JB Dirt Road Extreme Caravan - Is this Super Luxury?!

This episode features the JB Dirt Road Extreme caravan - a big van with big inclusions. A semi off road performer - we wonder if we actually need anything more than this one. Join us on our journey to find the best van for us!
Hire this van from On-Point Caravan Hire - onpointcaravan...
We stay at - Greenmans on the Hawkesbury Caravan Park
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Caravans by the Campfire - KZbin
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[@Jenni-om9ct]

Great video, we have the 19.6 2022 model. That one usually comes with doors both sides of the en-suite but some folk remove them at build to save weight. Personally, I like doors on a toilet, privacy in that room is key….😂😂😂

[@jimbarclay1523]

Another great review on the JB van this week guys. BTW just thought I would mention that I was the original owner. My wife designed the layout and colours, it came up a treat. We couldn't believe it when we started watching the video and the van. Thanks for the memories guys. 👍

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes we were impressed! How funny is that!!! Thanks for watching and making the comment! Best wishes to you guys.

[@Jenni-om9ct]

So that’s how you open those tables!!!!! Doh….. 🤣😅😂

[@swimadamswim]

Guys this was incredibly helpful. I think this could well be my choice for a new caravan. Im not in Australia yet and waiting for a kidney transplant here in the UK but can't wait to get to Western Australia ! I was thinking of having a caravan for a few months qnd then look at property but look around first before i settle down. Super helpful with all the charm of a happily married couple 🤣! Best adam

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Hope things work out quickly for you. On point caravans will help you out if you want a long term hire arrangement for sure, a couple from Europe have just organised something similar- make sure to mention us and they will look after you if you go that way - maybe we’ll see you on the road! Best wishes.

[@swimadamswim]

@@caravansbythecampfire oh that is Interesting. Are they Melbourne or national?

[@swimadamswim]

@@caravansbythecampfire also I wanted to ask the model u had? Is that the off road extreme? 22ft? I'm guessing that gives the space for a long stay ?

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@swimadamswim it’s the Dirt Road Extreme, a palace really and plenty big enough. They are in Sydney.

[@swimadamswim]

@@caravansbythecampfire ok so hyperthertically could you fix that on a beach say and live off grid by the sea ? Would be suitable for sand tracks ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/boubf4iprJegapIsi=CYOo9Ym3u30eAGlB

[@ozmid40scouple]

Top tip.....don't back up onto leveling ramps, drive up onto them......when you unhook less likely for the towball/van to lurch into the back of your vehicle and when chock the wheels on the van as you roll back into the chock it removes any load on your tow hitch ball or pin......

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Excellent advice!

[@darrenlangshaw6328]

Hi guys love the channel amazing information watching from Beijing

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thanks Darren!

[@Andrew-ii7cu]

Great Review. Best one I have seen so far. We currently have a JB DRE 2017, 22.6 with bunks and we've taken it into places such as King Edward River, Gibb River Road and so on, and it hasnt given us a scrap of trouble except for a water fitting that snapped coming out of a huge rut. Car got airborne but the van stayed attached to the ground. We are currently looking for a multiple lap van as the kids are off our hands and whilst we have been looking at every van under the sun, including the scorpion, the DRE rear club lounge looks like the go as we dont need to upgrade to a "yank tank" to haul it. Thankfully due to the reliability and the build quality of the van we havent had to utilise the after sales service. In fact we did once, but the service from the WA dealers is woeful at best so I think we will venture east to purchase the next JB. Hopefully they have this configuration in the 23.6 at the 2024 caravan show in Melbourne. Keep up the great reviews, its nice to hear honest feedback.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

The DRE was impressive, so was the smaller single axle Gator - that episode is worth a look. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated! Good luck with your next purchase.

[@PeterRowe-ip7ow]

Another great video guys. As someone with a larger ‘coke and sars’ i appreciate your point about the loo Craig.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Biggest I’ve seen! It was fantastic!

[@audreysenior7228]

Love this! It’s a no from me too re the mirror/toilet situation. Not to mention being in bed and partner needs to do a number two with no door! 😮🤮🤣

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Tracey says noooooooooooo too! Haha - Agreed.

[@glennhenson4434]

Apparently it's pretty easy to add a second folding door at tge bedroom end if needed

[@Chance_It_Oz]

Great review - the JB Scorpion Sting Air with the 2024 electrical spec (10kW EcoFlow Battery Management System, 3,600W inverter 1,600W Solar Charge Input, incl 5 x 200W solar panels) is your go Craig!

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Sounds Epic Jack! Thanks for your comments!

[@trevdebhippisley9729]

Re the outside shower, those taps are counter rotating, designed for use with lever handles, both turn away from the spout. Great for doctors, elderly or disabled etc

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Amazing - thank you. Well that gives some background to the tap situation! Wonder why they use them in vans?

[@philmarriott8084]

We’re in the market for a van right now, your reviews are a great deal of help, keep up the good work guys! May I ask if it would be possible to rate the mattresses you find in these vans please? My wife and I have been fairly disappointed for the most part on the mattresses most manufacturers are putting in their vans.. too thin, no pillow top, some we can feel the frame underneath the mattress while we test them. You know what I mean..the bony parts of our bodies hit the hard surfaces beneath, hips, shoulders etc.. Anyway Thanks again! Can’t wait to see the next one, oh and we love the banter between you and your partner, reminds us of us lol..

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Most vans without a pillow topper are terrible, this is all but the Zone and Jayco Silverline so far - both of those pass the test. We carry our own pillow topper for those vans without one. The Patriot Canper was also fabo although not a van! Thanks for your comments!

