Another caravan company has collapsed with 200 jobs left in the lurch.

Essential Caravans, based in north Melbourne, entered voluntary administration last week.

More than 20 caravan manufacturers, retailers and accessory suppliers have collapsed in Australia in 2025 and 2026.

Essential Caravans director Jamie Johnson has appointed Insolvency specialists Paul Allen and Glenn Franklin of PKF Melbourne as joint administrators, the Herald Sun reported.

‘The administrators and management team are conducting an immediate review of all current customer caravan builds and delivery schedules to minimise disruption to buyers and dealership partners,’ they said in a statement.

‘It is the intention that all current orders will be fulfilled.’

The administrators hoped to ‘create a sustainable path forward for the Essential Caravans brand’.

It’s understood part of the business’s ‘restructure’ will include moving its manufacturing operations to a facility in Pakenham.

Essential Caravans, based in north Melbourne, entered voluntary administration last week

It was previously reported Essential was planning to shut its Somerton factory and transfer operations to Design RV’s operation in Pakenham, of which Mr Johnson is also an owner.

Essential was registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in 2015 by former directors Scott Grant, David Wilson and Ian Grant. Mr Johnson became director in 2020. 

The company had built 5,000 caravans by March 2023 and was awarded a bronze honour in the Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s People’s Choice Manufacturer of the Year awards.

Nevertheless, the company couldn’t escape the troubles plaguing the wider caravan industry in Australia.

About 20 major brands have collapsed in recent years, some with major debts.

These include Australian Off Road which owes an estimated $14million and Maverick Campers with $6million.

Other brands to have gone into administration include Zone RV, Sunland RV, Network RV, Tango Caravans, Highline Caravans, Boss Adventure and Great Aussie Caravans.

Australian caravanning and camping YouTube channel Off Track urged their viewers to be careful when choosing a manufacturer.

Essential Caravans (above) joined the more than 20 caravan businesses to collapse in Australian in 2025 and 2026

Hosts Ash and Dylan shared a list of ‘red flags’ that could precede a company’s collapse.

‘The first one is if they’re asking for a huge deposit. Second is the phone suddenly stops getting answered,’ they said. 

‘Warranty claims blowing out from weeks into months. Staff are constantly leaving. 

‘Social media accounts start to go quiet. Every second post on their socials is either a massive sale, factory cleanout, whatever. 

‘Delivery dates are getting pushed back. Facebook groups suddenly changing from people showing off their new vans to people asking have they received their vans yet or has anyone had a warranty approved.’

The pair added that while the red flags ‘don’t mean they’re going bankrupt’, they are repeated warning signs. 

Additionally, they recommended checking prospective manufacturers on the ASIC company search to see if they’ve entered administration and Australian Business Number (ABN) search to ensure the business titles match government records.

The Daily Mail has contacted Essential Caravans for comment. 

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