Innehållsförteckning för Issue 595 från Caravan World

Caravanning in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia is set to get a boost following the announcement of a round of funding grants by the state government. Nine projects in the Gascoyne area, which incorporates Shark Bay, Exmouth, Denham and Coral Bay, will share in $1.25 million as part of the Regional Economic Development (RED) grants. Mandalay Holiday Resort will receive $125,000 to increase the capacity and quality of caravanning and camping experiences available in Denham and the greater Shark Bay area. This involves the expansion of the Denham Seaside Caravan Park to include an additional 55 powered caravan and camping sites, and the introduction of modern communal amenities, a games room and a campers’ kitchen facility. Funding was also announced for glamping at Bullara Station, a project to develop…

Recently I spent a week travelling around in a rental motorhome, a Let’s Go Voyager Deluxe, otherwise known as a Jayco Conquest RM.20-5. At 6.49m (21ft 3in) and with a Tare mass of 2840kg, the Voyager Deluxe is not a particularly large motorhome, and for that reason is quite cleverly designed along European lines to fit in all of its features. Slightly unusually, the Voyager Deluxe has a Renault Master cab chassis. Anyone familiar with the motorhome world will know that there is a relatively small number of base vehicles that motorhome manufacturers currently use. The current favourites are Fiat Ducato, Iveco Daily, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the lone Japanese contender Isuzu for heavier cab chassis motorhomes. Also in the frame are Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter, both popular in the…

IT'S ELECTRIFYING Q Hi there CW, Could you please settle a question and make us safer. My wife and I were sitting in our van during a lightning storm debating whether we should have the chains on the ground or up off the ground during the storm or does it not matter? Tony and Ros Howes, via email A I presume you mean your safety chains? I’m no expert but I don’t think it matters particularly if you have the corner stabilisers down. I understand that lightning striking a caravan has the same effect as on a car and the body acts as a Faraday Cage, ie the lightning goes around the body not through it. I think the biggest danger in this case might actually be from the…

operate on a car licence, then adding a 3.5-tonne trailer. This is absolute madness. My message to all you out there is to get trained in the use of a heavy vehicle and then buy a light truck if you want to carry weight and also tow a heavyweight trailer. Hino, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Iveco all make vehicles that can be driven on a car licence, you can even get them in 4WD. Alan Pearson, Dinmore, Qld HEAVY-HANDED LAWMAKING I read in dismay in issue 593 that another state has thought it OK to increase the GCM of vehicles to try and alleviate the problem of overloading vehicles and combinations. My problem with this plan is that it has the very real potential of putting 7.995-tonne vehicles in the hands…

If you read last issue’s introduction to BLA CZone’s Best Aussie Vans 2019, a lot of this will be familiar, sorry. You may want to refresh yourself with the scoring process and skip on to the full reviews a few pages over, or read on for a recap of what went down and how we pulled together our signature event. For 2019, we found ourselves in windswept and chilly Inverloch, Vic, hosted at the local Big4 where most of us made use of the heated, indoor water complex. We were not lucky with the weather this year, with unseasonable cold fronts lashing us daily. It did make for some dramatic visuals and a challenging test drive, though. We operated from 16–22 October with Sunday 20 October the public Showcase day.…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Length 4887mm Width (excluding mirrors) 1902mm Height 1840mm Wheelbase 2845mm Ground clearance (unladen) 213mm Kerb mass 2194kg Gross Vehicle Mass 2820kg Gross Combined Mass 5700kg Towing capacity unbraked/ braked 750kg/3000kg Towball (max) 300kg DRIVETRAIN Engine 2.8L intercooled turbodiesel four-cylinder, DOHC Transmission Six-speed automatic Power 147kW at 3600rpm Torque 500Nm at 2000rpm Gear ratios 1st 4.06, 2nd 2.37, 3rd 1.55, 4th 1.16, 5th 0.85, 6th 0.67 Reverse 3.2 Final drive 3.42 High/low 1.000/2.62 GENERAL Fuel capacity 76L Suspension Independent, double wishbones, coil springs (fr); five link live axle, coil springs (rr) Brakes 300mm discs (fr); 318mm discs (rr) Wheels 17in alloy Warranty Five years unlimited km/ seven years' free servicing* Roof load 100kg RRP $46,990 (plus dealer and ORCs) PRICE AS TESTED $48,840 (plus dealer and ORCs) ACCESSORIES…

