Caravan Innovations Diamond Rose cut

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

Words and Pics: Iain Curry

With the rise of the large luxury van over the last few years, the humble caravan has progressed from holiday accommodation to being a bona fide home on wheels. Becoming as well-equipped as expensive motorhomes built for permanent living, it is viable these days to sell your home, purchase a caravan you really can move into, and hit the road for however many months or years you desire.

This has become the enviable new lifestyle for Peter McMurdo and his wife, Christine. Peter explained: "We decided life was too short to wait until retirement age to see our wonderful country. We were sick of the mortgage, the day to day grind you get stuck in, so I packed in my management job and we sold the house."

After months of fruitless searching for a suitable pre-loved caravan, a chat with Caravan Innovations convinced the couple that a custom van built to their exact requirements was the answer.

Dave Laskey, managing director of Caravan Innovations and highly experienced in the caravan retail industry, has assembled a team able to build vans from scratch. The SA-based company offers a range of floor plans, with custom builds a speciality.

Custom was exactly what Peter and Christine needed, and soon Caravan Innovations had a long list of the couple's wishes, including an office area that could convert into an extra bed, a dining area with seat recliner mechanisms, dishwasher, washer/dryer and solar power.

The plans were drawn up and work started straight away. Under the company's brand name of Diamond, this was to be a massive 36ft (11m) caravan named Rose Cut to suggest the very top of the range.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS
With managing director Dave Laskey and directors Tracey and Cameron Lyon now turning dreams to fruition, the first hurdle was the immense chassis. Its abnormal size meant construction took longer than expected, but all parties turned out happy with its solid engineering.

It is a full 6in box chassis with 2in box cross members ensuring it is very rigid and strong. It is rated to a weighty 4.5 tonnes, with each of its three 2.5in axles rated to 1800kg. It also features 12in electric brakes behind the 15in CSA steel wheels with offroad tyres.

Given the caravan's Tare of 3200kg, it needs a hefty tow vehicle, especially when it could weigh nearly four tonnes fully laden. Peter and Christine use a 7.3L turbodiesel 1997 Ford F250, an American import that has been converted to right-hand drive.

Externally, the mighty triple-axle van is well put together and looks attractive, with aluminium checkerplate stoneguards along the front and sides. Its six bubble windows are all double glazed and tinted, while a 21ft (6.4m) Dometic awning provides plenty of outdoor shade.

There are the expected quick-drop stabiliser jacks and rear bumper bar, while the drawbar has two 9kg gas bottles, a robust, centre-mounted jockey wheel, a water tap and a satellite dish.

As for storage, not only is there the front boot, but also a lockable through-boot across the width of the van, accessible from both sides.

MOVING IN
Caravan Innovations describes the Diamond Rose Cut as a true mobile home that offers the space, features and decor you'd expect in a long-term living environment. This is a fair claim considering the amount of standard features it comes with, while its price tag of $85,000 compares favourably with rival offerings of similar size.

Purchasing direct from the Caravan Innovations factory, as the McMurdos have done, clearly helps here.

The first thing that hits you when climbing aboard the Rose Cut is its sheer size. Not surprising, really, when you consider the 28ft (8.5m) internal length with generous 6ft 2in (1.9m) internal height. The design and lighting is well thought out, and the 3mm felt-backed cushioned floor lino is both attractive and comfortable.

The bedroom is to the front of the van, featuring a queen-size extendable bed with anti-mould innerspring mattress and extra storage underneath. Above the bed is one of the van's outlets for a twin-head, split-system air-conditioning, along with the first of two Four Seasons hatches admitting plenty of natural light.

A sliding partition separates the bedroom from the rest of the living area, which features the innovative lounge that Caravan Innovations s most proud of. Using Warwick fabric, it seats four comfortably, and once dinner is finished, a handle mechanism allows footrests to extend outwards to enable two occupants to recline, put their feet up, and enjoy what's on the 17in LCD satellite TV/DVD. Additionally, the table can be lowered to create an extra bed.

The expected items for a well-equipped caravan are all there: 220L Dometic fridge, Dometic oven with three-burner gas cooktop (plus one electric) and grill, Sanyo microwave, Fisher & Paykel dishwasher, LG 7kg washer/dryer, roomy shower and separate Thetford cassette toilet. Add to this the entertainment from 15 satellite TV stations and 52 radio stations and it truly is a luxury apartment on wheels.

The large kitchen area has a quality finish throughout, and at Christine's request the cupboard doors feature mini-orb sheeting (a mini-profile corrugated iron).

The rear of the van, where the shower, toilet, vanity and laundry are located, can be separated from the lounge area with a sliding door. This makes a handy private extra bedroom as well, with a fold-up bunk bed neatly tucked away for an extra guest.

Beneath the bunk is another custom touch not often found in caravans. Peter and Christine wanted to be able to work while travelling, so a neat desk area opposite the shower and toilet offers plenty of space to slide a chair under and work at the table, with useful drawers for papers and materials to the side.

As you'd expect with such a large unit, there's no shortage of storage space in the bedroom, kitchen or bathroom areas. Furniture trim throughout is timber so it doesn't have that plasticky feel common in some vans, while work surfaces are finished in tasteful imitation marble.

Rounding out the package are twin roof-mounted BP solar panels, a pair of 100Ah batteries and generous triple 95L freshwater tanks, which make this van more self-contained than others.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Peter and Christine are delighted with their new home. All their custom ideas have been brought to life, and they appreciate the personal touch offered by Caravan Innovations throughout the build process.

"We were updated regularly with progress," explained Peter, "and Dave put together a build folder that is terrific for showing anybody who is half interested. The whole team were great to deal with, and we respected their 'can do, will do' attitude in lovingly building our van."

Dave even presented the pair with a personalised DVD documenting the whole build from start to finish. It's clear that Caravan Innovations is also very pleased with the result of its first (and it hopes, many) custom Diamond efforts. The company is currently seeking interstate agents and investors.

We can see why both parties are happy, and meanwhile Peter and Christine have obtained a spacious and luxurious home away from home at a more than reasonable price.

For more information contact Caravan Innovations, at Aussie Caravans, 1138 Port Wakefield Road, Burton, SA 5110, http://www.diamondcaravans.com.au/, (08) 8280 6122.
At the end of February, it is moving to Unit 11-14, 11 Hartford Crescent, Elizabeth West, SA 5113.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED:

Evernew Caravans
101 Bell Street
Heidelberg Heights, Vic 3081
(03) 9459 7516
email: info@evernewcaravans.com.au