Building a Caravan? Watch this FIRST! Lotus Trooper Review

Here is our honest review of our 22ft Lotus Trooper, we have been living in ours full-time for 8 months now.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please pop them into the comments below. We are not ambassadors or affiliated with Lotus Caravans.
Here are a list of links of where to buy some of the things we have bought:
Australian Maps: www.adventurea...
Navigator Hitch Buddy: www.adventurea...
Fusion-Loc's - www.bunnings.c...
Bath Towels: newlyfe.com.au/
Home is where we park it sign: wanderersignsc...

[@user-cc1cf1ef9c]

Guys, thank you for an excellent review, I reckon you have saved me a lot of time and frustration with your recommendations- I am just about to book a Lotus build and you video was outstanding, to the point and so informative. Thanks again, Mark

[@Leasa.]

Thankyou!!!! Awesome review and super helpful. We are gathering a list for our build to travel Oz indefinitely and this video was gold 👌 having your practical experience shared for a new build is priceless, some of these things we would have overlooked.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thank you for your feedback. We really didn't want it to be taken as all negative. More as things to consider when building just from our experience and having owned two vans now. Thanks for watching 😊

[@rebeccalucy1]

Wow. Thank you. We are looking for a van and lotus was at the top of the list. I hope they are watching and get a clue. Enjoy your travels

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching. Whilst we have been travelling on the road, we have heard all van manufacturers have issues and seen some first hand. Lotus builds a great van, and structurally, this thing is rock soild.

[@blairjoyce3778]

That’s a good point to ensure that information will give everyone to understand what has caused problem on lotus caravan also that’s important to let lotus companies know what they had made mistakes for not listening what your plan in build of your caravan!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks. Hopefully, it helps others who are building caravans.

[@davidriley119]

Some well thought out critiques of your van. I can tell you have spent some time detailing your observations. Having said that - I couldn’t help thinking: “My three-year-old Titanium has all of your suggestions for Lotus already standard” so I’m a bit confused why a premium brand like Lotus doesn’t have them yet? Continue travelling well 👍

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like they have made a fair few of these changes to the newer models now. Safe travels 😀

[@peterwilkes1915]

Love your work guys, we are looking at a Lotus so this is really helpful!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

They are a great van, peter. We just did the gibb with no major issues. Few small fixes and they would be perfect. Happy shopping. 😊

[@shauncooper9942]

Thanks for making this very clear and informative video. We have a Franklin 17'6" and I'll be looking at a gas heater after what you say about the one you have installed. Cheers mate, great work 👍

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@David-cq4se]

Best review of the Lotus Trooper caravan I've seen. Thank you for your insight and opinion. Has been very helpful in helping me to look for issues i would not have considered. Really curious how Lotus reacted to your 12 month service review. Hope they take your critique seriously and implement the necessary changes and review QA issues.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching and the feedback 🍻. It looks like they have made a few changes to the current models. I'm not sure if it was from us or if it's a coincidence 🤔.

[@adrianpritchard5143]

It was good watching and listening to your upgrades, I am looking at doing a trip next year with my Jayco hawk outback.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Cheers for watching 👍

[@matthewfinnigan3862]

Don’t split your windows. The fridge won’t fit out the door and they have to use a big window if it needs to be replaced. Happened to a mate

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Good point. I never thought of that. Cheers for watching. 👍

[@ozmid40scouple]

​@FamilyEscapeAustralia the new dometic fridges are narrower and will fit thru the door....

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Ok thanks. Will definitely look into this. 👍

[@patrickdunne1508]

Stretch Armstrong is the name you were looking for 😅 new to the channel. Great honest review. Watching from Ireland 🇮🇪 currently!!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@robertgrayson3394]

Loved this review. We have a 2019 Trooper and have to agree that the windows are complete and utter rubbish. We have tried sealing inside with silicon, and good quality magnetic screens but none of this resolves the issue to our satisfaction. They have to be replaced as we cannot leave windows open from dusk onwards, so I am keen to see how you go finding a fit for purpose replacement. Ditto that flaming light over the door, location of the water tap on drawbar, useless jockey wheel, the location of the power inlet and the front toolbox. Most issue you mention we also have and agree with your comments (eg shower drain, leaking shower door, dunny roll holder etc). I could add a long list to this which I just ended up sorting myself. Don't get me wrong, we love our Trooper and it takes a beating and comes back for more, but the quality and attention to detail were not close to an acceptable standard for a van at this price point. The only consolation is that form our travels it seems most van builders have similar quality and attention to detail issues. Lotus have been good to deal with, though slow to respond. Our dealer in WA was disgraceful and is no longer a Lotus agent.

[@emilybyl3709]

Thanks for the run down guys I have a 22ft offgrid ordered I actually ask lotus to move shower head as you’ve mention but they won’t do it because they say there isn’t enough cavity for plumbing……🤔🤔 I,ve already got my Bos 370 jockey wheel….👍 will swap as soon as my van arrives Cheers

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Dam. Good stuff they are a great van. Cheers 🍻 for watching 👍

[@art-is-lazy4509]

So many design issues with Lotus, you'd think that watching Trip In A Van's review of their Trooper that Lotus walks on water. The difference between a sponsored vs non sponsored?

[@MrShivermetimbers123]

So many good tips!! Can you please do a video on your water creek system as well as your starlink setup? Thanks!!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching. If you head to our channel, the water tank mod video is there. Will put one up for starlink aswell

[@MrShivermetimbers123]

@@FamilyEscapeAustralia ah yep I’ve seen that now, thanks. If you can do a starlink video it would be great!