FUEL CONSUMPTION 17.0L/100km The Crusader felt significantly more comfortable behind the Trailblazer than some other vans, moving the vehicle around less and exhibiting less yaw movement. The steering also felt a little more direct despite this van’s heavier 2830kg Tare weight (from the weighbridge on the day) and 214kg ball weight, both of which placed it equal sixth towards the heavier end of this group. The extra weight did seem to sit the van down a bit more, possibly because it was better at resisting the constant buffeting crosswinds. While trailer stability was improved by the extra weight, it didn’t seem to dent the performance of the engine and drivetrain, which remained resolute and handled the rig easily. However, the 17.0L/100km fuel consumption placed the Excalibur mid field (4th)…

FUEL CONSUMPTION 16.4L/100km This was one of only two leaf sprung vans on test and the shortfalls of this more traditional suspension arrangement immediately made themselves felt on the test track, with the Regent feeling less comfortable to tow than its competitors with independent suspension. The van felt quite a bit firmer over some of the lumpier sections of road and bumps, transferring bump to the vehicle through the tow hitch and generating more pendulous movement and stability issues. There was an evident increase in trailer sway or yaw, brought on by the pendulum effect of the trailer drawbar acting on the tow hitch. This reached its most acute on the return downhill section, where the Trailblazer’s electronic stability and trailer sway control systems were activated twice, necessitating a…

GETTING THERE: Cape Hillsborough NP lies 50km north of Mackay on the Central Queensland coast, about 1025km north of Brisbane via the Bruce Hwy, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough Roads. Gravel roads within the park are suitable for 2WD vehicles. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winters are mild and summers are warm to hot with heavy rain from December to March. Marine stingers can occur throughout the year but are most common from October to May, so wear stinger suits when swimming or wading during this time. THINGS TO DO: Bushwalking, boating, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, picnics, viewing wildlife, photography, beachcombing. FUEL AND SUPPLIES: Available at Mackay and Seaforth. CAMPING: Smalleys Beach offers basic camping in the national park with shaded sites suitable for caravans and easy access to the beach. Facilities…

They may look like clones superficially, but it's what lies inside that clearly distinguishes the KEA HiTop and the KEA Jackpot. I recently conducted a comparo on an ex-rental duo and while they present as dead ringers, it's the antithesis internally! It's quite refreshing to see how the two models have been carefully thought out and designed to offer very different options with the smaller space available. One model — the HiTop — favours the traditional campervan layout while the other — the Jackpot — eschews convention for a plastic moulded, more contemporary feel. OH, WHAT A FEELING! In terms of 'dead spits', both are laden with an identical base vehicle (Toyota HiAce) along with a 2.7L four-cylinder petrol engine and manual gearbox. The pair also comprise the same Tare…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 7.4m and (24ft 4in) External body length 6.32 (20ft 9in) External body width 2.35m (7ft 9in) Travel height 2.77m (9ft 1in) Internal height 1.91m (6ft 3in) Tare 1745kg ATM 2200kg Payload 455kg (calculated) Ball weight 125kg EXTERNAL Frame Composite Cladding Aluminium Chassis Galvanised Optima Suspension AL-KO Independent Rubber Torsion Coupling `50mm ball Brakes 10in offroad Wheels 14in alloy 195 R14 Water 2 x 60L (fresh), grey optional Battery 1 X 12V Solar 1 x 130W Air-conditioner bis 4 Gas 2 x 4.5kg Sway control AL-KO ESC INTERNAL Cooking Swift grill/cooktop FridgeThetford 184L three-way Microwave Yes Bathroom Cassette toilet with separate moulded shower cubicle Washing machine No Hot water Swift OPTIONS FITTED No options fitted to the test van PRICE AS SHOWN $64,990 MORE INFORMATION For…

