RV REVIEW
TOURING WITH THE FAMILY MALIBU
There are a couple of ways to measure value in
a caravan: the amount and quality of the gear
that’s been fitted, and the time and material
behind the build.
EXTERNAL FEATURES
The van, which was released at the start of 2019,
has an unladen ball weight of 180kg and weighs
2320kg Tare. Behind my MU-X, without any
towing aids fitted, it towed without drama.
The Malibu Family Adventurer fits into the
first category. For its price point, it has a lot of
equipment coupled with what appears to be
sound build quality. The standard suspension is a beam-axle leafspring
setup and both 95L water tanks are mounted
forward of the axles. The van rides on a 6in chassis
with a 6in drawbar and a 3in chassis raiser.
It is quite traditional in that it uses meranti timber,
ribbed aluminium side cladding, composite
aluminium front and rear cladding, and a
smattering of black checkerplate; however, that’s
not a criticism – most vans use these materials,
or a combination of them. I liked that the wiring to the electric brakes was
neat and tidy, with no terminal block dangling in
the wind, but there is some exposed grey water
plumbing. Given this van, in standard format, isn’t
designed for offroad use, that’s not a deal-breaker.
“ WITHOUT
The 21t 4in Family Adventurer comes with dual
105Ah deep-cycle batteries (along with a charger
and dual 175W roof-mounted solar panels). The
batteries are secured in a checkerplate
box mounted to the offside
chassis rail.
THE MA
LIBU TO TOWING AIDS
WED WI FITTED,
THOUT D
RAMA
”
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