Jet Caravans Stealth

WHAT WE LIKED:
>> Open and spacious interior
>> Low slung entry step
>> Standard roller rocker suspension for price conscious

NOT SO MUCH:
>> High-mounted radio and electrical switches
>> Would have liked full round corners on dining table

Back in June we let the cat out of the bag in regards to a newcomer on the RV scene in Jet Caravans.

In short, Jet Caravans is the RV manufacturing arm of Portabuild, which has been building transportable mining accommodation for some years out of its factories in Perth and Brisbane.

With a background in building portable housing tough enough to withstand the harsh conditions of mining areas, it’s not surprising that Jet has come up with a van with similar attributes.

IT’S HIP TO BE SQUARE

The strength of this particular model is evident just by casting an eye across the chassis, with the 150mm RHS/SHS Duragal rails integrated with the one-piece 1.8m long drawbar.

It all sits on a 3.5 tonne, roller rocker seven-spring suspension incorporating 50mm square solid axles rated to 1800kg apiece. Each axle is fitted with shock absorbers and 12 inch electric brakes.

Up front is an Al-ko 3500kg ball coupling with hand brake lever and eight inch Al-ko jockey wheel. The drop-down stabilisers in each rear corner are Al-Ko too, and the flooring is 18mm waterproof plywood sealed on its underside.

Jet has taken a slightly different approach in the construction of its composite walls and roof. The panels consist of 35mm self extinguishing foam between a smooth Bluescope steel outer skin (0.6mm) and inner layer (0.4mm). For even better insulation there’s the option of a 50mm thick roof along with an insulated floor.

It all presented as a very slick finish with no blemishes and it should stay that way, thanks to checker plate stone protection fitted all round the lower body.

The large front boot has a gas strut-operated door and hosts the fuse box. There’s also a full through boot in the rear while another in the front stops short at the back of the generator box.

The entry door is triple-lockable with an acrylic window and the roof features a pressure vent to keep dust at bay.

A rear door in the offside wall accesses a slide-out BBQ with a bayonet gas connection to the system. Two 9kg gas bottles are mounted on the drawbar.

This particular model can carry 180 litres of water, with two 90 litre tanks slung under the chassis and shrouded in galvanised sheet metal protection.

APARTMENT STYLE LIVING

Another interesting aspect is the internal lay out, which is neatly partitioned with bedroom/bathroom at one end and kitchen at the other. The squarish lines make good use of internal space; it’s almost modular in appearance.

For example, overhead cupboards are separated into pairs with the void in between utilised for two-tier shelving, with the upper section having a short retaining rail.

The decor is very modern, with contrasting shades of black, grey and white, and cool and warm LED lighting depending on the purpose ie. general lighting or reading.

Upon entering through the rear door, the first thing you notice is the U-shaped lounge, which seconds as dining seating and is installed against the back wall around a swivel top table.

The corners of the table were chamfered to reduce clashing with limbs when sliding in behind. However, it would have been even more user-friendly with fully rounded corners, along with the outside end of the kitchen bench.

With the table collapsed this area converts to another bed.

Keen cooks will be delighted with the Stealth’s kitchen. The bench is fitted with a single bowl sink with draining board. It also features eight good sized drawers with soft closers and sturdy runners, and a vertical cupboard at one end opens to reveal the slide-out wire pantry.

There’s also a full splashback in the same laminate as the bench top, which occupies the wall interrupted by a large window.

The cupboard space above the window is occupied by a built-in extractor fan and that above the 213 litre Waeco fridge hosts the radio and CD player, water tank volume gauges and hot water service switch.

However, shorter folk might struggle to reach (or even see!) these items as they’re set well back from the fridge.

Directly opposite the kitchen bench is a four burner Smev unit with grill and full oven. The hinged glass top is further protected by a hinged bench top that closes flush to the bench surface.

The left half features four high-profile drawers suitable for pans whilst there’s another below the stove unit.

The right side hosts a 25 litre top loader washing machine, accessible via the hinged bench top. A front door allows for easy removal of the machine should that be necessary.

The 60cm TV/DVD player is tucked into a corner here and swings on an extendable arm for viewing by those at the dining table/lounge.

PRIVACY ENSURED

The living area is divided from the rest of the van by a vinyl concertina style door. Another door of the same style is forward of that and in between on the nearside the toilet and vanity basin is located. It’s a 26 litre flush toilet incorporating a china bowl and the hand basin is china as well.

Opposite the passage the shower cubicle features a clear pivot door and a deep hob to keep water from getting onto the floor outside.

On the other side of the next concertina door is the queen bed. It’s installed over a storage box base with gas struts to make for easy lifting.

There are more cupboards above the bedhead and hanging space for tops each side of the bed, above small bedside tables. Another 60cm TV/DVD player is fitted for the bedroom.

Complementing the clean lines and open living areas is the large double glazed acrylic windows fitted throughout the Jet.

VERDICT

It’s good to see a new manufacturer trying something a bit different, as Jet Caravans has done here.

The price tag of $95,000 will have the budget conscious scurrying for cover but one needs to delve into the engineering qualities of the Jet to appreciate how that figure is arrived at.

Whilst fitted with a standard roller rocker suspension, off-road suspension is an option but it will add further to the bottom line.

The upside is, the topside; it looks set and ready to go bush with the optional undercarriage and should take the rigours dished out to it behind a four-wheel drive when heading into the rough country.

JET CARAVANS STEALTH 23ft 6in

Overall length: 9.45m (31ft)
External body length: 7.2m (23ft 6in)
External body width: 2.49m (8ft 1in)
Travel height: 3.13m (10ft 3.5in)
Internal height: 2.1m (6ft 8in)
Tare: 2620kg
ATM: 3400kg
Ball weight: 220kg
Frame: Composite
Cladding: Colorbond steel
Chassis: DuraGal steel
Suspension: Leaf-spring rocker roller
Brakes: 12in electric
Wheels:16 x 7in alloy
Fresh water: 2 x 90L
Battery: 2 x 120Ah
Solar: Optional
Air-con: Aircommand Ibis
Gas: 2x9kg
Cooking: four-burner/grill/oven
Fridge: Waeco 12V compressor 213L
Microwave: 25L
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
Hot water: Suburban 23L
Price: $95,000
Supplied by: Jet Caravans, Wacol, Queensland