Keen travellers have been enjoying Concept Caravans since their birth in 2004, a company very well recognised for its build quality. Their beautiful caravans show a real sense of professional manufacturing ability topped only by their chic styling and ultimate comfort. Concepts happy customers have trailed their touring and semi-off-road caravans throughout Australia’s well-beaten tracks, often pushing them further than their architecture dictates. So to cater for the never-ending need for comfortable off-road caravans, Concept is releasing the first of their truly dedicated off-road caravans, the Concept RS215.

They say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and that’s the attitude the energetic and innovative team at Concept applied right through a difficult 2020 to build this new pinnacle of the range. They also say, “When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping,” so I suggest that with the current unquenched Aussie thirst for all things RV, you had best be in quickly to secure one of these terrific new models when fully released!

Concept Caravans Prototype

The Concept RS215 we tested was the prototype. It was a family version with a club lounge, a Queen master suite, three bunks, and a full ensuite. It is a very capable unit with a broad appeal and a long list of standard inclusions, accessories, and options, making it absolutely ideal for a family to make lasting memories travelling our great country.

Chassis design and construction are the underlying foundation of any great off-road vehicle, and hence, the RS215 has enormously strong credentials being manufactured by Preston Chassis Industries (G & S) in combination with rugged Control Rider fully independent trailing arm suspension (tandem 4t rated). She has a 6” chassis and drawbar with a 4” raiser and an impressive grid of weight-relieved C-section cross members. Every wheel has twin shock absorbers and coil springs, which are vertically positioned (concentric) for maximum performance.

The Control Rider independant suspension is right on the money for peace of mind.

The Off-Road RS215 features 12” electric brakes and R16” all-terrain tyres on attractive black alloy mags, providing some terrific ground clearance for such a large caravan. The underside plumbing and electrical cabling is exceptionally neat and sits high into the chassis to avoid problems on those rough roads off the grid. There are twin 95-litre water tanks plus a 95-litre grey water tank providing plenty of life’s necessities and access into environmentally sensitive areas. These are well-shrouded with a checker plate to avoid underside damage. The floor is single-section, scarf jointed plywood, dramatically reducing any opportunity for water intrusion.

Concept choose Preston Chassis for the RS215, and in fact the author loved the quality

Out in front, we now find a DO45 off-road coupling as standard with the usual 12-pin wiring plug, Anderson plug, handbrake, and jockey wheel. Twin 9kg gas bottles behind a mesh stone guard and a strong toolbox with slides suitable for generators, barbeques, etc.

Pretty as a picture for your Facebook images. This RS215 will get people talking!

The strong, fully insulated meranti-framed body shell features composite construction in the walls and roof with smooth 3mm aluminium outer panels. Our prototype unit had a basic white background offset by visually striking decals and burnt orange feature panels. The black checkerplate sides extend high around the entire shell, giving ultimate scratch and abrasion protection. The RS215 is visually attractive with its black offsets from the strong triple lock door, Euro style double insulated windows, with a pull-out awning and black hatches. She has a fantastic array of LED external lighting, including front and rear bar-style work lights, an external shower, entertainment points, power inlets/outlets and a reversing camera. The spare wheel is fitted to a strong rear bumper. There’s a folding picnic table, boot-style storage, and you can’t have an off-road RV without a pull-out external kitchen, in this case a Dometic with sink, H/C tap, twin burner gas stove, cutting board and utensils storage.

High checker plate scrub plates replaced painted surfaces where required on the RS215

She’s not lightweight, with her tare weight of 3112 kg and ball weight of 281kg, but it is a very comprehensive unit. The ATM is 3679 kg, so you will have to watch your payload a little with the large water and gas capacity, perhaps a generator and barbecue, plus all of the gear for a possible family of five.

Home Away From Home

We could spend many days lounging in the RS215 - in fact years!

It’s hard to believe you can load so much into a 21’ caravan and still feel spacious and inviting. Computer design and CNC cutting have certainly maximised the internal space, combined with 6’8” (2030mm) internal height, creating added volume and headroom for tall travellers. It has forward entry with the Queen bedroom up in front, a central Club lounge and kitchen, three bunks and a gorgeous ensuite to the rear. It’s the little things and attention to detail, like towel racks in the ensuite, premium surface finishes, pull-out footrests that are strong enough to stand on, and sensible storage alternatives that set Concept apart as a premium manufacturer.

