Innehållsförteckning för Issue 601 från Caravan World

After months of being pent up inside, we’re all itching to get back on the road and exploring. But the ongoing debate and uncertainty surrounding state and territory border closures is making it hard to plan ahead. It’s not just prospective travellers who are baffled about the next steps, but also tourism businesses, says global tourism expert, Professor Marianna Sigala from Uni SA. “There’s a real tug of war going on — people are keen to get out and about, and away from their lockdown locations, but at the same time they’re guided by COVID-19 restrictions and are cautious of protecting their personal health,” Prof Sigala says. “What this means is that a sense of safety and security will really drive tourists’ choices, affecting not only how and where they…

Tasmanian Emergency Services are beginning to use new location technology to quickly identify the precise location of Triple 0 callers. The technology, known as what3words, provides an easy way to explain location. Every 3sqm in the world has been given a unique combination of three words, which then becomes its what3words address. As an example, “twist, soulful, mottos” is the what3words address of a viewing area near Wineglass Bay. By opening their what3words app and seeing their what3words address, Triple 0 callers can easily report their exact location to Emergency Services over the phone. First responders will then use the address to find their patient. In Tasmania, the app has already assisted with the search for an injured walker, and it is expected that the service will be particularly useful…

DO35 V3-R ALL-TERRAIN DROP-ON COUPLING The DO35 Drop-On Coupling is designed, tested and manufactured by Cruisemaster™, Australia’s leader in all-terrain towing technology. With full 360-degree articulation to reduce the risk of roll-over, a smooth ADR compliant locking mechanism and a patented ‘Check Lock’ system, the DO35 means added safety whether on the highway or going offroad. Valued at $405, the DO35 V3 is easy to install and compatible with all major WDH systems out of the box. (Note: this model does not include a handbrake, sold separately for $70.) How to win If you’re stumped by a technical or towing problem, send your question to submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Tech Talk’ in the subject line or send a letter to Caravan World Tech Talk, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161. All…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 6.5m (21ft 3in) External body length 4.5m (15ft) External body width 2.22m (7ft 2in) Travel height 2.42m (8ft) Internal height 2m (6ft 5in) Nameplate Tare 2350kg Nameplate ATM 3000kg Ball weight 150kg Payload 850kg (estimated) EXTERNAL Frame steel Cladding Composite aluminium and 40mm foam Chassis 150 x 50 x 4mm hot-dipped galvanised Suspension 3T independent trailing arm Brakes 12in drum Wheels 16in alloy 265/75 M/T tyres Water 2 x 100L stainless steel tanks, 1 x 80L grey Battery 2 x 150Ah Solar 3 x 100W Air conditioner Dometic Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No Cooking External four-burner cooktop INTERNAL Fridge 100L chest fridge freezer Microwave No Toilet Yes Shower Internal and external Hot water Truma Ultrarapid PRICE FROM $44,990 OPTIONS FITTED Fantastic package: Dometic…

It’s a fact — there are simply more of us around doing the same things. Go back 150 years, and the planet’s population was on the cusp of unprecedented expansion. From a stable 800 million people for around 300 years, the Industrial Age spawned a period of exponential growth that has resulted in 7.53 billion people now living on earth. Here in Australia, 500,000 people inhabited the continent before white settlement. Just over 200 years later, there are 25 million of us! While we’re fortunate to live in a country that still offers vast expanses of sparsely populated country, we’re certainly not alone, and unpleasant reminders of this fact can be found everywhere. For example, while there’s nothing more uplifting than camping under the stars after a day’s drive through…

