By Greg Williams
This unit is clever. The good people at Eco-Tourer have come up with very innovative design – they’ve now installed an internal shower and toilet.
As you probably know, Eco-Tourer vans are flip-up hardtops with a brilliant design that saves space when storing them or when travelling, because their low profile makes them easier and more economical to tow.
But that low profile, which is not much taller than a sedan, has also meant that until now Eco-Tourer vans have had to go without a shower and toilet.
Eco-Tourer has now placed a shower and toilet at the rear of the van on the nearside and has created a bump on the moulded fibreglass roof to give it a bit more height, as well as lowering the floor under the shower/toilet.
Considering that the rear of the van is also the hinged end, it is remarkable that Eco-Tourer has managed to include a shower with a height of 6ft (1.8m).
Placing the shower on the side of the double bed means it was necessary to taper the bed a bit more than usual to allow access.
It also meant moving the ceiling-mounted TV set to the other side of the van to avoid hitting your head on your way in and out of the shower.
The wardrobe, which was in the way of the shower, also had to be moved. It now sits next to the washbasin outside, and folds down when the roof is lowered.
The moulded fibreglass shower is in two pieces, with the top half folding into the bottom. At the rear is a vent with 12V extractor fan, which is on the same switch as the ceiling light and there is a small hatch in the roof.
Also in the rear wall is a little waterproof cupboard, part of the same mould, which is a perfect place for soaps and shampoos, and the shower head is on a flexible metal hose.
When you’re not using mains pressure, water is pumped from the tanks using a 12V Watermatic pump.
Hot water is provided by a Dometic gas/electric heater, and there are other additions to go with the upgrade, such as mixer taps both in the kitchen and the vanity unit.
Wheels are upgraded to 15in x 7in and the electric brakes are bigger, at 12in.
The toilet seen here is a Dometic vacuum-flush; a Thetford cassette model is also available.
The Slipstream caravan shown here normally has a single water tank but the shower model has an extra tank.
The well of the shower, like the rest of the Eco-Tourer, is made of moulded fibreglass and is protected on the underside by a sturdy tubular bar.
The shower, toilet and other extras add 200kg to the Slipstream’s 1350kg weight and $8000 to the $37,300 price tag, taking it to $45,300.
A great advantage is there is no extra setup involved – with the Eco-Tourer up, the shower and toilet are in place and ready to use. This amazing design has allowed for a 6ft (1.8m) shower in a caravan that stands at that height.
For more details and dealers contact Eco-Tourer on (03) 9546 9822, or visit www.caravancourt.com.au