Caravan review: Vibe Marlo 176 | Single axle family van
The Vibe Marlo 176 packs a lot into a small package for families who like to explore off the grid.
Vibe Caravans is a relatively new name in the Australian caravan industry. Established just two years ago, Vibe manufactures in Craigieburn, Victoria. I must confess that I hadn’t heard of the manufacturer until Joe Gomes from Auswide Caravans and RVs, Nowra, very keenly showed me the range at a recent caravan show.
The Vibe range offers a selection of layouts, but I opted for one of the smallest: the Marlo 176, a single-axle van with an external body length of 17ft 6in (5.33m). It’s always helpful when the numerals in the van’s name match the external body length — that’s not something everyone does.
Tow vehicle
I was a little entertained when I arrived at Auswide. The review van was hitched up, ready to go, but the tow vehicle grabbed my amused attention. A 70 Series Toyota LandCruiser with a dual cab and an alloy tray on the back, it had a manual gearbox, something I hadn’t seen in quite a while. Dealer Gomes made the correct assumption that I was of an age when driving a manual shifter was more or less de rigueur and would not have a problem. It was a fun drive, and I like how the big turbo diesel engine rumbles away, delivering the necessary power when required. The 70 Series isn’t quite as sophisticated as some Toyota products but it still delivers.
There is some debate around some social media sites about the relative merits of single or tandem-axle caravans. I have to say that if the van is loaded correctly, I don’t reckon there’s much difference on the road. Indeed, in some offroad situations, a single-axle van has some advantages. A tandem-axle van can obviously carry more load, but there is a weight and cost saving in only having a single axle.
Although a family caravan, the Marlo 176 scores quite well in the weight department. It has an ATM of 3000kg and a tare mass of 2220kg, resulting in a payload of 780kg — ideal for a family of four. A dual-cab ute would be a suitable tow vehicle with careful loading, but a check on anticipated loading is recommended.
For a refresh on what the weights jargon means, check out our 'Caravan safety 101' article.
Goind offroad
The Marlo 176 is designed as an offroad caravan. Unsurprisingly, it comes with a Raptor-coated box section chassis with 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) main rails and a drawbar. The offroad package includes a Cruisemaster DO35 hitch and 3T independent suspension with trailing arms, coil springs, and dual shock absorbers. The 16in alloy wheels have 10in electric brakes.
Tuson sway control is a standard feature. The two 95L fresh water tanks are fitted forward of the axle, and the 100L grey water tank and associated plumbing are at the van’s rear. In keeping with the current regulations, both battery boxes are fitted to the offside front rail. The spare wheel is situated on the rear wall.
The offroad Marlo 176 comes standard with two 100Ah lithium LiFePO4 batteries, three 200W solar panels, a BMPRO BatteryPlus35-II-HA Battery Management System (BMS), and a BMPRO Mini Boost 20A DC-DC charger.
The build
Underpinned by a CNC cut plywood sheet frame, the Vibe caravan has aluminium composite walls, a one-piece fibreglass roof and a honeycomb floor. An aluminium frame is available as an option. Naturally, there’s a lower waistline of black alloy checkerplate. That same alloy is used for the well-sized storage box on the drawbar. It has barbecue/generator slides on both sides and a separate top compartment.
The Marlo 176 has quite a generous amount of external storage. In addition to the front storage box, there is a large front tunnel boot and an offside rear bin large enough to hold a front-loading washing machine. That’s quite a feat in a van this size.
The outside living items include the Sunburst Eclipse awning, a picnic table, a TV bracket, a 12V/5V USB hub, and a 240V mains socket. There are plenty of external scene LED lights: two under the awning, one above the tunnel storage, and larger ones on the front and rear walls. All are bug lights.
Making the most of space
There’s plenty of ingenuity used in achieving a family layout in a van body this length, partly done by having an entry door in the middle. Across the front is an east–west bed, and adjacent to that is an L-shaped lounge on the offside wall. Making the most of the space is the nearside kitchen bench, leaving the rear area for two wall-side bunk beds and a corner bathroom. It’s a layout that makes great use of the available space.
The two bunk beds measure 1.83m x 0.63m (6ft x 2ft 1in) and are well-appointed with a window for natural light, reading light, and USB point. A space-saving ply timber cutout ladder gives access to the top bunk. Three good-sized drawers and some storage slots are under the lower bunk. If a triple bunk van is required, storage space would be less.
Downsized washroom
The rear bathroom layout (tucked in the nearside corner) is a neat design compromise. There’s just enough area for a separate shower cubicle and a Thetford ceramic bowl cassette toilet. Both have fan hatches above to ventilate the relatively small area. Even with those features taking up the floor area, there’s still enough room for a small vanity cabinet with a pedestal wash basin, wall mirror and two overhead lockers.
