Business profile: Bushmaster Offroad Caravans
For 30 years Terry Ryan has been building some of Australia’s toughest caravans, designed for getting to those incredible hard-to-reach destinations.
Since it was established in 1994, Bushmaster Offroad Caravans has been making tough, offroad caravans of the highest quality. But how did the brand come about and how has it maintained its popularity in an at times challenging market?
A bit of background
The story starts with founder Terry Ryan, a New South Wales country boy who studied engineering, then cabinet making and wood carving. In 1980, Terry designed and built his own form of suspension for a trailer he would use for camping trips and for carrying his musical instruments when he went on gigs around Australia. It was this design project that ignited his passion for the craft. To this day, the trailer is still used on a weekly basis (at least, says Terry) and was the foundation of Bushmaster’s Rolling Thunder Suspension, which is the independent suspension used on the caravan manufacturer’s Wild Wheels model.
Terry was working in Brisbane selling caravans when he decided to leave and follow his passion. He moved to Bundaberg, Qld, and started building his own offroad camper trailers, under the business name Koala. The business continued to grow and, in 1994, Bushmaster Offroad Caravans was born.
In 2005, Terry moved the business to a Campbellfield factory in Melbourne, where he still works in the workshop and personally builds the high-quality caravans.
Terry’s philosophy
Terry’s philosophy when it comes to building caravans can be summed up in three key principles. Firstly, he takes the time to construct a limited number of caravans to the highest standard. Secondly, he uses the very best components he can access, using Australian made products wherever he can. And thirdly, he includes every feature possible to create a unique caravanning experience.
Terry’s passion is visible to all who meet him, which no doubt aids his ability to make quality caravans that stand the test of time.
The range
The Bushmaster range includes four models — Ultimate Outback, Ironbark, Blue Gum and Wild Wheels — some of which can be made in multiple sizes. Terry offers custom building, with the customer deciding the length of the van, the colour and all inclusions.
All Bushmaster caravan models proudly feature 96 standard inclusions. Alongside standard features like a water tank and power outlets, most models include a firewood carrying box on the rear bumper bar, a full-width tunnel boot, external speakers, picnic table, rollout awning, space heater, double-glazed windows with fly screen and block-out screen, reverse cycle air-conditioner, front-loading washing machine, reversing camera and light and much more.
Bushmaster also offers a range of optional extras, like recliner chairs for the dinette, satellite TV, an outside shower, bike carrying rack and many others.
Most 2023 models come with the latest lithium batteries, 2000W inverter and five solar panels totalling 920W of solar.
Going the extra mile
Apart from making a living with his own ideas and two hands, Terry says that his greatest joy is answering his phone to a happy call from a customer telling him about where they’ve travelled and how much they love their Bushmaster caravan. Terry’s passion about the caravans he builds can be seen all throughout the business. In addition to helping build the vans, he is dedicated to road testing every caravan personally before it is picked up by the owner, and he helps set up the caravan towing height to match the customer’s tow vehicle.
Bushmaster provides a five-year warranty on everything in the caravan. Plus, the aluminium frame and chassis and simplicity load sharing offroad suspension (which comes as standard on all models) has a lifetime warranty.
Terry has put a lifetime of experience and passion into his vans and if there’s something that can add to the offroad touring experience, you can bet Terry’s thought of it.
Consider a Bushmaster caravan for your next adventure.
For more information:
Bushmaster Offroad Caravans
28 Production Drive
Campbellfield, Vic 3061
P: 0408 194 481
E: bushmasteroffroadcaravans@gmail.com
For a detailed review of the Bushmaster Ironbark model from Caravan World, click here.
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