How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Off Road Caravan in Australia?
Most custom off-road caravans in Australia take around 14-16 weeks to build.
The most common question we get asked at Elross is : “How long will my caravan take to build?”
It’s a fair question — and one that deserves a straight answer. But The reality is, a properly built off road caravan takes time. If you’re looking at a custom/Tailored ECX or ECXR build from us, especially something designed for off-grid touring in Australia, it’s not something that can or should be rushed. I’ll break down what that timeframe actually looks like and why.
What is a fair and realistic Build time?
Well about 14-16 weeks is what it predominately takes here at Elross. That includes :
Chassis fabrication
Full construction and fit-out
Testing, inspection and licensing
Anything significantly quicker than that is usually either:
a production-style build
A large manufacturer with hundreds of workers building vans for numbers & share holders, not you the customer.
Pre-assembled components not of origin in Australia directly, but they get away with some legal loopholes to say they are still aussie made.
What Actually Happens During the Build?
A lot of people see the finished product, but not what goes into it. Here’s how we approach it ;
Chassis Fabrication and Suspension (Approx. 2 Weeks)
Everything starts with the chassis. This is the backbone of the caravan, especially for off-road use.
At this stage we:
build the chassis in-house
apply protective coatings
install and set up the suspension
If this isn’t done properly, nothing else matters.
Construction and Fit-Out (10–12 Weeks)
This is where the caravan really takes shape.
It includes:
wall, roof and floor construction
electrical and plumbing systems
cabinetry and interior fit-out
external finishing and detailing
For custom builds, this stage takes time — and that’s intentional.
You’re not pulling something off a shelf. You’re building something specific to how you want to travel. simple changes can mean a job that would be earmakred for 2 hours can take 10. And theres obvious flow on affects to other aspects of production that surround that one change, and this is where customizing and tailoring builds for manufacuring compnaies gets complicated and becomes harder to make profitable for larger scale facilities.
Testing, Inspection and Licensing (Approx. 2 Weeks)
Before any caravan leaves our factory, it goes through:
road testing
water testing
full system checks
compliance and licensing
This is one of the most important stages — and one that should never be rushed.
Why Custom Builds Take Longer
Custom caravans aren’t mass-produced.
When you start changing layouts, systems and finishes, you introduce:
additional design work
specialised components
one-off fabrication
That naturally extends the timeline. But it also results usually in a far better product.
Can You Get One Faster?
Yes — but there’s a trade-off.
If timeframe is your priority, you’re better off looking at:
standard production builds
pre-configured layouts
These move through the factory faster because:
designs are already locked in
components are standardised
You’ll still get a solid caravan — just with less flexibility.
What I Tell Customers :
When people ask me about build time, I usually say this:
If you’re investing in a proper off road caravan, built for Australian conditions, you want it done right.
A few extra weeks or more in the build process is nothing compared to:
years of reliable touring
fewer issues down the track
a caravan that actually suits how you travel
Final Thoughts
A realistic timeframe for a quality custom caravan in Australia is:
14 to 16 weeks
That allows for:
proper engineering
quality construction
thorough testing
*Disclaimer - this does not include wait times for production openings or other variables that go into typical manufactures operations. These timelines are a reflection of a typical build production timeline at Elross caravans production facility and may differ from other manufacturers lead times and operations.
If you’re at the stage of planning your build and want to understand what’s involved, visit our FAQ’s Page or feel free to reach out and book in for a tour of the factory.
It’s the easiest way to see the difference for yourself.