Dining and catering
Vibe has done well with the kitchen — I’ve seen smaller kitchen benches in larger vans. It is well put together, like the cabinetry in the rest of the van. The 274L Thetford 12V compressor fridge is suitable for a family. It butts up against the bathroom wall and is mounted off the floor for easy access.
Fitted into the benchtop is a black granite sink and a Thetford four-burner hob/grill with the usual single electric burner and three gas rings. Five drawers (one under the fridge) and a single cupboard are built into the bench. The NCE microwave is in the usual position adjacent to the lone overhead locker.
Opposite the kitchen, the L-shaped lounge and table are, as with many family vans, not quite large enough, but the bed does offer an extra, if slightly high, seat. The lounge cushions are well upholstered and there are power points and reading lights on either side of the window. One of the overhead lockers holds the BMPRO BMS but the other two are uncluttered and there’s a drawer under the seat below.
East–west bed
The main bed bed is a transverse setup, probably the only alternative in a van this size. There are windows on either side and the front wall covering matches the lounge upholstery. The person nearest the wall gets a reading light and power point but the inboard occupant will have to use the nearby lounge reading light. The innerspring pillowtop mattress measures 1.9m x 1.53m (6ft 3in x 5ft) for nighttime comfort. There is a wardrobe and drawer at the foot of the bed and overhead lockers along the front wall. For additional storage, there’s also a large drawer under the bed.
The bottom line
Vibe’s 17ft 6in Marlo is a refreshing entrant into the world of family caravans. The fit and finish are quite good, and there’s a high level of appointment. It’s quite a small van but the manufacturer has managed to squeeze a fair bit in without too much compromise. It’s ideal for a family that doesn’t desire a large van but needs all the essentials.
Measuring up
Pros
- Ideal for mid-sized tow vehicles
- External length is only 5.33m (17ft 6in)
- Plenty of storage options and included in creative ways
- Pleasant interior look
- Internal drawer capacity
Cons
- Basic bunk ladder
- Vibe website under maintenance
VIBE MARLO 176 RATINGS
VALUE FOR MONEY
It’s not the cheapest van on the block but it does have plenty of features
TOWABILITY
A good towing prospect for a range of vehicles
SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
Single axle van with offroad suspension and family layout – ticks all the boxes
BUILD QUALITY
Looks to be well constructed
LIVEABILITY
Fairly tight interior for a family but nothing too impractical
SELF SUFFICIENCY
Has a generous battery and solar capacity and a standard water tank volume
CUSTOMER CARE
Three years body and structural warranty with individual OEM warranties on supplied components
INNOVATION
Smaller items like the rear offside storage make a difference
X-FACTOR
Ample storage inside, instead of just empty space
VIBE MARLO 176 SPECS
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
| Body length | 5.33m (17ft 6in) |
| Overall length | 7.75m (25ft 5in) |
| Width (incl awn) | 2.44m (8ft) |
| Height (incl AC) | 3.16m (10ft 4in) |
| Tare | 2220kg |
| ATM | 3000kg |
| Payload | 780kg (calculated) |
| Ball weight | 200kg |
| Ball to tare ratio | 9% (calculated) |
EXTERNAL
| Frame | CNC cut plywood sheet |
| Cladding | Aluminium composite walls, fibreglass roof, honeycomb floor |
| Chassis | Raptor coated, DuraGal box section 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) rails and drawbar |
| Suspension | 3T Independent coil spring with dual shock absorbers |
| Coupling | Cruisemaster DO35 |
| Brakes | 10in elec |
| Wheels | 16in alloy |
| Water | 2 x 95L fresh, 1 x 100L grey |
| Battery | 2 x 100Ah lithium |
| Solar | 3 x 200W |
| Air-conditioner | Gree N186 roof mount |
| Gas | 2 x 4kg |
| Sway control | Tuson |
INTERNAL
| Cooking | Thetford four-burner and grill |
| Fridge | Thetford T1274E 274L 12V compressor |
| Bathroom | Separate shower and Thetford ceramic bowl cassette |
| Hot water | Swift 28L gas/electric |
Vibe Marlo 176 price from $92,990
OPTIONS FITTED
Nil
Vibe Marlo 176 price as shown $92,990
MORE INFORMATION
Auswide Caravans and RVs
250 Princes Highway
Nowra, NSW 2541
P: 02 4421 2055
E: joe@caravandealer.com.au
* Please note, this is a 2023 spec van. Vibe Caravans is constantly working to improve its brand and the 2024 spec Marlo 176 features a sandwich panel roof, Baintech electrical system with 40A DC charger and a 2000W inverter as standard. Contact info@vibecaravans.com for further information and a brochure of the 2024 spec inclusions.
THE NEXT STEP
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