Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 603 i Caravan World

It’s not every year a magazine can celebrate two significant milestones so close together. No sooner than the dust had settled on the cork-popping party around our 600th issue did we start preparations for our 50th anniversary. But the celebrations have been dampened somewhat by the need for social distancing and the fact we are all working from home or remotely. So, while we look forward to getting back together, I am grateful of the efforts everyone at the Caravan World team has contributed under very trying circumstances. The second Victorian lockdown has been a real blow to the industry, coming just when things were looking up. Thanks also to the support of readers and advertisers for what we do in changing times and the travails of the virus. This…

Q Hi 12V Guru, I'm going to upgrade my 12V system on my van. I currently have two 100Ah batteries, so when I add to that, do I have to use a battery of same capacity or can it be different? Also does it need to be the same brand or different? My current batteries are only two years old so I'd like to keep them, or should I start with a completely new system? Hope you can help. Cheers, Ron A Hi Ron, Thanks for your question. It is certainly a good one, as many RVers are in the same situation where they wish to increase their energy capacity to remain free camping off-grid for longer, or to ensure they have sufficient energy in reserve if needed.…

In Jayco’s caravan country, the Silverline is the premium range in the manufacturer’s lineup. Within that range is an interesting variety of layouts, some of which have slide-outs, and it’s those vans that offer a considerable variation on a ‘normal’ interior. Jayco Sydney were kind enough to provide me with a Jayco Silverline 21.65-4, a model that comes with an extended offside slide-out. Your editor John Ford was keen to get a few photos in a particular setting and I knew just the place. This might sound familiar if you read the last issue, but when I checked on the access road, I discovered it was closed and is likely to be for some time! In a break from tradition though I actually checked before I departed and went to…

In this, our 50th Anniversary edition, we are highlighting some of our long-running caravan builders, so it’s fitting to include this ripper offroad van from Roadstar. The company itself has been building vans for over 30 years and has established an enviable reputation for reliability and high build quality. But when Hi-Tech engineering bought the company in 2009, they added 45 years of specialist chassis know-how to the mix. Throughout their operation, Roadstar has built more than 45,000 caravans, so there is a wealth of experience on the factory floor. In a range of on and offroad models, the Safari Tamer Extreme stands tall as a full adventure van with an impressive list of rugged features and an interior that radiates luxury. The Extreme is an even bolder offroader than…

It’s well-documented that Evernew Caravans emerged from humble beginnings in 1963. So, when Dani Bib took over the marquee brand in 2017, he adopted a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality. Dani and his professional team have delivered that maxim to the letter! Consequently, he’s retained Evernew’s ‘boutique’ caravan-building status. His first bespoke project at the helm of Evernew was the E800RT — as its moniker would suggest, purpose-built to handle ‘rugged terrain’ — and the E800RT’s Evernew DNA was unmistakable. There was a high attention to detail and quality craftsmanship, and symbolic, standout white cladding that first became a company emblem in the early ’70s. Dani’s maiden offering exhibited all the traits that have made Evernew Caravans a popular brand for nearly 60 years. It was an…

Evernew’s construction methods have been proven for nearly 60 years with its modus operandi being a continuous improvement philosophy to test new products, new materials, and new production techniques — enter the all-new E800 RTX28, with a strengthened heavy-duty G&S chassis and world leading Cruisemaster ATX suspension. Evernew’s head honcho, Dani Bib, says his company continues to work closely with G&S Chassis to design and produce a specialised chassis that will withstand the most rigorous torture Australia’s outback roads have to offer. Underbody protection has also been increased to offer additional security for more vulnerable components. Evernew has endeavoured to incorporate as many safety and security features as practically possible in the RTX28, including Dexter DSC stability control, gas detector, smoke detector, and twin lens rear view camera. Additional side…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES External length 8m (24ft 4in) External Body length 5.8m (19ft 4in) External width 2.5m (8ft 2in) Internal height 2.03m (6ft 8in) Travel height 2.95m (9ft 8in) Tare 2420kg ATM 3020kg Ball weight 180kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti Timber Cladding Raised profile Aluminium Chassis Walkinshaw Engineered hot-dip galvanised chassis Suspension Rocker Roller Brakes 12in Drums Wheels/tyres 15in Federal Couragia tyres Water 2 x 110L fresh, 1 x 110L grey Battery 1 x 100Ah Solar 1 x 150W Air-conditioner Gree reverse cycle Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control BMPRO SwayControl INTERNAL Cooking Cooktop – gas-only mini grill Fridge Thetford 171L 3-way fridge Microwave NCE Flatbed 23L microwave Toilet Yes Shower Yes Lighting Yes (external annex lights, boot lights, internal LED) Hot water Yes (gas/electric) PRICE FROM $67,490 OPTIONS FITTED 6in…