[@robertjfsoper]

Great honest review, just goes to show, even when you shell out on a primo van there are still issues. I get the impression with some of the issues, they would have been obvious, but it’s like they were just trying to churn them out. Van life looks a bit like living on a nuclear submarine!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks. Van life can be challenging at times, but we wouldn't change a thing. Thanks for watching 👍

[@ComradeBeria1899]

Please excuse the quality of my English. I'm from Russia and I've never seen a better review. Thanks a lot!

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching 🍻

[@uptonsdc]

Great video. How much did you pay for your van and what was the wait on the build?

[@perry8498]

I looked at lotus and thought there top end off the van market , but after what you have said I’m glad I never purchased one

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

All manufacturers have issues at the moment. It's just like building a house. As long as the company you go with fixes things and has good customer service. That's what is important. Lotus has been great getting any issues we have looked at and fixed. Thanks for watching 👍

[@nikkimortlock]

Do you know what size containers you used in the cupboard near the bunks?

[@OBM1770]

We have just picked up our new 2023 Trooper. Two questions. How did you did you determine that the range hood was not correctly vented to the outside? What specifically was broken with your leveling? Great video and look forward to your next one.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

You have to pull the range hood down 4 screws underneath. The bushes for the self Levelling arms tore at the top. Thanks 👍

[@emilybyl3709]

Turn it on flat out and see if any air is blowing out the vent on the outside….simple

[@southerngentleman5321]

maybe a jayco all terain.. lol could have holidayed for 6-12 months longer

[@scottcox8559]

Alot of small oversights. Not the first Lotus review I've seen, with someone complaining about attention to detail. Someone needs to spend more time in the design phase. Is the tv antenna in question a cowfish by any chance? I have one on my van and it's pretty rubish.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Yeah, hopefully, they can fix these small things and will take these vans to the next level. No, it's the sat king, but that is good to know about cowfish. Thanks.👍

[@jamesfoden5643]

Would you consider relocating the batteries externally if doing it again to get them out of the inside completely

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

It's hard. I don't feel batteries should be out in the element's especially if you are taking the van offroad. I see they are now putting them in the front tunnel boot, which I think is a great location.

[@sherylryan7038]

Aussie traveller windows awesome new law from July batteries must be sealed if inside and vented to outside all new builds so if you move batteries guess that would apply

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks. I have been looking at them. Yeah, all over it, thanks. Enerdrive have even done up an install guide for the batteries under the new regs. Cheers for watching 🍻

[@sherylryan7038]

We have revolution batteries but about to upgrade to invicta 2x 200amp loòked at enerdrive but now owned by dometic got a great deal on batteries from springers

[@lifeatfulldraw7163]

Wikid review legends.. u have made me think lotus arnt the company ill get my van built from.. alot of things seem cheap. And i dont do cheap.. ide loose my mine.. thanks heaps.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching, it's a shame that some of their suppliers aren't great quality because in terms of the actual caravan build it's been good.

[@HughSmith]

Can't put the batteries under the bench seat anymore. A compliance issue

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Yeah, new regs will make it interesting.

[@HughSmith]

@@FamilyEscapeAustralia our batteries are now accessed through the tunnel boot! Pick up our van on Wednesday

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Wow. That will be hard to get to them if you need? It will take a while for companies to work out the best spot.

[@HughSmith]

@@FamilyEscapeAustralia we will see on Wednesday. I will send info if you want. There is a vent for the batteries under the bed and I assume an access hatch somewhere. But it gives us the full seating storage and storage under the bed. So the wife can buy more crap!

[@barrybarthelmess6111]

Mate . . .why did you buy it? There's not a lot about it that you like . . . Geez

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

It's all about learning. We didn't pick up on these things when we built it. Our van hasn't let us down, and most things are built really well. We just thought this may be helpful for others who are in the build phase.

[@thescroopys]

@FamilyEscapeAustralia, thanks for your review. We are looking to have a full offroad van built next year and just happened to look at Lotus earlier this week then saw your review last night! I'll be honest, it has probably turned us off considering Lotus any further just from some of the oversights, what appears to be a lack of attention to detail etc. etc. Some of it seems crazy like the wiring above the rangehood etc. Lotus must surely be on the phone to you apologising and promising to sort everything out. Did you consider Zone RV and/or Titanium out of interest? Thanks again.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

Thanks for watching. The van has not let us down structurally. We have done the Gibb, Dampier Peninsula, and Karajini with no big issues. Lots of other van campanies had issues some major and structural. It is a great van, just lacking some attention to detail in our opinion. I wouldn't rule them out. Just make sure you check all the little things at handover. I will be doing this no matter what brand we build through next. We have had great after sales service and getting things fixed. All van manufacturers have issues, and no one is perfect. These are handmade products that have human error. It's just like building a house. We did look at other brands but really liked the inclusions and finish of Lotus. Good luck with your build, and thanks for watching. 👍

[@scottcruwys9344]

Wow. You would be better doing your homework next time. You find negitive with everything. Most other caravan company's have sunken cook top's anyways with a bench top lid on top so you don't loose any bench space anyway.

[@FamilyEscapeAustralia]

All a learning curve and just pointing out things we have noticed that others may overlook as well. We would definitely go a portable induction cooktop again. Even if that is an option on our next van.