your camping gear

Living off-grid

The only gas in the EpiX Premier is in the struts for lifting the bed because Spinifex continues its charge to full electric. Five 400W SunPower solar panels top up a sealed rack of four ZRPG lithium 48V 100Ah batteries through a Victron MultiPlus inverter/charger. Spinifex techs are quoting the system as the equivalent of 1600Ah at 12V. The batteries are located in a sealed compartment under the lounge and the control panel is in a cupboard above for easy monitoring.

There’s plenty of power onboard this all-electric van

Whichever way you look at it, the system produces a staggering amount of power, enough to stay off-grid indefinitely, especially considering the Victron can charge at 100A from the tow vehicle in extended rainy weather. Appliances include a Thetford 274L fridge, a slide-out external fridge/freezer, a 23L microwave, a 3.4kW Webasto air-conditioner and two single 2400W induction cooktops, which will all run happily on the batteries. Heating on battery power isn’t efficient, so a Webasto diesel heater takes care of hot water and keeps the cabin warm.

For more information on powering your off-grid setup, check out our guide to off-grid power management. 

How did the tow test go?

For our review, the team planned a 400km day in the mountains west of the Sunshine Coast. The trip gave us a motorway, rural roads, steep mountain climbs and bush tracks as we wound our way to Kenilworth and into the wilds of Booloumba Creek camping area. We have seen that the EpiX is an oversized example of offroad caravanning. It weighs 3380kg empty, and its 1120kg payload takes it to 4.5T, so you need an upgraded tow vehicle to keep it legal and safe. Happily, company owner Steve Thompson had taken delivery of a new Chev Silverado 2500 designed for such a task.

With a 4500kg ATM, the EpiX Premier requires a powerful tow vehicle like the Chev Silverado 2500 we used

When hooked up to the Chev, the Spinifex looked great and was less bulky against the big tow rig. Its predominantly white body has lower layers of black, matching the uber-cool black Silverado. Right away, it was clear the big American truck didn’t lack power. Unlike the Donald, my new favourite word isn’t tariffs; it’s Duramax. The Duramax 6.6L V8 turbo diesel pumps out 1322Nm and 332kW, and the latest version boasts 25 per cent more torque at low revs. Compare that to a 300 Series LandCruiser’s 700Nm and 227kW, and the Japanese favourite seems puny, and in standard trim, it is not a legal proposition to tow the EpiX.

The Chev is also much larger than the 300 Series. It’s 283mm wider, 89mm higher and a whopping 1.4m longer so its not shopping centre friendly. What it is good at is eating up the miles. On the motorway, we sat back in cosseted armchair comfort as the big V8 purred away at 1600rpm at 110km/h and around 16L/100km, which I think is very good economy. (Queensland has a less restrictive motorway speed limit, and the 100km/h restriction comes in at 12T GVM. Many states, including NSW, have a 4.5T cutoff point that restricts you to 100km/h).

The Silverado didn’t skip a beat when we hit the steep climbs around Malany. Its power on hills and for overtaking was terrific. During all our travels, including rough tracks and water crossings, the van towed perfectly behind. The OZ Glide suspension hitch didn’t bang or lurch, and the van was utterly stable in corners and over undulations. The disc brake setup also provided smooth and powerful stopping power.

The Cruisemaster DO45 hitch mounts on an OZ Glide airbag system to reduce shock through to the drawbar on rough tracks

Final thoughts on the Spinifex EpiX Premier

Expectations of the caravanning public have changed post-COVID as more couples and families take to the road for extended, remote travel. We now find lots of popular places are overcrowded to the extent that restrictions and closures are becoming more common. So, it’s no wonder those with the budget are looking for comfortable and self-sufficient vans to find more remote spots to setup camp. Even five years ago, a $200k van was rare. Now, it’s common for a high-end offering like the EpiX Premier.

Pricing starts at $235k; extras like an external kitchen, fridge slide-out and black tapware add $10k. Is that good value? Many buyers think so, with the waitlist for a van still out to six months. Compared to its peers, Spinifex scores well in value for money. It’s a well-engineered offroader with a unique interior style, remarkable self-sufficiency and a brand that scores well in resale value.

The reviewed model included an optional external kitchen with an electric barbecue and extra fridge

Measuring up

Pros

• Tows exceptionally well
• Leading solar power technology
• Beautiful contemporary interior

Cons

• Needs a big tow truck and a big wallet

SPINIFEX EPIX PREMIER RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY

You get a lot for your outlay

TOWABILITY

Exceptional manners on the road but needs an upgraded tow rig

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

Made to travel far and stay long

BUILD QUALITY

Top-class engineering and interior fit-out

LIVEABILITY

Room to move and has all the proper equipment

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Leading solar technology and ample water

CUSTOMER CARE

Spinifex has a high reputation and does things well the first time

INNOVATION

Spinifex is doing its own thing, and the vans look great

X-FACTOR

There’s plenty to boast about with this setup

SPINIFEX EPIX PREMIER SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Spinifex EpiX Premier price from $235,000

OPTIONS FITTED

• Webasto Air Top 2000 STC diesel heater
• Exterior kitchen
• Fridge slide-out
• Acrylic splashbacks
• Black sink and tap pack

Spinifex EpiX Premier price as shown $245,000

MORE INFORMATION

Spinifex Caravans

21 Imboon Street

Deception Bay Qld 4508

P: 07 3888 2221

THE NEXT STEP

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