Car exhaust is responsible for a large percentage of our greenhouse gas emissions (11 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in Australia). When we tow and add additional weight to our rigs, our rate of pollution increases. But there are ways we can minimise our impact while remaining on the road. Firstly, consider the size of your caravan and the capacity of your tow-tug. Ideally you want to be at least 500kg under your ATM and GCM when fully packed. The lighter the load the less fuel you’ll guzzle. Remember too that a well-maintained tow-tug will run more efficiently. Pack lightly. It’s not necessary to crowd your rig with everything you might need to support your trip away – particularly when it comes to consumables. By purchasing produce…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 5.81m (19ft 1in) Overall length 7.29m (23ft 11in) Width 2.5m (8ft 3in) Height 2.71m (8ft 11in) Tare 2031kg ATM 2500kg Payload kg (calculated) 469kg Ball weight 210kg (unladen) Bed Size Queen (east–west) EXTERNAL Frame Frameless design with aluminium extrusions joining the panels at the corners Cladding Gel coat single piece structural composite panel (XPS insulated) Chassis Hot dipped galvanised steel RHS drawbar and chassis rails Suspension AL-KO Independent Rubber Suspension (IRS) Coupling AL-KO 50mm ball coupling Brakes AL-KO 10in electric drum brakes Wheels 15in alloy wheels w/ A/T tyres Water 2 x 82L (potable) Battery 1 x 120Ah Solar 1 x 150W Air conditioner Dometic IBIS 4 3.2kW reverse cycle Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No INTERNAL Cooking Stove (3 x gas, 1 x…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Very sharply priced; you get lots of van for your money.” TOWABILITY “It’s a very easy towing van.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Lightweight touring with caravan park stays predominant? Ideal!” BUILD QUALITY “This has improved considerably over the years.” LIVEABILITY “Definitely a compact interior.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Does have a house battery but no solar panel nor grey tank, but that’s not the expectation.” CUSTOMER CARE “Seven Year water ingress warranty” INNOVATION “Depends how this is viewed. The Adria vans are different to the local product but slowly evolved in terms of their own design.” X-FACTOR “Light weight and small but an easy towing caravan.”…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 7.54m (24ft, 7in) External body length 5.54m (18ft, 2in) External body width 2.47m (8ft, 1in) Travel height 2.95m (9ft, 4in) Internal height 1.95m (6ft, 4in) Nameplate Tare 2090kg Nameplate ATM 2600kg Payload 510kg Ball weight 120kg EXTERNAL Frame Composite Cladding Euromax alloy Chassis Rollcraft 150 x 50 x 3mm Suspension 2600kg AL-KO Enduro Brakes 12” drums Wheels 16” alloy 245 x 70 tyres Water 95L x 2 Battery 2 x 110Ah Solar 2 x 170W Air-conditioner Yes Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No INTERNAL Cooking Swift 500 mini grill Fridge 186L Ensuite Toilet and shower Lighting LED Hot water Yes PRICE FROM $72,990 OPTIONS FITTED Second battery, second solar, upgraded entry door, external speakers, grey water tank, reverse camera, footrests, front window stoneguard, drawbar…

Mammals: Tasmanian devil, numbat, mountain pygmy possum, Gilbert’s potoroo, northern quoll, black-flanked rock wallaby, black-footed tree rat, brush-tailed bettong (woylie) and the rufous hare-wallaby (mala). Marine Creatures: Green sea turtle, grey nurse and great white sharks, Australian sea lion and the short-nosed sea snake. Birds: Southern cassowary, western ground parrot, red-tailed black cockatoo, eastern curlew, Gouldian finch, orange-bellied parrot, paradise riflebird, black grasswren and the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. Other Species: Southern bent-wing bat, southern corroboree frog, Margaret River burrowing crayfish and many, many more.…

VALUE FOR MONEY “When you're setting up a van to suit your needs so specifically, you know it's going to cost a bit more than buying straight off the shelf. But if you get what you want, and it takes you to the places you want to go, than that's priceless.” TOWABILITY N/A “While I didn't get a chance to tow the Desert Storm, considering it runs on ATX suspension, I don't think there would be an issue.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “This van has been set up for one thing, and that is long distance, off-grid remote travel. It ticks the boxes.” BUILD QUALITY “It’s a solidly built van with attention to detail throughout.” LIVEABILITY “From comfy couches, upgraded mattresses, wider bunks for the kids, extra fans and a…