DRIVE: The road trip from Hobart to Launceston via the East Coast and Mount William covers around 600km. NATIONAL PARKS ENTRY: If you plan to visit more than a few Tasmanian national parks, a holiday pass provides the best value at $60/vehicle, valid for eight weeks. This will jump to $80/ vehicle in May 2020 when individual park entry also jumps from $24 to $40 a day too (parks.tas.gov.au). WHEN TO VISIT: Mild temperatures and the chance of sunny skies make February the best month to visit Tasmania (although ferry fees and accommodation prices are highest at this time). Consider a visit any time from November to April. DON’T MISS: Tasmania’s free Wi-Fi, available for 30 minutes per day at 50 locations around the state (freewifi.tas.gov.au). CONTACT: For national parks…

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a long-term caravanner looking to upgrade, the excitement of potentially owning a new caravan or motorhome can be palpable. A new home away from home with which to hit the road in search of adventure with the wind in your hair — what can be more scintillating? Sadly, such excitement can become overshadowed if you struggle to afford it. You may have over-extended yourself on the purchase price, decided to finance and didn’t get the best deal on interest rates or you’re having trouble meeting repayments. Buying a new RV with finance, that is taking out a loan for some or all of the purchase price, makes a lot of sense if you don’t want to put off living the lifestyle until you have…

The Caravan Trade and Industry Association of Queensland’s (Caravanning Queensland) 2019 Industry Awards night dished out trophies aplenty and heralded the retirement of its CEO after 30 years of service. Ron Chapman has dedicated 53 years to the industry in Queensland, and was also Founding Chairman for the association’s Council of Tourism Queensland and for Queensland Tourism Industry Council. He will step down on December 31, and General Manager Jason Plant will assume the role. A life membership was awarded on the night to Aussie Traveller owner and Association Treasurer, Mike Freney. Mike and his company became members in 1990 and followed by joining the committee in 1997. He was later elected Co-treasurer in 2004 and then, in 2005, he was elected treasurer in his own right, a position he…

Inspired by our 2011 trip to the Kimberleys in Western Australia, we’re putting together plans to return in 2020. In our wide travels all over this beautiful country, the Kimberleys managed to etch themselves into our minds as the place we’d return to should the chance arise. Wild and engaging, but so accessible, particularly in an offroad van. Second time around, it’s much easier on the planning side as we know what to expect. Back in 2011, it was the worst wet season on record, with many road closures and riverside bush camps that were literally washed away. Bell Gorge was closed, as was the Kalumburu Rd, meaning Mitchell Falls was also off limits. And, due to work commitments, we also missed out on the Bungle Bungles. So, we still…

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY: DESIGN RV & SNOWY RIVER – Ron Moon Easily the most sought-after award at Best Aussie Vans, value for money validates everything we saw against our expectations of the price asked. Both of these on-road vans delivered excellent Value for Money and were packed with features normally expected with a much higher price point. In the past, we have seen the top score go to more expensive vans, but this year was different. 2019 was fiercely competitive for value with the two most affordable caravans sharing the spoils as the DesignRV and Snowy River both scored an average of 8/10. MOST SELF-SUFFICIENT: HIGHLINE MATRIX – Matt Williams You would think scoring self-sufficiency would be one of the easier criteria. Count the beds, measure the…

Sponsoring rights to this year’s Best Aussie Van went to BLA CZone, a move which may have mystified those readers not familiar with boating. While the company is a go-to destination for all things marine, but until recently their presence in the RV market has been rather understated. Established in 1974 as a backyard operation by Bob Littler and wife Denise, BLA has grown into a huge Australian company. They gave their name to Bob Littler Agencies or BLA, which over time became the country’s largest supplier of internationally recognised Boating, Lifestyle and Adventure products. Now owned by the brunswick Corporation, their range includes over 60 brands and 24,000 individual items, and the company prides itself on providing the products you want, the knowledge you need and the service you…

