Innehållsförteckning för Issue 612 från Caravan World

We have decided to park our reader questions this month as we have observed a recent rising trend across forum groups, social media, and our BMPRO customer feedback identifying one obvious fact and one not so obvious fact, with the latter being a disappointing shock and loss to many of our Aussie adventurers. The first fact confronting many is that we are ‘back’ in terms of being able to travel across once-closed borders. Once the domain of squabbling states with premiers exerting their power in locking down states, these borders are now the rightful domain of thousands of Australians who have hitched up their camper, caravan, or thrown their swag on the roof to experience the freedom of exploring once again what I reckon is in so many ways the…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 8.8m (28ft 8in) External body length 6.5 (21ft) External body width 2.47m (8ft) Travel height 2.95m (9ft) Internal height 1.95m (6ft 5in) Tare 2300kg ATM kg 2900kg Payload 600kg (calculated) Ball weight 160kg EXTERNAL Frame Thermal bonded composite panel Cladding Composite Golf panel clad in aluminium Chassis 6in hot dip galvanised Suspension AL-KO Enduro Cross country Coupling AL-KO offroad Brakes 10in AL-KO drum Wheels 16in talon alloy with 265/70 tyres Water 2 x 95L plus grey water tank Battery 2 x 100Ah Solar 2 x 120W Air conditioner Houghton Bel Aire 3400 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control AL-KO ESC INTERNAL Cooking Swift cooktop/oven Fridge Thetford 185L, three-way Microwave yes Bathroom separate shower toilet Washing machine no (optional) Hot water Swift gas electric PRICE FROM…

TENNANT CREEK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Peko Road, Battery Hill P: (08) 8962 3388 or 1800 500 879 E: info@barklytourism.com.au W: barklytourism.com.au THREE WAYS ROADHOUSE Corner Stuart and Barkly Highways, Tennant Creek P: (08) 8962 2744 or 1800 448 163 E: threewaysrh@bigpond.com W: threewaysroadhouse.com.au BARKLY HOMESTEAD ROADHOUSE Corner of Barkly and Tablelands Highways, Barkly Tablelands P: (08) 8964 4549 E: barkly.homestead@bigpond.com W: barklyhomestead.com.au CAMOOWEAL ROADHOUSE CARAVAN PARK Barkly Highway, Camooweal P: (07) 4748 2155 E: camoowealroadhouse@live.com.au W: camoowealroadhouse.net.au OUTBACK AT ISA VISITOR CENTRE 19 Marian Street, Mount Isa QLD 4825 P: 07 4749 1555 W: mietv.com.au…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Well priced for its level of equipment and rugged build.” TOWABILITY “Faultless but a big, weighty van.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Space for the kids, opulence for the adults, and outback ability shine throughout.” BUILD QUALITY “Excellent attention to detail and an emphasis on strength are evident .” LIVEABILITY “Super comfortable throughout and excellent use of space.” CUSTOMER CARE “Three-year workmanship, materials, and structural integrity warranty. Unwarranted on designated 4WD tracks, only limited unsealed road usage coverage.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Good as-is, excellent with small solar upgrade.” INNOVATION “The little details like the splashback, mood lighting and colours in the fit-out stand out .” X-FACTOR “These vans stand out from the crowd and have the capability to back up the tough looks.”…

