Hammervan is hard to beat

Some of the flashiest caravans on the market from some of Australia's best known RV brands will be on display at this week-end's Bendigo Indoor Caravan, Camping, 4x4 and Leisure Roadshow in rural Victoria, including Crusader, Jayco, Snowy River, Retreat, Lotus and Supreme.

But none are likely to attract as much attention, or stop punters in their tracks while wandering through the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, to the same extent as some big tandem axle, old-fashioned woody caravans that are custom built in a nearby factory.

The all-timber, 1950s style retro vans that will be displayed in Bendigo under the Nord trond/Hammervan banner, won't have far to travel as they're manufactured in the Victorian country town of Sebastopol, about an 80km drive away.

According to the Hammervan website, the polished wood and aluminium Hammervans, complete with white wall tyres and polished all-wooden interiors, are available in two models: the 21ft (body length) Long Distance 21 and 24ft Long Distance 24.

While 'woody' caravans and campers have always been around, what sets the Hammervan apart from other all-timber vans is the use of 9mm thick, lightweight marine plywood for the body walls which the Victorian manufacturer says are stronger than the 3mm or 6mm thick marine ply that's been used before in other caravans.

The Hammervan's creators say the 9mm marine ply is also easier and quicker to repair than traditional aluminium caravan cladding or composite body panels.

"It’s expensive, but you get the luxury of wood, and the strength and durability of marine ply," the company says. It's even produced a video to hammer home the point...

Both Hammervans are 2.3m wide and around three metres high, with the LD21 weighing in (unloaded) at 1850kg and the LD24 at 2350kg.

However, that's essentially a rolling shell, with just the basics fitted including leaf springs, a rear bumper, breakaway system, jockey wheel, 3.5T coupling, wired brakes, mudguards and 15in wheels with white wall tyres on a steel chassis, along with a basic electrical system including 12V lights, four side windows, a queen bed with mattress and an internal wall divider for the bathroom.

All the other features you usually find on a modern luxury touring caravan like an inside kitchen and appliances, shower and toilet, dinette/lounge, water tanks and plumbing, battery system, air-conditioner and heater, a washing machine and cabinetry for storage, are available as optional extras.

The base price is $46,000 for the LD21 and $49,000 for the LD24, but getting all the other luxury caravan features installed at the factory could set you back another $30,000 or so depending on how many option boxes you tick (Full pricing details can be found here).

The Hammervan also stands out with its flat aluminium front and rear body panels, and optional painted, picture-frame style side walls, making it a throwback to another era albeit built to modern construction standards.

"They are such a work of art even when they are not being used, they enhance any park, house, car or property," the company says.