Coromal Lifestyle 615S

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

The Coromal marque has been around for over 30 years. The brand is based in Forrestfield, WA, near Perth, and is part of Fleetwood, which not only builds caravans, but designs and makes portable buildings as well. The van reviewed, supplied courtesy of Vic dealer Caravans West, is the 2008 floorplan model - the Lifestyle 615S: a 6.1m (20ft 1in) full height ensuite van.

The Lifestyle 615S is more than adequate for longer-term travelling couples. And weighing in unladen below two tonnes, it can be towed by family-sized sedans.

TOUGH STUFF
Attention to detail underpins the Lifestyle 615S. Coromal uses an aluminium frame for the cabin, and clothes it with its unique polished grey colour-coated aluminium sheeting. The interior lining sheets are glued and pop-riveted to the aluminium frame member, a technique that makes for a stiffer wall.

The window fittings illustrate Coromal's insight. On the nearside, near the entry door, are sliding windows. This means no crash if you open the door when the window is open, and no whacking your head against the window when walking under the Carefree awning, which is included as standard. Clever.

On the offside, the windows are awning style. All windows use that old-fashioned scratch-free material called glass. Wonderful. Another neat bit of thinking is the quick-release gas bottle clamps inside the boot. A little strange, though, that one gas bottle is supplied when there's room for two.

Peek under the van and you'll discover that the floor is bonded to the 150mm twin beam galvanised chassis and 50mm-angle bearers. Coromal employs patented "Knee Suspension", which eliminates the axle, steer characteristic and sideways spring distortion found in a spring-and-beam-axle arrangement that is under duress. The five-stud wheels run on slimline bearings and are shod with Bridgestone Bison LT tyres.

You'll also see that the two 60L water tanks, which have gauges inside the van, are located forward of the axles and have stoneguards. The underside is tidy, although the exposed PVC plumbing could suffer if hit by stones thrown up by the wheels of the van or towing vehicle. There is a tap on the A-frame and, although not shown, the Lifestyle 615S includes a dealer-fitted 120Ah Trojan battery, which connects to a 23A charger and is housed in a forward nearside locker.

TV reception is via the Winegard roof-mounted antenna. The TV point, however, is placed in an awkward position above the sink.

STORAGE GALORE
The queen-size island bed is an extendable type - so tall people are catered for - with a bolster inner-spring mattress on a slotted plywood lift-up base.

The window above the bedhead has an awning-style stoneguard to protect it when the van is being towed.

A concertina door provides bedroom privacy. With oodles of cupboards plus big storage capacity under the bed, the temptation would be to put too much in the van when heading off. Pelmets in the bedroom double as shelves.

Creature comforts include the shower, vanity and toilet facility, roof hatch, hot water, air-conditioner, cushioned seating and dinette. The full width bathroom comprises a high quality vanity basin and mirror cabinet set between a shower and cassette toilet.

Single-level mixer taps service all the internal water points, and a mains pressure reducer improves the consistency of the water flow. Hot water is supplied via a Suburban gas/electric unit.

The stowing space for personal effects is more than adequate. A solid sliding door separates the wet area from the rest of the van.

The Seitz hatch incorporates a sunshade and insect screen. With a reverse cycle air-conditioner in the ceiling, occupants can dial-up whatever temperature they desire.

There's a side kitchen with plenty of slide-out baskets and the dining area has L-shaped seating to accommodate three adults at the table.

The Smev cooktop has four burners (three gas and one electric) and a gas griller below. I would not keep the scrim curtains behind the cooker - to me they look to be an unnecessary fire risk.

UP TO SCRATCH
With an overall length of 7.7m (25ft 3in) and a weight of 1800kg at the weighbridge when we tested it, this van can be managed by family sedans such as a current Holden V6 with automatic transmission or a Falcon XT six-cylinder with auto.

This wasn't a totally empty van when we reviewed it - there was water in the tanks and in the 23L gas/electric Suburban hot water unit. There was no battery fitted at the time, however, and only one 9kg gas bottle in the front boot. Clearly it would be easy to take the van over the two-tonne mark when loading it.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Its quality build, ample stowage capacity and sensible design, together with its patented Knee Suspension for an improved ride makes the Coromal Lifestyle 615S a contender for long-term tourers. Separate shower and toilet facilities in a van that can be towed by a large family sedan will also add to its overall appeal.

If you are a couple shopping for a van with the lot, and you don't intend to spend lots of kilometres on unmade surfaces, then this van should be on your checklist.

LIKED:

I WOULD HAVE LIKED:

Caravans West,
1A Berkshire Road, Sunshine, Vic 3020,
www.caravanswest.com.au,
(03) 9311 7211.

For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.coromal.com.au