Vancraft Craftsman 18 – Calming the Beast
Following its brand launch in recent years, established Network RV continues to refine its rugged off-road Vancraft Craftsman lineup with this smart, attractive 18fter for 2024–with a centre door entry and a north-south bed delivering ample luxury in a compact van.
Narrow & Tough
Equipped with a wall mounted washer, Girard Endless hot water system and a full width rear bathroom you’ll certainly feel at home after a long day touring but despite these luxuries, the Vancraft Craftsman still maintains a lithe 2.1m wide track-ready dimensions. It’s an Aussie-made, too, comprising sandwich panel construction with 30mm on the walls and ceilings and 40mm. During this Tough Tested season, powered by GUSTO, Vantec and NCE, the Craftsman 18 enjoyed a height advantage over the moguls and through the caravan graveyard by fitting the Raptor-coated truss box chassis with airbags on the twin axles. That’s courtesy of the versatile four-stage, auto levelling TuffRide suspension.
Suits Tall Travellers
Internally, the mastery of this design is the spacious 6ft 2in mattress fitted within the 18ft full ensuite layout. It’s accommodated by fitting a space-saving cafe dinette and galley kitchen with an oven, microwave and a full height fridge within the refined, high contrast interior. It’s beautifully illuminated, too, with a 50-50 blend of targeted spotlights and diffused light bars throughout. The tall ceilings teamed with gloss ceilings further enhance a sense of space within the nimble layout. It feels premium from the moment you step inside.
Network RV really have carved out an inviting outdoor space in this Vancraft Craftsman 18, equipping it with a tunnel boot, Raptor K3 slide-out kitchen, toggled bug lighting, a Fusion sound panel (one of two installed) and an external shower keeping grubby adventures in their place. Coating protects the upfront toolbox with a decent size firewood tray.
Off-Grid Versatility
Weighing in at about 2850kg Tare, Vancraft equips this Craftsman with a DO45 coupling for its 4T ATM. That’s a generous 1150kg payload but you’ll need a big tow vehicle and a good command of your rig’s carrying capacity to come close to filling it. Within that Tare you get a decent off-gridable spec leaving you with little more to add, including a substantial 600W in rooftop solar, capable 600A in lithium battery storage and a nifty 3000W Victron that will serve you well, especially when teamed with gas-electric cooking.
There’s a Milenco 900 omni directional aerial up top, efficient new generation Belaire aircon and Dometic dust reduction system. Water storage-wise, twin 95L freshwater tanks and storage for grey will comfortably serve a couple looking to extend time between stops during their off-road unplugged adventures.
