Coronet creates chef’s caravan

One of Australia’s oldest RV brands, Coronet, has joined the rush of caravan builders to offer production slide-out variants in their model ranges, unveiling its new 24ft SL3 at this year's Melbourne Leisurefest.

However Coronet’s focus on its space-expanding model is different to most of its slide-out rivals and is concentrated on the kitchen, picking up on the popularity of TV sitcoms like My Kitchen Rules and Masterchef.

“Our research has shown that people with a beautiful, big caravan like to show them off to friends and plan to spend more time living and entertaining indoors,” explained Coronet RV’s Business Manager Peter Wright.  

“We certainly haven’t neglected the living area, but the kitchen on the SL3-7350 is its ‘wow’ factor.”

Stretching along half the right side wall of the van, the galley is certainly of Masterchef proportions and together with vast bench space incorporates an under-bench dishwasher, a full oven under the cooktop and grill and loads of cupboard space featuring soft-close drawers and quality chrome hardware.

Opposite the galley to the right of the front-entry door there’s a full-height, five-tier rollout double pantry, next to the 184-litre Thetford three-way fridge.

Up-front there’s a large, leather-clad U-shaped lounge with comfortable seating for six, with a centre rectangular single-pedestal table.

Rather than employing the slide-out for the lounge, Coronet has opted to use their USA-sourced Liftco 12v model in the bedroom, with the queen bed moving around 800mm out of the right hand side of the van while retaining a uniform floor level.

Once activated, it gives patrons access to the full across-the-rear separate shower and toilet ensuite, with its vanity and laundry.

To ensure the slide-out operates away from mains power, the SL3 comes standard with two 105Ah AGM batteries charged through twin 125 Watt roof-mounted solar panels via a CTek charger.

To make the most of the bedroom, the van comes with two TVs – with the larger 24-in unit retracting into a cabinet on the wall opposite the bed foot and the other facing the lounge area.

Standard gas ducted central heating and a premium Denso roof-mounted air conditioner are standard features.

Slide out walls are not new at Coronet RV, as owner/builder Andrew Phillips and his team have built at least eight different vans in lengths from 21ft to 25ft over the years to special customer orders.

The difference with the SL3 is that it represents the first of a production series of slide-out models from Coronet that ultimately will include smaller 17ft 6in and 19ft 6in models in both pop-top and full-height versions, all employing the Liftco slide system.

The initial 7350 model will only be available as a full-height, on-road caravan.

A double-slide Coronet will later be offered and could incorporate a combination of kitchen, bedroom, or lounge slides..

“Weight is always a consideration with slide-out models, but to a large extent we have overcome this by using Worthington solid wall veneer wall panels rather than a traditional timber or alloy frame,” Wright said.
     
“As a result, this large 24ft caravan has a tare weight of only 2700kg despite its 150mm G&S chassis rails and standard 16-inch tandem wheels.”

Equally impressive is the price of the new SL3-7350, which is $89,000, delivered in Victoria as displayed at Melbourne Leisurefest, making it very competitive amongst the offering from other quality manufacturers.