Overview
The Ausflex Extreme Family F21’6 is a solid luxury tourer that’s perfect for off-road family adventures. For decades, fellow caravanning brands banked their names on Ausflex’ know-how, drawing upon their diverse experience as a third-party builder to deliver vans of all shapes and sizes for all touring needs.
Today, they’re using this extensive manufacturing muscle to craft their very own line of high-quality, competitively priced caravans. From a sporty 12fter to this full off-road palatial family luxury tourer–seen here at Tough Tested with an alloy frame shod in alloy composite panelling.
It confidently enters the market, challenging established rivals like the Leader Xpedition 2160, Millard’s XRider 216CDQ and the Design RV Odyssey F1-5.
| 🏜️ Sand Dunes | ⛰️ Rocky Climbs | 〰️ Corrugations | 💦 Water Crossings |
📍 Test Location: Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park, South Australia.
Is the Ausflex Extreme Family F21’6 right for me?
The Ausflex Extreme F21’6 suits adventurous families who prioritise robust off-road construction and interior comfort. It is ideal for those needing space for five while tackling challenging tracks.
Layout, Comfort & Liveability – Will it fit my lifestyle?
The F21’6 layout maximises family space with a smart, comfortable high-gloss interior.
Interior layout
This front-door 21ft 6in layout features a queen-size bed up front and a central kitchen-dining area. Towards the back, a near-side corner bathroom layout with a separate shower and toilet, triple bunks on the driver side and a washing machine concealed within cabinets in between.
The brightly lit kitchen-dining area is the centrepiece of the 21ft 6in layout, comprising a smart kitchen setup with an angled benchtop that optimises preparation space.
The Tough Tested 2024 demonstrator also featured a Nature’s Head composting toilet.
As Ausflex’ mightiest van, the Ausflex Extreme Family F21’6 offers a fixed five-person sleeping configuration with triple bunks and a spacious queen-size bed or six with the nifty infill for the spacious L-shape lounge in the living and dining area.
Comfort & practicality
Fans, reverse cycle air-conditioning, midge-proof security door and dust mitigation help keep the high gloss interior comfy and neat.
A few nice external touches include the DO35 coupling up front, BMPRO sway control, an external shower and the reversing camera.
Two LED bars illuminate the rear. There’s lighting in the tunnel boot as well, which would easily accommodate a slide-out kitchen.
Build, Features & Off-Grid Performance – Can it handle my adventures?
We put the Ausflex Extreme through the complete Tough Tested course, split into specific terrains – each revealing a different side of its construction and engineering.
🏕️ 💨 Sand & Corrugations Test
Objective
The Sand Moguls rigorously assesses suspension travel, body flex and stability at speed.
Observations
Drivers Luch and wingman John put faith in the Big Chev to haul the Ausflex Extreme 21″6’ through the Sand Moguls at Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park.
On a hot, dusty track, Luch adopted a steady pace and let the car do its work allowing the van to follow. Neat in tandem, the combo earned Luch’s trust.
| Sand & Corrugations Test, What We Found |
|---|
| Component Damage: The brackets on the spare wheels at the back were bent but it was not structural damage. |
| Caravan Reaction: The van was “gliding through pretty well,” handling the ruts smoothly and recovering well even after getting “airborne”. |
| Component Response: The Oz Trekker independent suspension and Australian steel chassis performed beautifully, taming the ruts and handling the moguls smoothly. |
🌊 💦 Water Crossing Test
Objective
The water crossing evaluates water resistance, clearance and the operational integrity of electric brakes.
Observations
Luch felt pretty confident towing the Ausflex Extreme through the Vantec water crossing eager to “give the van a … wash”. No backing off, he was “full noise ahead” thoroughly testing out the van.
| Water Crossing Test, What we found |
|---|
| Component Damage: No damage was reported. |
| Caravan Reaction: The van plunged “right back down into the water” and completed the test easily. |
| Component Response: The entry “drenched that Chevy,” demonstrating the van’s high clearance and water-fording capability. |
🪨 Moguls & Ruts Test
Objective
The Vantec Caravan Graveyard assesses departure angles, suspension behaviour, articulation, momentum and track adherence.
Observations
Luch towed the Ausflex Extreme 21″6 through the Vantec Caravan graveyard with growing confidence as the “van just done its own magic”.
After a “slow descent,” Luch picked up pack, with the Extreme “bouncing around“.
| Moguls & Ruts Test, What we found: |
|---|
| Component Damage: No damage was reported. |
| Caravan Reaction: The van articulated significantly, “nearly kiss[ing] the sides”. |
| Component Response: The van’s suspension and chassis handled the extreme angles well, as the “car pulled the fruit nicely”. |
💨 🌀 Traction & Cornering through Bull Dust Test
Objective
The NCE Abyss rigorously assesses traction, stability and handling in soft sand.
Observations
Luch and John returned to the track ready to take on the NCE Abyss with the Ausflex Extreme 21″6. A “powdery” track riddled with soft dirt, “cracks and crevices” awaited but Luch felt confident the “good suspension” would handle it.
| Traction & Cornering through Bull Dust Test, What we found |
|---|
| Component Damage: The “spare wheel” mount kissed the ground, causing “a slight angle” but no serious damage. |
| Caravan Reaction: The van had “a little bit of a touch” at the front and experienced some “wheel spin” but pulled through well. |
| Component Response: The suspension held together even after being “slamm[ed] down” and hitting the bump stops. |
Chassis & suspension
The Ausflex runs an Oz Trekker suspension on the Extreme, which fits like a glove to the extended Roadrunner chassis with a 6in riser. Pedders dampers and 63mm sub axles help tame the coil springs on rutted tracks, with 12in brakes bringing it all to a halt.
Bash-plating underneath also shields the twin 95L freshwater tanks and a 95L grey tank against debris on the track.
Ausflex Extreme features a honeycomb floor and an alloy frame clad in composite alloy walls. There’s loads of checker-plate on its nose and 800mm on the side walls.
Power & water systems
Power:
- 400W of solar
- Twin AGM batteries
- 3000W inverter
- BMPRO system
Water:
- Twin 95L freshwater tanks
- 95L grey tank
- External shower
Value, Warranty & Safety – Can I afford it with confidence?
Price & inclusions
The price is from $104,990TBA with a DO35 coupling, BMPRO sway control, Oz Trekker independent suspension and a 400W solar package.
Warranty & ownership
Safety & compliance
- BMPRO sway control
- 12in brakes
- Reversing camera
- Midge-proof security door
Verdict – Which option is best for me?
Ausflex pours years of experience into the Extreme Family F21’6, a palatial family luxury tourer fitted with a dust suppression system. This alloy-framed beauty is great for the adventuring family, packaging a large L-shape lounge and triple bunks riding on robust Australian-made running gear.
Rivals at a glance
The Ausflex Extreme Family F21’6 enters the competitive off-road bunk market as a formidable contender, leveraging its manufacturer’s deep industry experience to deliver a robust, family-focused layout that stands tall alongside the segment’s established best.
- Leader Xpedition 2160 – Its powerful Redarc lithium and solar package.
- Millard XRider 216CDQ – Its stylish interior and modern alloy frame construction.
- Design RV Odyssey F1-5 – Its 300Ah lithium battery and smart charger package.
