When it comes to a true Kiwi classic, the few which have been elevated to the status of cultural icon have worked hard to earn their spot. Think Red Bands, Buzzy Bee and Hokey Pokey ice cream. All indelibly etched into the mind as being infused with the essence of New Zealand. Just like TrailLite, as Claire Smith discovers.
Having been dedicated to the art of crafting impeccable caravans and motorhomes for New Zealand, the TrailLite family legacy spans 70 years. And having successfully created dream lifestyles since 1954, TrailLite shows no signs of losing its passion, or its remarkable focus on continual evolution.
Having recently completed the TrailLite Tiki Tour, which saw the New Zealand-made TrailLite Generation 5 motorhomes and CrossPeak Caravan visit towns and cities throughout New Zealand, TrailLite is even more hotly at the forefront of many RV dreams.
Leading the Way
When you spend enough time living in a motorhome, it’s the little things that start to matter most.
Beyond the must-haves – like bench space, fridge size and storage – it’s often the quieter details that make the biggest difference – how easily you can move through the space; whether there’s enough light to read at night; if the lounge seating still feels comfortable an hour into a rainy-day book or an impromptu afternoon snooze.
That kind of everyday usability is exactly what TrailLite’s latest update, Generation 5, was built around. It’s the fifth major evolution of the New Zealand-built range – not a redesign, but a thoughtful round of updates focused on comfort, function, and cohesion.
Lounge seating has been reshaped with softer cushioning for better day-to-day comfort. The kitchen benchtop now has a smoother, more ergonomic edge, and even small touches, like the handles and latches, have been updated to feel better in your hands. In the bathroom, a new textured shower wall adds a bit of visual warmth, while the mirrored cabinets offer a little more practical storage. Subtle changes, but together, they make the whole space feel more considered.
At the centre of this upgrade is a deeper design philosophy: that a motorhome should feel like a small, well-designed apartment – not a compromise on wheels. That idea has been quietly shaping TrailLite’s approach for years, and with Gen 5, it’s now front and centre.
To find out more about what goes into thoughtful design refinement in the motorhome space, we caught up with the team at TrailLite to talk usability, evolving travel habits, and the subtle upgrades that can quietly transform life on the road.
Fuelled by Feedback
Spend enough time talking to motorhome owners, and patterns start to emerge. It might be a drawer that’s hard to reach, a bench corner that gets in the way, or a handle that’s too fiddly. On their own, none of these things seem like deal-breakers, but over time, they start to matter.
TrailLite’s Gen 5 update was shaped by exactly this kind of feedback. Whether it’s post-trip surveys, conversations at service centres, or chats with visitors at motorhome shows and expos, the team is constantly gathering insights. Over time, those small suggestions add up and many of them directly influence what ends up in the next design update.
“People would say, ‘Can you just…’ and those comments added up,” says TrailLite retail general manager Letitia Eyes. “Can you round this edge, change that handle, make this a bit easier? It all fed into Gen 5.”
The result is a round of refinements that feel purposeful, not just cosmetic. Many of the changes are immediately noticeable, like the reshaped lounge seating or the more cohesive interior finishes. Others reveal themselves as you move through the space: smoother handles, better storage, a bathroom that feels more considered.
“These aren’t changes for the sake of it,” says Letitia. “They’re based on how people actually live in their vans, and they make a real difference to everyday comfort.”
That High-End Apartment Feel
Just like home interiors have shifted over the decades, from tiny wardrobes and separate kitchens to open-plan living and that all-important connection with the outdoors, motorhome design has evolved too.
Advances in materials and technology mean we’re now in an era where luxurious comfort and practical functionality can travel side by side. It’s no longer about squeezing a living space into a van, it’s about designing a space that’s made for movement, but grounded in comfort.
“A key point for us is that we don’t want you to feel like you’re in a motorhome,” says joint managing director Shaun Newman. “We want it to feel like a well-designed, high-end apartment. We want it to feel like a home, with as few compromises as possible.”
That philosophy has shaped TrailLite’s design approach for years, and it’s front and centre in Gen 5.
The result is a cleaner, more cohesive interior. Materials are more considered, finishes match across the space, and there’s less visual noise.
