Insolvent caravan business turns family travel dreams to dust

Buying a caravan to travel around the country is the dream for many Australian families.

But after handing over their savings, pensions and superannuation, dozens of families claim their dreams have turned to dust at the hands of Victorian company Tango Caravans.

Melbourne mum and dad Blake and Andrea Pitman had been planning their year-long trip around Australia for two years.

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Melbourne mum and dad Blake and Andrea Pitman had been planning their year-long trip around Australia for two years. (Nine)

"It's part of the fabric of our family, and the DNA of our family. and it's not just about a caravan for us, it's a way of life," Andrea said.

The Pitmans purchased a "Sarah Series" off road caravan from the company, paying $83,390 via bank transfers for the home on wheels, with $3045 outstanding.

"I handed every cent I had as an adult over to Tango, to fund the dream," Andrea said.

The couple even sold their existing caravan, but its replacement never arrived.

A room full of supplies is all that is left of the Pitman's travel dream. (Nine)

"They kept fobbing us off [saying] 'oh i'll have to check with the manufacturer, i'll check with Sarah and get back to you', " Andrea said.

But now, the supplies they should be taking on their 2026 road trip are gathering dust in their spare room.

"For us, this is the, this is what the heartbreak looks like - it's all just sitting here," Andrea said.

Like the Pitmans, Queenslanders Jamie and Taisha Ellis love exploring Australia with their girls and decided to upgrade their camper van.

Queenslanders Jamie and Taisha Ellis also purchased a caravan from Tango. (Nine)

Jamie transferred Tango Caravans a cash deposit of $7550 and secured a loan to cover the entire cost of the caravan - $75,500.

"It was 'pay the deposit and we'll have a build order to you within 24 hours and you'll have a van within two weeks'," Jamie said.

But the closest he claims he got to receiving one was a photo of a caravan, which a Tango Caravans salesperson claimed was their new wheels.

"I contacted the manufacturer direct.... straight off the bat he said 'mate, we won't be building you a van' ... and we won't be building you one because she owes us so much money," Jamie said.

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Sarah Horter claims to be the managing director of Tango Caravans. (Nine)

Craig, Ali and their three kids are living in the back of their car after they sold their house in 2022 to travel Australia with their three kids in a Tango caravan.

"[We are] really heartbroken actually. it's changed our whole life completely," Ali said.

When A Current Affair visited Tango Caravans in Melbourne's north, a sign on the front door claimed the company had gone into liquidation.

"The liquidators are not in a position to refund deposits paid to customers," the notice read.

When A Current Affair visited Tango Caravans in Melbourne's north, a sign on the front door claimed the company had gone into liquidation. (Nine)

In a further statement to A Current Affair, the liquidator Pitcher Partners said it would need to assess whether the company is able to pay any dividend to creditors.

Pitcher Partners has confirmed it will be investigating whether Tango Caravans' director was accepting deposits and trading while insolvent.

It said any relevant findings will be referred to ASIC.

In a statement, Consumer Affairs Victoria said it "take[s] reports that people have paid for products or services that are not delivered very seriously".

STATEMENT FROM LIQUIDATOR PITCHER PARTNERS

Will customers who have paid Tango Caravans deposits for a caravan, or the cost of a caravan in full, get some or all of their money back?

The answer to this is unknown at this early stage.

The Liquidators are not in a position to refund deposits paid by customers.

The ability for the company to pay any dividend to creditors (including customers who have paid a deposit) will need to be assessed as the liquidation progresses.

There are also secured creditors who hold charges over the assets of the Company. One of those secured creditors appointed a Receiver on Thursday 15 August, in order to seek to realise any available assets.

The Receiver has now retired without making any realisations.

What factors will determine whether customers get their money back?

The Liquidators have only been appointed for just on a week. Investigations have commenced.

A customer who has provided a full or partial deposit to the company and who has not been repaid or received their product will likely be a creditor of the company.

Any return to these creditors will be dependent upon:

The prospect of success of any asset realisations, or other recovery actionsThe amount of creditor claimsAny claims by priority creditors, including secured creditors and employees.

At this early stage, the Liquidators are unable to advise whether there will be sufficient funds to pay a dividend to creditors.

Is it possible that some and not all customers will get their money back?

As above.

Any advice Pitcher Partners can offer customers who've lost funds?

The Liquidators have communicated with customers and encouraged them to provide the Liquidators with details of their orders and deposits paid.

This will assist the Liquidators with their enquiries.