By Malcolm Street
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Boroma Caravans might be something of a boutique manufacturer in the caravan industry, but it is a company that never stands still in the design department.
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Peter Russell and Judie Groves, proprietors of Boroma, are constantly searching for new design ideas to incorporate into their van range.
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In the December 2006 issue of CW, we took a look at the then new Primo Di Lusso and Tourista Grandinata models. The main difference between the two was that the Di Lusso had aluminium cladding, while the Grandinata (Italian for ‘lightning’) had fibreglass cladding.
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There have since been a few changes to the Primo line-up and the alternative Grandinata range – mainly in the layout department, we should point out, because like all Boromas, the Grandinata and Primo are built on a double rail, box section, galvanised chassis that rides on Vehicle Components’ efficient Cruisemaster independent suspension. 
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The Grandinata does have the more expensive airbag suspension, however.
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Chef-friendly
In what is a snapshot review, we take a look at the latest Grandinata layout, the Tourista Grand Grandinata 700ST Limited Edition (LE) model.
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The inside of the 23ft (7m) Grandinata (external length) was a pleasure to behold. It was a front entry setup, with a rear bedroom and a stylish front lounge. Slightly different from the usual dinette setup, the new layout features a sideways lounge on the offside, a table in the middle, and a single seat on the other side, but not against the wall because there is a slide-out pantry behind it – a setup that we liked.
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The kitchen bench is along the nearside and the nicely designed bathroom is on the opposite side. 
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The kitchen offers good and varied storage space without compromising on the amount of benchtop area, so caravanning chefs shouldn’t have too much to complain about.
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The Grandinata doesn’t have a slide-out barbecue, but at the front of the van it has a gas bayonet connection for a freestanding barbecue, near a small external pantry – very handy for stowing cooking tools and other gear.
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The bathroom in the Grandinata has a separate shower cubicle, well equipped vanity cabinet and a Dometic VacuFlush toilet.
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It’s only a small feature, but the bed reading lights are worth a mention. Instead of being mounted on the outside of the bed pointing inwards, they are centrally mounted, pointing outwards. This could lead to some irritation for the person preferring to sleep. 
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Naturally, the Grandinata is packed with other luxurious Boroma goodies, including a flatscreen TV, washing machine, and fold-out ironing board.
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The Bottom Line
The Boroma Tourista Grandinata has a starting price of $92,360; the Grand Grandinata featured in this article is considerably optioned up. 
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But one thing’s for sure, if a luxury custom-built caravan is what you’re dreaming of, Boroma can definitely supply the reality of choice.
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For more information, contact 
Boroma Caravans, 3779 Pacific Highway, Loganholme, Qld 4129, (07) 3806 4655, 
email: sales@boroma.com, web: www.boroma.com
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I liked
Kitchen setup with angled sink and good benchtop area
Little touches such as the shelf behind the bed, the footrest and towel rails
Good general ventilation and natural light with plenty of window area and roof hatches of various sizes
Good size bathroom with room to move
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Now I’m being picky
Given that this van is set up for self-contained touring, solar panels or some other method of house battery charging is needed
Needs high level brake lights
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Boroma Tourista Grand Grandinata 700ST LE

External length 23ft (7m)

External width 7ft 8in (7.4m)

Nameplate ATM 3500kg

Nameplate Tare Weight 2880kg

Frame Timber

Chassis Hot dipped galvanised

Suspension Cruisemaster independent airbag

Cooktop Spinflo Caprice

Fridge Dometic RM 4065 AES 185L

Microwave Sharp

Shower Separate

Toilet Dometic VacuFlush

Lighting 12V halogen and fluorescent

Gas 2 x 9kg

Fresh water tank 3 x 74L

Price $123,500 
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Boroma Grandinata 700ST LE

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