“New Zealanders tend to appreciate a more simplified, clean-lined aesthetic,” says head of design Richard Coburn. “That was already part of the design direction here, but with Gen 5 we really leaned into it.”
The Kiwi Way of Travel
Buying a motorhome is never just about ticking boxes, it’s about how well a vehicle fits the way you actually travel. For many New Zealanders, that means long distances, remote spots, and a mix of campgrounds and off-grid freedom camping. It’s a travel style that’s uniquely Kiwi, and designing specifically for it has long been part of TrailLite’s approach.
“Our customers aren’t always plugging in at a holiday park each night,” says Letitia. “They might be on the road for weeks at a time, so we build with that kind of use in mind – bigger water tanks, stronger solar setups, insulation that can handle New Zealand’s conditions.”
That long-term mindset has shaped many of the decisions behind the Gen 5 upgrade. These motorhomes aren’t just for a weekend break – for some owners, they’re a second home, or even a full-time one. So, the space needs to work, not just look good. Storage must be practical, materials need to stand up to daily use, and the overall layout has to support the slower, more intentional kind of travel many Kiwis are embracing.
Building up the Anticipation
Right: Storage is cleverly incorporated into the design
Anyone who’s been through the journey of buying a motorhome knows that it’s a significant commitment – not just financially, but emotionally too.
“For a lot of our customers, this is a big life decision,” says Letitia. “They’ve dreamed about it, planned for it, and often waited years for the right moment. It’s not something they take lightly.”
That’s one reason the build journey has become such a meaningful part of the TrailLite experience. With branches in Pukekohe and Christchurch and all manufacturing done locally, customers are encouraged to visit the factory, walk through their motorhome as it’s being built, and meet the team behind it.
“It’s a really special part of the process,” Letitia says. “You can actually see the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into it. It builds trust – people leave feeling confident and excited, because they know exactly what’s gone into their motorhome or caravan.”
That local focus extends beyond the build team too. TrailLite works with more than 50 New Zealand suppliers, supporting local businesses while also maintaining greater control over quality. It’s all part of keeping the process connected, transparent, and close to home.
The Rise of the New-Gen RVer
As the way we live and work continues to shift, so does the way we travel. Motorhomes and caravans aren’t just for short breaks or retirement anymore, they’re becoming part of a more flexible, mobile lifestyle. And that’s reflected in who’s buying them, and what they’re looking for.
Over the past few years, that shift has only accelerated.
“Since Covid, we’ve seen a whole new wave of people joining the lifestyle,” says Shaun. “There’s definitely a younger demographic coming through, especially with caravans, and that’s been really positive for the industry. You see them out there now with the mountain bikes on the back and kids in the back seat. It’s a different kind of travel, and it’s growing.”
That change is influencing design too. More buyers are looking for long-term comfort, off-grid capability, and layouts that support everyday living, not just the occasional holiday. What used to be a retirement dream is now a real-time lifestyle for more and more New Zealanders, and it’s only just getting started.
Finding the Flow
Good design isn’t always obvious. But when it’s done well, you feel it – in how a space flows, in the quiet details, in the way things just work the way you hoped they would.
As more New Zealanders embrace the RV lifestyle, expectations are shifting. People want spaces that are built for real living – places that feel comfortable, flexible, and thoughtfully put together. It’s not just about adding new features; it’s about listening to how people actually travel and evolving the design to match.
Designers and manufacturers across the industry are responding to that shift in different ways. At TrailLite, the focus has been on finding the right balance between comfort and practicality, tradition and change, function and feel. And in a world where the road is becoming more of a lifestyle than a destination, that balance matters more than ever.
Because in the end, it’s not just about where the road takes you – it’s about how it feels to live along the way. And when the design quietly supports the way you live, the journey becomes less about the destination – and more about feeling at home along the way.
The TrailLite Story: A Long Road, Well-Travelled
TrailLite’s story began in 1954, just outside Pukekohe, where two cabinetmakers, Jim Crotty and Brian Penman, were building furniture and coffins. One day, Jim decided to build a caravan for family holidays. It was simple but well-made, and before long someone offered to buy it. Then another. Suddenly, the pair were in the caravan business.
