Carawagon and Dormobile

Details: Category: Specialist Conversions; Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 18:36; Written by Site Admin; Hits: 6877

Carawagon conversions

The Carawagon was a Land Rover approved special vehicle, built by Searle of Sunbury-on-Thames. Later Named Carawagon International, this company built sleeper converted Land Rover 109's for both military and civilian use. From the 1960s until the mid-1980s they were built as campers, Tactical command posts, etc. Where fitted, the elevating roof, which allowed a person to stand inside the vehicle, rose vertically without hinging. Orders came from different official sources as well as companies such as the BBC. The army ordered 34 of them and called them the Tactical Command Post. The 109's were called Ultimate (2/4 bed Station Wagon with elevating roof) or Continental (2-bed Station Wagon). On the shorter 88inch wheelbase the Safari 88 was offered, a sleeper conversion for Hard Top or Station Wagon.

When the 110's arrived in 1983 those conversions were called Continental (2-bed Station Wagon), Ulysses (2/4 bed Hard Top with elevating roof) and Ultimate (2/4 bed Station Wagon with elevating roof). There was also a derivative of the Army's Tactical Command Post on a 110 base. From the beginning Carawagon had offered seating and sleeping conversions for a number of Land Rovers. However in 1971 they transformed a Range Rover on the base of an existing vehicle EPK800J which was examined by the engineers at Land Rover in March 1971. It had some shortcomings compared to the 109's. Internal space was shorter by 7" and the spare wheel was carried inside. The standard full roof could not be fitted and so a smaller roof with only 5ft 4inches standing height was fitted (the 109 had 6ft 2inches). However only very few Range Rovers have been converted probably due to the price of £3040.- compared to the £2450.- for a 109 conversion with 4 beds. They were still available in sales lists until 1980. Carawagon closed down in the mid-80's.

Dave Elwin wrote:

After a visit, with my father, to Searles Factory in 1971, a 109 carawagon was bought and driven back to Somerset. In 1972 the price was around £1100. This replaced a series 2A LWB which has disappeared, its reg was TYB 964 G. This was a 6 cylinder 12 seater in Grey.

The new vehicle was a very early series 3, Registration number OPA 135 L and was painted in Land Rover's light green. It was a 6 cylinder station wagon with a cramped 4 berth arrangement, soon rectified with a frame tent attached to the rear door - as far as I'm aware it was unusual as it was a 5 door and seated 6. It was kept for over 22 years and bought by a guy in Wales involved with mountain rescue and he paid £1100 for it. Sadly I cannot trace it.

I would like to find out if these vehicles, OPA 135 L and TYB 964 G are still around, and where they are now.

Carawagon Logo

Range Rover Carawagon.

Dormobile conversions

The Dormobile Land Rover conversion was factory approved and built by Martin-Walter Ltd. of Folkestone, Kent. These were similar to the Carawagon vehicles in that they were primarily camper vehicles. However the design differences are apparent especially in the roof, as the Dormobile units are hinged along one side (see pic). Martin-Walter Ltd became known as Dormobile Ltd. The name was changed to Dormobile to reflect the sales success of these models, but a series of take-overs in the 60's led to difficult times and the final name change - Dormobile (Folkestone) Ltd. The company finally closed 1994.

Dormobile is back in business.

Dormobile is back, and prices for work to 109 inch 110 inch Land Rovers is currently listed. Plans are obviously ongoing for some of the other vehicle types that were converted previously.
You can visit their website at www.Dormobile.co.uk, or use the contact information below:
Dormobile, 18 Premier Way, Abbey Park Indusrial Estate. Romsey, Hampshire SO51 9DQ.
Tel 44 (0)1794 830831 or Fax 44 (0)1794 830839
E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carey Huffman's Dormobile