The legal dispute between a pair of van-life vloggers and a caravan company has reignited, with earlier orders for the influencers to pay $1.2million in damages now set aside as proceedings resume and other customers raise complaints of their own.
Kyla and Jackson Cartwright, known online as the Cartwrights, are among Australia’s most recognisable van-life influencers, boasting 148,000 YouTube subscribers and 78,000 Instagram followers.
The couple built their audience by sharing their journeys to far-flung, picturesque locations, travelling the country with their four children. Their established presence gives them significant influence within the so-called ‘van life’ community – a central issue in the court proceedings launched in late 2024 by Masterpiece Caravans.
In May, the photogenic family of nomads were ordered by default judgment to pay $1.2million to Masterpiece Caravans after the company alleged two YouTube videos breached a settlement agreement stemming from a dispute about defects the family had raised in their caravan.
In 2022, the Cartwrights purchased an Optimum CRZR 25′ Quad Bunk 2023 for $198,550 from Masterpiece Caravans, before embarking on an Australia-wide road trip.
By August 2023, their idyllic life on the road was tested, with the Cartwrights alleging their van had a number of serious defects, which were disputed by Masterpiece.
A settlement was reached in November, with the Cartwrights returning the caravan for a full refund on the proviso they refrained from making disparaging comments and talking negatively about the company.
Married couple Kyla and Jackson Cartwright are two of Australia’s most recognisable van-life influencers, with 148,000 YouTube subscribers and 78,000 Instagram followers
The Cartwrights built their following by documenting life on the road and their travels to far-flung picturesque locations with their four children in tow
In 2022, the Cartwrights purchased an Optimum CRZR 25′ Quad Bunk 2023 for $198,550 from Masterpiece Caravans, before embarking on an Australia wide road trip
The following February, a video appeared on the Cartwrights’ YouTube channel titled ‘HOMELESS!! OUR CARAVAN’S GONE!! RAW 1HR HOME VIDEO STYLE in OUR LIFE – DELIVERY of our NEW HOME.’
According to Masterpiece’s claim, the first video depicted the company as forcing the Cartwrights to return their caravan with only a few hours’ notice, leaving the family homeless.
In court documents, Masterpiece alleges a second video published the following July portrayed the company as ‘evil’ and accused it of manufacturing caravans with ‘catastrophic defects’. Masterpiece claims both videos amount to misleading or deceptive conduct.
The hefty damages bill was made as a default judgment, but has since been set aside, with proceedings back underway and the Cartwrights’ defences reinstated. The matter is next set for a directions hearing in the NSW District Court on November 9.
When specifically asked about the matter with the Cartwrights, a Masterpiece Caravans spokesman suggested that the Daily Mail should ‘carefully review the court file’ before ‘jumping to any incorrect conclusions’.
They added: ‘The substance of the dispute is still being progressed through the Court. Masterpiece will be strongly pursuing its claim against the Cartwrights in full with hopes to achieve a positive outcome through the courts in due course. This claim relates solely to the Cartwrights’ conduct.’
In a sworn affidavit from February this year, Masterpiece Caravans’ sole director Remon Raffaello stated that the ‘devastating impact’ of the videos on his business left it ‘just holding on to survive’.
In an affidavit, the director of Masterpiece Caravans said his sales at caravan shows had decreased significantly since the videos
Since the court proceedings became public, other Masterpiece Caravans customers have contacted the Daily Mail with complaints of their own – allegations that are disputed by Masterpiece
In an affidavit filed in the proceedings, Mr Raffaello said he is repeatedly asked ‘what did Masterpiece do to the Cartwrights?’ and ‘how is the floor in the Masterpiece caravans?’ in conversations occurring ‘about three times a week’.
Many of these interactions take place at caravan shows, where ‘approximately five to 15 customers’ mention the Cartwrights to him personally.
Mr Raffaello claimed in his affidavit that ‘no customer who has asked me about the Cartwrights has proceeded with a sale’.
His affidavit also includes a year-on-year production schedule, showing what he says is a 67.4 per cent drop in average annual sales following the Cartwrights’ videos.
Mr Raffaello also claimed that Masterpiece had been forced to sell its ownership stakes in two dealerships, after they were unable to sell any Masterpiece-branded caravans.
‘Based on my experience with [the videos], and the influence the Cartwrights have on the caravanning industry, I do not think Masterpiece would survive if the Cartwrights posted negative comments about Masterpiece.’
Mr Raffaello swore that he did not know of any significant events or incidents that could have led to the drop in sales and profitability.
In the same affidavit, he said Masterpiece’s losses exceeded the $1.25million in damages it was claiming.
‘I also note that in 2022 Masterpiece won best manufacturer of the year, and its reputation remained well regarded until the Cartwrights’ conduct.’
Masterpiece says its current claim against the Cartwrights does not concern the defects they originally complained about, which it says were resolved when the family received a full refund, but instead relates to the couple’s subsequent conduct.
The legal battle between Australia’s most successful van life vloggers and a caravan company has kicked off again
In May, the photogenic family of nomads were court ordered to pay $1.2million to Masterpiece Caravans over two ‘misleading’ YouTube videos
Separately, since the court proceedings became public, other Masterpiece Caravans customers contacted the Daily Mail with complaints of their own.
They raised concerns about alleged electrical faults, leaking roofs, solar panel installation and flooring problems, which are among the issues commonly raised by caravan owners generally. Masterpiece disputes those allegations and maintains there are no unresolved issues relating to its products.
It is not suggested the complaints raised by other customers are evidence of, or connected to, the allegations at issue in the proceedings between Masterpiece Caravans and the Cartwrights.
The Mail provided Masterpiece Caravans with detailed particulars of the complaints prior to publication. The company requested the identities of those customers so it could review its records and ‘advise the true position’.
Through its lawyers, the company said customer concerns are promptly addressed and are ‘always capable of rectification’.
Additionally, Masterpiece rejected suggestions that customers had been refused assistance because warranty periods had expired, saying it would assess caravans and remedy issues irrespective of warranty status.
In 2024, Masterpiece, alongside dealership Newcastle Caravans, faced NCAT proceedings launched by customer Cameron Stewart, whose van was found to have a ‘major failure’ in its flooring.
Mr Stewart successfully argued the caravan he bought for $128,000 was not compliant under the statutory guarantee of acceptable quality under Australian Consumer Law, and constituted a ‘major failure’.
However, NCAT declined to grant Mr Stewart the refund he sought, and instead ordered the dealership, Newcastle Caravans, to carry out a repair.
A company spokesman told the Mail: ‘We note that Masterpiece was entirely successful in the initial proceedings, and in relation to Mr Stewart’s attempt to appeal.
‘In the premises, we do not believe that this case is indicative of the issues allegedly relating to Masterpiece. Notably, it shows that Masterpiece’s warranty department was in regular contact with a client, despite that client not bringing any claim within the relevant time period.’
The company also said its warranty department had remained in regular contact with Mr Stewart, had sought opportunities to inspect and repair the caravan, and had since complied with all tribunal orders.
In a further statement, a Masterpiece spokesman said the company ‘prides itself on the quality of its products, construction methods and its relationship with its customers.
‘Our client makes a point of taking active steps to work with any customers and resolve any issues they may be experiencing.
‘While customers do occasionally raise issues from time to time, these are promptly addressed by Masterpiece, and are always capable of rectification. Masterpiece maintains that there are no unresolved issues relating to its products.’
