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The On The Move Grenade range is attempting something that is quite refreshing to see in the Australian caravan industry: genuine innovation. While some manufacturers are content to slap a new sticker on an old layout, OTM has thrown out the rulebook with the Black Edition Grenade range launched earlier this year.
The headline act? A massive club lounge in a 19ft van. But looking past the shiny furniture, there is a fascinating shift happening under the skin of these vans. We are talking about a move to automotive-grade engineering and a power system from Renogy that is designed to sever the umbilical cord to caravan parks completely. Let’s take a closer look at the range.
The Platform: Engineering, not just welding
Before we get to the fancy electric beds, we need to talk about what’s underneath. The Grenade sits on OTM’s proprietary “Desert Master” chassis. Instead of the traditional heavy box section steel, they are using 550-grade high-tensile steel. For context, many in the industry use 350 or 450 grade.
But here is the detail that matters: the chassis is riveted and bolted, not just continuously welded.
When you drag a 3.5-tonne van over endless corrugations, rigid welded joints create stress concentrations that can lead to fatigue cracking. Riveted joints, much like you see on planes allow for micro-movements that dissipate this stress energy. It is a smarter way to build for the Australian outback.
Then there is the suspension. The Grenade uses an independent wishbone suspension system. By using an upper and lower control arm (like your 4WD), the wheel travels vertically rather than arcing, keeping the tyre contact patch flatter on the dirt. It’s a superior setup for handling corrugations, and it comes with airbags as standard across the range.
On The Move Grenade layout: The “Space Race”
The biggest gripe with off-road vans is that you usually have to tow a 22ft+ behemoth to get a decent lounge. OTM has solved this by deleting the permanent bedroom. Instead, the Grenade features an electric drop-down bed that lowers over the club lounge.
This allows a 19ft single-axle van (the 5.8) to have the internal living space of a 24ft van. During the day, you have a massive leatherette club lounge to relax in. At night, you press a button, and the bed descends.
But here is the clever part: Unlike most drop-down beds which are East-West (meaning you have to climb over your partner to pee at night), the Grenade’s bed is North-South.
Hot Tip: The North-South orientation doesn’t just save your marriage; it allows for overhead cupboards to remain in place, giving you storage that other drop-down layouts sacrifice. Plus, you don’t need to reshuffle the lounge cushions to lower it.
During the day, you have a massive leatherette club lounge to relax in. At night, you press a button (it requires a double-press safety activation so the kids can’t squash you), and the bed descends. The wireless phone chargers in the lounge even double as bedside tables when the bed is down. Smart.
The trade-off? You are reliant on 12V motors to go to sleep. However, for those who value internal living space over a permanent mattress, it is a brilliant use of volume.
On The Move Grenade Black Edition: An autonomy pack
It is easy to get distracted by the black checker plate, but the “Black Edition” badge is really about off-grid capability. One of the most significant updates for 2025 is a strategic partnership with Renogy to create a fully integrated power ecosystem.
The Black Edition doubles the power and triples the inverter utility compared to the Standard model. We are talking up to 1820W of solar feeding a 400Ah lithium bank, all managed by a 3000W inverter. This isn’t just for charging phones; it means running the air conditioner or washing machine off-grid.
It also adds crucial lifestyle features like a 12V Dust Reduction System (DRS) to keep the red dirt out, and an external pull-out kitchen to keep the cooking heat outside. Check the table below for a breakdown of what you get for the extra spend.
| System | Standard Spec | Black Edition Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 200Ah Lithium | Renogy 400Ah Lithium |
| Solar | 400W (2x 200W) | 1820W for 5.8 model, 1220W for 6.3 and 6.9f model |
| Inverter | 2000W | Renogy 3000W (150A Charger) |
| Power Mgmt | Standard System | Renogy ONE Core System |
| Kitchen | Internal Only | External Slide-out Included |
| Dust Tech | Vents Only | 12V Dust Reduction System |
| Cooling | A/C Only | 2x 12V Sirocco Fans |
| Camera | Reverse Only | 4-Way Camera System |
| Awning | Standard | Solar Awning (6.3 Model) |
| Water (6.9F) | 360L Fresh | 460L Fresh |
On The Move Grenade model spotlights
The Grenade 5.8 offers big van luxury in a maneuverable single-axle package. Image: On The Move Caravans
On The Move Grenade 5.8: The agile heavyweight
Target Audience: Solo travellers or couples who want a smaller tow footprint without sacrificing heavy-duty capability.
