Key Facts:
- Crusader Caravans has been recognised by Caravan Industry Victoria (CIV) as the most awarded manufacturer in the history of the CIV Hall of Fame and Industry Awards, having won the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year award four times in the past six years.
- Founder and CEO Serge Valentino emphasised that the company’s priority is earning customer trust rather than chasing accolades, highlighting Crusader’s Circle of Trust framework combining industry accreditation, Master Manufacturer certification, and independent compliance validation.
- Despite their record-breaking success, Crusader chose not to enter the Manufacturer of the Year category this year, instead focusing on recognising the people and team behind the brand.
- Crusader operates one of Australia’s most technologically advanced caravan production facilities in Epping, Victoria, supporting hundreds of jobs across the domestic supply chain, with a mission to make high-quality, locally built caravans accessible to everyday Australians.
- The recently launched Dreamhaven range has been well received by the market, offering premium Australian-made durability at an accessible price point, reinforcing Crusader’s commitment to providing caravans that deliver lasting enjoyment and strong resale value.
Crusader Caravans has firmly established itself as the gold standard in Australian caravan manufacturing, with Caravan Industry Victoria (CIV) recognising the company as the most awarded manufacturer in the history of the CIV Hall of Fame and Industry Awards.
The recognition reflects Crusader’s unprecedented achievement of winning the prestigious CIV Manufacturer of the Year award four times in the past six years — more than any other manufacturer.
For Crusader Caravans Founder and CEO Serge Valentino, the acknowledgement is a significant milestone, but the company’s focus remains firmly on the rapidly growing community of Crusaders across Australia.
“It is an incredible honour to be Australia’s most awarded caravan manufacturer by the CIV. However, accolades are not what we chase—our focus is earning people’s trust,” Mr. Valentino said.
“This acknowledgement further solidifies that Crusader is a brand Australians can trust. It complements our ‘Circle of Trust’ — a combination of industry accreditation, Master Manufacturer certification and independent compliance validation.
“We want our customers to buy with total confidence, knowing they are getting one of the finest caravans available in Australia and Crusader will support them every step of the way.”
Caravan Industry Victoria Chief Executive Officer Daniel Sahlberg endorsed Crusader’s unparalleled track record, noting the company’s profound impact on the wider manufacturing sector.
“Crusader Caravans is the most awarded manufacturer in the history of the Caravan Industry Victoria Hall of Fame and Industry Awards,” Mr. Sahlberg said.
“This is not simply an acknowledgement of past achievements — it reflects a culture of continuous improvement and a standard of excellence that elevates the entire Australian caravan industry.”
Despite its record-breaking success, Crusader in collaboration with the CIV chose not to enter the Manufacturer of the Year category this year.
“We have been fortunate to win the award four times in recent years, so this year our focus has evolved,” Mr Valentino said.
“While we remain deeply committed to product excellence, at this year’s CIV Awards we placed a strong emphasis on recognising and investing in the people behind the brand — the team whose passion, skill and dedication make achievements like this possible.
“The CIV Hall of Fame and Industry Awards play an important role in encouraging innovation, excellence and continuous improvement throughout the entire Australian caravan industry. We congratulate this year’s winner on their fantastic achievement and look forward to seeing the industry continue to grow stronger together.”
Commenting on the industry-wide importance of Crusader’s leadership, Mr. Sahlberg added, “Crusader Caravans has set a benchmark that the industry looks up to. Their record of winning our Manufacturer of the Year award the most times is a testament to an unwavering commitment and dedication to excellence across every facet of caravan manufacturing,”
A passionate advocate for local manufacturing, Crusader Caravans operates one of the most technologically advanced production facilities in the Australian caravan industry from its headquarters in Epping, Victoria, supporting hundreds of jobs across the domestic supply chain.
Central to Crusader’s mission is the belief that high-quality, locally built caravans should be within reach of your average hard-working Australian. This commitment to accessibility led to the recent introduction of the highly anticipated Dreamhaven range, which has been extremely well received by the market for offering premium, Australian-made durability at an accessible price point.
“Our goal has always been to build quality caravans that Australians can trust to deliver years of enjoyment and strong resale value,” Mr Valentino said.
“This recognition belongs to our whole network, from our workers on Crusader’s factory floor to our dealers dotted around the country as well as all the adventurers who choose to back Australia by investing in a quality Australian-made caravan to explore this wonderful country of ours.”
About us:
Crusader Caravans is a multi-award-winning Australian manufacturer renowned for producing high-quality caravans. A four-time recipient of the Caravan Manufacturer of the Year award in the past six years, the brand is widely respected by industry experts, competitors and customers alike.
Founded in 2002 by Serge Valentino, who brings decades of hands-on caravan-building experience, the company strengthened its position in 2016 through a strategic partnership with Mawson Group. This collaboration combined manufacturing expertise with strong operational and financial management, establishing Crusader as a trusted and financially robust brand.
In 2022, Crusader Caravans opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility—one of the most advanced in the Australian caravan industry—driving ongoing innovation and excellence in caravan manufacturing.
In 2025, Crusader Caravans unveiled a new second brand, Dreamhaven, created to offer Australians greater access to high-quality, locally made caravans at an affordable price. With a focus on customer-first values, strong leadership and a passion for adventure, Crusader Caravans continues to set benchmarks in the Australian caravanning market.
