Fresh Air for Bolwell

Like the hi-tech engineering and space-age looks of the Bolwell Edge, but can’t quite stretch to the $60K-plus pricetag?

Bolwell RV has released an A-shaped folding caravan that shares much of the cutting-edge construction and clean design elements of the heavier Edge camper but at a more affordable starting price of $32,999.

“It’s something half the price of our Edge, a bit lighter and you can tow it with more conventional vehicles,” explained Owen Bolwell of the new Bolwell Air, which has been unveiled at the 2012 Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show.

A lightweight 870kg Tare, 1170kg ATM and 100kg ball weight, makes the Air suitable for a large variety of tow vehicles. And the compact internal dimensions, at 3.77m long and 2.15m wide, and overall length of 5.6m, means it should fit into most garages.

The three-berth camper takes around 90 seconds to set up, according to Mr Bolwell, and the two-piece, A-shaped roof is supported by four, externally mounted gas struts.

Travel height is 1.81m, and with the roof raised internal height is 2.4m at its highest point.

Like the Edge, the Air uses high-tech construction including a laser cut steel chassis and moulded, fibreglass/synthetic composite body with foam core insulation.

“The whole floor section is just one fully-moulded tub, so you’re not going to get any leaking from underneath,” he said.

Designed for on-road touring, the Air rides on Al-Ko torsion bar independent suspension with gas shock absorbers, 10in electric brakes and 14in steel wheels.

Inside, the compact, gloss-finished interior features panorama windows with blockout blinds and flyscreens, 2.1m x 1.4m double innerspring bed, dinette that converts to a single bed, three burner gas cooktop and sink with draining board, microwave oven, CD/radio audio system and 90 litre three-way fridge.

Other standard features include electric hot water, 105aH AGM battery and battery charger, 82 litre water tank, internal and external 12V and 240V sockets, and LED lighting.

External storage includes a rear tunnel boot, fishing rod tubes, and twin front storage pods and mesh rack on the A-frame (which can be replaced with an optional, lockable storage boot).

Other options include 16in alloy wheels, heavy duty roof racks, stone guard, rear alloy bumper, air-conditioner, external shower and canvas annexe.

Mr Bolwell accepted the Air’s A-shaped folding roof design was similar in concept to the original A’van, which has proven very popular over the years.

“We were looking at how best to do the fold-up, fold-down with hard sides, and it seemed a pretty logical way to do it,” he said.

Production of the Bolwell Air has already begun, with the first customer deliveries expected in a couple of months.

Mr Bolwell said a rough-road version of the Air is under consideration, while other Bolwell RV models including a bigger, family-sized version of the Edge with shower/ensuite are at least “a couple of years off”.

The Melbourne-based Bolwell company, which specialises in manufacturing advanced composite products for the truck, auto and RV industries, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012.

Although Bolwell RV initially planned to build up to 300 vans annually, Mr Bolwell said production of the labour-intensive Edge was currently around two a month.  

Since its introduction in late-2010, the eye-catching Bolwell Edge has received various accolades including an Australian Good Design Award and the JEC Asia Pacific Award for Transport Innovation.

See the Bolwell RV website for further details.