The unicorn of the range. Finding a single-axle van with a full club lounge and separate shower/toilet is rare. Here is why it works:
- Superior Maneuverability: A shorter wheelbase and single pivot point allow you to navigate tight bush tracks, perform U-turns on narrow fire trails, and fit into restrictive campsites that tandem vans cannot access.
- No Compromise Living: Unlike pop-tops or hybrids, you retain the full 2.02m internal ceiling height and full-width luxury of a 22ft van, just in a compact 19ft package.
- Ride Quality: The independent wishbone suspension ensures the van tracks true behind the vehicle and protects your internal cabinetry from the “earthquake” effect of rough roads.
- AC Off-Grid: The high-capacity Black Edition electrical system allows you to run high-draw appliances (coffee machine, hair dryer, A/C for short bursts) without needing 240V mains power.
On The Move Grenade 6.3: The space innovator
Target Audience: Couples planning long-term laps who need distinct living zones and apartment-style comfort.
This is the layout that is turning heads. By utilizing a North-South electric drop-down bed over a rear club lounge, OTM has solved the perennial “bed vs. lounge” compromise.
- Double the Living Area: By lifting the bed into the ceiling during the day, the rear of the van transforms into a massive lounge. You effectively get a bedroom and a living room in the same square meterage.
- Social Hosting: Unlike standard cafe dinettes, this wrap-around lounge seats 4-6 adults comfortably, allowing you to host friends inside during poor weather.
- Total Situational Awareness: The Black Edition’s 4-way camera system eliminates blind spots when merging on highways or reversing into tight sites, significantly reducing stress for the driver.
- Outdoor Lifestyle: The external slide-out kitchen keeps cooking smells, heat, and grease out of the main cabin. It allows you to live “outside” under the awning while still having access to a full sink and burner setup.
- Passive Charging: The Black Edition integrates a Solar Awning, collecting energy even when roof space is limited or shaded.
On The Move Grenade 6.9F: The family fortress
Target Audience: Families (up to 5) who need to carry heavy loads and sustain themselves off-grid for extended periods.
Let’s be clear: with a 4000kg ATM, you are looking at a RAM, Silverado, or F-150 to tow this safely. In return, you get genuine long-range capability.
- Extended Endurance: With 460L of fresh water (Black Edition), a family can stay off-grid for 5-7 days without needing to refill, opening up remote camp spots.
- Legal Payload Capacity: The 4000kg rating provides a massive payload allowance to legally carry water, food, bikes, tools, and toys for a family of five without being overweight.
- Zoned Living: The drop-down bed separates the parents’ sleeping area from the kids’ bunk room, providing a necessary privacy buffer often missing in open-plan family vans.
- Cleanliness Maintenance: The Dust Reduction System (DRS) pressurises the cabin with filtered air while driving, keeping red dust out of the bedding and clothes even after hundreds of kilometers of dirt tracks.
- No Cold Showers: Unlike tank systems that run cold after one person, the Instant Continuous Hot Water system heats water on demand, allowing back-to-back showers for the whole family.
The verdict
The On The Move Grenade isn’t just another me-too off-roader. The wishbone suspension and riveted chassis show they are serious about towing dynamics, and the inclusion of a spare wheel cradle (so you don’t have to deadlift a 35kg muddy wheel) shows they’ve actually thought about the end user.
If you can get your head around the idea of an electric bed (and the reliance on 12V power that comes with it), the Grenade offers a living space that traditional layouts simply cannot match.
On The Move Grenade specs
| Specification | Grenade 5.8 | Grenade 6.3 | Grenade 6.9F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Desert Master (550 Grade) | Desert Master (550 Grade) | Desert Master (550 Grade) |
| Axles | Single | Tandem | Tandem |
| Suspension | Indep. Wishbone + Air | Indep. Wishbone + Air | Indep. Wishbone + Air |
| Body Length | 5.89m (19’3″) | 6.34m (21ft) | 6.94m (23ft) |
| Overall Length | 7.85m | 8.33m | 8.93m |
| ATM | 3500kg | 3500kg | 4000kg |
| Tare (Approx) | ~2630kg | ~2760kg | ~2900kg – 3050kg |
| Ball Weight | ~190kg | ~220kg | ~240kg |
| Water (Std/Blk) | 360L / 460L | 360L / 460L | 360L / 460L |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 | 4-6 |
| Learn more | See the 5.8 | See the 6.3 | See the 6.9F |
