By Ros Bromwich
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When you’re a relatively small brand surrounded by the bigger players at a major State caravan show, it can be hard to get yourself noticed. 
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Kean Walker and Leon Blackley from Geelong, Vic-based Creative Caravans dealer Caravans ‘R’ Us decided that one way around that is to be as bold and colourful as possible, so together with Creative’s Michael Vona they designed and built a concept van, the Haven, decorated with impossible-to-ignore large green decals and complete with flashing lights. The results were way beyond what they expected. 
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“We wanted to attract attention and get people to stop at our stand, and to show potential customers what we and Creative could offer them,” Kean told CW. 
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“We didn’t actually expect to sell any but in fact people loved the van and we took several orders. 
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“Most of them went with the green colour scheme, too – they’ll get the green wheel spats and rear light surround, and the side flashes, although they will be smaller on the new vans. One buyer chose a gold scheme to match the new Nissan he also bought at the show!”
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Being able to choose the external colours is all part of the Creative process – buyers are encouraged to customise the caravans with fittings and features of their choice. 
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Safe Haven
The Haven at the show had an internal length of 24ft (7.32m) and an external length of 25ft 6in (7.77m). Being a concept model, it was loaded with many desirable options. 
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It’s a big caravan, with a 6in chassis for strength, 16in wheels and Simplicity independent suspension contributing to a Tare weight of around 2300kg. This gives it a loaded weight of around 2700kg, putting it into LandCruiser and similar 4WD towing territory. Airbag suspension is an option. 
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External fittings promote the outdoor life, including two 9kg bottles, two external tables, LED annexe light, a barbecue and a Waeco drawer fridge handily placed just inside the door. 
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The floorplan was modelled on one Kean had already designed, with the accent on comfort and luxury making it a good basis for showing off Creative’s talents in the concept van.
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The layout has a front door leading to a roomy front club lounge (which buyers can have constructed to convert into a bed), mid kitchen, full split bathroom and rear island bed. A household washing machine/dryer was also fitted.
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Interesting features in the kitchen include the floor to ceiling pantry with wire shelves which are pulled out when the door is opened, and a built-in spice rack. Fitted under the sink are slide-out waste bins – a really handy addition. 
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For TV lovers the 32in screen is a major attraction – in the concept model it was hooked to the ceiling but for buyers who choose that one it will have a neat compartment in the roof for travel. There’s also a TV/DVD player for the bedroom. AirCommand’s Cormorant is the cooler, with a Heki hatch and light also fitted. 
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Power is on a 12V system, with dual battery system and charger, plus wiring provided for solar panels and an inverter. A battery and water tank level indicator is installed. 
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The bottom line
Creative’s main range is the Tanami, which includes several sizes and layouts. At $67,000 as shown, the new Haven will appeal to buyers looking for a large caravan with a customisable interior and a lot of options on offer. 
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The Haven’s 24ft (7.32m) interior length and striking exterior will continue to attract attention for Creative and Caravans ‘R’ Us.&nbsp; 
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Caravans ‘R’ Us, 176-180 Bellarine Highway, Newcomb, Geelong, 
Vic 3220, (03) 5248 5115, www.creativecaravans.com.au
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Creative Caravans Haven 

Interior length 24ft (7.32m)

External length 25ft 6in (7.77m)

Nameplate ATM 2700kg

Nameplate Tare weight 2300kg

Suspension Simplicity independent (airbag suspension is an option)

Cooktop Spinflo four-burner but can be customised

Fridge Waeco drawer fridge but can be customised

Microwave Select models available

Shower Split shower/toilet arrangement

Toilet Dometic

Lighting 12V

Gas 2 x 9kg

Solar panels Wiring for panels included

Fresh water 2 x 90L tanks

Price $67,000 as reviewed 
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THE CREATIVE URGE
At 32, Michael Vona has been running his own caravan building business, Creative Caravans, for three years, having notched up on-the-job skills and experience with some of the biggest names in the business. 
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“I’ve been in caravans all my life,” he told CW. “I’ve worked for Regal, Regent, Paramount and Royal Flair, so I’ve done the rounds.” 
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And he called his custom-only company Creative for a reason. “It’s to bring out something different,” he says. “A lot of things I include in my vans are standard, whereas in other vans they might be extras.”
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Michael’s always been a hands-on kind of guy, and at the time of speaking to CW, in the heart of caravan manufacture in Campbellfield, Vic, he’d put down the tools just four months earlier. 
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A carpenter and joiner by trade, Michael started up Creative Caravans working 18-hour days, until he found a team of tradesmen who could meet his exacting standards. Every van is custom-built, from the ground up, and demands skilled workers to meet the brief, he says.
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Some readers will remember the concept van, the “22-foot green Kermit”, as Michael calls it, that Creative Caravans had on display at the 2007 Melbourne Caravan and Camping Show in March. Built only to show what the company is capable of producing, the van so enthralled the crowds that multiple orders were placed for it.
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Michael Vona is here to stay. He sees Creative Caravans as growing steadily. “I’m only young,” he says, “and when I see my vans on the road, it’s grouse, you know what I mean? But I’m not into mass production.” 
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Although Creative Caravans is booked four months in advance – it takes about two days to build a van – Michael is intending only to increase production from three vans a week to four, by the end of the year. 
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But should he see the quality of the product slackening off, he says he’ll bring the production rate down again.
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In the end, for Michael Vona, it’s all about properly serving the customer and making sure they get what they want. 
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“Making a customer happy is my foremost excitement. I feel happy when we can do that,” he says. 
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For more information and dealers, contact Creative Caravans, 37 Merola Way, Campbellfield, Vic 3061; (03) 9357 0692, 0412 319 331.
– Andrew Harris
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Creative Caravans Haven

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