Overview
The Vacationer Dakar 199R Tough Tested at Loveday in 2024 is a 19ft 9in off-road caravan designed for adventurers seeking high-end comfort and significant all-electric off-grid capability.
It features a 48V battery power system with a full kW solar array, spectacular full-rear-width club lounge and a bold yet warm colour scheme for lux living at large.
In this premium, all-electric segment, it competes with other high-tech, luxury off-roaders, enjoying a size advantage against other models with rear club lounges like the Retreat ERV 213R and the Masterpiece Optimum Director’s Edition 21RC.
| 🏜️ Sand Dunes | ⛰️ Rocky Climbs | 〰️ Corrugations | 💦 Water Crossings |
📍 Test Location: Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park, South Australia.
Is the Vacationer Dakar 199R right for me?
This caravan suits travellers who prioritise luxury and spacious interior living, exemplified by a master bedroom suite and the full-width club lounge.
They seek a genuinely tough van for sustained off-road travel that can run high-voltage appliances like the two air-conditioners seen here completely off-grid.
Equipped with a TIG-welded fibreglass roof, it supports the weight of adult, as Matt Simpson, Vacationer CEO, demonstrated at camp.
Layout, Comfort & Liveability – Will it fit my lifestyle?
A spacious rear club lounge and central bathroom that doubles as the master ensuite define this practical, luxurious layout.
Interior layout
The rear-door floorplan features an east-west bed at the front as its sleeping configuration, a central divided bathroom and a full-width club lounge occupying the entire rear.
The divided bathroom layout, fitted with towel racks, brush gold fittings and a large shower separates the two main living quarters, each with its own 32in Smart LED TV.
It also forms an individually air-conditioned master suite for the east-west bed like what you’d find at home—in under six metres. Not bad, when you consider the club lounge.
The split kitchen setup provides room either side of the sink and working space for two. The modern two-hob induction frees up valuable benchtop space and taps into that powerful off-grid system. While opposite, a deep square sink will handle your pots without soaking up all your water reserves.
Comfort & practicality
Vacationer interiors really are stunning and this one’s no different with brushed gold tapware complementing the warm oak-coloured countertops and granite-coloured cabinetry below-but the black club lounge forming the living and dining area, complete with padded pelmets, is the star delivering 180-degree campsite views.
Two air-conditioners tap into Vacationer’s sophisticated off-grid power system; you’ll also find fans above the bed and dedicated dust reduction.
Build, Features & Off-Grid Performance – Can it handle my adventures?
We put the Vacationer Dakar 199R 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
Vacationer CEO Matt Simpson hauled the Vacationer Dakar 199R over some “serious lumps of sand” on our sand mogul course. Here “to test it”, Matt tackled the undulations aggressively, turning it fast for R&D’s sake: “I wouldn’t drive normally like that,” he confessed afterwards.
| Sand & Corrugations Test, What We Found |
|---|
| Component Damage: No damage was reported; the driver was “very happy with the outcome”. |
| Caravan Reaction: The caravan “handled it very well” over the “lots of undulations”. |
| Component Response: The suspension was working hard and the Chevy “did too”. |
🌊 💦 Water Crossing Test
Objective
The water crossing evaluates water resistance, clearance and the operational integrity of electric brakes.
Observations
Matt approached the water crossing at a “slightly slower” pace than on the previous obstacle. He “tackled that water really well,” having “washed a bit of speed off” and proceeded “like an absolute pro”.
| Water Crossing Test, What we found |
|---|
| Component Damage: No damage was reported. |
| Caravan Reaction: According to our crew, the “caravan followed him like an absolute pro”. |
| Component Response: The van and driver demonstrated good control, completing the crossing without issue. |
🪨 Moguls & Ruts Test
Objective
The Vantec Caravan Graveyard assesses departure angles, suspension behaviour, articulation, momentum and track adherence.
Observations
When Vacationer CEO Matt passed through the caravan graveyard, he momentarily stalled, wheels spinning with “no traction”. Strategic reversing recalibrated Matty’s position, freeing him to “put his foot down” and find the momentum.
| Moguls & Ruts Test, What we found: |
|---|
| Component Damage: No damage was reported; the van “cleared that in the air no worries at all”. |
| Caravan Reaction: The caravan required a second attempt with more momentum to overcome thefirst attempt that was “low on power”. |
| Component Response: The van “looks really great going through there” and successfully recovered after its initial loss of traction. |
💨 🌀 Traction & Cornering through Bull Dust Test
Objective
The NCE Abyss rigorously assesses traction, stability, and handling in soft sand.
Observations
Matt Simpson tackled the NCE Abyss towing the Dakar. The track featured “super soft” sections, “wombat holes,” a “big dipper” and heavy “dust”.
Matt carried a fair bit of momentum” to push the “3,300 kilos” van through the soft terrain.
| Traction & Cornering through Bull Dust Test, What we found |
|---|
| Component Damage: The van finished “all nice and clean”; an observer couldn’t see any damage on either the vehicle or the van”. |
| Caravan Reaction: The “3,300 kilos” van was “throwing around a little bit” but successfully navigated the course “like a glove”. |
| Component Response: The van showed “good articulation” and significant “wheel travel” as the suspension “went through the motions”. |
Chassis & suspension
The Vacationer Dakar’s aluminium frame rides upon a truss chassis. That’s shielded by full under body armour and fitted with twin-axles running Cruisemaster ATX four stage suspension and 17in Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT tyres.
Insulated fibreglass walls and honeycomb flooring maintain climate control integrity indoors.
This Vacationer Dakar 199R is a 2024 build. Expect restyled toolboxes with firewood trays and X-Capping on Vacationer’s latest models.
Power & water systems
Vacationer’s premium all electric Dakar spec truly equipped our 199R demonstrator with a whopping Kilo Watt of solar.
- 7.2kW 48V battery bank
- 1.4kW DC-DC charger
- 48V Victron MultiPlus II 5000W-70A inverter-charger
- 10in Garmin display.
Water: - 2 x 95L freshwater tanks
- 1 x 62L drinking water tank
- 110L grey water tank
Value, Warranty & Safety – Can I afford it with confidence?
Price & inclusions
The price is $200,000TBC, but key inclusions are the premium all-electric Dakar specification, Cruisemaster ATX M60 Unleashed suspension and a luxurious club lounge interior.
Warranty & ownership
- Manufacturer warranty
- Dealer network or service access
Safety & compliance
- 12in electric brakes
- Rear-view camera
- AL-KO ESC
Verdict – Which option is best for me?
The Vacationer Dakar 199R is a 19ft 9in off-road caravan featuring a tough aluminium frame, truss chassis and Cruisemaster ATX M60 airbag suspension. Its primary offering is a premium all-electric 48V power system for off-grid use and a luxury interior defined by a full-width rear club lounge.
Rivals at a glance
The Dakar 199R firmly establishes itself in the elite all-electric touring market, combining a truly massive 48V power system with a luxurious club lounge layout in a mid-size design. It presents a high-tech, high-comfort alternative to other premium, gas-free off-road rivals.
- Retreat ERV 213R – Its chassis-integrated 14.3kWh 48V battery system, a benchmark in the all-electric space.
- Masterpiece Optimum Director’s Edition 21RC – Its innovative, timber-free ‘R-TECH’ composite frame construction.
