Off road caravans come in many shapes and sizes, from the small crossover models matched to mid-sized 4wds to the larger, more luxurious rigs suited to Landcruiser tugs. But just occasionally one comes up that sits outside the more or less standard off-roader box. The custom-built SLR Discoverer 2300 off-road caravan is definitely not your common-or-garden off-roader.
The SLR boys have gained a reputation for building serious off-road motorhome rigs and they specialise in custom builds. They also build a range of very capable caravans that can be customised to suit a buyer’s requirements. The Discoverer 2300 we looked at has been customised to the nth degree.
At first glance this Discoverer looks like a pretty standard off-roader. It’s only when you check out the specifications, and then take a closer peek inside and crawl around underneath that you can see why this rig is something really quite different.
SLR vans are built with a monocoque-style integrated galvanised chassis and frame, with a one-piece fibreglass front/roof/rear panel. The walls are of composite fibreglass panels and the whole rig is fully insulated. The Discoverer’s chassis rails are reinforced 150mm and the suspension is Cruisemaster independent with airbags and twin shock absorbers.
On the A-frame is a 360-degree Hitch-Ezy 5-tonne coupling, forward of a mesh stoneguard that protects a pair of 9kg gas bottles and a diesel tank. Immediately behind these is a chequerplate front boot with a generator slide on the driver’s side.
Underneath are six, 85-litre water tanks and one 85-litre grey water tank. They are fitted fore and aft (naturally) and are protected by a flush fitting series of chequerplate stone guard/bash plates. Under floor clearance is good and there are no bits and pieces hanging below bash plate level to snag on anything.
At the rear a solid bumper holds a pair of spare wheels, with an access ladder to the roof alongside. Up on the roof are four 135watt solar panels, Dometic air conditioner, three Fantastic hatches, Autosat satellite TV antenna, Winegard TV antenna and 3G internet/phone antenna. SLR’s signature railing runs along both sides of the roof.
Other external features include a full slide-out kitchen up forward on the kerb side, with Sovereign BBQ, single gas cooker/wok burner and a stainless steel sink. A Fiamma awning is fitted, beneath which are lights and stereo speakers. An entertainment hatch with stereo and TV controls sits above a 35-litre drawer fridge. A further hatch conceals a sine wave inverter/battery charger unit. Along the driver’s side flank are water tank fillers, a front boot and air levelling controls.
As you might have guessed, there are loads of accessories fitted to this rig, and there are plenty more inside. The Discoverer 2300 entry is positioned behind the rear axle, with an electric dual entry step. The bathroom is at the rear, with kitchen and lounge/dinette midships, and the bedroom up forward.
The Discoverer bathroom is just that, a bathroom, with separate shower and toilet, and a laundry component as well. It’s closed off from the main cabin via a door with a secure handle and comprises a shower console on the kerb side with an opaque door, a centrally positioned vanity and a loo on the driver’s side.
The vanity basin is an oval ceramic benchtop model, with a slotted towel rack alongside. The vanity is backed by a big mirror, with storage lockers above and drawers and storage lockers below the benchtop, which extends across to the driver’s side. The loo is positioned between the vanity bench and a full height cupboard console, which contains a front load washing machine.
The bathroom is well lit and ventilated, and has plenty of space within.
The fridge console is opposite the entry and holds a Vitrifrigo top fridge with a drawer freezer beneath. Alongside this is a floor to ceiling roll out pantry, and forward of the pantry is the kitchen proper.
The kitchen features an extensive benchtop interrupted only by a diesel cooktop and an inset square sink. There is plenty of storage space beneath the bench, as well as a Miele microwave oven/grill. Above the benchtop is a nest of lockers, with a rangehood and downlights, and the cooking area is backed by splashbacks and a large window. The diesel cooktop is unusual in a van, and obviously a preference of the owner. They certainly aren’t as quick to heat up as gas, but no doubt the diesel fuel adds to the duration of an independent camp. A TV mount is fitted above the rear of the kitchen bench to allow easy viewing for those in the dinette.
Opposite the kitchen is a lounge/dinette, with two bench seats flanking a large table. The dinette is backed by a large window and has a nest of storage lockers above. Downlights in the locker console provide plenty of light, and there is room enough for four to dine in comfort.
In the bulkhead forward of the dinette is a large console containing an extensive control panel. This contains all the master switches for the on-board systems, as well as the stereo controls, satellite TV controls, the awning deployment switch and water storage levels. Beneath this panel is a fold out ironing board.
The bedroom up forward features a queen sized bed positioned north/south flanked by big picture windows. There are storage lockers and personal lights above the bedhead, with tall wardrobes on either side of the bed, above narrow bedside tables and drawers.
The bedroom can be closed off from the main cabin via a sliding door.
Throughout the Discoverer 2300 there have been many, many accessories fitted, and all seem to be top of the range gear. The interior fitout is very neat and tidy, with good secure latches on lockers and cupboards, and the use of space is practical.
There is no doubt that this rig is about as comfortable yet as robust as possible in an off road caravan, but all this comes with a weight penalty. With a tare weight of 3560kg this van is not a proposition for even Landcruiser-class 4wd tugs. This big girl requires one of the large American ‘trucks’ with tow ratings up around the 5 tonne plus mark. That’s what the owner has available, and on the road this will be a pretty big combination.
I can’t see this big rig following in the footsteps of a small off roader, since the sheer size of the combination truck/caravan will preclude it from accessing some of the more squeezy areas. But boy, wherever she does go, the SLR Discoverer 2300 off roader will be doing it in style.
Specifications
Manufacturer: SLR Caravans
Model: Discoverer 2300 Off Road
Ext. body length: 7.030m
Travel length: 8.812m + 400mm spare wheels
Width: 2.350m
Height: 2.950m (depending on airbag adjustment)
Tare weight: 3560kg
ATM: 4400kg
Price as shown: $194,967 + ORC
Find Out More
SLR Caravans and Motorhomes
11 Industrial Ave
Molendinar 4214
07 5564 9099
Warwick Boswerger
E: bozcrome@bigpond.net.au