• Bring a deflator and let down your tyres. Going to 15–20psi, or even as low as 10psi, will increase the surface area of your tyres and reduce the risk of bogging. • When driving on soft sand, keep your momentum and stay in the same gear. Of course, don’t speed, and make sure to lower your pace just before cresting a dune so you don’t get airborne. • Bring a sand flag if you’ve got one. Otherwise consider honking just before cresting a dune, or not playing music so you have a better chance of hearing oncoming traffic. • Favour existing tracks, as the sand will be more firmly packed here, and you should be able to gauge whether the last driver made it through alright with that line.…

VALUE FOR MONEY “This is a big, well built custom van and you do get a lot for your money.” TOWABILITY “Any van that you can do slalom manoeuvres at over 80km/h gets my vote.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “This van will follow dutifully behind the tow rig on your outback overlanding adventure without hassle.” BUILD QUALITY “Overall, this fifth wheeler is built to a very high standard, with just an extra bit of care required underneath.” LIVEABILITY “Plenty of room for two to move around comfortably.” CUSTOMER CARE “Only a 12 month warranty with option to purchase more.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “The optional extra 110L water tank is needed to embark on those longer stays away from civilisation.” INNOVATION “The ‘hybrid’ design of this fifth wheeler definitely sets it apart…

Around Australia, there has been a bit of a clanging sound going on in various places, mostly at state borders, as they clanged shut after briefly being open (e.g. NSW/Qld) or closed having been open until recently (e.g. NSW/Vic). Within Victoria, the other clanging sound has been that of caravan manufacturers shutting the factory gates after the COVID-19 lockdown was put in place. While that’s sadly no different from any other manufacturers, it’s created a problem within the Australian caravan industry generally because 85 per cent of caravan manufacture are within a fairly tight area in greater Melbourne, mostly around Campbellfield. For logistical reasons, suppliers and component importers are located within the same area. Thus, dealers in the rest of the country who have been enjoyed something of a minor…

WORKING OUT THE PAYLOAD Q Hi team, I read with interest the article on the New Age Road Owl in edition CW596. That 19ft van is very similar to our own 19ft van in construction, chassis and certified weights, except that ours is a twin bed tourer with combo shower toilet coming from a well know Victorian manufacturer. I have also noted specifications on other similar vans and I am now wanting to know the answer to a puzzling technical question regarding our van — what is the limiting factor in the load carrying capacity of 400kg in our van, compared to the 600kg in the Road Owl and similar capacities again in others? Our specs are a tare of 2039kg and ATM of 2439kg. Therefore the payload is 400kg,…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 6.76m (22ft 2in) Overall length 8.2m (26ft 11in) Width (incl awn) 2.47m (8ft 1in) Height 2.95m (9ft 8in) Tare 2665kg ATM 3150kg Payload 485kg Ball weight 209kg EXTERNAL Frame Aluminium Cladding Composite fibreglass Chassis Hot dipped galvanised Suspension Independent coil spring, trailing arm and shock absorbers Coupling Ball Brakes 10in electrics Wheels 15in alloy Water 2 x 80L Battery 1 x 100L Solar 1 x 150W Air conditioner Dometic roof mount Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control Lippert Sway Command INTERNAL Cooking Dometic 4 burner, grill & oven Fridge Dometic RUA8408X 224L, three-way Bathroom Thetford cassette toilet and separate shower cubicle. Hot water Suburban Nautilus IW60A instantaneous PRICE FROM $80,010 OPTIONS FITTED Grey Water Tank Slide-out Kitchen PRICE AS SHOWN $82,619 MORE INFORMATION Jayco Sydney…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 8.24m (27ft) External body length 5.63m (19ft 2in) External body width 2.5m (8ft 2in) Interior length 5.64m (18ft 6in) Interior Width 2.25m (7ft 5in) Travel height 3m (9ft 10in) Internal height 1.94m (6ft 4in) Tare 2780kg ATM 3500kg Payload 720kg (calculated) Ball weight 270kg EXTERNAL Frame Sandwhich panel Cladding Fibreglass Chassis Hot dipped galvanised BHP steel Suspension Cruisemaster ATX airbags Coupling Cruisemaster DO35 Brakes 12in Drums Wheels 17in alloy 265x75 AT Tyres Water 2 x 95L, 1 x 95L greywater Battery 2 x 100 Ah lithium Solar 2 x 150W Air conditioner Truma Climate Control Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No (optional) INTERNAL Cooking Swift stove/ grill/ cooktop Fridge Thetford 274L Compressor Microwave Yes Bathroom Full-width shower and toilet Washing machine Yes 3.5kg Hot…

