Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 Bunk reviewed at Caravan of the Year 2025 presented by MSA 4X4 Accessories

Great looks, quality engineering, contemporary style — the Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 Bunk is a quality family van that will turn heads wherever it goes.

Few would argue that the Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 was one of the best-looking vans at this year’s Caravan of the Year event. The sandy colour palette celebrated the tough edge of early LandCruisers, but everything about the van reflected the best of contemporary engineering and style.

MALCOLM STREET — CARAVAN WORLD FIELD EDITOR

Build quality

Starting inside, the Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 is a very well put together caravan. Given that the owners of the Prime Edge Caravans brand started making benchtops and cabinetry before moving to constructing caravans, it is not surprising that the van interior looks very well put together. All the cabinetry is CNC cut and interlocked to ensure strength and light weight. Laminated post-form benchtops and the fibreglass-lined interior walls are designed to be hard wearing. All the cupboard doors and drawers open and close smoothly. Soft closing is a feature, and the latches operate positively. Using wall coverings that match the seat upholstery is a visual touch that works well.

Around the outside, the dusty gold/sand-coloured exterior colour is attractive, as is the lower waistline of X-Plate. Together with the very stylish-looking drawbar storage and practical rear bar, these give the van a very purposeful look.

The dusty gold/sandy exterior and X-Plate is very stylishPractical storage on the rear bar

Prime Edge is very keen to point out that it uses a Henrob riveted aluminium body frame for all its caravans, including the Warrior. Like any good manufacturer, Prime Edge used grommets on all the cable runs. The wall cladding is PROBOND aluminium composite, and a fibreglass panel is used with XPS insulation for the roof. The body is mounted on a SupaGal chassis with 100mm (4in) main rails, a 50mm (2in) raiser and 150mm (6in) RHS for the drawbar. An effort has been made to lighten the chassis by using dimple press cross members.

Suitability for intended touring

Prime Edge’s Warrior is a family van with a front east–west bed and a rear area with bunks and a bathroom. Like many family vans, the sleeping accommodation is good, but the dining area is not really large enough for a family to sit around, especially if there are teenagers along.

For some, a longer van would result in a roomier layout, but the shorter body length’s advantage on offroad tracks has some appeal. To handle those same offroad tracks, the van is fitted with Cruisemaster XT independent suspension, which comes with airbags and dual shock absorbers per wheel.

Cruisemaster XT independent suspension

A look under the van reveals that Prime Edge likes to do a neat job with all the cabling and pipework. Corrugated PVC is used to protect all the piping and cabling under the van, and the use of X-Plate for protective sheeting is an interesting touch. Grey water tank drain piping is often located behind the offside rear wheel, making it vulnerable to road damage, but the battery box in the same location does a nice job of protecting the PVC pipe.

There’s a very generous area of external storage which is ideal for those planning long-term travel. The gull wing storage boxes on the drawbar are generously sized. There’s a standard tunnel boot and extra storage bins on both sides. At the rear, the purpose-built wheel carrier/jerry can holder/firewood box adds an extra dimension.

Great storage on the front bar

There’s certainly plenty of lithium LiFePO4 battery and solar panel capacity for off-grid living. While the water tank capacity is OK, the cassette toilet, particularly for a family, is going to be limiting. But more on all this later.

Towability

For a 19ft 6in (5.95m) caravan, the Warrior isn’t excessively heavy for an offroad van. Its ATM of 3500kg and 2829kg tare weight put it in Toyota LandCruiser towing territory. Our tow vehicle was a dual-cab Ford F-150 Super Duty Lariat. The tow vehicle was a bit bouncy, in typical US style, but the van handled well. I was particularly interested to see how the van towed on the dirt road section of our test circuit, but apart from a little bit of bouncing around, there were no particular issues — the Cruisemaster XT airbag suspension gave a smooth and stable ride.

The Warrior Off-Road 19'6 Bunk towed well behind the big Ford F-150 Super Duty Lariat

JOHN FORD — CARAVAN WORLD EDITOR

Self-sufficiency

All vans feature a delicate balance of packing as much equipment as possible and saving on weight, especially family vans. The Warrior Off-Road 19’6 has a sensible tare weight of 2829kg and a payload of 671kg. While that might seem generous, you must consider the water supply, as every extra litre adds an extra kilogram to the payload. So, the family will need to be frugal with showers because two 95L water tanks will be the limiting factor for off-grid camping away from a swimming hole or beach. There is a single 95L grey water tank which will expand your campground options.

There should be no worries about power, though, because 1320W of solar on the roof supplies 800Ah of lithium batteries. The installation from Arizon is beautifully executed, with the Victron electronics accessible in a dust-proof panel on the driver’s side of the van. Twin 100A MPPT chargers will quickly top up the batteries from the solar and there’s a 30A DC to DC charger for backup power from the tow vehicle.

Victron electronics neatly tucked away in an external panelHeaps of solar panels on the roof

A 2000W inverter/charger will run most appliances, including an air-conditioner, and charge the batteries using mains power.

Two 9kg gas bottles extend the off-grid capability and should last several weeks for cooking and heating.

Liveability

Not everyone wants an oversized van towed by a big American truck, so I like that Prime Edge brought this 19ft 6in family van. Its sensible size and weight mean many mid-range vehicles can tow it legally and safely. Despite the modest size, Prime Edge has packed a lot into the traditional layout and has made every opportunity for storage space inside and out. A big part of the liveability is the well-finished furniture, subtle colour choices and attention to detail in the choice of hardware and plumbing accessories. It adds up to an enduring and welcoming interior space.

