ELXV at Caravan Show 2022
What would a Caravan Show be without a brand new manufacturer on the show floor? The vent is known, after all, as the launchpad for the outdoor industry in South Africa.
This year’s new entrant to cause a big stir is ELXV, which stands for Elite Luxury Off-road Vehicles.
CaravanSA spoke to Hugo Botha, the owner of ELXV, to get the full story…
Hugo says: “Our concept started when I wanted to buy my own caravan. I went to a well-known SA manufacturer and found something I liked – it has a nice bathroom, but I thought how much time do I spend in the bathroom?
“It has a nice bed, but I don’t need to walk around a bed.
“Most of the rest of the caravan was great, it was basically my dream vehicle… but then I started asking for some changes; for instance, I didn’t need it to have sleeping space for four people. So I asked if they could move some things, but they said ‘no’.
“So I went home and started drawing what I want, something that nobody is building.
“Two weeks or so later, Covid hit. Because we own a restaurant, we were closed and sitting at home, so I began researching.
“Two months later, I bought myself a chassis and started building a caravan, and that was the first ‘Spoor’.
“When lockdown ended I was busy at the restaurant again, so for a few months, things stood still.
“When I started on the project again, a friend told me he has a camper that when he comes back from Botswana he is going to sell it, and then I have to build him a van.
“So I stared up again and for 18 months I was talking to experts, like the guys making my chassis. I wanted an alumimium chassis because I wanted it light, and I wanted it strong.
“I also wanted strong suspension. In the end, I waited 16 months for our first system to come from Australia. Alko Enduro-X air suspension from Australia. We are the only guys in the country who are allowed to have it… I brought in 90.
“After more research, I bought an Iveco to start building my friend’s unit, and then the caravans.
“I wanted ultimate luxury for 2 people – everything you can think about, it has it, standard. We don’t have an extras list.
“The smallest caravan, the Spoor which is not offroad, even has a 2000W inverter, 100 Amp hour battery, solar panels, water tanks.
“I wanted luxury wherever you go, with a five-minute setup.
“Also, we have a two fridge policy – one inside, one outside.
“Everything is stainless steel, no wood. For the caravans, we use the best material available.
“There is lots of packing space, like even two drawers under the bed (600 x 750).
“The pop-up systems are imported from Australia (that’s why it was not available for the show). We also import our own windows.
“All caravans have queen-size beds, with Fusion radio speakers, Truma aircon, hot water, double glazed windows, automatic steps, electric awnings… it’s get-up-and-go.
“And everything electronic is controlled from the phone via Bluetooth.
“This is the best that money can buy.”
Hugo says that ELXV is aiming to build 10 caravans per month. They have already put in this order for chassis, and they have the suspension.
They have also pre-booked Iveco’s for the motorhomes, so Hugo says they can almost guarantee units to customers: “We can build the box, and when we get the chassis it’s ready in three days.”
ELXV currently have three
> U-Go Expedition Vehicle (motorhome) – available in three models
> Ghari Off-Road Caravan – available in two models
> Spoor Semi-Overlander Caravan