Coromal is a well-known name in the Australian caravan scene but of late has kept something of a lower profile than usual. There’s a reason for that — the manufacturer has been developing a new range of caravans. Called the Seeker series, there are two different sub ranges available. The Soul Seekers are designed for couple or singles, and the Adventure Seekers are aimed at a family or maybe a grand family, depending on how you travel. Both the Soul Seekers and Adventure Seekers are available in three different lengths, so there’s something for everyone. I’m told in the near future, offroad models will also be available. Apollo, the owner of Coromal, is based in Brisbane, Qld, but the Seeker caravans are built in the caravan capital of Australia, Campbellfield,…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 5.7m (18ft 7in) External body length 4m (13ft) External body width 2.27m (7ft 4in) Travel height 2.6m (8ft 5in) Internal height 1.95m (6ft 4fin) Tare 1180kg ATM from 1600kg Payload from 400kg Ball weight 60kg EXTERNAL Frame Composite Cladding Fibreglass Chassis 100mm x 50mm Australian-made Orrcon steel Suspension Standard leaf spring with optional upgrade to independent Coupling AL-KO 50mm ball Brakes 10in electric Wheels 14in alloy 195x14 load rated tyres Water 100L Battery 125A AGM deep cycle Solar 200W Air-conditioner Option Gas 1 x 9kg Sway control Option Kitchen Yes INTERNAL Cooking 2 burner glass lid cooktop Fridge Vitrifrigo 150L Microwave Yes Bathroom Yes, separate shower/ toilet Washing Machine Option Hot water Yes OPTIONS FITTED None fitted PRICE AS SHOWN $39,990 + registration MORE INFORMATION…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 6.24m (20ft 6in) Overall length 8.85m (29ft) Width 2.46m (8ft 1in) Height (incl AC) 3.13m (10ft 3in) Tare 2927kg ATM 3500kg Payload 573kg Ball weight 253kg EXTERNAL Frame Solid ply timber Cladding Aluminium composite Chassis Hot dipped galvanised Suspension Dexter Torflex Coupling Ball Brakes 12in elec Wheels 16in alloy Water 2 x 95L Battery 2 x 105Ah Solar 2 x 160W Air-conditioner Gree N186 Gas 2 x 4.5kg Sway control AL-KO ESC INTERNAL Cooking Thetford 4 burner, grill and oven Fridge Thetford N614E.3F 184L Microwave NCE Bathroom Separate shower cubicle plus Thetford cassette toilet Hot water Truma 14L OPTIONS FITTED NIL PRICE AS SHOWN $119,792 MORE INFORMATION Australian Motor Homes and Caravans 31 Pacific Highway Bennetts Green, NSW 2290 Ph: 02 4948 0433 W: australianmotorhomes.com.au…

Location: 400km south of Perth via Albany Highway, 80km north of Albany via Chester Pass Road, or 62km east of Mt Barker. Best time to walk: August to October for wildflowers. • Weather can change quickly, so always carry a jacket. Bushwalking is not recommended in hot and windy conditions due to bushfire risk. • Read the information boards and be aware of the time taken for the climbs, as well as your abilities and fitness. Start early to allow time to do the climb and return in daylight. • The walk trails are steep with sloping, slippery, and uneven surfaces. Wear boots or sturdy footwear, weatherproof clothing, and sun protection. Take plenty of food and drinking water. • Stay on designated tracks and trails. Take extra care near rock…

2020 FIRST DROP ‘VIVO’ ARNEIS, ADELAIDE HILLS — $28 Fragrant and zesty, this beautiful straw yellow wine is oh-so-inviting. But do not be fooled into thinking that this is a simple wine. Yes, it has plenty of fruit by way of nashi pears, apricots, lime, and peach, but it has other layers too. It is medium bodied so carries a bit of weight on the palate, has an oily texture, and it finishes nutty with notes of almonds and nutmeg. 2019 NICK SPENCER WINES GRUNER VELTLINER, TUMBARUMBA — $35 Joyful and fruity, this wine presents plenty of stone fruits, lime, and spices on the nose. Its linear acidity serves as a strong backbone and gives this wine a lasting texture. Gruner Veltliner is a great pairing for Vietnamese dishes, fish…

TripTech last month announced its release of The Summer Report, which provides fascinating insights into the behaviours and travelling patterns of Australian adventurers during summer 2020/2021. The report highlights the domestic market’s contribution to the recovery of tourism with a 43 per cent increase in TripTech app engagement over the summer when stacked up against the previous year. By geofencing each square kilometre of Australia through a unique grid reference, the TripTech app carries out an analysis on fluctuations in arrivals, visitation, behaviour, points of interest, and passenger movements. With 150,000 monthly active users and 3.5 million monthly map engagements, the report includes an analysis of visitation by state, interstate movements, and engagement with experiences along the route. Wineries, breweries, and walking/hiking trails were the experiences with the highest engagement…