1960s: A New Era Begins
In the 1960s, the company changed hands. New owner Bill Kirwin saw the potential in New Zealand’s growing appetite for travel and hired a young tradesman named Peter Newman in 1970. It was a boom time for caravans. They were getting bigger, better equipped, and more comfortable. Demand was high, and TrailLite built to order with a steady stream of eager dealers.
1970s: The Tax Man Cometh
Then in 1979, the government introduced a 20% sales tax on new caravans. The industry took a hit almost overnight. Many manufacturers didn’t survive. TrailLite nearly didn’t either, but Peter Newman and his soon-to-be business partner Ross Duncan saw an opportunity and bought the company, determined to keep it alive.
1980s: The Motorhome Shift
In the early 1980s, TrailLite was approached to build its first motorhome. At the time, there weren’t many on the road, but Peter and Ross saw where the market was heading. Those early builds were based on CF Bedfords, Toyotas and Mazdas, with basic interiors, cabover beds, and freedom-camping setups. They were slow, but they were solid – built with purpose and practicality in mind.
1990s: Growth, Change, and Family
By the 1990s, TrailLite had outgrown its space and moved to a larger site, still in Pukekohe. Around the same time, Ross passed away unexpectedly, and Peter continued the business on his own. Through economic ups and downs, TrailLite kept evolving. They began incorporating ideas from European models and adopted new manufacturing techniques to stay competitive.
Peter’s sons, Adam and Shaun, joined the business and gradually took on leadership roles. What started as sweeping factory floors for pocket money turned into full-time careers.
2000s: Innovation and Expansion
The 2000s marked a period of steady growth and innovation. TrailLite introduced new models, refined their manufacturing process, and invested in better systems and infrastructure. As motorhome travel gained popularity in New Zealand, the team focused on designing vehicles that could support longer trips and more self-sufficient travel. They also expanded their service offering, helping customers not just buy a motorhome, but plan and prepare for the lifestyle that came with it.
Today: Still Kiwi, Still Local
TrailLite is now one of the most recognised names in New Zealand’s RV industry, and it’s still family owned, with everything built locally in Pukekohe. Shaun and Adam are joint managing director, continuing the family legacy.
More than 70 years on from that first caravan, the heart of the business remains the same: quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a deep understanding of how Kiwis like to travel.
TrailLite’s Range at a Glance
Choosing a motorhome or caravan isn’t just about size or price – it’s about how you travel. Are you heading off grid for weeks at a time, or chasing summer weekends? Travelling light, or bringing the bikes and paddleboard too? TrailLite’s range is built to support different kinds of travellers, with thoughtful layouts, smart storage, and a clear step-up in space, comfort, and personalisation, with a huge range of options extras available, as you move through the Series.
100 Series Caravans
TrailLite caravans are where luxury meets adventure. With a focus on enhanced benefits like weight and payload, handling, specification and styling, the 100 Series offers premium interiors designed for luxury living built on a chassis made for safe and smooth towing on New Zealand roads. For even more off-road capability, TrailLite has developed a CrossPeak upgrade option to the 100 Series caravan.
300 Series Self-Contained Motorhomes
The 300 Series offers more space and self-sufficiency, with fully self-contained features for off-grid travel. Built on a lighter chassis and with a focus on usability, it’s a comfortable step up for those ready for longer trips, without committing to a large vehicle.
700 Series Extended Touring Motorhomes
Designed with long-haul touring in mind, the 700 Series offers more room to move, extra storage, and larger onboard systems. Built on a wider track chassis, it suits travellers planning extended adventures, full-time living, or those who simply prefer a bit more breathing room.
Landmark: Premium Personalisation
All TrailLite models, across the 100, 300, and 700 Series, come with a choice of three curated interior palettes, professionally designed to suit different tastes. For those wanting something more personal in their motorhome, the Landmark upgrade opens up a wider range of personalisation. Customers can work directly with the design team to select from a broader suite of finishes, fabrics, benchtops, cabinetry, and hardware – creating a space that feels entirely their own.
