Innehållsförteckning för Issue 623 från Caravan World

Congratulations to Titan Caravans and their stunning 480 hybrid offroader, which won our MSA-sponsored 2022 Caravan of the Year event at Nagambie in central Victoria. The winning choice went to a company that arrived at the event well prepared with a van that eased out the competition in a close finish. The Titan team has long been a keen competitor. Last year they fronted up all the way from Queensland to Healesville for our 2021 event which was abandoned at the last minute when the state was locked down once again due to COVID. This year they showcased a well-considered compact couple’s van with an innovative approach to off-grid and simple living. The win showed that the Titan company owners listen to customer feedback and industry criticism and continually improve…

With a B.E.S.T. (Bacteria Elimination Silver Treatment) water filter, you can ensure you have clean, safe water – wherever the road may take you. The filter means you can safely draw water from town, tank, creek or bore water sources to fill your caravan’s tanks, while the chemicals and sediment will be removed and the bacteria destroyed. The filter is multi-directional, can be used after long periods of non-use and involves a simple, DIY installation. 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 All entries must include your full address (not for publication).…

INNOVATION ‘Much of the innovation in the Regent Cruiser is found in the composite body structure with its fully welded aluminium frame integrated into the sandwich panel wall, floor, and roof structure.’ There are any number of caravan manufacturers in Australia but one of the better known is Regent Caravans. Based in Melbourne, Regent has been a long-term manufacturer but in early 2021 moved to import a range of vans from China. The caravans are not completely built overseas as the final fit out is done at the Regent premises. A typical example of Regent’s Cruiser range is the RC220. It has a length of 7.7m (25ft 3in), a tare of 2970kg and an ATM of 3500kg. It’s certainly not a lightweight caravan but is fitted with a layout well…

INNOVATION “Getting a bunk bed layout that includes a bathroom into a van with a length of just 4.9m (16ft 1in) is a challenge, but Titan has clearly risen to it.” South-east Queensland is home for a high number of offroad caravan manufacturers. It’s not surprising really when you think about it, considering some good offroad travel, including beaches is never far away, relatively speaking. One of the most recent additions to the offroad crowd has been Burpengary-based Titan Caravans. The company sells a range of caravans, hybrids, and camper trailers. Like other importers, much of the construction work is handled in China, but the final fit out of the plumbing, electrics, suspension, and other componentry is done in the Burpengary factory. Although Titan produces several traditional layouts, one of…

In desolate, semi-desert spinifex country, set alongside a dramatic ironstone ridge, a heavily camouflaged and carefully hidden structure known as No 73 Operational Base Unit can be found. It used to be called Corunna Downs, the name of the still-active cattle station on which the base is located. The air base has been excised from the Corunna Downs Station so visitors can now visit this site freely, without needing permission from the station. The long runways still remain, built to handle the heaviest four-engine bombers of the day. In fact, they have recently been graded and cleared of both the old cracked and parched bitumen surface and the encroaching spinifex and desert foliage. The main runways (east/west and north/ south), measuring 2300m and 1650m (and each 50m wide), can thankfully…

At the heart of south-central Queensland, 680km west of Brisbane, Charleville is the largest town and administrative centre for the Murweh Shire, covering almost 44,000 square kilometres. The town straddles the junction of four major roads, including the Mitchell and Warrego Highways, which radiate to the cardinal points of the compass, making it an important waypoint for travellers to and from the vast expanses of western Queensland. Blessed with rich pastoral land, the shire’s main industries are grazing of beef cattle and sheep for wool production, while associated retail and service activities provide employment for the majority of the town’s 3300 residents. Tourism also makes a significant contribution to the regional economy, with popular attractions in the town and several national parks in the ranges to the north and in…