I know I have mentioned this before, but I am frequently amused by media commentors who write about the RV industry but clearly have little user experience or even, in some cases, understanding of the industry. While pondering a reader letter to this fine magazine, I was doing a little online research on light commercial vehicles that are used for towing. As part of that process, I came across some comments by a journo who is very experienced as a motoring writer and who was taking issue with the 3500kg tow rating that many of the current generation of single and dual cab utes seem to have. I couldn’t agree more. That 3500kg is a figure much spruiked by ute salespersons and guaranteed to catch the attention of caravan owners…

AUTO TO MANUAL Q Hi, I have a Holden Colorado 2017 dual cab and I have just got my first caravan, a 2018 Grant Cruiser dual axle 19ft 6in. Towing wise I have been told to use manual transmission on five and not to use the sixth gear as it is too hard on the transmission. Could I get some tips on towing as I’m a bit confused on automatic use and the manual shift? Michael McLear A G’day Michael, There is a bit of confusion around this, and it stems from the old days where top-gear — normally fifth — was an overdrive. As overdrives, top gear was often weak and not suitable for towing. A classic example is the R151 five-speed gearbox behind the popular HZ105 LandCruiser.…

VALUE FOR MONEY “There a lot of van for the price, especially with the slide-out.” TOWABILITY “The van tows smoothly and without any vices. Light enough for an extensive range of tow vehicles.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Intended for long times on the road and as set up it will be a pleasure.” BUILD QUALITY “Well-engineered with a modern, durable construction method that has excellent weather protection.” LIVEABILITY “The slide-out converts the van into a great living space.” CUSTOMER CARE “Two-year warranty but needs to cover all components in the warranty document.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Decent off-grid living with the optional power upgrade.” INNOVATION “Innovative and thoughtful lightweight design and build processes.” X-FACTOR “Has a modern, understated appeal that should stay fresh over time.”…

The plan was simple: get Wonderland RV’s latest XTR 1906 to the Yarra Valley for a full day and evening of testing and shooting. Then, yet again, the world stopped. By this, I mean Victoria shut down the day we were shooting to contain another COVID-19 outbreak. This meant we would be short of the needed testing and images. When Landrover Australia offered a new Defender 110 to tow-test, we knew exactly which van we should use. The trouble was that two months later, the XTR 1906 was well and truly with its owners. Cue a second XTR 1906 borrowed from the factory the morning before it too was due to be shipped to its loving family. In this dual-van review, I’ll talk about what is the same but also…

