Innehållsförteckning för Issue 575 från Caravan World

Thank you all for the encouraging feedback on our recent redesign of Caravan World. We received a range of feedback, predominantly positive, particularly with the better paper quality and cleaner look. Some of you mentioned that some of the colours and fonts are harder to read which has entered our feedback loop with the designers. We will constantly evolve the magazine, and your input is greatly appreciated. This month I've had the pleasure of working with the AL-KO team on 2018’s rendition of AL-KO’s Toughest Tow Test, which will go down as the best yet. With six more than capable caravans, five days of testing and a location like no other, we really had the opportunity to push the boundaries of typical caravanning to see how tough the vans and…

“Morelo mirrors standard layouts on its left-hand entry door models so workers operate from the same side” Ohayo. That’s a loose translation for good morning in Japanese where I happen to be at the moment. I am holidaying but not in an RV. I haven’t actually seen a caravan, motorhome or any sort of RV. When I explained what I did for a living it took a while — and a few pictures — for my Japanese hosts to understand. As it turns out, the Japanese call motorhomes “camping cars”. A very apt description. Still on cars, during my time in Nagasaki, I’ve seen locals get around in what look like bricks on wheels in various sizes. One is even called a Nissan Cube! None will earn any styling gongs…

Hi guru, I recently bought my first caravan, an older Jayco Starcraft and want to refurb it. My first concern is getting the suspension sorted as its seen better days, but while thats being done, I thought I'd research batteries and solar. What is best for me? I do not run a fridge (yet), only lights and fans but I'd like to be able to boil a kettle occasionally. As I'm still learning so could you maybe give me some basics to keep the lights on more and ideas on prices? I'm on a budget but don't know where to start! Thanks in advance, Jack Williams, Vic Hi Jack, Sounds like a great project you have taken on. Essentially in building a…

“It’s advisable to check the condition of the anode regularly as water condition varies considerably” The sacrificial magnesium anode rod equalises aggressive water action providing cathodic protection for the water heater tank. In other words, an anode rod absorbs the corrosive action caused by hot water and prolongs the life of your water heater tank. The anode rod is a very important factor in tank life and should only be removed for inspection or draining. Replacement of the anode rod is recommended when consumption or weight loss is greater than 75 per cent. With regular inspection and replacement of the anode rod, tank life can be greatly extended. Frequency of anode replacement will vary depending on the water conditions and usage. In most conditions, anode rods should last at least…

Most of us have seen it. The dash cam footage of a caravan swaying out of control down a major highway, before it topples sideways and is dragged along the road, in a gripping scene reminiscent of an action movie. The driver clambers out dazed, and the argument begins about who is at fault. Despite what some describe as a bit of ‘sensationalised footage’, the issue of how safe RVs are on our roads, isn’t one which is going to go away any time soon. It’s something everyone agrees needs to be addressed, including the Federal Government. Late last year, the Turnbull Government announced it would review the existing nearly 30-year-old Motor Vehicle Standards Act to, “modernise and strengthen the laws governing road vehicles to maintain and improve vehicle safety,…

IN BRIEF Great to tow on and offroad Cruisemaster hitch and suspension Kitchen and dining-centric design Andrew Altschwager of Caravans Coffs Coast is the sole supplier and designer of the Southern Star Titanium range of caravans. With a decade of designing and selling caravans and with his kitchen manufacturing background, Andrew should know a thing or two about manufacturing in general, and caravan manufacturing in particular. Given the same factory that makes Sunseeker Caravans also makes the Southern Star range there’s a manufacturing pedigree behind every Southern Star van. We visited Coffs Harbour, a fantastic town with gorgeous beaches geared for adventure. With that in mind, I needed to see a van that was built and ready for exploration and found it in the Southern Star Titanium Hardcore. SETTING THE…

IN BRIEF 6.02m (19ft 9in) external length Tandem axles with AL-KO independent suspension Forward door entry Designed for semioffroad use “The Forward habitation door makes the most of the interior space ... and the living areas - bedroom, kitchen, dinette and bathroom - are nicely sized" The Bruce Highway is a major road between Brisbane and Cairns. Recently, the stretch between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast has become a magnet for those seeking an RV. One area where dealers concentrate is Chevallum. Here, Caravan World Sunshine Coast was the trendsetter, with owner Brad Pendleton seeing the benefit of a large sales area and highway frontage. This foresight allows Caravan World Sunshine Coast to accommodate newcomers like Eden Caravans, and recently, proprietor Pendleton was keen to show me a new Eden…

IN BRIEF 6m/20ft 4in tandem axle caravan On-road caravan with roller rocker leaf spring suspension Front island bed, rear bathroom layout Just south of Wollongong, NSW, you'll find the Carlons Cars and Caravans dealership. Amongst the brands on offer is Crusader of which David Carlon keeps a good selection. In fact, so packed out is his yard, that it took us a while to extract the Musketeer Aramis model I was interested in. Crusader makes several ranges, and within its Musketeer line are various options ranging from single-axle to tandem-axle front bathroom layouts. In this case, I took out an Aramis 19 which is actually 6m (20ft 4in) long. Undoubtedly, the items of interest in this van are its weights (see Weights and Measures), and with a Tare Mass of…

FRIDGE BENEFITS Combining compact design and excellent refrigeration performance, Dometic has just released their new RUC upright refrigerator. Through extensive product research and development, the Dometic RUC has become the most refined RV refrigerator on the market thanks to an array of advanced innovations, and a sleek, modern design. With a tall and narrow cabinet, the Dometic RUC now has a smaller footprint which allows for greater flexibility in the kitchen area (without compromising on storage), and also helps reduce the dominance of the refrigerator in any tight or enclosed kitchen. To combat the harsh Australian climate, Dometic have gone with a T-rated cooling system, which guarantees reliable refrigeration performance in both high and low ambient temperatures, while built-in circulation fans provide an even distribution of air to ensure food…

