Adria 612 DP

WHAT WE LIKED

• Strong, lightweight construction
• Anti-sway chassis
• Bright, functional interior

NOT SO MUCH

• Limited kitchen bench space
• Desirable options jack up the price


The Global Financial Crisis was not kind to many European caravan importers in Australia, with some forced to close their doors. Not so Adria, the Slovenian-based brand that dates back to 1954 and is now one of Europe’s biggest caravan manufacturers.

As the Australian and New Zealand importer, RV Asia-Pacific continues to expand the Adria dealer and service network Down Under and at last count more than 700 Adria-badged vans have hit the roads since 2006.

Like many Euro models a key attraction of the Adria vans is their lightweight construction with all five models in the local range, right up to the twin axle 8.4m (27ft), 662 UP with its 2000kg ATM, capable of being towed by a wide range of family sedans, wagons and SUVs.

Other drawcards are the smart contemporary styling, full insulation, Al-Ko ‘anti-sway’ chassis designed for tough Australian conditions, and a factory-backed warranty that extends to five-year coverage for water ingress.

We recently took a closer look at the second-biggest model in Adria’s Australian line-up, the 612 DP. At almost 8.0m (26ft) long, this single-axle four-berth van has a 1385kg tare and can carry an additional 315kg of gear.

STRESS-FREE TOWING

The 612 DP rides on a galvanised chassis with Al-Ko independent rubber suspension featuring shock absorbers and directional steering, anti-sway coupling, and a mechanical over-ride braking system.

On the drive to our photo shoot location Victorian Adria dealer, Scott Webster, of Melbourne and European RVs, was keen to demonstrate the van’s in-built active safety features via a series of ‘towing tests’ including an 80km/h cornering manoevre and a fairly dramatic ‘emergency’ braking procedure.

The van came through with flying colours, remaining poised and in control throughout, while our petrol Nissan X-Trail had little trouble pulling the large van.

The Adria’s walls and roof are a composite structure, with insulation inserted between plywood in the walls, floors and ceilings, and aluminium forming a tough outer skin. A polyester roof covering provides resistance to hailstones, while both front and rear lower halves are fibreglass mouldings.

There are cross-frames in the floor, roof and walls and the floor is glued and bolted to the chassis. Another interesting feature is the roof is strong enough to withstand a couple of tonnes of dumped snow; not such a problem in warmer climes like Australia, but reassuring nonetheless.

Up front, the boot contains two 9kg gas cylinder holders as well as the spare alloy wheel, and other external lockers include a big lockable bin at the front. A 50 litre water tank is fitted underneath and a second is available as an option.

BRIGHT AND BREEZY

Step up through the Hartal stable-style door and a pleasant, light-timber hued interior awaits, with lots of large, double glazed, tinted windows and roof hatches to let in the breeze and sunlight if desired. The Dometic windows open outwards and are fitted with reflector and flyscreen blinds.

Overall, the layout makes good use of the 20ft long interior space with the bedroom with queen size bed and separate shower at the rear end, separate bathroom and kitchen located in the middle section and club lounge/dinette/double bed up front.

The north-south oriented, queen size island bed comprises a coil spring mattress on a slat base, with good underbed storage accessible via drawers in the base.

Other storage areas in the bedroom, which can be cordoned off with a concertina door, include overhead lockers and shelving, and a wardrobe on each side of the bed. There are also two bed lights, a skylight and 12 and 240V outlets in the bedroom.

It’s a couple of steps from the end of the bed to the standalone shower; a compact, one-piece moulded unit with curved, sliding frosted door, flexible hose shower, some shelving and overhead light.

The separate bathroom is located next to it, opposite the kitchen, and contains a Thetford swivelling toilet, wash basin with mixer tap, vanity with shelving and overhead cabinets, two mirrors and a towel rail.

Despite taking up a small area along the nearside wall, the kitchen packs in a fair bit of equipment including a Thelford four-burner cooktop (three gas, one electric) with grille and oven, extractor fan, stainless steel sink (with no drainer) and a family-sized Dometic 175L fridge/freezer.

It was missing a microwave, although one can be fitted as a $550 option, to the detriment of drawer or cupboard space.

Master Chefs will be disappointed with the lack of available bench space for food prepping and cooking. One option around this is to use the laminated glass tops fitted to the stovetop and sink, when they’re not in use. There’s also an optional side table attachment that can be hooked on to increase bench space.

There's also some bench space opposite, next to the dinette, that could be used, although this is really another storage area with extra drawers and an overhead  cabinet with curved smoked glass doors.

The ‘powerboard’ is also found here, with switches for the Truma gas hot water system, voltage and pump gauges, more 12 and 240V sockets and an antenna point (a 19inch LCD/DVD TV is a $500 option).

The dinette has bench seating for four adults, and easily converts to a double bed layout by detaching the table and rearranging cushions. There are further storage options here in the form of overhead shelving and under-seat lockers.

Lighting throughout the 612DP is a mixture of 12V halogen and fluorescent and there are plenty of options for reading and general nighttime illumination.

Our review van (currently for sale at $57,200 towaway from Melbourne and European RVs) was also fitted with ducted air-conditioning (normally a $2500 option).

BOTTOM LINE

Adria caravans are not the cheapest out there, but then you usually pay a premium for imported European products. It’s evident from close inspection the 612 DP has been built to a high standard, using quality, lightweight materials and fitted with the latest RV accessories.

If you’re in the market for a fixed roof van that can comfortably accommodate a family of four and is relatively easy to tow, the 612 DP is worth checking out.

ADRIA 612 DP

Overall length: 7.99m (26ft)
Internal length: 6.1m (20ft)
External width: 2.3m (7ft 6in)
Overall height: 2.58m (8ft 5in)
Interior height: 1.95m (6ft 5in)
Nameplate Tare: 1385kg
Nameplate ATM: 1700kg
Chassis: Al-Ko galvanised
Suspension: Al-Ko IRS (Independent Rubber Suspension)
Fresh water tank: 50L
Price $57,200 (tow-away, Vic)
Website: adria-mobil.com
Supplied by: Melbourne and European RVs