In Australia, Recreational Vehicles (RVs) have been around for a lot longer than many people think. They don’t quite go back to the Model T Ford era but certainly the early 1920s saw a few caravans on the road. There are number of caravans still around today which have names that might be familiar from a few generations ago such as Viscount, Millard and Franklin but it’s only the names that have survived — the original manufacturers having long gone. There are a few exceptions to that though. Roma Caravans for instance, has been around since 1928 and has been in the hands of the Palmerini family since the mid 1950s. That’s some lineage Mastercraft is a name known by few today but for about 30 years from the 1930s,…

This summer has already pushed the mercury right up across our blistered, sunburnt country. We’ve already endured incredible temperatures, bushfires and there are more heatwaves on the horizon. So it not only pays to be safe during bushfire season, but also find ways to cool down while you’re on the road. Here are some top tips to keeping your cool on the road as well as travelling safely in summer. BUSHFIRE SAFETY We have seen the devastation that recent widespread fires in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria have caused to people, the land and our animals. It has also brought to our attention the need for more education around fire safety in rural areas, and for those visiting rural areas over the holiday period. “Our research has shown people…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 4.9m (16ft 1in) External width 2.1m (6ft 11in) Travel height 2.5m (8ft 2in) Internal height 1.86m (6ft 1in) Bed size (rear dinette) 1.85m x 1.55m (6ft 1in x 5ft 1in) Tare 2180kg GVM 2800kg Licence Car Passengers 2 ENGINE Base vehicle Toyota HiAce Engine 2.7L four-cylinder petrol Gearbox Manual Max power 111kW Max torque 241Nm EXTERNAL Brakes Disc Fresh water 25L Grey water None Solar None Air-conditioner Cabin air-conditioning only Gas 1 x 4.5kg Cooking None INTERNAL Cooking Two-burner gas stove Fridge 55L Microwave Yes Toilet None Shower None Washing machine None Batteries 12V Lighting Low voltage lighting Hot water None OPTIONS FITTED None PRICE AS SHOWN From $28,990 (driveaway) SUPPLIED BY RV Sales Centre (03) 8398 8848 www.rvsalescentre.com.au…

GETTING THERE Gregory is located 420km south of Karumba on the Wills Developmental Road. Continue 100km west to Boodjamulla National Park. The 330km-long drive from Boodjamulla to Mt Isa (via Riversleigh WHA) is best suited to off-road vehicles and rigs as there are river crossings to tackle just after the wet season. For road reports visit racq.com.au. WHERE TO STAY In Gregory, a free camping area by the bridge provides toilets, but most travellers camp down on the riverbed (no facilities). The pub sells fuel, takeaway drinks and meals (no mobile reception), and opposite there are toilets, a dump point, cold water showers, rubbish bins and a playground. Book your campsite in Boodjamulla well in advance for peak season stays ($6.65 per person, $26.60/family, visit qpws.usedirect.com/qpws). There are no park…

Earlier this year Melbourne radio reported that the local arm of South African caravan builder, Jurgens Australia, had shut the gates and was going to fold. For a while, a $5m investment in local production and jobs looked to be in jeopardy. According to Jurgens Australia, the situation was overstated. The closure related to a rental dispute and was resolved within a matter of days. The backstory involves changes in management structure at the parent company, which flowed on to affect supply issues locally. The overseas situation was resolved over time and, on the back of a fresh restructure, the African arm is now in full song. So too in Australia; within a week or so, things were soon moving again. But bad news travels fast and the temporary halt…

Q Hi David, With the large increase in offroad caravans, many owners are driving on dirt roads more than ever. After a long day on the road, everyone loves to quickly set up camp and crack open a coldie, however there can be a significant clean-up job in the van to remove the dust. Some hybrid manufacturers supply a positive pressure system either as standard or as an option. However few offroad caravan manufacturers have seen fit to make life easier for their customers by supplying these systems either as standard equipment or optional. There are a few aftermarket positive pressure systems available but they are quite expensive. Has CW tested any of these systems? Many van owners choose to build their own DIY system consisting of a quality…

