Behind the Build: Offroad Grit is a Timber Free Construction.

PVC Versaboard is a lightweight, water resistant material

When it comes to off-road caravanning, good looks only get you so far. What really matters is what’s underneath — the structure, the materials, and the way it’s all put together.

At Offroad Grit RV, we take pride in building vans that don’t just survive off-road conditions, they thrive in them. One area where this philosophy really shows is in our cabinetry. Here’s why we don’t use timber products, and what we choose to use instead.

PVC Versaboard:

All of our kitchen and internal cabinetry is constructed from PVC foamboard, specifically laminated Versaboard. This material has become the gold standard in serious off-road van construction — and for good reason.

Key advantages of Versaboard:

• 100% Waterproof: Versaboard is a closed-cell product, meaning it doesn’t absorb moisture — ever. That makes it completely resistant to rot, swelling, and delamination. Whether you're camped in the tropics or cleaning up a spill, it won’t affect your cabinetry.

• Thermal Stability: Unlike timber and ply, PVC foamboard is dimensionally stable in changing temperatures. That means your drawers won’t go out of square, your doors won’t warp, and you won’t be adjusting hinges after a hot day on the road.

• Strong Screw Retention: Versaboard offers excellent holding strength for fixings — so all our drawer runners, hinges, and hardware are mounted securely and stay that way, even after thousands of kilometres on corrugations.

• Lightweight Without Compromise: Versaboard is up to 40% lighter than marine ply, helping to reduce your van's overall weight — which improves fuel economy and increases payload.

• Low Maintenance & Hygienic: The laminated surface is easy to clean, non-porous, and doesn’t absorb smells or bacteria — ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-use zones.
  

Why We Use Corian® for Our Benchtops

Another standout in our build process is our use of solid-surface Corian® benchtops — not chipboard with laminate.

Why Corian?

• Seamless & Solid – Machined and joined into one piece, there are no exposed edges to peel, swell or collect grime. It gives a sleek, premium finish with zero maintenance.

• Durability – Corian is heat-resistant, impact-resistant, and completely non-porous. It won’t bubble or deform under hot pots or temperature shifts.

• Repairable – Scratches or marks can often be sanded out and restored, unlike laminate which tends to flake or split.
  

  

  A completed Butlers pantry with PVC Versaboard Construction and Corian Bench tops

Why We Don’t Use Timber Products

We often get asked: “Why not just use marine ply?” Here's the simple answer — because timber, even good timber, isn’t built for caravans that live off-road.

Common problems with timber cabinetry:

• Absorbs moisture, leading to swelling or mould

• Fails at hinge points over time due to vibration and movement

• Warps with temperature and humidity changes

• Adds significant weight to the build

• Requires extra sealing or treatment that eventually breaks down

Timber might look nice when it’s new, but over time and use, especially in outback Australia, it becomes a maintenance headache. Our goal is to eliminate those issues before they ever start.

Bottom Line: Strength You Don’t Have to Worry About

Every Offroad Grit RV is built to handle the harshest parts of Australia and that starts with the structure you don’t always see. By using PVC-laminated Versaboard and solid-surface Corian, we create cabinetry that’s not just durable, but intelligently designed for how people actually use their vans.

If you’re investing in an off-road van to go the distance, make sure what’s behind the doors is just as tough as what’s underneath the chassis.

📍 Want to see it for yourself? Drop into our showroom or book a factory walk-through