The internal décor is quite stunning, with Tru-Matt gloss laminates, black sink and tapware, strong cabinetry fittings, and a thickly upholstered club lounge. Ours had optional two-tone grey, black, and white finishes with a light wood-grain laminate floor.

The bed is recessed into a wide array of cabinetry, including wardrobes, drawer space, bedside nooks and tables, a padded bedhead, and individual reading lights. There’s also plenty of storage underneath. There’s even a nifty floor insert to reduce the risk of falling onto the doorstep in the middle of the night.

The Concept RS215 leads the way with a comfortable and versatile layout.

The Club lounge is just the place to relax, eat, drink, or even play a family card game. The laminated tabletop is mounted to a hydraulic pillar that can drop down for even more accommodation. Opposite is a very complete kitchen with a recessed four-burner cooktop (3 x gas, 1 x electric), oven, range hood, microwave, overhead cabinets, bench space with a black textured sink featuring stylish tapware and a freshwater outlet, and some well-manufactured soft-close drawers. There’s a large Dometic 188 Litre compressor fridge/freezer, Bluetooth DVD/Radio and a 24” LED television with internal and external outlets from the Wineguard HV TV antenna.

Being self-sufficient is vital in an off-road caravan, hence overhead is 2 x 170-watt solar panels running to a BMPRO Plus35 charger/BMS and Odyssey touch panel with battery and tank level monitoring, plus 2 x 120-amp AGM batteries as standard with lithium options. The entire van has a terrific array of LED lighting, including strip lights in the kitchen & overhead cabinets. Keeping the climate comfy is an Ibis Mk 4 reverse cycle air-conditioning with remote control, optional Sirocco fans and enhanced by the insulated construction, plenty of windows with blinds and fly screens, plus overhead ventilation hatches.

Bunk Van Plus Ensuite

Many manufacturers seem to get the bunk dimensions wrong - but not Concept!

The rear of the RS215 has the three bunks, each with its own window. Even if you don’t have kids, or perhaps the occasional grandkid to join you, the bunk area can be very versatile storage. Opposite is a surprisingly spacious and well-fitted ensuite complete with a China bowl toilet, touch-sensitive backlit mirror over vanity, and a spacious, fully enclosed fibreglass shower with extractor fan hatches fitted over the toilet and shower. Hot water is supplied by a Truma ultra rapid stainless steel gas/electric hot water system, and as with the entire package, there’s a great array of power outlets. Concept has fitted a front-load washing machine into even more handy cabinetry in the back wall.

There's even a very comfortable ensuite of a decent size.

She's A Ripper Mate! 

So when it’s time for the family to get out and really experience what this wonderful land has to offer, look out for the brand new Concept RS215 Off-Road caravan from this highly respected Melbourne-based RV manufacturer – she’s a ripper mate!

Specifications (Prototype)

  • Ball Weight:  281 kg

  • Tare Weight:  3112 kg

  • ATM:  3679 kg

  • GTM:  3398 kg

  • Internal height: 2030 mm

  • Body: Gloss finish aluminium outer, insulated Meranti frame

  • Chassis: 6” Supergal chassis with extended 6” drawbar and 4” riser

  • Suspension: Control Rider fully independent trailing arm suspension (tandem 4t rated)

  • Wheels & Tyres: 16” Alloy Wheels with All Terrain Tyres

  • Sleeps: 5 plus dinette

  • Water Capacity:  190 lt with electric water pump

  • Battery & Charger: 2x 120Ah Deep Cycle Batteries, BMPRO Plus 35 charger/BMS with Odyssey touch panel

  • Fridge: 188 L upright fridge/freezer

  • Cooktop: 4 burner cooktop (3 gas, 1 electric) with grill, range hood

The RS215 just loves it off the bitumin.

Hits

  • Beautifully manufactured

  • Spacious layout

  • Tough off-roader

  • Comfortable club lounge

  • Sensible range of accessories

  • Head height

Misses

  • It’s a bit heavy, but it’s a lot of caravan and it’s a prototype!

Are You Still Shopping for the Perfect Van?

Check out our current selection of Concept Caravans for sale at OnlyVans.com.au! And if you're still in research mode, we have many other great deals on caravans for sale, including used caravans and caravans from private sellers. You can also find motorhomes for sale, camper trailers, and pop top caravans.

No matter how you like to travel, we've got you covered.


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