“Despite being caught in the middle, Dunsborough holds its own as a downright dreamy destination” Dunsborough is a sleepy coastal town sandwiched between hubs you may have heard of — Busselton and Margaret River — in Western Australia’s famed South West region. Yet despite being caught in the middle, Dunsborough holds its own as a downright dreamy destination. Home to 5000, the unhurried town offers a sense of adventure in, well, every sense. Located along the blissfully blue shores of Geographe Bay, Dunsborough is a short hop, skip, and jump to life’s simple pleasures such as world-class beaches, renowned wineries, stunning sceneries, and gourmet food experiences galore. And if life truly is all about balance, Dunsborough is the perfect place to gauge just that. A MELTING POT Heading to Dunsborough,…

After years of delay, the Federal Government this week has once again postponed long-overdue changes to Australia's vehicle compliance laws and regulations. Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, introduced legislation in the final sitting week of the Morrison Government to set back by a year the introduction of the new Roads Vehicle Standards Act first agreed in 2017. As reported in Caravan World last year, the legislation is the most significant change in compliance for the caravan industry for generations. It does away with a lax self -certification process currently in place. The new processes were to change the current system of manufacturer-generated compliance plates with strict and traceable records that demonstrate compliance with Australian Design Rules. However, the new laws apply to all motor vehicles, not only caravans, and intense…

Readers Mark and Helen Murray recently hit the road in their Jayco Outback, towed by a Jeep Grand Cherokee, to Exmouth travelling inland via Kalgoorlie “We stopped for two nights at Niagara Dam on our way to Leonora. The dam was originally built to service the steam trains in the early days of steam.” Readers Craig and Manda Reid memorialised their first trip with the happy snap along the way. “Our first trip in our Leader 21ft 6in family van stopped in at the Bundy factory on our way to Yeppon for Christmas and New Year’s.” The natural scenery around Australia is really something else in some places, as Deidre Komac’s pic can testify. “These pictures were taken in 2021 when we camped look overlooking the Great Australian Bight along…

INNOVATION “A combination of smart technology and clever design brings high levels of innovation to the van.” The Titan brand has been around for eight years with a business model that mixes an imported composite body with local fitout of electric and plumbing components. The company owners listen to market feedback and bring gradual improvements with each new model. The 480 came with an impressive $6000 electronics package adding considerable off-grid capability, and starting at $83,990, it has to be excellent value. Titan made no secret that there were at this year’s Caravan of the Year event to succeed. They came well-prepared with a pair of vans that stood out for their innovative approach to offroad travel. The 480 impressed the judges, and when the scores were tallied, it was…

INNOVATION “The pricing is sharp and for a 20ft 6in centre door and rear ensuite, and externally it has a modern feel with a blend of silvers and greys, but when you step inside, it has the feel of much more expensive caravans.” There is nothing more infectious than enthusiasm and it is also a great motivator for change and challenge, so it was refreshing to meet the team behind Design RV, Jason and Lauren accompanied by son, Hunter, at MSA’s Caravan of the Year. Design RV spun off from Essential Caravans in 2021 where it was an established range, which meant Jason and the team had a solid brand and numerous floorplans to build on. What they didn’t have were a factory and staff, so in a fresh approach…

SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Armed with plenty of power and water, the Roadstar is kitted out to sustain you in the bush.” Roadstar presented its Safari Tamer Extreme 18ft 6in for judging at the 2022 Caravan of the Year, and it’s a standout van for extreme offroad travel. The family-run company has built a solid reputation over the last 30 years and now boasts the third generation in the team. The high riding Roadstar may not have won this year’s event, but it won respect and some envious looks from the judges. A quality build, meticulous fit and finish, and attention to detail are all elements that stand out with the Extreme’s all-Aussie hand-built construction. It’s designed to get you off the beaten track in total comfort. The Safari Tamer Extreme is designed…

Along with the rise in popularity of camping, there has been increased demand for portable energy solutions. Jordan from iTechWorld agrees, stating that portability of solar options is a must for today’s camper. “At iTechworld, we always strive to have the most up to date and advanced products on the market. Our solar blanket kits are extremely portable and come with everything you need to start charging, including a regulator, extension lead & alligator clamps. Simply set your solar blanket up at camp, and away you go!” The changing needs of Australian campers are also being met with a variety of new products. With campers favouring the little luxuries of life (think coffee machines and iPads), energy needs are also changing. Jordan from iTechWorld states that the company’s new lithium…

PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED ASPARAGUS TOTAL TIME: 15 mins SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS • 1 garlic clove, chopped • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • ½ tsp each of sea salt and cracked black pepper • ½ cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling • 24 asparagus spears with ends snapped off • 8 sheets prosciutto, thinly sliced METHOD Make vinaigrette by whisking garlic, vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper in a Pyrex measuring cup. Slowly whisk in oil until the 1-cup mark is reached. Drizzle asparagus with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roll each spear in one piece of prosciutto. Cook each side on a barbecue grill until prosciutto is crisp and asparagus is tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Arrange spears on each plate and drizzle…

A quality UHF radio might be the best accessory any caravanner could buy. Keeping in contact with other road users — especially truck drivers — to communicate your intentions can save a lot of aggravation out on the open road. Calling a faster truck around to overtake is good road etiquette, and the safe thing to do. We have had a GME radio matched to an AE4705B aerial whip on most of our vehicles over the years, but the one on our current LandCruiser suffered a nasty stone impact and was almost cut in half. However, the internal electronics seemed to be still intact, so I managed a temporary fix out on the road with a short length of threaded rod and some gaffer tape I had with me, and…

In a setback to Australia’s iconic Wet Tropic World Heritage Area, an area that stretches along the north-east coast of Australia for some 450km and is extremely significant in terms of biodiversity, the federal budget has failed to explicitly fund the successful yellow crazy ant (also known as long-legged ant or Maldive ant) control program run by the Wet Tropics Management Authority in Cairns. “If this program were to stop it would be a major blow to the World Heritage Area and the communities around Cairns and Townsville who are impacted by this dangerous invasive species,” said James Trezise, Conservation Director of The Invasive Species Council. “Most Australians would be familiar with the Daintree Rainforest, which are the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on Earth. What many people may not…

John, I read the letter about breakaway cable attachment in issue 621 with interest as I have the same problem when attaching the cable to my tow vehicle. Unfortunately, the rear tow point had to be removed when the towbar was fitted and there are no other suitable attachment points available. I considered drilling a hole in the plastic bumper but if the towbar came loose the bumper would be the first thing it would take off. What I have done is use a D-shackle to connect a short length of chain to the chain used to lower the spare wheel under the vehicle. I then attached the extra chain to the shackle attachment point on the towbar with a small plastic cable tie so that I can easily attach…

Caravan of the Year (formerly known as Best Aussie Vans) is back and better than ever! This year we have a new judge, a new name, and seven exciting vans battling it out for the coveted title. Nagambie and Discovery Parks provided a hospitable refuge for our event this year where our four judges worked through a strict assessment criteria and with a team of photographers, writers, videographers, and event organisers. Over the better part of a week, each entrant was challenged across variable terrain and inspected from end to tow-bar to get the best possible sense of the experience each would provide to potential buyers. The event wouldn’t have been possible without major sponsor MSA 4x4 Accessories. MSA 4x4 are renowned for some of the most innovative products in…

INNOVATION “In its seven-year history, Snowy River has grown into a real success story and one of Australia’s fastest-growing caravan brands” In its seven-year history, Snowy River has grown into a real success story and one of Australia’s fastest-growing caravan brands with solid sales and a loyal crew in an online owner’s forum. Best described as a blacktop couples tourer, the SRC21 has a robust build that’s also capable of tackling long sections of dirt road travel. The latest range of Snowy River vans has been rebadged to reflect outside dimensions, so the SR19 now presents as the SRC21 and appears with some upgrades to trim and colours. The vans combine overseas and local manufacturing with the body and chassis arriving in Melbourne for fit out and installation of electrics…

