Review: Pathfinder Caravans Terrain Trekker

As 2024 began winding to a close, so too did Atlantic Caravans. It wasn’t a scandal. The directors of the company just felt that was the right move for them at the time and, throughout the process, did the right thing by their customers and employees. But out of the closure of Atlantic came a new brand, Pathfinder Caravans.

However, one of the directors of Atlantic Caravans, Peter Kuzmanoski, soon realised he had some fire in his belly. He wanted to continue to build caravans and had a vision to forge a new path, to establish a brand that reflected his values in terms of customer service and product quality. As Peter says, the goal is simple: to ensure that every person who steps inside a Pathfinder feels a sense of comfort, freedom and adventure.

Though the name Pathfinder Caravans is new, it is backed by a couple of decades worth of experience. The model line-up is growing, and I’m told sales are too. In early March, it was time to take one of these vans out on the road. I was loaned a Terrain Trekker 214. The Terrain Trekker is Pathfinder’s flagship off-grid caravan and, if I may be so bold, it cut quite a striking figure on the road.

FIBREGLASS OR ALUMINIUM?

Pathfinder Caravans specialises in two construction techniques: fibreglass sandwich panel, and aluminium framing clad in composite aluminium and X-plate, which is an aesthetic upgrade on traditional black checkerplate. The roofs are all fibreglass sandwich panel while the floor is a honeycomb material that’s in popular use in caravan manufacturing today.

Pathfinder builds the 21ft 4in Terrain Trekker atop a 6in truss chassis on independent trailing arm coil suspension with ‘level 4’ airbags rated to 4500kg, with 12in electric brakes and mud terrain Mickey Thompson tyres. I must say, I didn’t mind the colour of the cladding.

Externally, it isn’t short on equipment. You’ve got an entertainment locker where you’ll find the 12V and connection points to the omnidirectional Cowfish VanTenna, one of the best on the market, and mounted flush to the side is a Fusion sound system has been included too. A picnic table, awning and LED lights fill out the nearside, but let’s not forget the slide-out barbecue/kitchen setup.

This slides out from the tunnel storage system. The barbecue is a two-burner which you need to connect to the chassis-mounted bayonet, while the hot and cold water lines to the tap at the stainless steel sink need to be connected too. A small thing, but I feel that a van of this calibre should have the bayonet mounted flush to the cladding, rather than to the chassis.

On the A-frame, Pathfinder Caravans has eschewed the traditional checkerplate storage box in favour of a powder-coated aluminium storage system. We’re seeing more and more of this – it’s a neater, nicer finish, that’s for sure. It contains three separate compartments, with dual 9kg gas cylinders taking up the centre section. I was pleased to note the tank for the diesel space heater was positioned inside the storage compartment, too, where it is secure and protected.

Let’s talk 12V. In standard format, the Terrain Trekker is equipped with a 400Ah battery, which is mounted inside the van under a dinette seat (and accessible via an external offside locker), along with the Projecta IntelliGrid 3 battery management system, a 3000W inverter, a DC-DC charger, and three 220W solar panels. In short: it’s a decent system to get you out there enjoying your travels off mains power.

The 12V ‘nerve centre’ is also fitted to the offside, inside a vented and filtered locker door. The only small issue: you’ll need something to stand on to undo the top catch, but fortunately this is not a locker you should need to open frequently. 

The water supply comes in the form of two 95L tanks and one grey water tank. I noticed immediately the amount of checkerplate protection, which is fantastic, but it would be even better if the grey water spout was protected too.

I have only scratched the surface here. The van has a reversing camera, a firewood carrier at the back, an external shower, and a DO45 coupling. I think you’d agree that it’s a good-looking van.

INTERNAL HIGHLIGHTS

Stepping inside, I discovered a well-appointed interior that felt like a comfortable home. My favourite part: the offside club lounge. Now, when a manufacturer fits this style of lounge to a side wall, rather than the rear wall, it can make the layout feel cramped. But that’s not the case here. It is upholstered in faux leather, while the table can be swivelled about or lowered to create a bed base.

The dinette comes with a USB charging point and 240V point, and each end of the lounge contains a snap-up footrest. As mentioned, the space beneath the lounge is taken up by the battery at one end, while the gas-electric hot water service takes up the other. A small but welcome touch: the ply base of the dinette is upholstered too.

Large drawers and ample bench space characterise the kitchen, which also comes with overhead lockers, filtered drinking water, and a four-burner cooktop with griller and oven. As expected, the fridge is a compressor unit (188L).

The queen-size bed, which sits in the front of the van, is surrounded by overhead lockers and wardrobes, each with a niche that includes powerpoints. There’s a 12V fan either side, a couple of reading lights, a padded headboard that matches the dinette, and the there’s storage space beneath too – just lift the bed base on the gas struts. There’s a cable tray underneath hiding cabling, and this is where you’ll also find the diesel heater. Pathfinder has doubled up the outer ply of the bed base, too, for additional support.

The rear bathroom stretches across the width of the van, On the offside is a cassette toilet, while a very neat and tidy vanity fills out the rear wall. Another small point: the mirror in the bathroom is huge! It’s not often you see one so large in a caravan. Because Pathfinder didn’t include a linen cupboard, there’s heaps of bench space here too.

Overall, it’s a warm, welcoming interior. Did I detect a little Atlantic legacy in the design? Perhaps, but that’s a good thing – it was a respected brand. Nonetheless, I felt at home inside this van.

GORV’S VERDICT

Yes, it’s a big van with the lot, and that does add to the weight. In this case, the Tare was 3225kg, and with the ATM of 4225kg, which gives the van a 1000kg payload capacity, you’ll need the tow vehicle to suit. A RAM, perhaps.

That said, I do think the Pathfinder Caravans Terrain Trekker 214, which comes with a five-year warranty, has a great deal to offer long-term caravanners. It has all the gear and a credible pedigree. Oh, one final thing: Pathfinder has its vans independently leak-tested for a little extra peace of mind.

THE SCORE 

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

COMPLETE SPECS