Rolling through time: The evolution of life on the road

The road less travelled is often the one that leads to the most stunning landscapes.

Packing up the camper, caravan, or motorhome and hitting the road is as quintessentially Kiwi as rugby and pavlova.The roots of New Zealand’s love affair with campervanning trace back to a simpler time. In the post-war era, the rise of the middle class and the increase in leisure time saw families looking for affordable ways to explore the country. Caravans became a symbol of freedom and adventure, and as the popularity of caravanning grew, so did the sophistication of the vehicles themselves.

The Birth of TrailLite

TrailLite’s journey began in 1954 with a simple, one-off request that pivoted the company from making caskets and furniture to crafting caravans. The original owners, skilled cabinetmakers, leveraged their expertise in tight space utilisation, setting the foundation for what would become a multi-million dollar business. Their transition was timely, coinciding with a burgeoning caravan industry and a national love for the open road.

When in 1970, Peter Newman joined TrailLite as a young apprentice, he found himself in a company on the cusp of growth, where demand for caravans was soaring. Recalling those early days, Peter fondly notes, “Things were much more manual then, and we just couldn’t make them fast enough. As the levels of modernization improved, caravanning only got more popular.” By 1980, Peter had bought out the retiring owners, marking the beginning of a family legacy in the caravan business.

Navigating Rough Roads

The early 1980s presented significant challenges, including a luxury items tax that nearly halted the caravan industry. TrailLite had to adapt quickly, shifting focus to garage builds and renovations. The repeal of the tax in 1984 allowed TrailLite to resume caravan production and expand into motorhomes. Early motorhome designs were slow and cumbersome, but persistent innovation led to a beloved design featuring wooden finishes, a bed in the cabover, a rear lounge, ample water storage, and essential amenities like a gas oven and portable toilet.

The 2007 Global Financial Crisis was a tough period for TrailLite, but the company survived thanks to a solid reputation and strict cost controls. By 2015, Peter’s sons—Shaun, Adam, and Dan—had taken on management roles, propelling TrailLite into the luxury market. Inspired by visits to the world’s largest motorhome show in Düsseldorf, Germany, they integrated cutting-edge features and modernised their designs. This transition earned TrailLite a spot as a finalist in the Designers Institute of New Zealand’s Best Awards.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a surprising boom to the motorhome industry. “Suddenly everyone wanted a motorhome,” Shaun Newman recalls. “Our customers were cashed-up and frustrated with their isolation. With a motorhome, they could open up a whole new frontier of travel.”

State-of-the-Art Production

TrailLite’s Pukekohe production line is a testament to their commitment to quality. Using chassis from VW, and Iveco, the team meticulously builds each motorhome from the ground up. Compliance with New Zealand’s high manufacturing standards ensures peace of mind for owners, who receive a comprehensive handover when picking up their new motorhomes. Customisation options abound, allowing buyers to personalise everything from stone benchtops to colour schemes in the top-of- the-line Landmark series.

Looking Ahead

TrailLite’s future looks bright. Their recent move to a larger facility in Pukekohe and the opening of a state-of-the-art showroom and service centre in Christchurch underscore their commitment to growth and innovation. “There’s a lot of scope to grow, and we intend to be sticking around for the long haul,” says Shaun. With a focus on sustainable initiatives and continual product development, TrailLite is well-positioned to lead the luxury motorhome market for years to come.