CamperX has been developed with touring in mind, specifically aimed at those that love the outdoors, including campers, caravanners, hikers, bushwalkers and four-wheelers. With an extensive list of detailed Points of Interest (POIs), assistance is provided when travelling or planning the next adventure. To access the app for the first time, an account needs to be created for HemaX that also enables the synchronisation of planned trips, favourite places and photos across other devices, as well as viewing and sharing with others when logged onto the webpage HemaX.com. CamperX currently has two map subscriptions available: HemaX Offline Lite and HemaX Premium. Only one set of maps needs to be downloaded, available state by state. HemaX Premium is a paid subscription, currently included as a bonus for the first 12 months.…

Air conditioning is a major culprit in Australian electricity use, which is a bit of an irony when you consider the rising temperatures experienced in Aussie summers and how they drive so many of us to flick on the air con. It presents another problem for caravanners, as air conditioners are a massive drain on battery power, so much so that they’re basically a waste of space and weight any time we’re parked anywhere other than a powered site. Australian engineer James Trevelyan believes that he has the solution. He says that his Close Comfort personal air conditioners can cut the running costs of an air con system by up to 75 per cent. He’s tested it out in some of Australia’s (and the world’s) harshest conditions, to prove it.…

Write to: Caravan World Postbag, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Victoria 3161 Or email:  submissions@ emprisegroup.com.au Please include your full address (not for publication). Letters chosen will be edited for publication, may be shortened, and may appear online. We are giving away a copy of the BMPRO Hema Road + 4WD Atlas valued at $39.95! This handy spiral bound atlas features points of interest, caravan parks, campsites, rest areas, fuel and detailed 4WD tracks for your next trip. Just email your question to David Bayliss at submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with '12V Guru' in the subject line to be in the running to win.…

THE ANNUAL SERVICE Hi Caravan World, Recent events have changed a friend’s approach to servicing his van, for the better I believe. Shortly before the lockdown he and his wife were returning from a club rally in rural New South Wales and he applied the brakes on his 2700kg caravan while descending a hill. The van brakes appeared non-functional. A quick check did not detect a fault and the brakes could be heard energising. They made it home without further incident. My friend believes ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and to the best of my knowledge has not had the van serviced since new, about 60,000km ago. At my suggestion he engaged an onsite service company. The report was an unpleasant surprise — left-hand brake electrically isolated (not…

VALUE FOR MONEY “You can't ignore the impressive number of standard features and the power pack that gives extended off-grid camping.” TOWABILITY “Around town the suspension worked well and the weight of the van will suit many mid-sized tow vehicles.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “It’s well equipped. If you are looking for a compact van that’s easy to get into confined places then the Fantasy will work for you.” BUILD QUALITY “A heavy-duty steel frame and a nifty metal bed enclosure add to the concept's durability. Stainless steel water tank covers are works of art and the plumbing and electrics are neatly executed.” LIVABILITY “There’s plenty of head height inside but the dining space is a little cramped. However, the Fantasy is all about outside dining anyway.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “300W…

Have you looked in your pantry lately and noticed how many nasty chemicals are in our day-to-day products? Whether it’s at home, or on the road, there are often ‘greener’ alternatives that don’t cost the earth. Some of them are also multipurpose which make them particularly handy when we’re looking to save space, and weight, in our caravans. Here are a couple of examples to inspire a different way of thinking. Nutrimetics Nutri-Clean is an all-purpose surface cleaner, dishwashing detergent or handwash. It’s also safe to use to rinse fruit and vegetables, wash pets or clean upholstery. Better still it’s biodegradable to Australian standard 4351-2 and approved by dermatologists. It comes as a concentrate that you can use diluted or undiluted depending on what you’re doing. We also like Bosito’s…

With a history dating back to the early '70s, the Windsor name has always been synonymous with quality and affordability. Originally manufactured in Melbourne, the Windsor range was more recently built in Perth, before Apollo Tourism and Leisure purchased the brand and moved it to its production facility in Brisbane. Starting in mid-2019, the much-loved Genesis range of caravans started to come off the production line, employing new construction methods and materials, resulting in better thermal insulation properties and reduced tare. Also new is the 5-3-3 Warranty, which means: • Five years Structural Guarantee on all parts, window fitments, floor and roof • Three years Body and Interior Guarantee on all parts of the interior build including cabinets, furniture, framing and wet area fittings, plus • Three years of Roadside…