Wonderland RV might not like this bit of my review, but you need to know. Since Victoria was locked down and the world changed, Wonderland has struggled to keep up with demand and some customers have been left wanting. I certainly can’t blame Wonderland though — and nor should you. It has been tough to secure an order and get a fixed delivery window for critical components like awnings and, in the case of one of the XTR 1906’s we had, a Dometic DRS (dust reduction system). We only got the keys to the second van because it was delayed due to supply issues in the DRS. Lucky us, unlucky owner. I feel for Kevin Dani, the MD at Wonderland RV. Upon pick-up, his Campbellfield yard was overflowing with vans…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 5.56m (18ft 3in) Overall length 7.2m (23ft 7.5in) Width 2.42m (7ft 11in) Height (incl AC) 3.06m (10ft) Tare 1868kg ATM 2700kg Payload 778kg Ball weight 135kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti timber Cladding Aluminium composite Chassis SupaGal box section, 4in frame, 6in drawbar Suspension 2.7T Dexter Torflex Coupling Ball Brakes 12in electric Wheels 16in alloy Water 2 x 95L Battery 1 x 100Ah Solar 1 x 160W Air-conditioner Houghton Belaire 3500 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control Optional INTERNAL Cooking Thetford 4 burner & grill Fridge Thetford N614-E.3F 184L three way Bathroom Shower cubicle and Thetford cassette toilet Hot water Swift gas/elec 28L PRICE AS SHOWN $61,990 MORE INFORMATION Sydney RV 9–20 Lemko Place Penrith NSW 2750 Ph: 02 4722 3444 W: sydneyrvgroup.com.au…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Wow! For the quality and inclusions, it's excellent value.” TOWABILITY “Tows smoothly and suits smaller vehicles.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “If you want a compact van, then it hits the spot.” BUILD QUALITY “Good attention to detail, quality materials and built to last.” LIVEABILITY “Some compromises on internal living space are inevitable.” CUSTOMER CARE “Caring approach to fixing problems and high level of quality control to ensure minimal problems.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Given the size and weight of the van, the off-grid capability is impressive, but it's not the van's forte.” INNOVATION “Very Innovative design. The company fills a gap in the marketplace and builds with modern, durable materials that should last.” X-FACTOR “Understated cuteness rather than a monster head turner.”…

WHEN TO GO It gets pretty hot at the height of summer, making spring and autumn the most popular seasons. WHAT TO DO • Explore the granite playgrounds of Terrick Terrick National Park, Mt Kooyoora and Pyramid Hill W: parks.vic.gov.au • Check out wetlands and walk the sculpture trail around Little Lake Boort • Paddle Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail (boats can be rented from Boort Lakes Holiday Park) • Watch eucalyptus oil being extracted at Hard Hill Tourist Reserve (contact Wedderburn Visitor Centre for times) • Prospect for gold. Miners rights can be purchased from the Victorian government ($25.20 for 10 years). • Spanner Man sculpture gardens; advance bookings required 1314 Boort-Quambatook Road, Barraport P: (03) 5455 4257 WHERE TO EAT • 24 Karat Café: homemade lasagna, soups, pies and…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Pricey, but it’s well equipped.” TOWABILITY “Relatively heavy caravan but rides well.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “On-road tourer with a difference.” BUILD QUALITY “Both inside and underneath, the van looks to be well put together.” LIVEABILITY “Layout a little different to usual but quite practical.” CUSTOMER CARE “Three-year warranty on Royal Flair components but everything else covered by individual manufacturers.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Battery and water capacity good but no grey tank.” INNOVATION “Undoubtedly the north-south drop-down bed in the rear.” X-FACTOR “Front decker and rear bed/ lounge arrangement.”…

Cruisemaster has released a recall of its 10in and 12in Electric Trailer Brakes shipped out between 4 February–20 April 2021. The affected Part Numbers are 05-3075 and 05-3076. The cable-operated Park Brake Lever has been manufactured in a way that may in some circumstances cause it to fail — where the electrically activated service Brake itself has not been affected. Cruisemaster has stipulated that it is safe to tow a vehicle fitted with the Brake. The company is recommending extreme caution for customers disconnecting their trailers from tow vehicles. If the Park Brake is being applied and the Lever fails, the trailer may move uncontrollably. Cruisemaster is recommending that its Park Brake must not be the only way in which any vehicle fitted with the Brake is held or secured,…

It's been a week since our long weekend escape, and we’re already feeling out of sorts again. Like so many long weekends, it’s a great opportunity to tack on an extra day or two to extend the escape and make it really count. For us, a three to four-day escape feels like a week — an extra opportunity to unwind and soak up the bush surrounds in the company of our camping pals. So what’s upset the apple cart? WEATHER While we’re currently feeling the brunt of a sudden autumn cool change, only days ago we were basking in unseasonal warm-ish days. Low to mid-twenties was the order of the day and while it’s not a patch on the climate of northern Australia, it’s perfect post-Easter camping conditions for the…