This year's Best Aussie Vans contenders were put through their paces with Holden's seven-seat LT Trailblazer family 4x4 When considering an official tow vehicle for BLA Czone Best Aussie Vans 2019, Holden seemed to be an obvious choice. The marque has a deep relationship with caravanning in Australia that goes right back to the original locally-built 48-215 (FX). Caravans are tending to become bigger and heavier, which means we require powerful and structurally sound tow rigs to safely handle these payloads. This year's BAV included a selection of vans weighing between 2330kg and 2960kg. We could have safely gone with either the Colorado or the Trailblazer but opted for the seven-seat wagon as an alternative to the ubiquitous dual cab utes. A key difference is the Trailblazer's slightly shorter wheelbase…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 8.62m (28ft 3in) External body length 6.7m (22ft) External body width 2.45m (8ft) Travel height 2.97m (9ft 9in) Interior height 2.07m (6ft 9in) Tare 2400kg ATM 2900kg Payload 500kg but can be raised to axle group loading limit Ball weight 195kg EXTERNAL Frame Box galvanised Cladding Composite aluminium front and rear, aluminium on sides Chassis Galvanised box frame Suspension Leaf spring Coupling 50mm AL-KO hitch Brakes 12in drum Wheels 235/75/R15 all terrain light truck alloys Water 2 x 95L (fresh), grey water tank optional Battery 100Ah AGM Solar 160W Air-conditioner Ibis 4 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control ESC Optional External kitchen Optional INTERNAL Cooking Recessed Thetford full oven (gas and electric) Fridge 190L Dometic RMDX21 Microwave NCE Stainless 23L Bathroom Dometic porcelain bowl toilet,…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 9m (29ft 6in) External body length 6.6m (21ft 8in) External body width 2.5m (8ft 2in) Travel height 3m (10ft 2in) Interior height 2m (6ft 6in) Tare 2564kg (estimated) ATM 3300kg Payload 736kg Ball weight 214kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti timber Cladding Composite panel Chassis Gunmetal grey Intel 3mm box steel rated at 450MPA Suspension TuffRide Independent 3.3kg Coupling AL-KO 50mm ball Brakes 10in electric Wheels 15x235AT Battery 1 x 120Ah deep cycle Solar 2 x 170W Air-conditioner Ibis 4 Gas 2 x 9kg Water 2 x 95L (fresh), 1 x 95L (grey) Sway control Optional External kitchen Optional INTERNAL Cooking Fan-forced Swift oven, cooktop and grill Fridge 224L Dometic AES Microwave Swift Bathroom Oversize internal one-piece shower cubicle and Dometic porcelain toilet Hot water Truma gas…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 8.6m (28ft 3in) External body length 5.95m (19ft 6in) External body width 2.3m (7ft 6in) Travel height 3.1m (10ft 2in) Interior height 1.93m (6ft 4in) Tare 2680kg ATM 3500kg Payload 630kg Ball weight 140kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti timber Cladding Aluminium and checkerplate Chassis Duragal chassis, 6in A-frame, 6in deck Suspension Oz Tracker independant full offroad Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Brakes 12in Wheels 265/75 R16in mud terrain Water 2 x 90L (fresh), 1 x 90L (grey) Battery 2 x 100A Solar 2 x 170W Air-conditioner Gree Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control AL-KO ESC Stability Slide-out BBQ INTERNAL Cooking Swift full oven Fridge Thetford 184L Microwave NCE 20L 700W Bathroom Shower and china bowl toilet Hot water 28L Swift electric and gas Washing machine OPTIONS FITTED Rear…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 8.4m (27ft 6in) External body length 6.6m (21ft 8in) External body width 2.5m (8ft 2in) Travel height 2.9m (9ft 6in) Interior height 2m (6ft 6in) Tare 2452kg ATM 3052kg Payload 600kg Ball weight 117kg EXTERNAL Frame CNC Cladding Alupanel Chassis Austrail Suspension AL-KO Rock and Roller Coupling AL-KO 3.5-tonne ball Brakes 12in electric Wheels 235/75 R15 Water 2 x 95L (fresh), grey water tank optional (not fitted to van) Battery 1 x 100Ah Solar 1 x 150W Air-conditioner Ibis 3 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control Optional (not fitted to van) External kitchen Optional (not fitted to van) INTERNAL Cooking Swift oven (gas/ electric) Fridge 185L, N614 Thetford Microwave Swift 23L Bathroom Internal fiberglass shower and Thetford ceramic bowl toilet Hot water Swift (gas/electric) Washing…

