RV spotlight: Zodiac Pearl packs big off-grid power into 18ft
The 18ft Zodiac Pearl caravan combines 690Ah lithium, 750W solar, 240L fresh water and a luxury couples layout for off-grid touring.
Published on: 12 August 2026
An 18ft caravan might sound fairly standard-sized. It’s certainly not small enough to be squashy inside and it’s most definitely not too large to tow or reverse easily into a campsite. But the Zodiac Pearl by Austrack Campers & Caravans certainly isn’t average when it comes to inclusions.
Designed primarily for couples, the Zodiac Pearl caravan combines an extensive off-grid electrical setup with 240 litres of fresh water, off-road suspension and a surprisingly long list of creature comforts.
Priced at $99,990, it sits firmly at the premium end of the mid-range-sized caravan market. But with 690Ah of lithium battery capacity, 750W of solar, a 3000W inverter and even a washer/dryer among its standard inclusions, there are plenty of features packed into its size.
So, what exactly do you get for your money?
A comfortable 18ft layout for couples
The Zodiac Pearl is pitched as a luxury couples caravan, with a 1530 x 2000mm queen-size bed and premium leather lounge seating forming the heart of the interior.
From the images, it’s certainly a polished-looking space. The fibreglass wall and ceiling finish, modern cabinetry, contemporary hardware and LED lighting give the Pearl the kind of upmarket interior you’d expect given its positioning.
Importantly, the compact-ish dimensions haven’t meant doing away with a proper bathroom. There’s a separate internal shower and toilet, as well as an external hot-and-cold shower with a privacy tent.
The Pearl measures 8m overall, 2.5m wide and 3.2m high.
The off-grid electrical system is the headline act
If there’s one specification that immediately grabs our attention, it’s the Pearl’s electrical setup.
Three 230Ah LiFePO4 lithium batteries provide a combined 690Ah of battery capacity, backed by 750W of shade-resistant solar panels. There’s also an Arizon 3000W inverter with a 200A AC charger, along with a 100A DC-DC charger and solar MPPT charger.
That’s a substantial setup for an 18ft caravan and one clearly designed with off-grid touring in mind. It also makes sense when you look at some of the electrical appliances fitted inside. The Pearl comes standard with a four-zone induction cooktop, MyCoolman reverse-cycle air-conditioning, 2000W diesel heater, 180L Dometic fridge/freezer and 23L flatbed microwave.
There’s even a coffee machine and a combined washing machine and clothes dryer.
Other electrical inclusions include multiple 240V power points and 12V USB ports, two wireless phone chargers, 12V fans and a wireless reversing camera. The Pearl is also listed as Starlink ready.
240L of fresh water for touring
Power is only one part of the off-grid equation. The Zodiac Pearl carries 240 litres of fresh water across two 120L tanks, an 80L greywater tank, on-demand hot water and a mixer tap with integrated water filtration.
A separate water tap is fitted to the drawbar, while multiple gas outlets allow for kitchen plumbing with a spare connection available for a BBQ.
Combined with its electrical system, these capacities make it clear that the Pearl has been designed around travellers who don’t necessarily want their trips dictated by access to powered caravan park sites.
A surprisingly long list of comforts
The Pearl isn’t relying on battery and water figures alone to justify its premium positioning.
A 28-inch smart TV comes with both interior and exterior mounts, while the entertainment system features a touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Climate control is covered at both ends of the Australian touring spectrum with reverse-cycle air-conditioning and a diesel heater.
Double-glazed tinted windows come with shade curtains and screens, and there’s a 14ft manual rolling awning outside. A Winegard Air 360+ TV aerial and Dust Reduction System are also standard.
Buyers wanting to expand the outdoor living setup can opt for an external alfresco kitchen with a four-burner stove and sink, an external 95L dual-zone fridge/freezer and an anti-flap kit with three side walls and a draft skirt.
Built with off-road touring in mind
Underneath, the Pearl runs AusTuff off-road suspension with Pedders foam cell 4×4 shock absorbers. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/75 R16 rugged-terrain tyres and is equipped with 12-inch off-road brakes.
A Cruisemaster DO35 all-terrain hitch handles the connection to the tow vehicle, while drop-down stabilisers, a dual-wheel 750kg jockey wheel, heavy-duty mudflaps and adjustable tie-down tracks on the toolbox are also included.
If you’ve got your heart set on airbag suspension, you can get that as an optional extra.
What does the Zodiac Pearl weigh?
In its standard configuration, the Zodiac Pearl has an approximate TARE weight from 2430kg, an approximate ball weight of 230kg and an ATM of 3300kg. Based on these indicative figures, that provides a payload of 870kg.
However, Zodiac notes that weights are approximate and can vary between individual caravans. The published figures are based on a standard configuration without the optional external kitchen, fridge and anti-flap kit, and adding options or making other variations will increase the caravan’s weight.
As always, buyers should confirm the actual weights of their individual caravan and ensure their tow vehicle is suitably rated for the combination.
Zodiac Pearl specifications at a glance
| Specification | Zodiac Pearl |
|---|---|
| Size | 18ft |
| Price | $99,990 |
| TARE | From approx. 2430kg |
| Ball weight | Approx. 230kg |
| ATM | 3300kg |
| Indicative payload | 870kg |
| Fresh water | 240L |
| Grey water | 80L |
| Lithium batteries | 690Ah |
| Solar | 750W |
| Inverter | 3000W |
| Overall length | 8m |
| Width | 2.5m |
| Height | 3.2m |
Who is the Zodiac Pearl aimed at?
On paper, the Zodiac Pearl looks squarely targeted at couples who want a relatively compact caravan without giving up the systems and comforts typically associated with larger touring setups.
Its standout feature is undoubtedly the combination of 690Ah of lithium storage, 750W of solar and 240L of fresh water. Add the induction cooking, air-conditioning, diesel heating, separate ensuite and washer/dryer, and there’s a lot happening inside an 18ft package.
At $99,990, however, this isn’t being pitched as a bare-bones compact tourer. The Pearl is very much positioned around premium equipment and comfort alongside its off-grid capability.
We haven’t inspected or towed the Zodiac Pearl ourselves, so we can’t comment on how it performs on the road or how well the layout works in everyday use. But purely on the specifications supplied, it’s an interesting example of just how much comfort can be squeezed into a couple’s caravan.
