Avan Aspire 2019 Review

Like cross-town rival Jayco, Avan offers countless number of models, from its original A-liner to off-road campers, sporty expanders, big family caravans and large motorhomes.

As well as offering something for everyone, Avan’s  hundreds of models are all sharply priced, which has helped make them the number two Australian RV manufacturer behind Jayco.

One of the early adopters of composite construction, many Avans also have the advantage of being lighter than some of their ‘stick and tin’ built Victorian competitors. That’s good news for those with smaller tow tugs, not wanting to upgrade to a bigger, more capable vehicle.

A tonne of appeal

A good case in point is Avan’s budget-minded Aspire range, which starts at compact 13ft pop-tops and goes all the way to commodious 20ft 6in hardtop ensuite vans.

For this review we’re looking at the entry-level Aspire 402 pop-top, which shapes up as an ideal ‘starter’ couples van with its large inside kitchen and twin single beds that can also be used as a dinette.

While the Aspire 402 misses out on an internal shower and toilet, that shouldn’t be an issue for caravanning couples who plan to spend most of their time in caravan parks or camp grounds with good facilities.

However, perhaps the biggest attraction of the Aspire 402 is its weight (or lack of it!). As reviewed with a few minor options added, the unloaded Tare weight was 1049kg, with a fully loaded (ATM) weight of 1340kg.

Combined with an unloaded ball weight of 135kg, the little Aspire was the perfect match for our tow-equipped Hyundai Tucson, which with the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed auto transmission, had a maximum tow rating of 1600kg and 140kg towball weight limit.

By the way the Tucson, which is a more common sight in crowded supermarkets than busy caravan parks, towed it easily… Who says you need a big dual-cab ute to go caravanning?!

Sharp pricing

Another attractive feature for buyers is the Aspire 402’s sharp pricing, which starts at $32,990. Our review van borrowed from Avan’s Melbourne Supercentre, was fitted with a few options including Wild Oak interior upgrade ($1250), innerspring mattress ($380), two reading lights ($330), 15in wheels ($750), and an underslung/reverse axle ($350), which boosted the drive-away price to a still reasonable $35,375.

For that, you get the same aluminium composite wall and roof construction as pricier Avan caravans, along with one-piece ply flooring, a two-section security door, double glazed and tinted windows with built-in blinds and screens, and a wind-out awning.

Sitting up front on the hot dipped galvanized chassis are two 4kg gas bottles, not far from the drawbar-mounted tap and a shallow front storage boot which also houses the winders for the stabilizer legs and awning.

Other standard external features include Avan’s trademark integrated pull-out 240V cord located on the offside wall, and a spare wheel on the rear bumper bar.

The addition of optional 15in alloy wheels and the reverse axle also provided the Aspire with a little bit more road clearance, if you decide to head off the bitumen. There's also some front padding and a gal-protected 95 litre water tank, but you won’t want to venture too far off-road with the basic leaf spring suspension and 50mm ball hitch.

Simple set up

As well as being easy to tow, the Aspire 402 is a cinch to set up, particularly if you’re tall enough to reach the four roof clips. After unlatching them, it’s a relatively easy task to push up the roof from inside, which delivers plenty of headroom as well as a light and airy interior, once a few of the roof vinyl windows are unzipped.

To make up somewhat for the limited exterior storage, the interior delivers an impressive amount of storage options. These include some open shelving, down low to the right as the right as you enter the van. To keep things in place when travelling, Avan has put a hinged door along the front which does block the entryway when open.

The large kitchen, which occupies the entire front and offside corner of the interior, also delivers plentiful storage solutions, both above and below the benchtop, including cupboards with shelving, pull-out pot drawers and a smaller cutlery drawer, overhead lockers and a pull-out pantry. There’s also a large cupboard next to the fridge, which could swallow a lot of clothes or towels.

There's even a handy basket hidden under a lid in the benchtop, next to the stainless sink with drainer, that would be a good spot for storing food or even rubbish.

Keen cooks are catered for with a four-burner cooktop, grille and rangehood, along with a 93 litre three-way fridge/freezer and microwave, albeit positioned above the fridge at a slightly awkward head height.

There’s also provision for a decent-sized (optional) TV on the benchtop above the fridge, with TV connections and aerial included as standard.

Singles or double

The Aspire comes standard with two single beds, which can double as dinette/lounge seats with a tabletop that pulls out from a built-in cupboard between the beds. However, buyers can opt for a double bed layout if they prefer.

The beside table also includes a storage nook and double USB sockets on each side, as well as front drawers.

There's also plenty of storage room under the beds which can be accessed from either under the mattresses or internal side doors.

The only items eating into the impressive underbed storage spaces are a house battery and charger, and the retractable 240V cord when not in use.

Otherwise, the Aspire 402 was reasonably well-equipped with a roof-mounted air-conditioner and four downlights, along with kitchen lighting and the two optional bedside reading lights. 240V power sockets were also located in the kitchen and bed areas.

Built to a price

Given its size, weight and pricing, it’s not surprising the Aspire 402 misses out on standard features often found in bigger, more expensive caravans. These include a hot water unit, external lighting, TV and radio.

It also misses out on an internal ensuite but if that’s a problem, you could step up to the slightly larger Aspire 499 which has a combination shower/toilet. Alternatively, you could fit an optional external shower (and hot water unit), and carry a portable toilet for the times when you want to free camp.

Summing up

There are 15 different models in Avan’s budget Aspire range, but none are as light or compact as the 13ft Aspire 402, or as affordable.

Hot running water would be a worthwhile addition, but the Aspire 402 is otherwise very appealing as a comfortable, fuss free couples’ caravan for those on tight budgets or with smaller tow vehicles.

2019 Avan Aspire 402 Pop-Top

Travel length: 5330mm
External body length: 3860mm
External body width: 2390mm
Travel height: 2450mm
Interior height: 2045mm
Nominated Tare weight: 1049kg
ATM: 1340kg
Ball weight (Tare): 135kg
Body: Aluminium composite panels
Chassis: Hot-dipped galvanized
Suspension: Leaf spring
Hitch: 50mm ball
Brakes: 12-inch electric drum
ESC: N/A
Wheels: 15in alloy with 205/70R15 LT tyres
Fresh water: 1 x 95L
Battery: 1 x 105Ah AGM and charger
Gas: 2 x 4kg
TV: Rooftop aerial and internal connections supplied
Audio: Optional
Cooking: Swift 500 3+1 electric/gas cooktop, grill plus rangehood
Fridge: Thetford 93-litre three-way
Air conditioning:  Roof-mounted reverse-cycle
Hot water: Optional
Microwave: Camec
Toilet/Shower: N/A
Washing machine: N/A
Lighting: LED
Price $35,375 (as reviewed, drive-away Vic)
Options fitted: Wild Oak interior, innerspring mattress, reading lights, 15in wheels, underslung/reverse axle
Supplied by: Avan Super Centre, Campbellfield, Victoria
More info: Avan RV, Pakenham, Victoria