RV FEATURE

DON ' T TRY THIS AT HOME

“ I would never do that with my van …”

I’ m willing to bet you’ ve had that thought once or twice in your touring life. You’ ve watched as someone has towed their van down a treacherous embankment or up a gnarly hill and thought, what the heck are they doing?

I don’ t mind admitting that those thoughts crossed my befuddled brain as I watched Chris Michel of Vision RV punish his new-release Elysium 21.6 in a way that no caravan deserved to be punished.

But as with most things, context matters. This wasn’ t showboating or cowboying. Sure, it was fun, but the intention was educational, and it was controlled.

But let me tell you, watching a 21ft 6in offroad caravan traverse terrain better suited to an unhitched 4WD with 35in tyres and double-locked diffs is eye-opening.

In early September, I found myself at Springs 4x4 Park in Queensland. Vision RV was holding a muster for its members at this haven for 4WD enthusiasts. Ruts, hills, water crossings … this place has it all. And if you’ ve ever seen online clips of 4WDers tackle Beer O’ Clock Hill as people cheer from their camp chairs as they sip their evening drinks, well, that’ s right here at Springs.

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