VALUE FOR MONEY “The up-to-date build and aesthetically pleasing interior are sure to win buyers.” TOWABILITY “AL-KO Enduro suspension under a relatively lightweight unit gives a sensible towing weight in a well-balanced van.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “While there are compromises in the smaller size for interior room, couples who embrace simplicity will love the Boab.” BUILD QUALITY “We applaud the modern approach to van building and the beautifully finished interior.” LIVABILITY “Everything is there for longterm travel, even if the more compact size limits bench space somewhat.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Twin solar, twin batteries and grey water all help you stay in isolation for an extended time.” INNOVATION “Please give us more of the same innovative build and exemplary interior design.” X-FACTOR “Looks are relatively conservative for an offroader. Much…

In the campsite of the future you probably won’t be sitting around with a tin-foil helmet on, communicating with Martians. But you are likely to park beside someone towing with an electric vehicle, possibly even one with autonomous driving ability, which will surely take all the fun out of watching a novice try and reverse park a 22-footer. It seems that electric vehicles (EVs) are all the automotive media wants to talk about these days. The fervour is due in large part to the fact European car makers are being forced by legislation to have a certain percentage of EVs or other low- and no-emission vehicles in their model mix in order to stay in business. Mercedes-Benz, for instance, is aiming for the complete de-carbonisation of its products and production…

What do you do when you're stuck in a bit of a rut and you're just going through the motions? For me, I like to get out into the bush. Even if it is for only a day. Better still if I can roll the swag out and have a couple of nights away from the real world. Well, the Lorrimers, Justin and Bec, took it quite a few steps further back at the end of 2015. They sold the house, bought a caravan, and packed their three kids up and hit the road. When they left Newcastle, Jack was three, Billy was two and Charli was only six months old. When they headed off, the original plan was for a 12-month lap of the map. A gap year to…

Coalmine Beach Holiday Park Unpowered and powered sites, chalets, cabins and glamping tent style accommodation available. Ph: (08) 9840 1026 Email: info@coalminebeach.com.au Web: coalminebeach.com.au Porongurup Range Tourist Park Unpowered and powered sites and chalet accommodation available. Ph: (08) 9853 1057 Email: info@prtp.com.au Web: poronguruprangetouristpark.com.au Valley of Giants Open 9am–5pm daily. Cost: $21 per adult; $15.50 per concession card holder; $10.50 per child (6–15 years); $52.50 per family (two adults, two children between 6-15). Ph: (08) 9840 8263 Web: valleyofthegiants.com.au Explore WA Park Pass From $25 for five days per vehicle. Ph: (08) 9219 9000 Email: customer.service@dbca.wa.gov.au Web: shop.dbca.wa.gov.au…

The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) has announced an exclusive membership offer for Caravan World subscribers, launched alongside this magazine’s 600th issue. From June 1, all Caravan World subscribers have been granted access to the CMCA membership with no joining fee (saving $16.50) while all 70,000 CMCA members will now be able to access the Caravan World digital subscription for free and add the print version of Caravan World to their annual membership. CMCA expressed their excitement in partnering with Emprise Group Holdings to offer Caravan World subscribers the extra benefits of belonging to the largest RV club in Australia. CMCA CEO, Richard Barwick said, “Caravan World subscribers who take up the offer will have access to a host of member advantages, receive substantial savings and benefits plus…

2020 is looking like a write-off for many travellers, especially those who were planning to head north, crossing borders in the process. Many of our friends have already cancelled their leave, not prepared to risk valuable holiday time on a trip likely to be constrained. Indigenous communities, too, are closed, fearful of infection, restricting access to tracks that pass through their boundaries. On a positive note, South Australian residents are leading the country, being the first to be let off the leash for camping trips within their state’s borders. We don’t like to brag, but SA has a lot to be grateful for, with its beautiful beaches and rugged coastline, the Murray River, the sandy Mallee region, Flinders Ranges and the semi-arid zone including the mainstream desert tracks. Looking forward…

