Aussie By Design Humpback Smart Van

WE LIKED

• Excellent storage space throughout
• Very high specification as standard
• Sense of space achieved from office chairs

NOT SO MUCH

• Small opening for the shower
• Cramped toilet

Visiting South Australia’s Aussie By Design to check out its Humpback Smart Vans always makes for a memorable trip.

Based in Port Wakefield, an hour north of Adelaide, the company is headed by Ian Dutschke; a straight-talking, no-nonsense caravan builder proud of his products, each crammed full of plenty of features to ensure self-sufficiency while on the road.

These distinctive Humpback caravans are so-named because of the rear hump built into their design. According to Ian, the hump helps the van stay stable by generating downforce in much the same way a race car’s rear wing does, while also limiting the ‘suck-in’ sensation when passing trucks.

Having sampled units ranging from 7.16m (23ft 6in) to 9.15m (30ft), I’ve come to associate these Humpbacks as massive homes on wheels. These larger rigs often require a tow vehicle along the lines of Ian’s US-imported Ford F250.

However, you can also opt for a more bite-size Humpback if preferred, with the Smart Van range starting from just 5.8m (19ft), making them more relevant to 4WDs sold in Australian showrooms.

My test van was an attractive 6.4m (21ft) rig featuring all the standard features (there are many) common across the Smart Van range, no matter which length you go for.

OFFROAD READY

With a Tare of 2430kg and ATM of 3070kg this Humpback isn’t the lightest of caravans, but the trade-off is decent offroad ability and toughness combined with a well stocked interior.

Built on a 6in DuraGal chassis, the Smart Van features a meranti timber frame and attractive aluminium cladding for the sides, rounded off with checkerplate all-round.

While some caravans claim to be ‘offroad’ units after simply fitting knobbly tyres, this Humpback has genuine ability thanks to its Aussie Easy Ride independent suspension.

The wheels are 15in Allied alloys, shod with 235/75 Doublestar offroad tyres, while electric drum brakes service each wheel.

One aspect of the Humpback vans that always appeals to me is their excellent use of space. That smart design may be easier in a 30ft van, but the Aussie By Design team should be applauded for the room offered inside and out of this 21ft rig.

While caravan owners usually get the choice of either a front or tunnel boot with external access, this Smart Van gives you both: the tunnel can also be accessed from under the queen bed.

There are a further two lockable tool boxes and a rear boot, with access doors covered in checkerplate to keep out water and dust.

There are further exterior features aplenty, including LED lighting, galvanised rear bumper, external shower and Manutec drop-down jacks.

Genuine self-sufficiency is aided by a brace of 95 litre water tanks, four gel-type deep cell batteries and two 80W solar panels on the roof.

Throw in an extended A-frame and you have space for an outboard motor mount alongside twin 9kg gas bottles, Anderson plugs and a satellite pole bracket.

All these goodies are naturally built in to this van’s price – $77,500 as tested – but there’s little extra you’d need, and this trend continues on the inside.

ALL YOU NEED

Ignoring the interior spec momentarily, the first thing that grabbed me when entering the Smart Van was the rather cleverly elongated central window.

Let’s not forget one of the main reasons we go caravanning is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. From our rural SA location, I couldn’t help but take a break from the photos, perch myself on one of the office chairs and take in the panorama.

The dining table neatly folds back to rest a book on, a side ledge is perfect for resting your glass, and you’re all set for a sundowner.

Relaxation aside, this van would more typically come with cafe-style seating, but its owners specified two office chairs instead. This won’t be ideal for everyone, but doing away with cafe seating actually makes it feel roomier inside, plus you benefit with a few more storage cupboards.

Having guests around for dinner won’t be easy, however, since this setup makes it a strict two-person van.

As mentioned above, for a van of this size, storage is excellent. Three hanging wardrobes and lots of well-divided overhead cupboards are superb. And from the bedroom to the living area to the bathroom, you get the sense the interior designer knows exactly what long-term travellers want from their caravans.

There are a number of simple aspects, such as separated pants and socks drawers, and super-deep bathroom cupboards for linen, that are very well appreciated.

Your dollars also get you a 150 litre Dometic fridge, 19in flatscreen TV, Dometic air-conditioner, radio/CD/DVD player, Swift four-burner cooktop with oven and grill, and an LG microwave mounted at a sensible height.

The interior feel is quite modern thanks to the dark wood and leather chairs, and it’s well illuminated by a mix of fluoro and LED. In general, you get all you’d expect (and arguably more) from a van of this price.

The ensuite is an example of necessary design compromises, but it does well to fit everything it does. For starters, the sink is a good size and there is ample room for toiletries around it, and drawer and cupboard space is plentiful.

There is also a (standard) Haier 5kg washing machine squeezed in; this is good for extended life on the road, but you do feel a little penned in when using the Thetford cassette toilet.

Similarly, the shower feels roomy enough when you’re inside, but the glass door is a bit on the thin side, so some will find it tight to get in.

VERDICT

Aussie By Design is not like a lot of other caravan manufacturers. For starters, the company refuses to use dealers to sell its Humpback Smart Vans, meaning you can only buy a new one from its SA premises.

Ian Dutschke refuses to build a rig he won’t put his name to and believes the way he options his vans ensures customers gets a quality product with the complete wish list.

Cutting out a dealer’s commission does help keeps the price of these vans lower, but some may still be put off by this van’s price tag of $77,500. But when you take into account the massive spec as standard, it looks like good value to those who want a fully loaded caravan for extended travelling.

The larger Humpbacks may be out of range for many due to their mighty towing weights, but this is a Smart Van in name and nature ready to be hauled by large Australian-sold 4WDs.

AUSSIE BY DESIGN HUMPBACK SMART VAN 21ft

Overall length: 7.77m (25ft 6in)
External body length: 6.7m (22ft)
External width: 2.3m (7ft 6in)
Internal height: 1.97m (6ft 6in)
Travel height: 2.95m (9ft 8in)
Tare: 2430kg
ATM: 3070kg
Ball weight (advised): 140kg
Frame: Meranti timber
Chassis: 6in DuraGal
Brakes: Electric drums
Suspension: Aussie Easy Ride independent offroad
Cooktop: Swift 500 Series four-burner with grill and oven
Microwave: LG
Fridge: Dometic three-way 150 litre
Battery: Four gel-type deep cell
Lighting: LED/fluorescent
Gas: 2 x 8.5kg
Fresh water: 2 x 95 litre
Price as shown: $77,500 (tow-away, SA)
More info: Humpback Smartvans