First look: Retreat Fraser

Twin batteries? Check. Twin solar panels? Check. Grey water tank? Check. Semi-off-road tandem trailing arm coil spring all-road suspension? Check.

Big compressor fridge? Check. Room to move? Check. Plenty of load carrying capacity? 845kg should do it. Check.

Retreat’s new 2018-model Fraser 19ft family bunk van ticks all the essential free-camping boxes, making it ideal to take away on a gap year while the kids still think it’s cool to travel with their parents.

Even if you don’t have kids and want to do a big road trip on a free-camp budget, one of the 16 other Fraser models in lengths from 16ft 9in to 22ft  could be what you’re looking for.

Stand out from the crowd

There’s no trouble in picking the new Frasers out from the crowd; they’re the ones in the revamped Melbourne-built Retreat range, with the models’ full red frontal treatment and matching side stripes. It mightn’t be to the taste of shy types, but most other things will be.

Other than its signature colour, the Fraser is what I would call pretty conventional: box-shaped, with a mildly angled windowless and bootless front panel; ribbed aluminium cladding over a Meranti timber frame, sitting on a Supagal hollow channel steel chassis, 150mm x 50mm, which was the optional extended version on our review van to allow the fitting of a storage/tool box.

Underneath, 3.3 tonne rated AL-KO Enduro Cross Country Suspension adds limited tough road versatility without as much weight as some beefier independent trailing arm systems, but its ground clearance on the model’s standard 235-15in tyres is perhaps not as good as it should be for a van designed to venture off the bitumen and doesn’t allow the standard off-road Cruisemaster DO-35 hitch to perform its designed articulation.

Checker-plate cladding on the lower front and sides offers some body stone protection, but the twin 9kg gas bottles are out front in the breeze – something that could be addressed with the optional front stone-shield.

On the positive side, there’s a protective shield in front of the A-frame mounted tap; twin clamps for the centrally-mounted jockey wheel, which allows the potential for fitting a weight distribution hitch; there’s a useful stone tray under the A-frame that could serve as a storage area for ground matting and hoses (if you don’t fit a storage box), while Retreat has made a welcome attempt to protect its rear plastic plumbing with protective convoluted piping.

Fresh and grey water storage

The Fraser’s twin 95 litre fresh water tanks sit ahead of the axle line, out of harm’s way, but the van’s standard (and very welcome) 95l plastic grey water tank hangs fairly low at the rear, under the shower, where it’s shielded from stone strike.

With no front boot, the Fraser’s large, galvanised steel lined and unencumbered full tunnel front storage book has to do the heavy lifting when it comes to storage, but most buyers will accept this given the extra interior space that this format liberates.

Inside, via its front central entry door, the 19ft Fraser with its large double-glazed windows and open layout, feels light and roomy.

The front north-south queen bed sits well into the van’s nose, surrounded by twin hanging robes and overhead cupboards, with handy bedside hutches with 240V/USB points for charging gadgets overnight as well as LED lights for finding things in the dark.

Family dining room

The L-shaped central lounge with its long rectangular table can seat four comfortably – a good thing in a family van – while with the aid of an optional cushion the table can be dropped to form an additional guests bed.

The galley opposite is well equipped with all that you’d need for family living on the road, with two exceptions: there’s no regular oven to supplement the grill and overhead microwave and there’s virtually no bench space when you’re cooking on the Swift 500 Series 3 + 1 gas./electric cooktop. But I guess you can prepare and plate-up on the spacious dining table...

The rear of the Fraser is dedicated to twin bunks on the door side and a combined shower/toilet opposite, with the space in between along the Fraser’s rear wall dedicated to a large storage/linen cupboard, with a 3.0kg front-loading washing machine below.

Not everyone will like the idea of a combo shower/toilet in a family van – particularly one with no mirror or towel racks – but if you want separate facilities, there are other Fraser layouts to choose from.

Loads of storage

On the plus side, this van has loads of storage space, from its piano-hinged overhead cupboards to generous kitchen pot drawers and the large storage area under the front bed. And with more than 800kg of carrying capacity at your disposal, you can load it right up to its 3300kg ATM rating if your tow car will handle that weight.

The issue that might irritate some purchasers of this van on a long family trip is that the location of the large 190 litre compressor fridge between the lounge and combo bathroom means that it’s not possible to screen the rear bunk/bathroom area off from the front living/sleeping area of the van.

Other smaller irritations for bunk users is the presence of double power points for each bunk, but no USB points, while the built-in ladder’s vinyl-covered ‘rungs’ are sure to wear with prolonged use.

And while we're whinging: the location of the fire extinguisher at head height as you enter the van could prove a head-ache for some. A dedicated slot for it, lower down within the cabinetry would be preferable.

Verdict

So, here’s the Fraser. It’s a great family van the way it’s equipped for its intended touring/free-camping purpose, but if you’re in the market, there may be other sizes and layouts in the Fraser range that may work slightly better for you.