Hi, Love the magazine, been getting it for a few years now. We have been looking at changing our camper trailer for an Eco Tourer pop up van, but I can't see that you have done any reviews on this van. Any reason for this? Regards, Ian Johnson A Ian, I’m glad you enjoy Caravan World, and thanks. There is no reason we have not done a review, and in fact we were talking with the company at the Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow prior to the lockdown. I hope we can bring an update on the van and the company later in the year. John…

Given that it's a niche import, I am surprised that the Fantasy range of caravans is one of the most regularly searched brands on our website. Until recently, they had escaped my attention, but it seems the company has been doing a good job getting the name out and has amassed a decent following of happy customers. THE BUILDER Fantasy is an Australian company headed up by William He with a manufacturing base in China. William isn’t new to manufacturing and importing because he has been successful in bringing trailers and caravan parts to his Victorian operation for more than twelve years. Two years ago he started looking to expand his product range and engaged a partner to build vans in China under the Fantasy name. The Fantasy approach to…

We live in an age of convenience. We want everything to be faster, quicker, “now, God damn it!” But there’s often a dark side associated with convenience. Consider the modern taste for coffee machines that use pods. Most coffee pods are made of plastic and aluminium, generally in a layered composite. This means that some recycling plants won’t touch them. They are also small. So, even if they are accepted at a recycling plant, the systems frequently miss them. The result? They end up in landfill. Once there, they’ll take over 500 years to biodegrade. With three million pods going into landfill daily in Australia, that’s a massive caffeine headache for the environment. What’s wrong with slowing down and making a pot of coffee and listening to the world wake…

VALUE FOR MONEY "At $61K, the Genesis 196MD will suit a lot of buyers looking for a well-priced, well-appointed family van" TOWABILITY "Towed well up to highway speeds but at times was affected by passing B-Doubles" SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING "A well-priced family van designed for blacktop touring" BUILD QUALITY "Overall quite good with a few areas that required some polish (shower cubicle corners, laminate splashback sharp/ rough edges, floor penetrations on initial inspection were suspect)" LIVEABILITY "Not a fan of east–west bed arrangement and a divider from the bunk beds would be a great idea" CUSTOMER CARE "A 5-3-3 warranty on all new Windsor builds, but appliances are covered by those suppliers" SELF SUFFICIENCY "Limited fresh water, no grey water tank as standard, limited battery capacity and single solar…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 4.77m (15ft 8in) Overall length 6.08m (19ft 11in) Width 2.36m (7ft 9in) Height 2.65m (8ft 8in) Tare 1280kg ATM 1600kg Payload 320kg Ball weight 100kg EXTERNAL Frame N/A Cladding Fibreglass composite Chassis AL-KO hot dipped galvanised Suspension AL-KO IRS Coupling AL-KO anti-sway Brakes AL-KO overrun Wheels 16in alloy Water 130L Battery 100Ah Solar No Air conditioner Truma Saphir Gas 2 x 4kg Sway control AL-KO friction ball coupling INTERNAL Cooking Dometic three-burner Fridge Dometic 190L three-way Bathroom Thetford cassette toilet plus flex hose shower Hot water Truma 14L 240V/LP gas OPTIONS FITTED None PRICE AS SHOWN $38,990 (2019 model) $43,990 (2020) MORE INFORMATION Sydney RV Address 9–20 Lemko Place, Penrith NSW 2750 Phone (02) 4722 3444 Web sydneyrvgroup.com.au…