[@frankguernier2280]

A nice van but if you specked it up as all terrain the weights would blow out. you would be needing a 4ton ATM. Dodge Ram 4500kg Gvm.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

That's for sure!

[@nzmarkb8713]

Another great review team I really enjoy your frank opinions of the features From what I’ve seen the JB vans are nicely appointed, my only concern is their poor after sales service reviews Keep them coming 👍

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thank you! Yes I’ve read about about that on the social rounds… I’m sure they’d be some positive experiences. It was certainly luxury.

[@darrindouglas1]

If you're going to go with a semi off-road then the levelling blocks we have in our van are the best ( also use them under the stabiliser legs) like oversized lego tiles, and you can stack them and the chock locks to them front and back. One thing I did notice was the plumbing under the suspension.......asking for trouble......... Nice looking van.......How much??

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thanks Darrin - yes plumbing everywhere, the Lego blocks are great aren’t they. The new version of these is around 120K. Plenty 3 year old ones for between 70-80k.

[@ladysusanjane2682]

The heated towel rail would be magic for drying your jocks and socks. Think the original owners should’ve kept the washing machine. Nice looking van. The weight of the van may be an issue especially if the suspension is upgraded and the storage is overloaded but I’d hope the purchaser would take that into consideration.

[@caravansbythecampfire]

We agree, excellent for those things. The van has a big payload of around 700kg - you would need to be careful with all that space when packing!

[@glennhenson4434]

Thanks for your review. We have one of these on order for later this year. Your feedback is very much how we felt. The dirt road extreme is rated for corrugated dirt roads so suits our needs. These vans can be pretty heavy. We have upgraded to lithium and gone with stucco external panel to reduce weight What was tare weight on this van?

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Hi Glenn, 2650 tare. We enjoyed the luxury - lithium and an inverter are the go, ask them to wire the van with a ship to shore switch - this allows you to use all power points from the inverter rather than a select 1 or 2 and then on 240 volts. Some of the battery management systems now do this automatically. Good luck and thanks for the comments!

[@glennhenson4434]

​@@caravansbythecampfire yes we are getting the invert connected to all power points

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@glennhenson4434 outstanding! Enjoy that. Sounds like you know stuff! Well done.

[@johndoug2878]

HI thanks for review .I have a 23.6 J B 2018 almost same layout good strong van however the plumbing sucks the plastic hoses 'john guest' fittings bursting regularly taps poor quality pin holes in steel .The dometic fridge 3 way issues with water condensation inside and powering it from truck ,have addressed power issues, cupboard catches look better than mine that tend to fall off

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thanks John. It appears that every van has issues of one kind or another - a little disappointing isn’t it!

[@trevdebhippisley9729]

As a JB owner, I can say that some complain about after sales but there are a lot of positive comments on the forum as well, some people need too learn to give the manufacturer a chance to fix rather than vent on line first, just my humble opinion

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes I’ve heard about many positive stories too - I think we can all be a bit quick to complain at times! However, the big spend really does demand instant attention from a supplier I’d expect.

[@johnmathisen1167]

Are you 2 going to be doing a big lap or only caravan reviews?

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes, we are heading off when we find the right van - to parts most don’t venture into. They are all starting to look the same to a degree….

[@tonyhallinan7695]

Love your videos keep it up don’t buy a van keep showing us what vans are on the market nobody’s seem to explain as well as you two

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Thanks Tony! They are starting to look the same but many have impressive things - just not all in the one van!!!

[@richardcharlton8259]

Those Chanel’s that you are talking about are already here the off road suspension is already ready here it’s called a zone caravan you will also realise that if you intend travelling a lot you will not need half the stuff that was in that van you don’t want to be towing the same amount of stuff that is in your house 😊

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Agreed.

[@richardcharlton8259]

I guess it is sort of luxury all that luxury comes at a cost in weight all those cupboards really for two people is over the top manufactures don’t think of what you are going to put in them my wife and I have been on the road now for 18 months ( zone base caravan) all we need is a couple of cups a couple of plates we have one pot a wok Weber Q and we bought a single plate induction cooker the van has no stove don’t need it had one in our last van ( jayco silver line used it once or twice wast of space and weight) al so that van had no washing machine big mistake if you will be on the road some caravan charge $5 dollars a load or more

[@caravansbythecampfire]

@@richardcharlton8259 sounds like you have a common sense approach to traveling- well done!

[@bobkats]

Hard to go past this van, it suits you both actually, if you have that money to invest, the smiles make it very worthwhile, and you will not lose on resale, Aussie vans, the luxury models are a premium, that importers cannot match, the argument on price, is null and void, when you look at the quality....

[@caravansbythecampfire]

It is impressive! Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

[@securedsystems9407]

I think the lady knows what she is talking about as far as storage. Lack of do ors and mirror I dont need o see my partner on the toilet

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes she certainly does!

[@garysmeltzer1933]

The shower looks smal

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Yes, it certainly is - I need larger for sure.

[@paulcallan5540]

Hi guys. I've watched a few of your reviews on van . And yes, the Zone is the pick . Just wondering if you could do a review on a Van with Recliners....💺

[@caravansbythecampfire]

Mate, I love recliners and have seen a few. Unfortunately we haven’t seen any for rent to get our hands on. The best one was a bloke removed his cafe lounge and table and put 2 movie seat in! Fantastic!! Another was a 25 footer with no club lounge but instead a couple of recliners and a small table - excellent again. They just look different but I love the idea. Thanks for your comments. If you like a recliner and it’s your passion, make it happen!