Crusader Excalibur SCV Review

Crusader Caravans holds the great honour of being awarded the 2019 Caravan Industry Association award for “Excellence in Caravan and RV Manufacturing.” With magnificent offerings such as their Excalibur SCV, it's little wonder.

Crusader offers a selection of five model ranges and twenty-eight layouts to customize a mobile apartment that’s just perfect for you and your companions. The Excalibur SCV is in the premium, luxury touring range and with just over 21’ (6.466 metres) internal length and an ATM of 3300kg, the SCV is a popular-sized van with the strength, capability, design, construction, and fit out to suit some very serious touring both on and off-road. Our demonstration unit was configured to comfortably meet the needs of a touring couple.

Strong Foundations

The foundations of the Excalibur SCV incorporate a robust 6” Duratech box steel chassis and drawbar utilizing tandem “TuffRide” fully independent suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers and 15” all-terrain tyres. Hence, you can be assured of trouble-free travel on some of Australia’s most challenging tracks – you know, they’re the ones that always lead to the best campsites.

In fact, all of the Excalibur range includes the independent suspension teamed up with a strong, attractive, and insulated body shell with a 42 mm single-span composite floor providing secure underbody protection. Plus, a one-piece hail-resistant roof combined with beautiful, smooth-sided Alupanel skins for great looks in all conditions.

RV Eye Candy

This is a visually appealing unit without the need for false pizazz. It has an attractive black and white demeanour accentuated by stylish mag wheels, neat and hard-wearing black checkerplate wear surfaces up high on the front and rear, and around 600mm kickers on either side. There are modern Euro-style tinted insulated windows, and it includes a forward-facing window in the bedroom, complete with a travel shield. Even the decals and branding show a sense of simple flair, allowing the premium materials, design, and workmanship to do the talking.

Out in front, the extended “Signature” branded drawbar boasts all of the usual towing fittings and jockey wheel, but there’s also twin 9kg gas bottles, a pressurised and shrouded freshwater outlet, and a full-width toolbox complete with jerry can holders and generator/BBQ slides. There’s a cavernous full-width boot in the front of the main body housing all of your road essentials, and perhaps some sporting goods. The living side of the unit features a four-way lockable security mesh door, a full-length awning, fold-out picnic table, an array of LED lighting, including the illuminated entry, 240/12/USB and aerial outlets, plus a pair of marine speakers to set your chosen mood.

Out Back

Out back is a galvanised bumper bar with spare wheel mount, plus large LED trailer lighting and a reversing camera with sound for communication in a difficult camp or storage site. The roadside looks as good as the kerb side with its lockable service and ventilation points, 240 volt inlet with circuit breakers, pull-out hot/cold shower, and the 120ah deep cycle battery box securely mounted to the chassis below. Underneath the plumbing and wiring is neatly routed, plus there are twin 95-litre water tanks and a 95L grey water with washout valve for travel in sensitive areas.

Yet the joy comes alive when you step inside. Whilst the layout is reasonably traditional with rear door and ensuite, plus a kerbside dinette/lounge with kitchen opposite, the SCV features a fully enclosed bedroom up front. This premium presentation combines beautiful aesthetics, accessories, function, and finishes. There’s an attractive array of gloss white and light grey cabinetry and walls with brushed chrome fittings, deep grey leatherette upholstery with gloss splashbacks, and faux marble laminate bench tops with a wood-grained floor. All overhead cabinets feature strong piano hinges and dual gas struts with fully CNC-cut furniture throughout and metal drawers that will serve for a lifetime.

The ensuite features a full-height molded shower, a front-load washing machine, and a large porcelain vanity with a flip mixer set in some really practical cabinetry. It is complete with twin dressing mirrors and shaving cabinets, plus, of course, the cartridge toilet with plenty of elbow room, venting, and lighting options.

Livability

I can’t live without a comfortable seat at the start or end of a long day and the thickly padded and warmly upholstered leatherette dinette with fold out bolsters and tri-fold table is just the thing. Opposite is a very complete kitchen with rolled benchtops, recessed four burner cooktop (3 x gas, 1 x electric) with grill, fan forced oven and microwave, 12V Rangehood and the tropical rated 224 litre 3 way fridge/freezer. You will be impressed with the array of versatile cabinetry with deep drawers and a large stacker-style pantry. The kitchen bench increases its width with an angled return where the deep stainless steel sink is fitted, including a mixer, a wide drain, and a freshwater outlet. Many will appreciate the full height (80”) head clearance, which is a little higher than most.

The bedroom has a full bulkhead and sliding door giving complete privacy. Inside we find a Queen bed with upholstered bedhead, innerspring mattress on slatted base, and loads of storage underneath. It is set into an array of accommodating cabinetry, including a wardrobe and drawers. There are night nooks for all your knick-knacks on either side of the bed with electrical outlets, big windows, an overhead hatch, 12-volt fans, a TV mount, and the option of opening large side or front windows complete with flyscreens and blinds.

I love the remote lighting throughout the van allowing control from any position including the entry or in bed, plus there’s a terrific array of sensible illumination to suit every mood and activity.

Gizmos and Gadgets

The SCV has plenty of overhead ventilation and reverse-cycle air conditioning for your comfort in all climates. Its large water capacity combined with gas/electric hot water, gas storage, an inbuilt grey water tank, a power supply, and an auxiliary charge from two 170w solar panels means you are set for off-grid adventure in this chic mobile apartment. There’s even an outdoor gas outlet for a portable barbecue.

Other electrical creature comforts include LED reading lights, a 32-inch TV-DVD combo with twin wall brackets, a Projecta battery management system, plenty of 240-and 12-volt outlets plus USBs, a digital TV antenna, CD/USB/Bluetooth and speakers, an external TV hutch with speakers, and two internal fans.

The Wrap

With all of these features combined into a large, easy living caravan with 2600kg tare and 650kg payload the Excalibur SCV should be high on your bucket list of eligible tourers. Crusader have a company ethic of “self-worth and accountability” throughout the entire process including quality control. Their process extends right through the manufacturing and delivery process to ensure your satisfaction. This Excalibur SCV certainly satisfied me!

Specifications

Tare: 2650kg

ATM: 3300kg

Body: Insulated composite aluminium/fibreglass panel

Chassis: 6” Duratech box steel chassis and drawbar

Ball Weight: 195kg

Suspension: tandem “TuffRide” fully independent suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers

Tyres: (Size & Type) 15x235 all-terrain

Sleeps (HOW MANY PEOPLE) 2

Water Capacity: 2 x 95ltr with electric water pump

Battery & Charger: 120ah deep cycle battery 2x 170 watt solar panels and Projecta BMS

Fridge: tropical rated 224LTR AES 3 way fridge/freezer

Cooktop: Recessed 4 burner cooktop (3 x gas, 1 x electric) with grill, fan forced oven and microwave, 12V Rangehood.

Hits

• Fully insulated security shell

• TuffRide independent suspension

• Sensible range of accessories

• Aesthetics and ergonomics

Misses

• Only one battery standard (options available)

Still Shopping for the Perfect Van?

Find your dream van online at OnlyVans.com.au!  Check out our current selection of Crusader Caravans for sale for more, or our available touring caravans for something similar to the Crusader Excalibur SCV.

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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