Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive

January 2017
 

 


Coolibah all-terrain caravan at ease in the outback

  A Coolibah 'van tackles the unforgiving outback with ease

"We want to keep it that way'

No warranty issues for Coolibah caravans

By Dennis Amor
Have your say

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


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.

BACK TO CARAVANNING NEWS MAIN PAGE

 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without
the prior written permission of Dennis Amor.

Copyright 2005 Dennis Amor
All Rights Reserved

Caravan Council of Australia advert

Sample advert