Before heading off in your van, it’s obviously important to make sure you have packed a working fire alarm, fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first-aid kit. However, the NSW Rural Fire Service recommends that anyone who is caravanning and camping in regional areas should put together a survival kit for use in the event of being caught in an actual bushfire. The kit should include: • Portable battery-operated radio • Waterproof torch • Spare batteries • First-aid kit with manual • Candles with waterproof matches • Woollen blankets • Emergency contact numbers • Waterproof bag for valuables The NSW Rural Fire Service also suggests a step-by-step guide if you are caught in a bushfire: • Call triple zero (000) • Park off the road in a clear area away from…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 4.65m (15ft 3in) External width 2.1m (6ft 11in) Travel height 2.5m (8ft 2in) Internal height 1.86m (6ft 1) Bed size Double: 2.04m x 1.4m (6ft 8in x 4ft 7in); Single hammock: 2.04m x 0.74m (6ft 8in x 2ft 5in) Tare 2180kg GVM 2800kg Licence Car Passengers Three ENGINE Base vehicle Toyota HiAce Engine 2.7L four-cylinder petrol Gearbox Manual Max power 111kW Max torque 241Nm EXTERNAL Brakes Disc Fresh water 25L Grey water None Solar None Air-conditioner Cabin air-conditioning only Gas None Cooking None INTERNAL Cooking None Fridge 55L Microwave None Toilet None Shower None Washing machine None Batteries 12V Lighting Low voltage lighting Hot water None OPTIONS FITTED None PRICE AS SHOWN From $26,990 (driveaway) SUPPLIED BY RV Sales Centre (03) 8398 8848 www.rvsalescentre.com.au…

Jurgens Caravans has been a mainstay of the local scene since 2008 and offers a range of innovative touring vans capable of dirt road travel. It takes a very individual approach to engineering and a distinct styling that has endured over time. Following a period of uncertainty for the company in late 2018, when new owners transitioned a revised system of management, Jurgens is now ramping up production. Jurgens' parent company is based in South Africa, with the Australian arm operating with its own designer, as well as managers for operations, customer experience and business development and a staff of 40. The company owner visits every three weeks or so from Pretoria to oversee the brand's return to health. By all accounts, everything is returning to normal (see breakout on…

FAUX-MOJITO TOTAL TIME: 10 mins SERVES: 1 INGREDIENTS • 3–4 fresh raspberries • 5–6 mint leaves • 2 tbsp sugar syrup (see below) • ¼ cup cranberry juice • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice • ½ cup soda water Sugar syrup • 1 cup white sugar • 1 cup boiling water METHOD For the sugar syrup, dissolve sugar into boiling water in a bowl and let it cool. In a tall glass, muddle the raspberries, mint leaves and sugar syrup. Fill the glass with ice. Add cranberry juice, lime juice and soda water. Garnish with a lime wedge and cheers! ICED GINGER TEA TOTAL TIME: Up to 2 hours (until ice cold) SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS • 8 cups water • 8 green tea bags • 4cm knob fresh ginger, peeled…

Australia has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world. According to research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, one in ten infants experience a food allergy. This has partly come about because of the rapid changes in food manufacturing, diet and urbanisation over the past 50 years, particularly noticeable in developed countries. Couple with this the fact that each day across Australia 7.5 million people present themselves to a public hospital emergency room. That’s more than 20,000 people each day! In response, a market has grown up around medical identification tags. These are a small emblem or tag worn on a bracelet or neck chain, bearing a message that the wearer has an important medical condition that might require immediate attention, or affect their medical treatment. Some…