Choosing the Right Caravan: What Jeb & Cassie’s Supreme Territory X Teaches Us
At Adelaide RV, we recently got the chance to join Jeb and Cassie on a weekend getaway down at West Beach Discovery Park. Only 35 minutes from home, but as they quickly pointed out, it felt like a proper escape – beachfront views, perfect weather, and plenty to keep their daughter Stella entertained.
More importantly, it gave us the perfect opportunity to see how they actually use their own van – the Supreme Territory X – and to learn what really matters when choosing the right caravan. What works, what doesn’t, and what they’d change on the next van.
A Fully Loaded Van… But Is More Always Better?
Jeb described their current van as “the hamburger with the lot.” It came straight out of stock with nearly every option ticked, which made it ideal for testing – but also highlighted something many buyers don’t realise early on:
Just because a van has everything, doesn’t mean you need everything.
Behind their 200 Series LandCruiser, a premium tow vehicle, the weight is noticeable. And over time, that starts to influence how enjoyable your trips are. It’s a strong reminder that when choosing the best family caravan, it’s not about packing in features – it’s just about choosing the right ones.
Getting the Layout Right Changes Everything
One of the biggest takeaways from their setup is how much the caravan layout impacts everyday living. Cassie spoke openly about the island bed they chose in this van after the East/West bed in their previous Xpedition. On paper, it made sense – easy access, no climbing over each other – but in reality the space around the bed became either clutter zones or wasted space. It didn’t deliver the open, functional feel they expected.
For their next van, she’s already thinking differently. A bed against the wall would free up more living space, create a wider walkway, and allow for a bigger double wardrobe – it’s a simple shift, but it sounds promising. The best layout might not always the most popular – it’s the one that works for how you actually live in the van.
Find Storage Wherever You Can
Spending time inside their van, it becomes obvious very quickly that storage is everything.
Cassie has made the space work beautifully, but it’s not by accident. Every cupboard, every nook, every under-bed compartment is used with purpose. Packing cubes, dedicated clothing zones, nooks for shoes, etc – it’s all part of making the van feel organised rather than chaotic.
The bunk area is a great example. While it’s designed for sleeping, the top bunk doubles as valuable storage when needed, and for families that flexibility is huge. It reinforces a key point when choosing a caravan – it’s not just about the space you have in your caravan that matters, but how you best use it.
The Kitchen: What You Think You Need vs What You Use
One of the more surprising insights came from the kitchen.
Despite having a full internal oven and cooktop, Cassie admitted they’ve barely used it. Most of their cooking happens outside, which is something many families can relate to – especially in Australia’s climate.
This is already shaping their next van. Instead of a traditional setup, they’re considering getting rid of the gas cooker and oven, and opting for a low-profile induction cooktop and reclaiming the space underneath for storage.
At the same time, the external slide-out kitchen has been both a win and a compromise (read our review here). It’s fantastic to use, but it adds a lot to the ball weight and takes up valuable room in the tunnel boot. Jeb is already weighing up whether a simpler, lighter setup might be the better long-term solution.
It’s a great example of how real-world use changes your priorities. The right caravan setup isn’t about what sounds good – it’s about what you actually use day to day.
The Features That Truly Earn Their Place
While some features are on the chopping block, others have proven their worth very quickly.
The standout for Jeb was the REDARC inverter and lithium battery system. He’s the first to admit he used to question whether it was worth the investment, but that changed during a trip in extreme heat when the caravan park lost power. While others struggled through the heat or even packed up and left, they were able to keep their air conditioning running, keep the van comfortable, and most importantly, keep Stella settled and sleeping.
That experience has shifted his thinking completely. It wasn’t about convenience anymore – it was about comfort, reliability, and looking after your family when conditions aren’t ideal.
Other features that have quietly become essentials include the external shower for beach days, extra picnic tables for quick setups, and even the external Fusion radio that’s replaced their need for a TV. It’s a lifestyle choice as much as a practical one – less screen time, more time outside.
The Features They’d Leave Behind
Spending time around the van also highlighted a few frustrations.
The electric awning is one Jeb is very vocal about. While it sounds convenient, in practice it’s bulky, restrictive, and often gets in the way – especially when using the outdoor kitchen. For him, a manual awning is far more practical and adaptable.
There are a few other features that fall into the same category. The Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension, while impressive, feels like overkill for the type of travel they do. Scrub bars add weight without much benefit for their style of touring. Even the external TV is something they’d likely remove in favour of a more practical storage or a fridge setup.
We need to remind you though, none of these are “bad” features – they’re just not right for Jeb, Cassie, and Stella. That’s the key distinction.
Designing the Next Van with Clarity
What stood out most from the weekend wasn’t just what they liked or didn’t like – it was how clear they are now about what matters. Their next van will be simpler, lighter, and more focused on how they actually travel as a family.
They’ll be keeping the features that genuinely improve comfort and reliability, like the inverter system. They’ll rethink layout and storage to better suit family life. And they’ll remove anything that adds weight or complexity without delivering real value. Their van tour is a great example of how experience shapes better decisions.
What This Means for Choosing the Right Family Caravan
Spending time with Jeb and Cassie at West Beach made one thing very clear – there is no one “perfect” caravan, but there is a right caravan for your family. It comes down to:
- How you travel
- Where you go
- What you actually use
- And what makes life easier on the road
Their Supreme Territory X has been a fantastic test platform, but more importantly, it’s helped refine what their ideal setup looks like moving forward, and for anyone currently searching for the best family caravan in Australia, that insight is invaluable.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having everything – it’s about having the right things.
