Kimberley unveils thoroughbred caravan

Kimberley Kampers thinks it’s on a winner with its stunning new Kruiser caravan. The Ballina, NSW-based off-road specialist is so confident of sales success it has named the top-spec version of its first full-sized caravan after the champion racehorse Black Caviar.

And like the as-yet undefeated thoroughbred mare, the Kruiser 'van has the magnetic ability to draw a crowd, as demonstrated during its public debut at this year’s Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Supershow.

Including many of the technological innovations developed on Kimberley’s smaller off-road campers, the new 21ft (6.3m), two berth model is unlike any other caravan on the market, with a sleek and glossy, streamlined body incorporating a bullet-shaped nose, a continuous line of black ‘frameless’ windows on each side, and a unique, recessed ‘letter box’ awning.

Described as “innovative, fun, irreverent, sexy and bold”, the unique design blends elements of a horse float, luxury coach and what looks like The Stig's racing helmet.

It’s not all about racey looks though, with the aerodynamic, computer-aided design helping significantly to reduce drag.

“Windages with larger sized vans are a little bit more of a challenge, so rather than just have the flat panel on the front, it’s fully rounded,” explained Kimberley’s sales and spare parts manager Ron Borton.

Like the Kimberley Karavan, the Kruiser does without timber, utilizing a fiberglass body with internal alloy frame and one-piece, high-density plastic panel floor affixed to a laser-cut, hot-dipped galvanized chassis.

Measuring 6.98m in overall length, 2.38m wide (with carbon-fibre guards) and up to 3.035m high, the Kruiser cuts an imposing figure. And like the champion racehorse, it's a heavyweight thoroughbred, with a Tare weight (on the fully-loaded Black Caviar model) of 2400kg, and ATM of 2950kg.

“Obviously we wanted to get it as light as we can; there are some factory changes we’ve already thought of where we can peel some weight out,” Mr Borton said.

But with tandem independent coil suspension, electric disc brakes, excellent ground clearance and chunky off-road tyres, he said you “can pretty much tow it where your vehicle is capable of towing it”.

The 6.0m long interior is accessed via electric-folding steps, with the open-plan layout comprising a north-south, queen-sized innerspring mattress with fiberglass ‘cocoon’ up front;  kitchen and dinette in the middle and full-width ensuite at the rear.

The 2.5m long galley-style kitchen includes a stainless steel sink with mixer and filter taps, diesel-powered ceramic cooktop, convection microwave, separate 55 litre freezer and 133 litre 12V fridge with remote compressor, alloy furniture with timber finish and granite-style acrylic benchtops.

The café-style dinette includes four, bucket seats with reclining seatbacks and a tri-fold table, while the ensuite includes among other things a one-piece fiberglass shower with curved glass door, front-loading washing machine, electric-flush toilet, diesel-powered towel-drying rack and 12V heated carpet.

Three tanks – 120 litre and 70 litre fresh and 60 litre grey (which can be pumped into the washing machine or toilet) – take care of water, while all LED lighting is activated via ultrasonic, sensor switches.“

Up to 540W of solar panels fitted to the one-piece fibreglass (or optional carbon-fibre) roof, help power 250Ah lithium batteries via a solar battery charger.

The hot water also runs on diesel, with gas powering the Weber BBQ that forms part of the external kitchen.

Also fitted to the Black Caviar display model was a 12V air-conditioner in the bedroom, and an iPod-compatible entertainment system including two, roof-mounted, drop down LED TVs.

Externally, it also featured a front storage box, external shower, parking sensors and optional foldaway bike rack on the A-frame.

The Kruiser will also be offered with some of the latest communication devices including a portable, satellite tracking communicator that will allow texting as well as emergency single button transmission, and a roof-mounted, foldable antennae that can provide a WiFi signal around your campsite.

Mr Borton said the Kruiser was developed in response to customer demands for a bigger, more luxurious caravan that they could upgrade to after growing out of a smaller Kimberley rising-roof camper.

“When (our customers) were in the position where they wanted to move into the more traditional sized caravan, we were losing them to the other manufacturers, hence the need to go and build something full size with minimal set up…” he explained.

Two Kruiser variants will be available: the entry-level Classic from $98,885 tow-away, and the fully-loaded Black Caviar for $123,975.

For further details visit the Kimberley Kruiser website.