“Travelling in convoy, we’ll need to consider extra dust filtering for the snorkel and a bigger UHF aerial” It’s been a long time between drinks, but I’m finally getting back on the horse. It seems like an eternity since we ventured out on a remote outback trip. Bad health in past years has relegated me to homebound activities, yet the tide is turning as we prepare for a Simpson Desert crossing later this year. It’s been seven years since we first crossed the Simpson. Back in 2011, the Eyre Creek crossing had been closed for around 18 months due to the high volume of water in the region, meaning a complete crossing to Birdsville wasn’t possible. Our plans were to enter the desert from Purnie Bore near Dalhousie Springs, enjoy…

Q At Christmas, whilst towing our Jurgens Lunagazer to Bright I heard a clunk from the car’s rear and found to my horror the tow bar’s retaining bolts/nuts were “ finger tight”. The tow tug is a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the tow bar is a Mopar (Jeep) one. I contacted the dealer who quickly arranged for it to be rectified. Since then, I have towed the van to Swan Hill and Venus Bay so you can guess my reaction when I received a safety recall number U 35 from FCA Australia (Jeep) advising of a fault with the tow bar where the fastenings can lose torque, come loose and cease towing. The Jeep dealer confirmed I had a suspect bar and a “fix” was underway. In 12 weeks…

Have you just purchased a brand new caravan or recreational vehicle that needs insurance? Do you have an existing caravan insurance due for renewal? The main thing to remember when shopping around for a policy is that not all policies are the same. If you’re involved in an accident or your caravan and/or the contents are stolen, the type of policy you purchase is far more important than whether or not you save $100 per year on the premium. With that in mind, here are some features and benefits (recommended by OneSure Insurance Services) to look for in a policy: • Does it cover for replacement value in the first two years of original registration? • Is it an agreed value policy? • What automatic contents cover is available? • Does the policy cover…

First aid kits are the common currency among first responders in many walks of life. Whether we’re dealing with the SES, military or police rescue operatives, their decisions on what to include and how to maintain a first aid kit are shaped by key principles. So we called on the brains trust of a few trusted operators in the field to get their views on the topic. And what do you get when you cross the experience of a registered nurse, an army medic, with a police search and rescue officer? The sort of good oil that fuels smart decisions when you're packing first aid kits for your next adventure. OUTSIDE THE BOX First aid kits are personal items. Different people need different things for different applications. So when you’re…

IN BRIEF Sturdy, tough and affordable offroad suspension Quality leather dinette with ample room for the entire family Ample internal storage Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is normally known for its beautiful long, golden beaches bathed in sunlight and hugging a shoreline that the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean caress. Normally perfect for caravanners looking for coastal adventures and offering countless ideal locations at which to check out a new caravan. But on the very day Caravan World chose to take up the only opportunity to check out the first of a new brand of caravans called Marvel, the day refused to offer a sunny smile, instead it whimpered under a grey blanket of clouds. And it stole our opportunity to give the van a thorough whirl through the nearby Glass…

IN BRIEF 5.47m (17ft 11in) family layout Tandem-axle leaf spring suspension One double bed and three bunks Wide range of tow vehicles Good payload “Jayco Journey pop-top is not only affordable but doesn’t require a super expensive tow vehicle, either – the family car may well do” Jayco builds a wide range of caravans, with just about something for everyone. Included in the company’s range are a number of camping trailers and vans which either pop out or pop up or do both. All are eminently suitable for family use, and many are available in the lower budget range. In this category, is the Journey 17.58-1, a pop-top with sleeping accommodation for five people, badged as a Starcraft at the time of our review. Although this van is only 5.47m…

IN BRIEF Alluring 7m (23ft) on-roader Rear club lounge Tantalising price tag ”In fact, priced as tested at $63,000, this caravan simply takes the value-for-money gold medal!” The Olympic Games Marathon requires strength, courage and endurance. And it’s a case of ‘what’s in a name?’ with Olympic Caravans’ Marathon Club Lounge. It’s a quality on-roader bred to ‘run’ a long distance and will take you well beyond 42.195km, if you get my drift. The 7m (23ft) model we tested certainly ‘wins the race’ in terms of its chic interior. Obviously the standouts are the plush rear club lounge adorned in plush San Diego black leather, which converts to a double bed, and of course a bona fide ensuite. The jaw-dropping rear club lounge with headrests is located immediately to right…

The road unwinds before you, promising an endless array of caravanning adventures as you embark on that long-awaited trip. In preparation, you’ve ticked all the usual boxes — the car and van are serviced and ready to go, the water tanks and gas cylinders are full, there’s food in the fridge and pantry, you’ve forwarded the mail, stowed the wine, packed the clothes and toothbrush — but there are risks you might not have thought about. If you use your mobile phone or another electronic device to book accommodation, talk to family or friends, pay the bills, upload travel photos and video or any number of other things on the road, to which you don’t give a second thought in an ever-increasingly connected world, then you could be vulnerable to…

IN BRIEF Offroad, two-berth ATX Airbag suspension 3 year marked tracks warranty I had the pleasure of picking up our Gator-X from JB’s Melbourne headquarters and the first thing to stand out was that striking red on grey and black colour scheme. It drew me in for a closer look and what I found laid the platform for the gruelling three days ahead. Between the JB-built 4in chassis rails live twin 95L water tanks and a grey water tank while the floor of the body is protected by a stainless steel sheet — a nice touch. Cruisemaster’s independent trailing arm AXT Airbag suspension holds the chassis high off the ground, even when deflated, and the rolling stock is up for a challenge with aggressive mud-terrains and colour coded alloy wheels.…