Buying used: Crusader Family Castle review

In the market for a used family caravan? We’ve taken a relook at the 2019 22-foot Crusader Family Castle as a solid option for buying second-hand.

Family vans are hugely popular and thoughtfully designed variants turn heads. Enter Crusader’s family castle, a well appointed 22-foot caravan designed for fun touring. Back in 2019, it came at a price tag of just under $73,000. Now, you’ll find them advertised second-hand in 2025 for around $65,000 – $70,000.

Crusader has clearly set out to cater for multiple scenarios with this van: Mum and dad and up to three kids. It is also suited for a touring couple, likely grandparents, who want to have enough space for their grandkids to stay. There are also designs to suit a home office layout or space to haul toys.

The family range comprises: The Bunkie (19ft); the Palace (20ft); and the Castle which is the longest at 22ft. The two smaller vans require a tow vehicle with a 2500kg-plus rating. In contrast, the Castle needs a vehicle rated to at least 3200kg.

Outside the Crusader Family Castle

Alupanel composite walls form the body while a black chequer-plate front, back and skirt sections create a neat contrasting look. The composite, one-piece fibreglass roof runs from front to rear, book-ended with chequer-plate.

The roof is fitted with Ranger hatches, an Ibis Air Command AC unit, Dometic antenna plus a 160W solar panel. These features help to keep the battery topped up when parked.

A six-inch Supagal chassis underpins the Crusader Family Castle. Coupled to that is an eight-leaf eye-to-eye suspension system, twin 1600kg-rated axles and 10-inch electric brakes. Devil black and chrome alloy rims are shod with 235/75R15 LT tyres. Slung underneath are twin 95-litre water tanks, drop-down stabilising legs and some neat plumbing.

The A-frame supports twin 9kg gas bottles, tap, an AL-KO jockey wheel and a 50mm ball coupling. It is basic and functional.

Features around the body include a 17-foot Dometic awning, Bargmen door handle with light, and an alloy drop step. Additionally, there is a picnic table, entertainment box, twin exterior speakers, and a full-width tunnel boot. This boot houses the tools for the awning and drop-down jacks. Other features include a Breaksafe unit, 105A/hr battery, and a Meanwell three-stage battery charger.

The Crusader Family Castle’s body is functional and neat and set up for comfortable blacktop touring. Crusader also offers a range of upgrades, including an off-road suspension package to a self-contained camping package, and much more.

Inside the Crusader Family Castle

Access to the van is via a Dometic Crimsafe security centre door. Once inside, a queen-size bed (with inner-spring mattress) adjoins the front wall. This part of the van is light and airy. There are plenty of storage spaces in the wardrobes on either side as well as units above and below the bed. Two pigeon-holes for phones, books and similar items are fitted with 12- and 240-volt power points. They sit under the main wardrobe sections and are accessible from the bed. An LED TV is located off the passenger side wall in the bedroom. It can be swivelled to be watched easily from the dinette.

On the passenger-side wall in the middle of the van is the kitchen space. While not huge, it is practical and functional with plenty of drawers, a slide-out pantry, and a deep sink. It has a flick mixer and hot water provided by a Swift gas/elec system. A Finch rangehood sits above a recessed Dometic fan-forced full-size oven. There’s more storage in the overhead cupboards. A Swift microwave rounds out the cooking and storage set-up.

Opposite the kitchen is a neat C-shaped Leatherette dinette that will seat up to two adults and three smaller kids. There’s storage under the seats as well as in overhead cupboards. In one overhead cupboard, the electrical section includes an NCe radio/entertainment unit, Dometic solar control, and BP-400 battery protector. Fuses, switchboard, and a water level gauge are also included.

Towards the rear of the van is a Dometic 190-litre, three-way, two-door fridge with some storage above and below. Before a sliding door sections off the kids’ space and ensuite.

For families…

A set of three bunks are on the driver’s side. They are 6ft 2in long and 2ft 4in wide with low-profile inner-spring mattresses that offer plenty of room for a kid and some gear. Each bunk has its own window and light with the steps built into the unit. Across the back of the van, between the bunks and the ensuite opposite, is a brilliant storage space for clothes and linen. On the floor is an NCe washing machine, which is handy – especially with kids.

The ensuite is divided into two spaces. A Dometic swivel toilet sits on the left side, a vanity and mirror in the mid-way space and a fibreglass shower on the right. It is a very practical size. The shower features a wide-grill drain, but I wonder whether this could be sealed off for dirt road travel in the way a normal drain hole plug works. There are hatches, lights, power points, and overhead cupboards to make the ensuite very practical.

Pros & cons of the Crusader Family Castle

Pros

• Comfort spec level
• Quality control
• Family van

Cons

• Potential dust ingress in the shower

Specs

• Body length: 6.7m (22ft)
• Body width: 2.4m (7ft, 9in)
• Tare weight: 2446kg
• ATM: 3200kg
• Price as tested in 2019: $72,662 ex Melbourne
• Used pricing of the 2019 model in 2025: $65,00 – $70,000

The verdict on the Crusader Family Castle

The Castle offers a solid, practical layout that will allow touring families to be comfortable away from home. The good-looking interior will appeal to many buyers. There’s enough room on the bottom bunk bed for kids to relax while leaving the other two set-up for sleeping. Having a window keeps the interior light and airy. The specification for the van’s price means it should be on your shortlist if you’re in the market for a family-size caravan.

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