Fifty years ago, the Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry looked somewhat different to today. Popular for many years, the bondwood style of caravan manufacture was being rapidly replaced by a framed body with silver aluminium cladding. Manufacturers such as Viscount and Millard, the two largest, had huge factories in Sydney. Additionally, other names including Chesney, Coronet, Crusader, Cub Campers, Franklin, Freeway, Hillandale, Murrumba Star, Newlands and Roma were also a common sight. At the same time, the Holden Kingswood, Ford Falcon and Chrysler Valiant were typical tow vehicles. Items like towing weights, batteries and air-conditioners were not considered and offroad was a term used mostly by Land Rover and Toyota LandCruiser owners. WHAT’S CHANGED Much has since changed, of course. Some of the changes have been evolutionary, others more revolutionary. Most…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 7.55m (24ft 9in) External body length 5.3m (17ft 5in) External body width 2.49m (8ft 2in) Travel height 3.05m (10ft) Internal height 1.95m (6ft 5in) Tare 2250kg ATM 2800kg Payload 550kg Ball weight 210kg EXTERNAL Frame Meranti (300mm spacings) Cladding Aluminium flat panel composite Chassis G&S heavy duty, hot-dipped galvanised Suspension Cruisemaster 2800kg ATX with King Coil springs and 46mm Piggyback Monotube dampers Coupling DO35 (3500kg) V3 Brakes Dexter 12in electric Wheels 16in alloys, with 265/75 R16 all-terrain tyres Water 2 x 95L (fresh); 1 x 95L (grey) Battery Enerdrive 200Ah B-Tec lithium ion Solar 2 x 150W Air conditioner Aircommand Ibis 4 reverse cycle Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control Dexter DSC Kitchen Slide-out barbecue INTERNAL Cooking Swift gas/electric stove, with grill Fridge Dometic RUC6408X…

Located in the heart of the Discovery Coast, Portland is a true coastal gem. From stunning beaches, natural wonders and some of the best surfing and fishing spots in the country, to historical buildings, biking trails and boutique shopping, Portland is a thriving regional destination. You can jump aboard the novelty Portland Cable Tram to see the sights, or cruise around town at your leisure, taking in the Botanic Gardens, Whalers Bluff Lighthouse and the Memorial Lookout Tower at Anderson Point. True to its name, Portland is the site of a bustling and vibrant, deep-water port that is home to a 60 vessel-strong professional fishing fleet. You can sit back and watch massive cargo ships which transport 45 per cent of Victoria’s dry bulk cargo enter and leave the port,…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Astute buyers will appreciate the attention to detail and smart design.” TOWABILITY “The van towed perfectly across a wide variety of country roads and motorways. The lighter weight will match it to many mid-size tow vehicles.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “It’s a great van for touring couples mainly keen on van parks and formed roads.” BUILD QUALITY “Meranti frame in the tradition of Australian builders. Interior is well finished, and the New Age chassis is well engineered.” LIVEABILITY “Sensible size and layout and deliver room to move and enough storage for extended travel.” CUSTOMER CARE “New Age warranty is industry-leading and includes roadside assistance and dedicated staff.” INNOVATION “Automotive influence in the chassis and ABS rear end lend some modern touches.” X-FACTOR “Stylish and conservative with a…

