CARAVAN builders Debbie and Peter Scully are proud of the product they
produce.
In fact, they boast of never having had a warranty claim against any of
their meticulously-built offroad caravans.
The couple launched Coolibah All Terrain Caravans nearly three years ago
at Rathmines in NSW.
"We only employ four people and produce eight 'vans a year with each one
being built to order," Debbie told Caravanning News.
"Every detail is to the highest standards and we fear that producing more
could lead to a fall in quality control, one of the biggest reasons we
started," she said.
"After two-and-a-half years of becoming a licensed dealer and with 12
'vans on the road we have had no warranty issues ... and we want to keep
it that way."
A light caravan that could
withstand the toughest roads
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The company was spawned when Debby's parents ‒ 4WD fans for over 50 years
‒ "begged" the couple to build them a light caravan which could withstand
the toughest roads Australia could throw at it, all at a reasonable price.
Their first design was built by a Queensland company 10 years ago but they
couldn't find another to take on the design permanently.
"We tried some of the standard so called off-road caravans that seemed
pretty well built until put to the test," Debbie said.
"But they began to fall apart, from electrics failing to being stranded on
top of a mountain because the rims didn't support the weight and they
crumbled just like a cookie.
"We were lied to about the weight, which we now know was for the sake of a
sale.
"The tare stamped on the chassis didn't include the mattress, fridge,
awning, front box and various other items so once we got our true weight
we were left with a 20kg payload.
"We should have had 300kg.
"With all these problems, we had to go it alone to get what we wanted."
Debbie pointed out that all Coolibah caravans leaving the factory had
their final weigh-in after all fixed options were installed.
"This gives our customers true weights," she said.
The company did not manufacture standard on-road caravans, only 14ft, 15ft
and 16ft all-terrain ones, she said.
Prices started at $65,000.
"All our products are sourced from Australian suppliers and
manufacturers," Debbie explained.
"We could buy some cheaper direct from overseas, but we choose not to do
so."
Debbie and Peter have so much faith in the agility and strength of their
caravans that they have sold their home to invest in the continued
development of their product.