Evernew finally joins alloy-frame club

One of Australia's oldest caravan manufacturers has used its very first appearance at the Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow to launch its first aluminium frame caravan.

It's taken the highly regarded Preston, Victoria-based custom builder more than six decades to offer something different to a traditional Meranti frame, but Evernew owner Dani Bib said it was not a decision taken lightly.

“We don’t rush new ideas to market, taking as much time as we need to perfect our products," he told caravancampingsales on the busy Evernew stand on Day 1 of the big annual show.

"A lot of our customers were asking for aluminium framed 'vans, and the (new range-topping) GTX Platinum is the result we are very proud of. We see it particularly appealing to a younger demographic and expect an increase in demand for family 'vans," Dani explained.

"Regardless of whether we are talking about a couple's or bunk configuration, it’s not just another aluminium frame 'van. We like to say it’s easy to build a heavy 'van but hard to build a light 'van. We have put a lot of tech into it to stay off grid for longer while still keeping the weight down.”

The new alloy-framed Evernew GTX Platinum also comes loaded up with Cruisemaster's top of the range ATX independent suspension with airbags and BCS (body control system). While the remote reservoir shocks and beefy trailing arms deliver greater performance and reliability they add significantly to weight -- as does the big 920Ah lithium battery system and 1080W rooftop solar fitted to the top-spec Evernew.

But the numbers support Dani’s assertion. Priced from $186,000, the 19ft 5in example on display at the Melbourne Supershow has a 2890kg Tare and 3500kg ATM, affording a 610kg payload. That's on par or better than most other Aussie-built 'vans of this size and spec level.

Complemented by a 30A DC to DC charger and a 3000W inverter, the big-buck Victron/Arizon off-grid power set-up is designed to easily run gas-free appliances like the two-burner induction cooker or a plug in coffee machine.

The GTX Platinum also sports a new profile compared to Evernew's more traditional meranti frame 'vans, while styling is further enhanced with laser-cut aluminium branding on all four sides.

Behind the composite skin walls, Evernew has opted to assemble its aluminium frames using the riveted method favoured by many premium custom builders. However, the roof construction is a little different with a 21mm composite panel on top of the aluminium frame and pink batt insulation underneath. 

Evernew has gone for a relatively simple steel section for the rear bar (with accompanying twin jerry can holders, spare wheel and diesel tank), rather than a trendier integrated storage box/platform. This also limits the amount of extra weight that can be loaded at the rear extremity, for improved handling. 

Weight out front is kept under control by fitting a simple A-frame toolbox with wood box on top, while the GTX Premium also runs the latest Bosch ESC trailer safety system.

The standard features list is quite long, and includes an OGO composting toilet, a 240V vacuum system, genuine leather upholstery, an electric awning, wine rack, WiTi alarm, 3.5kg washing machine, twin rear cameras and a combination diesel water/space heater. 

The GTX Platinum is currently available in a range of body lengths from 18ft to 23ft, with Evernew planning to add smaller 15ft-16ft, single axle off-roaders to the mix later this year. Check out the Evernew website for full details.

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