CUSTOMER CARE “There are often different warranties for body, chassis, and individual components, which is why New Age Caravans stands out — it offers one of the best warranties in the business.” Caravan towing weights and suitable (or not) tow vehicles are very much in the news these days. However, this New Age Road Owl, is unlikely to feature having a tare of just 2186kg. Making it suitable for any number of tow vehicles, especially with a bit of thoughtful loading. Behind our tow vehicle, a very new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, the van was unsurprisingly well-behaved and barely noticeable. On the few bumps and potholes I encountered, the Road Owl’s AL-KO roller rocker suspension coped well, although with a lighter tow vehicle the lack of shock absorbers may cause…

This issue is all about our Caravan of the Year event where we evaluated some of the smartest designs and best builds of caravans currently on the market. We delved into a diverse range of vans with various construction methods which reinforced that there is more than one way to build a great van. We saw it as an ideal time to run through the key components of a caravan as well as different approaches manufacturers can take to build their vans, with some of the pros and cons. Broadly speaking, all caravans feature running gear and a body. The running gear comprises the wheels, suspension system, chassis, and coupling. The body comes together with the floor, walls, and roof. Touring on bitumen roads is still how many vans are…

In the times pre COVID-19, there were plenty of RV shows around the country, and for those whose tastes were a little more international there was New Zealand as well. Indeed, they were so common that many a dealer and manufacturer struggled with the decision of which shows to exhibit at. That all changed with the arrival of COVID, when RV shows, like many events, more or less disappeared from the agenda. During the lockdowns something else changed too. With international travel off most travellers’ agendas, domestic travel generated considerable interest and just about all of Australia’s manufacturers and importers found themselves awash with deposits on new RVs when things started to lift. Good news for sure, but some of those orders will only be filled past the end of…

Stoney Creek School, near the old goldmining town of Talbot in central Victoria, closed in 1916, and its buildings were demolished long ago. But here, in an eerie, abandoned schoolyard surrounded by thick bush, are the ruins of a rock garden shaped into a large map of Australia, built around the time of federation. This poignant reminder of a ghost town and the children who once lived here is just one of the many fascinating hidden secrets of central Victoria’s goldfields region. The names Bendigo and Ballarat echoed around the globe after gold was first discovered in 1851, igniting a rush that attracted hopefuls from around the world: by the end of 1853, more than 200,000 people had flocked to the goldfields, and within a decade Australia’s population had trebled.…

With the recent completion of the motorway between Coffs Harbour and Ballina in northern NSW, the Pacific Highway is now a fast-paced ribbon of modern dual lane road. Kilometres zoom by through cane fields and forest with the punctuation of small towns along the mighty Clarence River, luring us to check out their slower-paced cafes and old-world stores. While travel is now easier between Sydney and Queensland, for much of the journey, only 30 or so kilometres to the east is a world of serenity and beauty. Mind you, if developers and some local councillors had their way sixty years back, the road would run along the Pacific Ocean amid high rise and beachfront resorts. “Through the early part of the 20th century, the north coast of NSW remained isolated…

Australian winemakers certainly had it tough the last couple of years — there were bushfires, there was a pandemic and there were floods. As we read news reports predicting La Niña will continue through winter and into October, this will likely officially be Australia’s wettest year since 1974. This crazy weather doesn’t go without ramifications on Australian agriculture, and while for it may have brought much needed water into drought exhausted areas, in much of Australia the water is just too much. For industries such as grape growing and winemaking, rain can be the biggest friend or foe, depending on which time of the year the wet weather decides to present itself. Some of the worst irreversible effects rain can have on grapes happen at flower burst. Heavy rain, wind…

Ten or so years ago caravans were simple sleeping spaces to hook up and drag to your favourite caravan park . The vans didn’t need an excess of water and power because the park had a communal kitchen and a concrete amenities block on site. These days, things are different and the idea of off-grid living is the norm. And while a lot of vans are equipped with enough solar and battery power to last indefinitely, there are still vans with minimum solar or none at all. Most have a battery though, which is charged by the tow vehicle as you travel. Similarly, tow vehicles with a second battery for a fridge can benefit from extra charge when parked up for a few days in camp without needing to run…