Franklin G2 2SK 2005 Review

By Malcolm Street

Franklin is a name that was around the caravan industry for many years, indeed if you have a hunt around some coastal caravan parks with old onsite vans, you will probably find a few Franklins living there.

On the new caravan front the name Franklin RV has re-emerged from the productive mind of Brisbane caravan dealer, Gary Kratzmann. Gary has designed two ranges of Franklin RV caravans.

The smaller van, specifically designed for sedan tow vehicles, is the aptly-named Micro. Further up the size and fit-out scale, and the subject of this article, is the G2 range. G2 also happens to be a branch of the US army – military intelligence, to be precise, but CW is not sure if there’s any connection.

I digress: in the G2 range, there is quite a selection of layouts, both shower and
non-shower models. All the non-shower layouts are available in pop-top form, up to an internal length of 17ft, but with a narrower width and slightly smaller beds.

For our review Gary Kratzmann made available a 17ft (internal) G2 2SK van – after breaking the secret code, CW discovered that ‘2’ means double bed and ‘SK’ means side kitchen.

Outside
In the mostly out-of-sight department, G2 vans are built on a Supagal box section Preston chassis with 4 x 2in rails.

Taking the load is the Al-Ko Easy Ride (load sharing) suspension and white Delta sports wheels, all with electric brakes. Sitting between the chassis rails and protected by galvanised steel sheet is the water tank.

Up front on the drawbar are two 4kg gas cylinders. CW is always a fan of two 4kg cylinders, rather than one single 9kg, mainly because 4kg ones are lighter than a 9kg cylinder and when one runs out there’s always the other, assuming you have remembered to fill it of course.

Behind the drawbar, the front boot is mainly storage space, except for the 240/12V power supply and, if fitted, the optional 12V battery.

Apart from the front boot, there is also a small storage hatch at the front offside, which is also accessible from the inside. Around at the rear, there’s a curvy looking bumper bar that sports the spare wheel. CW also liked the moulded fairing for the tail lights.

The G2 body shape has a few curves to it, including the sloped front, which helps to detract from the square look that many vans have. Outside fittings include the Camec triple-lock security door, Galaxy tinted polycarbonate windows, external powerpoint, awning light and grab handle light. G2 vans all come with an awning and air-conditioning as standard fittings.

Inside
The G2 test model is a fairly open plan layout, mainly because there isn’t a shower cubicle – if you want one of those and they are available, you’ll need a longer van, starting from an internal length of 17ft 6in.

Our van had a rear nearside entry door, with a rear offside corner lounge, mid-station kitchen and front double bedroom area. The decor is just about all timber, including the walls and pelmets, but the roof has more standard polyester coating.

There’s plenty of natural light in the G2, mainly from the large windows, but there is also a big Seitz hatch above the dining area. All the windows have both lace and full curtains.

Starting at the rear, the contoured foam-cushioned lounge will seat four people comfortably, but the table is really meant for two.

The table, like the rest of the benchtops has a laminated surface and moulded timber edges. Under both seats is the usual storage area with ply timber hatches. At either end of the lounge are reading lights above and half-height cabinets below.

There’s a powerpoint above both and a TV antenna connection, along with the water pump switch above the mid-van cabinet. Above the lounge corner are eight overhead storage lockers, all with a removable shelf, thus making a more effective use of the space.

Set at a slight angle, the kitchen is split, with the raised Dometic fridge and microwave oven on the offside and the rest on the opposite side.

The kitchen has many things going for it: plenty of storage space, decent-sized stainless steel sink and drainer, full Caprice oven and a Swift rangehood.

There are plenty of cupboards but what’s missing, if anything, are a few drawers – there’s just one small cutlery drawer.

Unlike the rest of the caravan, the wall area behind the kitchen bench is sensibly laminated with brushed stainless steel for easy cleaning. In addition to the downlight in the rangehood, above the sink is a fluorescent light, and there’s a double powerpoint at the right-hand side of the bench.

On the opposite side, CW found the benchtop below the microwave oven to be very convenient for lifting cooking containers in and out, especially given that the microwave is at a height which is not necessarily easy for shorter persons.

At the front of the G2, the bedroom area looks to be well appointed. Centre stage of course is the 6ft 2in x 5ft (1.9m x 1.5m) innerspring mattress double bed. It has a slatted wooden base and rounded corners, so clumsy types don’t catch their shins every time they walk around the bed. Underneath is the usual storage compartment, empty except for the porta-potti compartment at the foot.

Also at the foot, on both sides, are two diagonal, less-than-half-height cupboards. Both sit off the floor because the wheel arch is underneath and above the nearside one is a wall-mounted mirror.

On either side of the bed are a mirrored-door hanging wardrobe, bedside drawer and floor locker. The latter on the offside is also externally accessible. In addition there are two overhead lockers, plus two mirrored cupboards behind the bedhead.

The cupboards themselves are somewhat small for practical use, but their mirrors are more useful, as is the small shelf behind the bed. Above, between the overhead lockers is the entertainment unit – AM/FM radio plus CD player.

We weren’t sure if this was the most convenient location because we had to reach across the bed to get to it. Those whose eyesight isn’t what it used to be or who have stubby fingers may find it annoying.

Utilities
There is no shortage of powerpoints in the bedroom area, with one on either side of the bed and another above the corner cupboard at the foot. Gooseneck halogen reading lights supply illumination for night reading.

Ceiling has all-12V halogen downlights but with dome covers, which add a certain amount of ambience at night. Light switches are in obvious places, except the ones by the entry door. They are set quite high and are okay if you are in the van, but you’ll be groping around if you try to enter in the dark.

This is good news for sedan owners, and medium 4WDs will also cope with the weight quite easily. On the outside the van has a stylish shape, and inside the timbered look is quite pleasant.

General fit and finish appear to be reasonable, as does the general layout.

Franklin may have once been associated with the caravan industry’s past, but Gary Kratzmann’s contemporary vision, which has resulted in the G2, will ensure that the Franklin name is now synonymous with the word ‘modern’.

For more information on the G2 range of caravans, contact Kratzmann’s Caravans at 1768 Sandgate Rd, Virginia, Qld; (07) 3265 2477; fax: (07) 3865 2477. Also located at 174 Eastern Service Road, Burpengary Qld; (07) 3888 2755, fax: (07) 3888 7566.

We liked:
• Roomy internal layout – without shower cubicle
• Large corner lounge – two people could stretch out comfortably
• Generous storage space, but might be a temptation to overload
• Weight of van making it a towing proposition for sedan vehicles

We would have liked:
• AM/FM radio in different location – awkward to adjust
• Lighter timber stain – there’s quite a bit of it and on dull days makes interior look dark
• Window at the front – not everyone’s taste, but I like plenty of window area
• Larger table