Coromal Lifestyle L700 2007 Review

By Ros Bromwich

With an increasing demand for larger, but still affordable, family caravans Coromal believed that a 7m (23ft) caravan with an ensuite for around $50,000 would be a real winner.

The first Lifestyle models came along a couple of years ago – family layouts and heaps of features at a very keen price – and the new Lifestyle L700 looks set to continue the trend.

“The success of this new layout at the Adelaide and Perth shows has proven our thinking correct,” Coromal’s national sales and marketing manager, Richard Raven, told CW.

“Our dealers have been very excited about the release of this new model as many of their customers fit into this market demographic and they have been asking for such a van.

“During the design phase a number of layouts were forwarded to those dealers for their comments and suggestions and the decision on this layout, apart from a couple of changes, was unanimous.

“The floorplan is superb for parents – they have complete privacy at the front of the caravan in a large bedroom with a queen-size bed. An added benefit of having the bedroom at the front is that there are no wheel arches to contend with.”

Runs on the board

Inside the L700, the rear side door layout comprises the front bedroom as mentioned, plus mid-nearside kitchen and mid-offside dinette with the rear section occupied by triple bunks and the ensuite.

The kitchen has a four-burner cooktop (one electric hotplate) and grill – an oven is an optional extra. The microwave is located at eye-level. There is ample cupboard space with stainless steel pantry baskets fitted to the large drawers under the sink.

The large Dometic RM 2553 fridge is in a handy position just inside the rear main door – when relaxing outside you do not need to track through the caravan to get to the fridge. The well upholstered dinette is opposite, with a bench-height cupboard alongside.

For the interior finishes, buyers have a range of quality jacquard fabrics to choose from and two furniture colour choices, either light Italia Beech or the darker Wild Cherry. To the rear of the dinette are the three bunk beds, each with its own separate window which helps reduce feelings of claustrophobia. There is provision for a TV on top of the fridge, which allows for viewing from the dinette and bunk area simultaneously.

A radio/CD player is located adjacent to the TV provision. A flatscreen TV is an option and includes an upgrade to a DVD/MP3 player in the radio. Not everyone wants to watch the same programs, so a separate TV point and powerpoints above the dressing table allow for a second TV in the front bedroom.

Just as you enter the caravan and to the rear of the main door is the ensuite, enclosing a one-piece fibreglass shower recess fitted with a pivoting door. A dual 240V and gas hot water system with a heavy duty pumping system provides water to all points. Two water tanks are fitted and have isolating taps.

Between the shower recess and the bunks is a two-door robe and linen cupboard. For added privacy after showering or when changing, a divider curtain curves around from the doorway to close off the shower and triple bunk area.

The lighting system is 12V operating from a battery provision in the boot – great if you are camping away from power – and also via a power supply unit/transformer running off 240V. The battery is charged via 240V and also from the car when travelling.

As in all Coromals, the aluminium-framed body is fully insulated and a roll-out awning is fitted for shade and shelter in wet weather.

“The aluminium frame construction keeps the weight down, while most importantly Coromal’s bonded and riveted construction technique provides the necessary strength and durability to withstand some of the harsher conditions experienced in WA’s north-west,” says Richard Raven.

“Coromal is based in WA and the caravans have always been built to suit those conditions, and by extension those around the rest of Australia.”

A large front locker provides enough room for quite a bit of gear, maybe a barbecue and the family’s fishing gear.

Coromal prides itself on its vans’ towing ability and attributes it to the fact that an independent suspension system has been fitted to all models for more than 20 years.

“The sloping profile of the front roof also is an important factor in reducing wind drag and further improving the towing ability,” says Richard.

“I have many years’ experience in towing, and have done test tows with every new model we produce. I was particularly impressed with this new L700. The Tare weight of the L700 with the optional air-con fitted was only 1937kg and with a towball weight of 150kg it simply means that you do not need a large 4WD to tow it.”

The Bottom Line

In times when large, well equipped caravans are coming with increasingly proportioned pricetags, the Lifestyle L700 represents very good buying for families, particularly for those considering a round-Australia trip.

The day of our photo shoot at the excellent Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, at Narrabeen on the northern beaches, Coromal dealer Richmond Caravans’ David Taylor, who brought the caravan and his team of young cricketers along for the day, sang the caravan’s praises.

“We took one away for our summer holidays for a couple of weeks. It towed like a dream and had all we needed for a great family holiday,” David said. “It’s rare to find a family van with bunks and a shower that really does have enough room for everyone to live in comfortably.”

Richmond Caravans, 6 Industry Road, McGraths Hill, NSW 2756, (02) 4577 6553; sales@richmondcaravans.com.au

For your nearest Coromal dealer visit http://www.coromal.com.au/