The DO35 Drop-On Coupling is designed, tested, and manufactured by Cruisemaster™, home to Australia’s leader in all-terrain towing technology. With full 360-degree articulation to reduce the risk of roll-over, smooth ADR compliant locking mechanism and 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 handbrake, which is 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, 3 Wyman Place, Braeside, VIC 3195. All entries must include your…

Where better to review a Golf caravan than in its spiritual home in Queensland. According to Golf Supercenter sales manager Jonathan Mangifesta, the brand is still well-loved by northerners despite having moved shop to Melbourne several years ago. They are a loyal and tribal bunch, the Queenslanders. The Golf name dates back to the 1970s, and, like a lot of Queensland builders, they made rugged off-roaders to tackle the potholed tracks pointing north to the tropics. The company was bought out in 2009, and these days the Golf range stems from the same Pakenham factory as its sibling brand, Avan. The brands are formidable pair in the mid-range caravan market and combine to make one of our most prominent builders. As a general rule, an Avan is more blacktop oriented,…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES External length 8.3m (27ft 3in) External body length 5.99m (19ft 8in) External width 2.45m (8ft) Internal height 1.98m (6ft 6in) Travel height 3.1m (10ft 2in) Tare 2780kg ATM 3500kg Ball weight 200kg @ tare EXTERNAL Frame Marine-grade ply Cladding Dibond Composite Chassis 4in main with 4in riser, Roadking Suspension Cruisemaster XT L3 Air Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Brakes 12in Drum Wheels/tyres 16in alloy wheels with 265/75R16 BFG AT’s Water 200L Fresh, 65L Drinking, 100L Grey Battery Custom 300Ah Lithium Solar 450W Battery Management System Redarc Manager 30 Air-conditioner Ibis-4 Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control Dexter Anti-Sway Control Dust Control Dometic Dust Reduction System Reversing Camera Safety Dave INTERNAL Cooking Swift Minigrill Fridge Dometic 188L Three-way Microwave 23L NCE Toilet Thetford cassette Shower Internal and external Lighting LED…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Nicely priced for a van this size.” TOWABILITY “Handles well on the road and the weight factor is good.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “It’s well equipped for road touring for one or two people.” BUILD QUALITY “Constructed in the conventional way with a galvanized chassis and a Meranti timber frame.” LIVEABILITY “It’s a standard layout but there’s room to move and no tight spots.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Fitted with a 100Ah battery, 160W solar panel but no grey water tank.” CUSTOMER CARE “Three-year manufacturer warranty.” INNOVATION “Standard build, a little disappointing that the technology developed in the Evolution range has not been used.” X-FACTOR “Quite an attractive looking van that’s great for people who don’t want a larger van.”…

We love receiving letters from our readers. Most appreciate what we are doing, but they also keep us on our toes when we go off track. One of the enduring themes from readers recently is that we concentrate too much on larger vans, so when Karen, our Queensland salesperson, highlighted an innovative builder of smaller vans, I jumped at the chance to check one out. Silversun Caravans began about 10 years ago when founder Bojan Matviko put his various skills together to create affordable motorhome conversions. Over time, customers started asking about caravans, and Bojan realised there was a gap in the market for a compact and economical van. So in 2015, he introduced his innovative range of full height caravans. THE BUILD Crucial to the plan was a van…

Although a Victorian-based caravan manufacturer, family-owned Royal Flair Caravans has something of a reputation for building caravans that are sometimes outside the box. Royal Flair builds a range of caravans, everything from a family bunk layout to an off-road tourer, that are all fairly conventional in layout. Vans like the Razor XT and the Raptor designs are in the ‘slightly different’ class , but the Piazza undoubtedly fits into its own unique category. It’s easily identifiable because of the folding deck that sits above the drawbar of the caravan. Undoubtedly, it’s a very clever idea because it uses the air space above the drawbar, which is otherwise wasted except for more conventional items, like tool boxes and gas cylinders. About the only other way that I could imagine doing this…