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Body length 7.6m (25ft) Overall length 8.0m (26ft 3in) Width 2.43m (8ft) Overall Height 3.05m (10ft) including A/C unit Internal Height 1.96m (6ft 5in) Tare 2720kg ATM 3500kg Payload (calculated) 780kg Pin weight 440kg Bed Size Queen (island east/ west) EXTERNAL Frame Canadian spruce timber frame Cladding Single piece Aluminium roof, 19mm plywood floor, Aluminium all cladding Chassis Powdercoated RHS 6in x 2in Chassis Rails Suspension Timbren Rough Road 4.5t Independent Suspension Coupling Hayman Reese Revolution Pin Box Brakes 10in electric drum brakes Wheels/Tyres 16in 6-stud steel wheels with 225/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler All Terrains Water 1 x 160L (potable) 1 x 110L grey Battery 2 x 100Ah Lead Crystal Solar 3 x 150W panels Air-conditioner Dometic A/C unit Gas 2 x 9kg Sway control No INTERNAL Cooking…

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc 2 Pemberton Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir 3 Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4 Clare Valley Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon 5 Barossa Valley Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot 6 Eden Valley Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay 7 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir 8 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz QUEENSLAND 9 South Burnett Shiraz, Chardonnay 10 Granite Belt Shiraz, Chardonnay NEW SOUTH WALES 11 Hunter Valley Shiraz, Semillon, Chardonnay, Verdelho 12 Mudgee Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay 13 Orange Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc 14 Riverina Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon 15 Canberra District & Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay VICTORIA 16 Grampians Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling,…

Australian battery retailer, Battery World, is giving eight Aussies the chance to win $5000 to help them power through to their next big trip. Battery World has been a supplier of power solutions to remote travellers for more than 20 years, and hopes to encourage caravanners and campers not to lose hope among ongoing travel uncertainty by supercharging the plans of eight lucky customers. Battery World’s General Manager Johnny Kennedy explains: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a trying time for many Aussie families and businesses. All of our locally-owned stores have seen the struggle in their communities, and as a company, we wanted to create a $5000 prize for eight lucky winners in a bid to spread some joy and to help fulfil Australians’ dreams of adventures and getting back…

It’s been 12 months or so since we upgraded from our long-serving Patrol wagon to a Ford Ranger Raptor ute. It’s been an interesting transition with some instant wins, and some other challenges. Wagons have arguably been the mainstay of most touring setups, as they are able to comfortably accommodate the family, and offer good towing capacity and comfort thanks to coil suspension. Utes, on the other hand, have more truck-like origins, with their work-based design, reduced levels of noise dampening, and stiff rear leaf suspension. For four-wheel driving, they have longer overhangs, reduced ramp-over angles and often less clearance. But they work well for tradies and can adapt to a variety of roles, especially with a few mods. Vehicles such as the Raptor blur the lines. Fitted with long…

This month’s winner will receive a Purple Line Saracen Ultra Hitch Lock, valued at $189. Saracen Ultra is a highly visible, simple to use, compact, high security lock which works both hitched and unhitched to keep would-be caravan thieves at bay. It fits to most standard 50mm ball hitches on caravans, camper trailers, boat and car trailers, and even work trailers. For more information about this and a host of other vanning accessories, visit purpleline.com.au Just email your most travel-inspiring picture (2-3Mb) of yourself, family and friends, with your rig along with a brief description to submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Readers’ Rigs’ in the subject line, or send a print to Caravan World Readers’ Rigs, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161. All entries must include your full postal address (not for…

VALUE FOR MONEY “It’s certainly a well-appointed Jayco built caravan.” TOWABILITY “Does not require an oversize vehicle for towing and tows quite well.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Luxury van fitted out with plenty of extras and designed for on-road use.” BUILD QUALITY A few bits and pieces, like the cabling, could have been done better in the cupboard areas.” LIVEABILITY “Spacious interior with room to move and a decent lounge area.” SELF SUFFICIENCY “Fitted with a grey water tank and a 150W solar panel.” CUSTOMER CARE “Two years on manufacturer and five years structural.” INNOVATION “In many ways a typical Jayco product but with extras like the 360-degree camera and Amazon Alexa.” X-FACTOR “The front kitchen setup and slide-out adds considerable flexibility to the layout.”…

