Innovan XC

The Innovan XC caravan is one of the more interesting camper trailer concepts we've seen in a long time. 

Its construction while predominately fibreglass composite is void of the typical steel chassis and instead has its suspension system fixed to inserts that are moulded into the base of the body.

The suspension consists of a pair of swinging arms fitted with a single air bag and Pedders shock absorber. There's also an extension limiter in the form of a galvanised chain attached with D shackles that adjusts the limit of down travel of the swinging arm when the van is airborne.

However, when cranking the body high off the ground we found the chain on one side didn't extend readily. Perhaps a case of chain ‘twist', an eyelet ended cable might be a better option though adjustment of travel will be pre-determined.

The air bags are attached individually to a compressor and are switch-operated from one of the near side compartment doors, allowing the van to be levelled on uneven ground for better sleeping comfort.

Save for the independent suspension and wheels, it's good to see there no appendages which might get hung up on obstacles when running off-road, hanging from the smooth under-body. Having just returned from a trip to Cape York, it was interesting to note there was no visible damage to our review camper; just some superficial marks to the fibreglass underside.

Termed ‘Advanced Composite Monocoque', the bottom body section is basically a moulded box assembly and has various compartments inside the nose cone for enclosed storage. The whole ‘superstructure', save for the tilting rear roof is moulded in one so strength and rigidity is definitely not left wanting. 

The hitch assembly on the nose is fixed to a stainless steel plate, bolted through the composite FRP construction to an internally moulded plate, effectively ‘fish-plating' that part of the chassis.

The hitch is an Al-Ko Off Road 360-Degree and the braking system an hydraulic over-ride disc type.

Support legs are neatly fitted to each corner of the lower body, and if you're looking for the spare wheel it's mounted in one of the nose cone compartments, with another compartment housing the jockey wheel and air compressor hose.

The 100Ah house battery fits into another hatch above the axle area while the gas hot water service is sealed below the internal floor, with no exposed plumbing that might come to grief should objects become mobile inside, when underway.

The two, 9kg gas bottles are also housed at the front of the nose cone, out of sight behind a smooth fitting hatch, and they also service the Truma hot air heater.

The amount of room available on the topside of these internal hatches is quite surprising. Provided the correct type door latches were used to allow safe exit from inside, we see no problem sleeping an additional two adults inside or perhaps three children (taking overall berths to five); all with ease provided ventilation and high density foam mattress were added to the equation.

The rear awning is a cross bar system that extends out with the aid of gas struts, and an assortment of awnings can be fitted to shelter the rear area. Once sprung into place, it retracts by pulling an overhead strap to pull the elbows together and fold away for travel.

The pull-out, external stainless steel kitchen is a bi-fold system, with the sink positioned lower than the cooker and a towel rail hung underneath. The two burner gas cooker sits next to the food preparation area, while there's a shelf inside the rear of the van suitable for storing pans.

An external shower and hot water supply for the kitchen are located on the offside rear corner, with a total of three outlets and filling ports behind the same door.

The Innovan is also surprisingly spacious inside the main living area. Access inside is via the rear wall, requiring the release of two catches to lift the roof and then lowering the sturdy aluminium step ladder to the ground.

Initial reaction after viewing the external folded down mass of the Innovan is to duck the head when climbing inside but there's no need to, with heaps of headroom in the doorway and even more once you're inside.

And once undercover, it's easy to see where this company got the name of their product from! Immediately below a plumbed sink in a moulded wall unit in the rear offside, a door folds down and a portable toilet slides out for use, as well as easy removal from the doorway for cleaning -- no need to get inside to get it out.

Another single bed lies on a similar module on the nearside across the short passage. Both mattresses sit in fibreglass shells armed with gas struts, and the bases easily lift from the rear to provide access to some craftily hidden appliances.

There's another gas cooker with three burners for when you don't want to cook outside, and a cushioned single seat with lift off cushions that expose an aperture into the front compartment.

Opposite is an 85 litre Eva-Kool fridge/freezer and a matching single cushion seat, covering access to the same storage area below.

WE LIKED:
>> Clean lines, dust-tight doors and hatches
>> Excellent storage including potential extra berths up front
>> No expense spared in quality control

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Twisting axle limiting chain
>> Premium pricing

VERDICT

The Innovan XC is a cross between an off-road camper and a caravan and will perform both tasks admirably. It's a large version of the former and a small version of the latter but in any case oozes quality workmanship, innovation (funny about that) and engineering.

We crawled into all the nooks and crannies looking for signs of damage, dust and water ingress, and general stress often found in vans that have taken the Cape York challenge; the Innovan appeared unscathed.

INNOVAN XC CARAVAN

Overall length: 5.0m
Internal body length: 2.48m
External body width: 2.15m
Internal height: 1.96m (at galley)
Travel height: 2.2m
Tare: 1200kg
ATM: 2000 kg
Body/frame: Integrally Moulded Composite
Chassis: Advanced Composite Monocoque
Wheels: 16in
Brakes: Disc-hydraulic over-ride
Stability control: No
Cooking: three burner Dometic internal/ two burner Dometic external
Microwave: No
Fridge/freezer: Eva-Kool 85L
Toilet: portable
Shower: external hand rose
Air-con: Truma Saphir
Central heating: Truma gas
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Lighting: 12V LED
Batteries: 1 x 100 Ah
Solar: No
Price: from $43,940. As tested (RRP): $58,850
Supplied by: Innovan Caravans Campers, Highfields, Qld