BY MAX TAYLOR

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS FOR GORV READERS!

YOU WON’ T BELIEVE THIS RESTO! Old Franklin given new lease on life

TRAVELS WITH KINGDEANO Dreaming of Dunolly, Vic

ALISON’ S FIRST FAREWELL TOUR! Back on the road

2026 is quickly becoming the year of closures. Network RV: gone. Great Aussie Caravans: gone. And we all know about Zone RV, though it’ s encouraging to hear ASIC has launched a criminal investigation into the downfall of that company.

Just before typing these paragraphs, I got off the blower with someone who has worked in the caravan trade for more than 30 years. His take: the industry hasn’ t been this quiet since the late 1980s, when it nearly collapsed.

There will be more closures to come and it won’ t be pretty. But that does not mean you shouldn’ t buy a new caravan. There are plenty of manufacturers who remain viable and deal professionally with their customers. I could rattle 10 companies off the top of my head that would treat your money appropriately.

Tellingly, as you’ ll read in this issue, our appetite for the lifestyle has not waned. The data shows the opposite. In times of economic difficulty, Australians tend to raise a middle finger to it all, buy a caravan and hit the road while they still can. But …

It’ s tough out there. Fuel is the lifeblood of the industry and lifestyle, confidence has been knocked and everyone’ s being squeezed tighter. Let’ s hope for fairer skies soon.

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MANAGING EDITOR / DIRECTOR: Max Taylor PRODUCTION: Simone Ranasinghe SALES DIRECTOR: Grant Manson 0417 052 819 SALES: Ashley Manson 0438 051 354 DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION: James Manson VIDEOGRAPHERS: Patrick Manson • Jacob Keily DESIGNER: Will Blazejewski

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