VALUE FOR MONEY “You get all the standard equipment and build quality in a complete adventure package.” TOWABILITY “The van has a good natural weight balance and a suspension that is as good as you can get.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “I like the size for ease of manoeuvring into secluded places and the luxury interior to make the stay enjoyable.” BUILD QUALITY “The composite body and supreme care of the interior build stand out.” LIVEABILITY “The smaller size means there are compromises in bench space, but I’d be happy to live with that.” SELF-SUFFICIENCY “Only needs and inverter to get a top score.” INNOVATION “Combines all the latest equipment into a very desirable package. The generator is a real winner.” X-FACTOR “It’s got the look and all the right…

VALUE FOR MONEY “Basically, you get the whole kit and caboodle for just over $80K.” TOWABILITY “Travels like a dream – even under inclement conditions.” LIVEABILITY A home on wheels with more than just the requisites.” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “Will take you in peace of mind on roads less travelled.” LAYOUT “Pleasingly spacious for its pocket rocket proportions.” QUALITY OF FINISH “Hand-crafted excellence… Say no more!” BUILD QUALITY “Bulletproof – from ‘head to toe’.” CREATURE COMFORTS “Missing a couple of off-grid mod cons.” INNOVATION “Upgraded ‘power station’ blew me away!” X-FACTOR “Delivers on its heavier duty specification.”…

Located about halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, the road trip to Portland from any direction is every bit as amazing as the region itself. Various routes take you through pristine, untouched wilderness, lush wine country or gorgeous rugged coastline. Three popular touring routes include: The SA connection This route from Adelaide is heaven for red wine lovers and foodies, taking in the picturesque Coonawarra wine region and Mayura Station with its world-famous wagyu beef. From there, it’s a stunning 450km road trip through the Limestone Coast, stopping at the breathtaking Blue Lake in Mt Gambier, the incredible Kilsby and Umpherston Sinkholes and Piccaninnie Ponds before passing the Glenelg River mouth on the border in Nelson, and on to Portland through the Discovery Bay Coastal Park. Inland beauty If you're travelling…

If you go back prior to 2008, by today’s standards caravans were a pretty bland bunch, with traditional timber finishes and staid picture frame cupboards almost standard over most brands. When the original owners of New Age saw an opportunity to liven things up with vogue colours and modern apartment-style furnishings, they turned the caravan industry on its head. Before long, most builders followed suit with CNC built decor in lightweight poplar ply, and today timber is a novelty. When the Walkinshaw group bought out the New Age brand, they brought several innovations from their experience in the automotive industry, and the company continues to lead the charge on the mid-range caravan front. High on the list of changes has been a mandrel-bent chassis that gives an uninterrupted run of…

Winjana RV started back in 2000, were known as Adventure RV, and imported Canadian built fifth wheelers. By 2002, they were importing flat pack models (yep, like IKEA) and manufacturing from their home base in Toowoomba. A different path was then chosen, and in 2006 they started building their own designs specifically targeted at the Australian market. Now in 2020, they continue to produce fully custom-built fifth wheelers from their Toowoomba workshop and offer friendly service along the way. Of particular note, was their delivery process. Don’t just allow a couple of hours for a brief rundown and handover. For a Winjana delivery, you have to allow three days! Yep, three days. In that time, you’ll stay in your van at the factory while your tow vehicle is whisked away…

When you’re on your Big Lap, dashing to the tip or simply escaping the southern winter, there are 65 wine regions begging for you to stop and taste a tipple or two. In fact, there are a combined 170,000 hectares under vine in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania — and a smaller area in Queensland. Wine-Searcher currently lists 5115 Australian wine producers, helping Australia to claim its place as the fourth largest wine exporter and seventh biggest wine producing country in the world! Not all of these are the ‘big guys’. There are lots of smaller wineries out there who need your support, particularly after the turbulence caused by last summer’s bushfires and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic. Until recently, wine tourism was the fastest-growing sector of…