I’ve seen a lot of caravans come and go in the South African travel scene, but every now and then something lands on the market that genuinely shifts the conversation. The Moremi Evolve Trailvan from Moremi Custom Campers & Trailers is exactly that kind of disruptor — not because it tries to outdo the premium heavyweights, but because it boldly redefines what “entry-level” and “affordability” can actually deliver.
At a starting price of just R229,900, I’ll be honest — I was sceptical. In a market where off-road and gravel road caravans can easily spiral well past the half-a-million rand mark, you expect compromises at this level. But the moment I dug into the specs, layout and possibilities, it became clear: this isn’t a stripped-down compromise, it’s a cleverly engineered gateway into caravanning that easily caters for on-road, gravel and some off-road destinations too – for those who prefer their adventures off the beaten track or regular trips across our borders.
The first thing that stands out to me is accessibility. This is a true Code B-licence trailvan, with a GVM of just 750kg and a tare of only 480kg. That means I don’t need a heavy-duty tow vehicle or an EB licence to start exploring. For young families, or even retired adventurers wanting to bring the grandkids along, that alone removes a massive barrier to entry.
And yet, despite its lightweight nature, it doesn’t feel overly basic. The galvanised steel chassis and aluminium body immediately tell me it’s built to handle corrugated gravel roads with absolute ease. It’s compact too — small enough to fit into a standard garage — which makes ownership far more practical for everyday South Africans who don’t have space for a large bulky offroad caravan or custom overlanding rig. But don’t let its compact size fool you; once the roof is opened for your camp setup, there is ample bright and airy headroom available – with four mosquito mesh-covered windows with Velcro privacy blinds.
Sleeping arrangements are where this little trailvan punches well above its weight. I can comfortably sleep two adults on the tapered double bed, while the rear bunk beds make space for two children. That’s a proper four-berth setup in a footprint that measures just 3.0m by 1.9m. For a young family wanting to escape the city without upgrading their entire leisure lifestyle, that’s a huge win!
What I really appreciate is that the base model isn’t barebones. You’re getting the essentials right out the gate: a 1.5-ton unbraked solid beam axle with six-blade leaf spring suspension, three 15-inch wheels including a spare, practical slide-out drawers, drop-down side tables, interior and exterior lighting, and even thoughtful touches like canvas pocket covers and a headboard light. It’s clear that Moremi Trailers understands how people actually camp — not just how things look on a spec sheet. The backend tapered design from the chassis also boasts impressive departure angles for those who like to drive through shallow river beds and gullies. This trailvan should be capable enough to handle grade 3 listed trails and below – if you are familiar with 4×4 trail gradings and rougher than rough terrain. Which is exactly why Jan and his team refer to this model as a trailvan and not a caravan – because its built for the outback.
Of course, where the Moremi Evolve Trailvan really becomes interesting is in its flexibility. If I want to keep things simple and affordable, I absolutely can. But if I’m the kind of camper who wants more comfort and independence, the options list opens up quickly. Solar solutions, a Victron charging system with a lithium battery, a geyser and shower cubicle, a fully kitted kitchen unit, awnings, water tanks — it’s all there. I can build this trailvan up over time into something that rivals far more expensive caravans, without needing to commit to any of that upgrade cost from the onset. Additionally, there are small customisations and configurations which can be made to the trailvan – if you do not wish to use the bunk beds.
That modular approach is something I think more manufacturers should be paying attention to. It allows newcomers to easily enter the market without financial strain, while still giving experienced campers the freedom to spec their trailvan exactly how they want it. Heck, if you order yours, you can even pick the colour!
Internal Sleeping Arrangements
Upon entry into the Moremi Evolve trailvan, there is a tapered double bed suitable for two adults to sleep comfortably with two zipped storage cavities nearby. There are two additional single sleeper bunk beds situated at the rear of the trailvan which can easily cater for kids or grandchildren. There is sufficient packing/storage capacity under the bottom bunk bed with more storage space located under the foot area of the double bed – where you may choose to house your porta-potti. The supplied pictures below depict the internal storage layout and sleeping configuration which can be slightly altered to each customer’s specific request.
There is, of course, one practical consideration: adding extras will increase weight and eat into payload capacity. But that’s part of the ownership journey — understanding how you camp, and building up your leisure vehicle accordingly. Below you’ll find a list of standard features with all their optional extras.
What stands out most to me about the Moremi Evolve Trailvan is how well it bridges two worlds. On the one hand, it’s an affordable, no-nonsense entry point for first-time buyers. On the other, it’s a capable, upgradeable platform that seasoned adventurers can truly make their own. That’s not an easy balance to strike — but Moremi Custom Campers and trailers seems to have nailed it perfectly.
In a fiercely competitive South African gravel and off-road caravan market, this trailvan doesn’t try to shout the loudest. Instead, it quietly makes a very compelling argument: that adventure doesn’t have to come with an intimidating price tag or complicated towing requirements. In fact, I can easily foresee a lot of former rooftop tent owners choosing this spacious and affordable towing alternative over canopies and roof-mounted tent ranges, despite Moremi Custom Campers and Trailers offering these fitment accessories direct from their factory also.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting into caravanning and camping — or looking for a lighter, more affordable and more practical way to keep exploring — this might be the moment to act. Don’t just read about it and move on. Take the next step. Whether you’re starting your journey or upgrading your current setup, the Moremi Evolve Trailvan might just be the smartest move you make this year.
Complete the enquiry form below to request a sales pack, brochure or official quotation for your very own Moremi Evolve trailvan. Additionally, you can also WhatsApp/call Jan on 083 281 7800 for more information.
*All prices displayed were correct at the time of publishing. Customers are encouraged to use the enquiry form below to confirm pricing before purchasing.
If you’d like to request a product demonstration or receive an official quotation with pricing for all optional extras, kindly submit your contact details using the enquiry form below.
Finance is available, and this leisure vehicle is available nationwide.
