Coromal appeals to budget buyers

West Australia’s Coromal Caravans has introduced a direct competitor for Jayco’s big-selling, no frills Starcraft range of fixed-roof caravans.

Unveiled at Melbourne Leisurefest, the new Coromal Appeal is available in just three layouts including a family bunk van, all priced under $50,000 drive-away. 

With a sticker price of $41,500 drive-away, the 18ft (5.5m) long, single axle Appeal 544 undercuts Coromal’s previous entry-level caravan, the Element 542, by around $5000.

Offering a similar layout to the 544, including north-south queen bed, café dinette, kitchen and full rear ensuite, the slightly longer 19ft 8in (6.0m) Appeal 601 was priced at $48,430 drive-away.

The 21ft (6.4m) Appeal 647 family model with twin (or optional triple) bunks and a combination shower/toilet, was priced at $47,500 drive-away

The Appeal has much in common with more expensive Coromal models, including aluminium cladding, extruded aluminium frame, galvanised chassis, independent leaf spring suspension, and two 60 litre water tanks.

However, to keep costs down the Appeal has a front boot with small opening lid (in lieu of a tunnel boot), no front window and just one factory-fitted 9kg gas bottle. It also has a plainer tail light arrangement at the rear.

The interior fit and finish is also of similar quality, with the display vans sporting a fresh Euro-style look including lightweight European poplar furniture, although some cost-cutting is evident with venetian blinds on the screen-covered windows instead of full curtains.

The standard equipment list is pretty good, including a roof-mounted air-conditioner, 150 litre Dometic AES fridge/freezer, four-burner cooktop, microwave, rollout awning, hot water system, and annexe light.

But you’ll need to pay extra for the optional 186 litre fridge, oven, picnic table, digital TV antenna, tri-fold table for the café dinette, quick-drop corner stabilisers and gas bayonet.

All models promise hassle-free towing with Tare weights between 1550 and 1720kg, and come with generous payloads of up to 500kg depending on the model.

Darren Raven, the National Events Coordinator at Fleetwood RV, which builds Coromal and Windsor caravans, said the new range will allow Coromal to grow its share of the competitive $40-50,000 caravan market currently dominated by Jayco.

“We just want to recapture (that market)… this is a price driven, market driven oriented van,” he said. “Value for money wise, I don’t think there’s anything better in Australia.”

To sweeten the deal, Coromal was also offering some tempting ‘show special’ deals at Leisurefest, including free solar panels and Al-Ko electric stability control, and other extras on some models including a deep cycle battery and bigger fridge.

The new Appeal is currently rolling off Fleetwood's Perth production line, with the first vans expected in Coromal dealerships by early-November.

The cut-price caravan comes after Coromal introduced a sub-$30,000, Chinese-built camper to the market in 2013, as the ASX-listed manufacturer fights back after a recent slowdown in RV sales.