Free Spirit Aussie Adventurer

WE LIKED
>> Clever layout for smaller van
>> Good-sized pantry
>> Someone embracing alternative materials

NOT SO MUCH
>> Would have liked a longer awning (but practicalities might be a problem)
>> Lower microwave position would be better

While most RV manufacturers use aluminium in some capacity (some more than others), there are few who really make the most of it in their designs. There are various reasons for this, but one manufacturer has taken up the aluminium challenge. Free Spirit Caravans on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, has spent a considerable amount of time and research dollars on using the material to help keep weight down in its offroad rigs.

NOT-SO-HEAVY METAL

Headed up by Ralf Brosch, the Free Spirit team has developed a chassis, frame, and even internal cabinetry, which make extensive use of aluminium. I was lucky enough to see this with my own eyes when I took a closer look at one of their latest products, the 5.23m (17ft 2in) Aussie Adventurer.

This single-axle van has a tare of 1780kg and ATM of 2500kg, and the (no load) ball weight of 150kg makes it ideal for a very large range of tow vehicles.

Getting down on the old hands and knees reveals 6in x 2in rails running right to the back of the van, with no welds or joints. Above that, the alloy sub-framing is made in a box section style, with the floor made of a honeycomb composite material that gives the required strength, lighter weight and insulation. 

All piping and cabling runs along the main rails. This puts everything well out of harm’s way, but leaves the whole underneath area looking strangely bare.

In keeping with the chassis, the walls are built using aluminium framing. But the wall paneling itself consists of fiberglass, in which the framing is inlaid during the moulding process – a combination the company claims gives reduced weight and increased strength, as well as good insulation.

All of that might sound like it adds up to an unusual-looking van, but, in fact, other than a slightly square-ish appearance, the Aussie Adventurer looks rather conventional. This is aided by its familiar exterior items, such as a Camec security door and Seitz hopper windows, alloy checkerplate and a roof-mounted Saturn TV antenna.

One apparent difference from most offroad vans, however, is the lack of a chamfered rear end. But the body sits quite high to start with, and has a relatively short wheel base, so rough tracks shouldn’t present a problem.

Given the design constraints with a smaller unit, there is no a front boot, but rather a tunnel that offers plenty of room to stash chairs, hoses, golf clubs and the like.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

The first thing you notice when stepping inside the Aussie Adventurer is the natural light – there are windows everywhere. Okay, so this is not true in a literal sense, but because all the bulky interior features, like bathroom, fridge and wardrobe, are along the middle to rear offside, everything appears quite open.

The rest of the van is taken by a front bedroom, nearside dinette and rear kitchen.

As mentioned earlier, the internal cabinetry has aluminium framing. Something to note here is the use of the interestingly-named Qubelok system – various shaped components designed to join the aluminium parts – to fit everything together. Most of this is neatly hidden away under the Tas Oak panel and external frame work.

In a welcome change of pace to this writer’s eyes, the interior layout of this smaller unit is a little different to most I have seen. It’s an example making use of what can be practically fitted into a 5.23m (17ft 2in) van while retaining features like an island bed and a bathroom. However, as is always the case with a smaller van and design gymnastics, there are some compromises.

For instance, the kitchen bench has been somewhat squeezed in order to fit in beside the bathroom. But despite the limited space, the bench still includes a full Smev cooktop/grill/oven, as well as a stainless steel sink/drainer. Storage is maxed out with one cupboard (complete with on-board garbage bin), four drawers and three overhead lockers.

As for where all the food supplies needed for a week in the outback might go, the full-height slide-out pantry on the other side of the fridge will take care of that problem. The 144-litre Waeco fridge itself is mounted off the floor, but that does mean the microwave fitted above is set quite high. Part of the space under the fridge is taken by the hot water heater.

TIGHT SPACE

The bathroom cubicle is fitted into the corner, between the fridge and kitchen bench. This space is just large enough to contain a variable-height flexible-hose shower and Thetford cassette toilet. There is also room for a good-sized mirrored shaving cabinet, with multiple shelves. There isn’t a fan hatch for ventilation, but a relatively large window does the job instead, also offering plenty of natural light.

Designed with space-saving in mind, the dinette is a simple sideways-facing lounge with a pole-mounted table, which is mounted on a variable-height, any-which-way fitting. Both 240V and 12V sockets are mounted below the seat.

In a welcome change from the norm, there is a little surprise in the under-seat storage. Opening the side door reveals a set of slide-out shelves, which are different from a drawer, but much more accessible and handy than a simple open space.

Up front, the bedroom has been somewhat simplified, namely around the bedhead, where there are just overhead lockers and simple bedside cabinets. Things get interesting with the cabinets when you see there is no access via drawers, but rather by lifting the cabinet top. Part of the space of these cabinets is taken by the tunnel boot. |

The 1.87x1.37m (6ft2in x 4ft 6in) mattress is mounted on an aluminium and ply base. Naturally, storage under the bed is also aluminium-framed, with compartments to minimise gear movement as you travel.

Additional bedroom storage is offered by the wardrobe adjoining the bed. This is slightly deceptive, however, because while most of the top half offers hanging space, the lower half contains a top-loading Lemair washing machine.

At the very top, the small locker is home to the electrical, hot water and solar panel controls.

Mounted on the side of the wardrobe, the flatscreen TV can be seen from the lounge and the bed.

As a relatively light van, the Aussie Adventurer was an easy tow, with no dramas behind the vehicle. And, ironically enough for an off-road van, it can even be towed with a Ford Falcon.

VERDICT

It's actually not too much of a stretch to suggest the Free Spirit Aussie Adventurer is a revolutionary van in terms of its extensive use of aluminium. In terms of its engineering, it’s very different to most similarly-themed vans. And those with concerns about the aluminium chassis might like to know it comes with a 25-year warranty.

In this particular case, the length is shorter than many 7m-ish offroad rigs on the market, so there are a few inevitable design compromises, but nothing to really worry about.

The Aussie Adventurer is still a very liveable van, and one that doesn’t require a huge tow vehicle.

FOOTNOTE... 

Who says Aussie RV manufacturers aren't at the cutting edge of technology!

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation recently teamed up with Sydney’s Hargraves Institute to offer three scholarships to growing Australian companies who could prove they're at the forefront of design and technology.

Free Spirit director Elaine Foster was awarded one of these prestigious scholarship to the Leadership Seminar, held in Sydney in November 2011.

Elaine’s win was especially notable because it was the first time someone from the caravan industry has been involved in the program. Top work, Elaine!

FREE SPIRIT CARAVANS AUSSIE ADVENTURER

Overall length: 7.42m (24ft 4in)
External length: 5.23m (17ft 2in)
External width: 2.4m (7ft 1in)
Interior height: 1.95m (6ft 4in)
Travel height: 3.01m (9ft 10in)
Tare: 1780kg
ATM: 2500kg
Ball weight (advised): 150kg
Hitch: DO35
Frame: Aluminium
Chassis: Aluminium
Suspension: Cruisemaster independent trailing arm/coil
Cooktop: Smev fourburner/grill/oven
Fridge: Waeco DP150 144 litre
Microwave: Sharp
Shower: Flexi-hose
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Lighting: 12V LED
Gas 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 2 x 95 litre
Price as shown: $88,441
Supplied by: Free Spirit Caravans, Caloundra, Qld