Blue Sky Radiance

WE LIKED:
>> Airy interior, despite darker colours
>> Large bathroom
>> Internal luggage space

NOT SO MUCH
>> No power outlets above the dinette
>> Microwave set a bit high
>> Rough around some locker edges

Recent design trends in the caravan market have been rather interesting, to say the least. With grey nomads the dominant buyers, vans have grown longer, heavier and better equipped.

Just how long that trend will go on is anyone’s guess, but the subject of this revue, a 7.2m (23ft 7in) Blue Sky Radiance, with a front bedroom/rear bathroom setup, is every inch the contemporary caravan, especially in the bathroom.

Victoria-based Blue Sky isn’t a particularly large manufacturer, but that’s not a disadvantage in the RV industry. The company was recently taken in by Queensland’s Sunrise Caravans, who were keen to take us on a tour of their new rig.

With an ATM of 2757kg, the Radiance is not the smallest rig. And like so many vans on Australian roads, it requires a mid-to-large 4WD.

Something like a Toyota Prado (two-door), or even an Isuzu D-Max, should fit the bill, especially given the relatively light ball weight. In my case, the ever-popular Toyota LandCruiser did the towing.

DARKER TONES

While the Radiance looks fairly similar to its contemporaries, it’s the interior that catches the eye – rather easily through the low front windows, I might add.

There’s any number of views on RV colour schemes. For example, darker hues, as seen in the Radiance, tend to look classier and give more of a homely look and feel.

But in the confines of an RV, darker often gives the perception of a smaller space. That’s not a problem for everyone, but for some a lighter tone is often preferred.

A certain balance can be reached with larger windows, lighter-coloured walls, and plentiful lighting. In the case of the Radiance, LEDs are used all-round.

Caravan bathrooms seem to be getting larger with every rig, and this one is no exception. Although the shower cubicle is fitted into the nearside corner, the cassette toilet is fitted alongside it, instead of opposite.

This setup allows a considerable amount of space for the vanity, which features a large wall mirror, an enormous amount of storage space and, hiding in one of the cupboards, a top-loading washing machine.

With windows either side, a vent hatch above the shower and a large Heki hatch above the rest of the bathroom, ventilation and airflow aren’t a problem. Not everyone will want a bathroom this size, but if it’s high on your list of preferences, this is a good one.

DECEPTIVELY ROOMY

By comparison, the kitchen may appear a little small, but it’s actually anything but. The design is a shrewd one that works well, making excellent use of available space.

Set at an angle, the stainless steel sink and drainer are up against the bathroom wall. This may use a bit more of the floor, but means more bench space, especially since the adjoining stove comes fitted with a flush lid.

Like the bathroom, the kitchen has plenty of storage, including five drawers of different sizes, three cupboards and several overhead lockers. Part of this space above the sink is taken by the microwave.

A wall-mounted 22in flatscreen TV is at the end of the kitchen bench near the entry, sitting in such a position that it can be seen from all over the van.

But to watch anything from the bedroom, the partition wall at the foot of the bed means the TV arm has to be extended and locked into position, making the nearby light switches awkward to get at.

Above the TV sits an AM/FM radio/DVD player, complete with an MP3 socket. Like a few of these I’ve seen, a little shelf to fit the iPod would be useful.

A 186 litre three-way fridge and full-height wire basket slide-out pantry are located in the space between the dinette and bathroom. All up, this is a very well-equipped kitchen.

STYLISH DINING

Looking very contemporary, the dinette comes with contoured leather cushions, including extra wall cushions for sideways sitting. A very nice touch.

There are no hinged footrests, but the tri-fold table does have some little storage shelves underneath, with both a 240V and 12V socket.

Locker-style doors at floor level give access to under-seat storage and the overhead lockers feature classy-looking lead-lined windows.

Partitions on either side of the bedroom give a little bit of (welcome) separation from the rest of the van. More of the aforementioned lead-lined windows are what stand out in the bedhead, but apart from that it’s fairly standard. There are side wardrobes and small bedside cabinets. |

It may just be me, but I always find bedside wardrobe doors hinged on the bed side, as is the case here, more awkward to use than those on the wall side.

The queen bed has an inner spring mattress that can be lifted up to access the storage underneath. Like the rest of the van, windows and hatches all-round give the bedroom a light and airy feel.

The Radiance is built on a SupaGal chassis with 6in rails and 2in risers. The load sharing tandem axles have leaf spring suspension and also come with shock absorbers.

Up front, the drawbar carries a pair of 9kg gas cylinders and the necessary towing and parking gear.

For the bodywork, the timber frame is covered with aluminium cladding and a lower waist of alloy checkerplate. There isn’t a conventional front boot, but rather a tunnel.

VERDICT

In many ways, the Blue Sky Radiance is a design of the times, and there's nothing wrong with that. It has a large and economical kitchen, plus a bathroom much bigger than most vans. And both have been fitted in without compromises elsewhere.

At 7.2m (23ft 7in), this is a big van, which must be considered when towing and parking, but for the long-term tourer, the Radiance is a sunny prospect.

BLUE SKY RADIANCE

Overall length: 9.1m (29ft 10in)
External length: 7.2m (23ft 7in)
External width: 2.35m (7ft 8in)
Interior height: 2m (6ft 7in)
Travel height: 3m (9ft 10in)
Tare: 2357kg
GTM: 2617kg
ATM: 2757kg
Ball weight: 140kg
Frame: Timber
Chassis: SupaGal
Suspension: Leaf spring
Cooktop: Swift four-burner, grill and oven
Fridge: Dometic RM4605 186 litre
Microwave: Westinghouse
Shower: Separate cubicle
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Lighting: 12V LED
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 2 x 95L
Hot water: Truma 14L
Price $74,900 (on-road, Qld)
Supplied by: Sunrise Caravans, Burpengary, Qld