On the Move’s new Vortex Bullet has a reduced waist line and an enhanced sense of adventure.
Words and pics: Max Taylor
On the Move Caravans has launched the Vortex Bullet. Think of it as the Son of Vortex. Or the Vortex range’s very own Mini Me. That’s not to downplay the seriousness of the Vortex Bullet. In fact, it’s purpose-built for people who have mud tracks and plenty of vehicle recoveries in their future. On the Move Caravans owner Lennie Mifsud wanted to build a van that was as offroad-credible as any case-hardened Land Cruiser. To that end, the width of the Vortex Bullet was reduced to 2m, allowing the wheels of the van to ride in the wheel tracks of the tow vehicle.
BUILDING THE BULLET Construction-wise, the van has CNC-cut composite aluminium walls. The panels are comprised of fibreglass, a marine ply centre, and a Dibond outer skin. On the extended drawbar, you’ll find a D035 coupling, a 9kg gas cylinder, offside-mounted spare wheel, as well as a custom-made motorbike rack. Now, that rack isn’t standard fitment. It’s something Lennie knocked up to accommodate his own motorbike as he tested this particular van in the bush before it went into production. Did I mention that our review Vortex Bullet was a prototype? The external storage, however, is what really caught my eye. There are four large bins on offer up front, one of which more resembles the storage compartment of a coach than a caravan. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to fill it all, but if you did, it would be with confidence – the Vortex Bullet has a payload capacity of 963kg. Our review Vortex Bullet only had a fresh water-carrying capacity of 62L, but production models will get 110L as standard. The 95L grey water tank fitted to our review van will be upgraded to 110L, too, in production models. Because our review van was a prototype that had already seen some miles, it was clear that the catches on the external locker doors left a little to be desired. Though they worked, they required a bang with a fist to latch properly.
BIGGEST BED? Though the Vortex Bullet is almost half a metre narrower than its bigger brothers, the layout doesn’t feel compromised. And the bed up front? It’s one of the largest I’ve ever seen in any caravan. Because caravans are, by nature, (relatively) confined spaces, it’s accepted that the main bed won’t be as large as your bed at home. But the Vortex Bullet’s mattress, which rests on a ply base above two of the external storage compartments, fills the entire width of the rig. Behind the dinette, a moulded-fibreglass combo bathroom has been fitted. It’s not earth-shattering in its design, but it’s as good as any you’ll find elsewhere. I did, however, love the wardrobe/pantry/cupboard space across the rear of the Vortex Bullet. As a two-person offroad touring weapon, the On the Move Vortex Bullet should faithfully follow your 4WD wherever you care to take it. But why should the kids miss out on the fun? A family layout, among other layout options, is on the way.
GORV’S VERDICT I like the fact that this van isn’t overly large. After all, the larger the van, the more difficult it is to access the most remote campsites. The fact it will sit in the wheel tracks of the 4WD should reduce rolling resistance and minimise the need for unnecessary recoveries. In terms of self-sufficiency, the Bullet is about right. In terms of 12V power, the standard 150W solar panel should pair well with the onboard 100Ah lead crystal battery. Lead crystal batteries haven’t received as much attention as lithium batteries but they’re gaining traction, thanks to their ability to be more deeply discharged and charged to their full capacity, regardless of how extreme the temperature, than conventional deep cycle batteries. They’re also a heck of a lot cheaper than lithium. Ultimately, however, the Vortex Bullet strikes an effective balance between weight, storage and payload capacity. I see no reason why it couldn’t go to any far-flung corner of Australia where caravans are allowed.
COMPLETE SPECS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Overall length: 7.76m External cabin length: 5.6m External cabin width: 2.21m (including awning) Travel height: 3.06m Internal height: 2.05m