I an Jow isn’t a big fan of how the majority of caravans are built in Australia. When I spoke to him recently he explained his reasoning by pointing out that the first vans built in Australia were raised profile, aluminium-clad, timber-frame construction and much of the local industry is stuck in a building mode that dates back to the 1920s. It’s hard to contest his argument that technological change has been exponential in the last 90 years, and perhaps it’s time for a more modern approach to the way we make caravans. Jow and partner Eddie Wills have stepped up to change things, and their Willow RV brand of caravans is as different to the traditional build as a Model A Ford is to a Tesla. Wills and Jow…

They are among Australia’s most precious critters, rarely seen and intriguing enough to lure adventurous travellers far into some of the most captivating, wild places. If you’ve already spotted emus and echidnas on your travels and had a dingo howl on the edge of a campfire, it’s time to go further to where these wild things roam. LUMHOLTZ’S TREE-KANGAROOS MOUNT HYPIPAMEE NATIONAL PARK, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND With just 2000 estimated to roam far north Queensland’s high-altitude rainforests, it’s a lucky day when you spot a nocturnal Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. These heavily muscled tree-dwellers look like a cross between a bear and a kangaroo, and their existence first came to light when Indigenous guides led zoologist Carl Lumholtz onto the Cardwell Range in 1882. Since then, Mount Hypipamee National Park has become…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 6.55m (21'6”) Overall length 9.1m (29'10”) Width 2.48m (8'2”) Overall height 3.1m (10'2”) including A/C unit Internal height 2.0m (6'7”) Tare 3028kg ATM 4500kg Payload (calculated) 1472kg Ball weight 162kg EXTERNAL Frame Aluminium wall frames Cladding Aluminium composite panels. One-piece sandwich panel fibreglass composite roof. Fibreglass composite floor. Chassis 150 x 50 x 4mm DuraGal Australian RHS steel drawbar with additional 50 x 50mm gusset for 4500kg rating. Heavy-duty twin 100 x 50 x 3mm DuraGal Australian RHS steel chassis Suspension Cruisemaster ATX Stage 3 Remote Airbag 4500kg Coupling Cruisemaster DO45 hitch Brakes Disc brakes and Hydrastar actuator Wheels/tyres 200 Series LandCruiser 17” alloy rims with 285/70R17 Cooper ST Maxx tyres Water 4 x 85L (potable), 1 x 85L grey Battery Enerdrive 400Ah lithium Solar…

Lennai and Graeme Coleborn have been living on the road for just on a year and believe their current lifestyle is far more environmentally friendly than when they lived in a four-bedroom house and commuted to work. “We travel very slowly as a rule, set up at a campground and do day trips,” they said. “We’re not in a rush to dash around doing the ‘Big Lap’ as we are fortunate to be living on the road. This means that we use less fuel than when we were at work and commuted a fair distance. When we are ‘freedom camping’ we are very frugal with both power and water and rely on solar energy and gas.” The couple, who have been in Tasmania for the past eight months, have lots…

Up until late 2019, the caravan park industry across Australia had been faring very well. Whether it be long-term hauls or short peak-season sojourns, the increasing numbers of Grey Nomads and family vanners alike had fed regional and coastal communities with a sustainable income. Then came the devastating bushfire season that destroyed property and stole precious tourism dollars over the Christmas and New Year periods. Travellers were forced to steer clear, and parks and local businesses watched as their lucrative peak season revenue went up in smoke. And, just when the industry was preparing to buffer the losses with plans for a robust Easter period, bolstered by eager Australians keen to take up the Empty Esky or Holiday at Home challenges to support regional tourism, COVID-19 hit. Double whammy indeed.…

When you spend 20 years exploring a region, you get to know it pretty well. So when long-time Caravan World contributors and Cairns locals Catherine Lawson and David Bristow recently released 100 Things To See In Tropical North Queensland, it was bound to reveal a few secrets. It’s a guide (the only guide) to the best bits of Queensland’s tropical far north, packed with the places where locals like to go. Lawson says, “Narrowing down our 100 little patches of gold wasn’t easy, but we managed to sneak in lots of extra free camps, tips and trips that we know caravanners will love.” The book covers the entire far north, from Cardwell to the tip of Cape York, and from the Atherton Tableland across Gulf Country, with stunning images from…