DUSSELDORF CARAVAN SHOW: Dometic goes hi-tech

Caravan Salon Dusseldorf is the biggest RV show in Europe, if not the world. So it's no surprise the Dometic Group has come out all guns blazing with a raft of new products and innovations at this year's show that are sure to find their way on to the Australian market in the near future.

Most prominent at Dusseldorf – it's fitted to many of the new models on display – is Dometic's latest 9 Series slim-line fridge/freezer. At just 468mm wide, the stylish fridge is designed to slot into the most space-restricted caravan kitchens. ??

It looks good too, with a new easy-grip handle, LED strip lights, removable 12 litre freezer compartment and the option to match the fascia with the rest of the interior 'look;.

The 9 Series fridge is currently only available in the one 147 litre capacity with AES (automatic energy selection), but other sizes should follow soon.

Dometic also released its first lithium ion battery, which is up to 60 per cent lighter and promises five times more charging cycles than conventional deep cycle batteries. Other advantages are that it's maintenance free and quick to recharge – up to three hours on a mains outlet or generator.
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What's more, if money (and space) is no object up to eight of the new eStore batteries can be connected in parallel to increase capacity from 100aH to 800aH! It also comes with a sophisticated battery management system and is compatible with the latest CI bus systems that are all the range on European RVs at the moment.

Dometic also has a new ‘intelligent' battery management system that provides all you need to know about the capacity and charging state of your vehicle batteries.

The MPC01 system "reliably indicates the remaining time to a full charge or complete discharge of the vehicle batteries", according to Dometic, with all the info clearly displayed on a small display panel.

Dometic has also extended availability of its 'legless' Premium Awning range for motorhomes to models other than the Fiat Ducato, such as the Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter.

Apart from the convenient absence of support legs, the electrically-operated Premium Awning comes with a sensor-controlled automatic retracting system to prevent damage in windy weather.

Last but not least, Dometic has brought the humble RV toilet into the 21st century with a fancy new model boasting a number of high-tech, and patent pending features.

As well as a seat that swivels 90 degrees in either direction, the latest Dometic Saneo Comfort toilet comes with a new ‘impulse' flushing system with automatic stop function, a new touch panel using similar controls to a smart phone, an anti-splash-back protection device, a self-closing lid and toilet seat, and a DualClose valve to prevent any mishaps when the cassette tank has been removed.