Plenty of storage in the kitchen

The east-west bed configuration makes for a more spacious living area in this family van

The main east–west bed is positioned near the front entry, with a narrow walkway at the foot of the bed providing easy access, so you won’t have to climb over your partner in the middle of the night. It’s hard to overstate the importance of this design feature for east–west beds, and I find it puzzling that more builders don’t include it.

The bunks are located at the back next to the ensuite, which features a separate shower and toilet with plenty of space, ventilation and light. There’s also an external shower for a quick hose down after a dusty or salty day. Each bunk is equipped with individual lights, power chargers, a power point and a fan, and they all have a window to enjoy the view.

Bunks are at the rear, opposite the bathroomGood-sized bathroom for a family

A compact kitchen includes a stove and a microwave on the passenger side, a 224L family-friendly Dometic compressor fridge and a bench-style dinette opposite. It can accommodate three people, but an extra guest can sit on the main bed and cosy up to the table.

Value for money

The Prime Edge brand has long impressed me with its quality engineering, inspired design, high work ethic and attention to detail, so the Warrior at this year’s COTY scored highly for me. It has quality off-grid power, an alloy frame construction and name-brand appliances.

At $140,000, the Warrior Off-Road 19’6 represents standout value.

ALLISON WATT — CARAVAN WORLD DEPUTY EDITOR

Ease of use

When it comes to travelling with kids, full-height caravans have a huge advantage over camper trailers, hybrids, pop-tops and the like. After you’ve been travelling all day and you pull into camp, the last thing you want to do is spend time setting up beds so you can put tired kids to sleep.

Which is why families will appreciate the Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 Bunk version. This van has everything a family will need in a relatively compact 19ft 6in, Australian-built package that you can take anywhere.

The Cruisemaster XT Level 4 airbag suspension makes levelling up when you arrive at camp as easy as pushing a button. There’s plenty of external storage boots and lockers for all the toys, slide-outs for the external fridge and barbecue and the external shower has instant hot water to wash off the kids before they go inside. All the electrics are easy to access in the external panel, meaning you don’t have to move or lift furniture inside to access fuses and such.

The gap at the end of the east–west bed makes it easy to get in and out

The entry door is at the front by the main bed, with the kitchen and dining located centrally. The kids’ bunks (double) are down the back, adjacent to the bathroom with shower, vanity and cassette toilet. There’s also a front loader washing machine. And there’s plenty of bug lights, USB points, Sirocco fans, a smart TV, entertainment system and all the other standard items which make life on the road just that bit easier.

Washing machine at the rear of the van

Innovation

Fitting a queen bed, double bunks, generous kitchen, full bathroom and comfortable dining area in a 19ft 6in van is no mean feat, but Prime Edge owners (and brothers) Vlad and Nick Suplinovski have achieved it with the Warrior Off-Road 19’6. While many family vans are big — simply because of what’s required for a family spending time on the road — the Warrior Off-Road 19’6 is a neat package. It will fit into most sites at a caravan park, and it will go down bush tracks where others might not.

Practical and stylish kitchen

Vlad came along to COTY to show off the Warrior and takes real pride in his product. The team uses the best Australian-made materials and appliances where they can and has great attention to detail. Prime Edge is proudly a boutique builder — opting for quality over quantity and Vlad has complete confidence in his product.

Before his clients even get to look at plans and layouts, he spends a lot of time with them to ascertain their needs. Where do they intend to go camping? What vehicle will they tow it with? These conversations happen long before layouts are drafted so Vlad can meet the individual needs of every customer.

Customer care

Prime Edge offers a five-year structural warranty on its vans which includes any structural components that are manufactured by Prime Edge Caravans, such as an aluminium stud wall. There’s also a five-year complete warranty on the electrical system.

A two-year general warranty applies to furniture such as cupboards and cupboard doors, drawers and benchtops. Supplied parts and appliances such as cooking, the toilet, fridge, hot water system, stereo and the like are covered by the warranties of those suppliers and there are contact phone numbers for all these provided by Prime Edge in its warranty documents for new owners.

Should anything go wrong, the first point of contact is the dealership from which the van was purchased and there are six dealers around Australia in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

The Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19'6 Bunk is not overly heavy to tow

X-Factor

The Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 is a quality Australian-made van and owners Vlad and Nick use the best quality appliances as standard, not optional upgrades. When you buy a van from Prime Edge, you are dealing directly with an owner who takes absolute pride in his product — not a middleman.

The Warrior Off-Road 19’6 really looks the part — from its sand-coloured external composite body, black edging and checkerplate to the custom front toolbox with a place for the gas bottles, firewood and slide outs. The rear bumper also stands out: it’s a compartment for poles or fishing rods, jerry cans, more firewood and the spare wheel.

Not only does it look great — it’s comfortable and has all the mod cons you’ll need to travel Australia. No matter where you take it, you’ll turn heads.

PRIME EDGE WARRIOR OFF-ROAD 19’6 BUNK SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 Bunk price from $122,650

OPTIONS FITTED

• Cruisemaster XT Level 4 airbag suspension
• Custom toolbox
• Premium with spare tyre and wood box bumper bar

Prime Edge Warrior Off-Road 19’6 Bunk price as shown $140,000

MORE INFORMATION

Prime Edge Caravans

18 Constance Court

Epping Vic 3076

P: 03 8349 9516

E: info@primeedgecaravans.com

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