Kool RV Family 10 Metre

WHAT WE LIKED

• Quality materials and clever construction
• Contemporary design and points of difference
• Numerous possibilities for personalisation

NOT SO MUCH

• Spacious living area cuts into kitchen space
• Neat underbody packaging reduces storage areas
• Will require specialist pick-up or light truck
 

When creating a new product for an already over-crowded Australian market, it pays to have a point of difference or two from the myriad competing models vying for buyers’ dollars.

In the case of new Melbourne-based manufacturer Kool RV, a catchy name and hot rod-inspired exterior flames were enough to catch the attention of show-goers at last year’s Bendigo Leisurefest. But a closer look would have revealed there’s much more to this new fifth-wheeler caravan than flashy styling.

After searching in vain for a fifth-wheeler that would suit his family’s requirements, Peter Liversidge decided to design and create his own. An electrical contractor by trade, he joined with Andrew Fenech of Kool Trailers and, after a two year process, a new four-model range of fifth-wheelers were born.

Available in lengths ranging from six to 10 metres, they will be custom built at Kool Trailers’ Braeside, Melbourne factory, with plans to introduce a range of caravans and motorhomes in the near future.

The Family 10 Metre reviewed here is, as the name suggests, a 10m long van aimed at families with the capacity to sleep up to 10 (the review van was six-berth).

Although couple, family and toy hauler lay-outs are available on most models, Kool RV will within reason configure to your exact requirements including adding a number of options if required. “As long as we can build it and warrant it, you can have it,” Liversidge explained.

TIGHT PACKAGING

With a tare of 3550kg and ATM of 4495kg, the Family 10 Metre requires something with considerable grunt to tow it, so factor in an imported American pick-up or Japanese light truck for towing duties.

Our Chev Silverado tow vehicle was more than up to the job, cruising easily at speeds up to 80km/h. With the gooseneck hitch mounted to the towball in the rear tray putting additional weight over the rear axle, it’s easy to see the benefits including increased stability and better weight distribution of the fifth-wheeler set-up on a van of this size and weight.

The Family 10 Metre has a RHS steel box section chassis with a steel sub-floor, all powder coated to resist the elements. The Al-Ko rubber torsion suspension features two independent beams, while the tandem axles sport light truck-rated wheels and tyres.

Kool RV was inspired by the truck and marine industries when constructing the one-piece body and roof panels, which do without traditional framing and comprise gel-coat fibreglass outer and inner layers and 30mm composite polyurethane insulating foam.

The materials are riveted and bonded using a Sikaflex-type adhesive, with additional fibreglass structural ribbing providing the mounting points for internal fittings and walls. Checker plate aluminium around the base and joins add further reinforcement.

According to Liversidge, the whole structure is designed to be extremely rigid and resistant to moisture with excellent insulation properties.

Kool RV has tucked as much equipment and ancillaries neatly away within the sub-floor as possible. One benefit of this is it allows interior space to be maximised; a downside is that external storage is reduced, although there are still a couple of external lockers located on each side for miscellaneous gear.

There’s little room for additional gear in the front boot either, which on this example was jam-packed with electrical items including the ducted air-con unit, switchboard, battery isolator, inverter, generator box and a low voltage transformer for operating 12V accessories on mains power.  Squeezed in was also the toilet cassette, awning handle, and various hoses and leads.

Two, 100Ah batteries are fitted as standard in a compartment behind the rear wheel arch, with provision for another two.

The Bosch instantaneous gas hot water unit and pull-out gas barbeque are accessible from rear locker compartments, while a locker on the rear offside had two 9kg gas bottles with provision for another two.

Four water tanks can be fitted in the subfloor above the axles, with up to 360 litre capacity in total. These can be in any combination of fresh or grey water, and the roof will also trap and pipe rainwater to the tanks to top up existing reserves.

A control panel near the front boot operates the 12V electric motors for the slide-out, door step, and stabiliser legs.

High and low mounted LED lights at the rear of the van were accompanied by an optional reversing camera, with hitch and side cameras other options available.

GLOSSY LIVING

Step up through the Aussie Traveller triple-lock security door and you’re confronted by an uncluttered, open plan living/kitchen area. The two bedrooms positioned at either end are separated by a main living area with kitchenette and adjoining bathroom. A small dining area occupies the space provided by the nearside slide-out.

The glossy white interior walls add to the bright, airy feel, contrasting with shiny, mahogany style cabinetry.

Headroom is impressive with 2.4m from floor to ceiling, and a range of all-in-one Dometic windows of various sizes and shapes plus Remis double-glazed skylights add to the light-filled ambience.

Avid cooks might be disappointed with the compact, L-shaped kitchen though.  While it has everything you need including a stainless steel sink and brushed aluminium splashback, Spinflo four burner cooktop/grill/oven, rangehood, Panasonic microwave, and Westinghouse fridge/freezer, there’s very little bench space for food preparation.

Surprisingly, Kool RV has opted for mostly domestic 240V appliances in lieu of RV-specific 12V units. According to Liversidge, these can be run off 240V mains as well as 12V via an inverter which he claims is more energy efficient than running 12V-only appliances.

There is adequate storage including cupboards, drawers and overhead lockers, but given the amount of living space it would be possible to add more without ruining the ambience.

Lounge lizards will love the corner suite, which dominates the living area and provides relaxed seating for four adults. Other options here might be a couple of recliners, captain chairs or a single fold-out couch.

Facing the lounge is a TV cabinet which houses a Telfunken LCD HD TV and JVC mini CD stereo unit which pipes music through internal and external speakers.

Another TV faces the dining bench (there are five TVs in total!), which unclips from the wall and comes with four separate stools. Another option here would be a four-seater dining table with storage under the seats that can be converted into another bed.

The bathroom is cosy too, including a vacuum flush toilet, separate 900 x 900mm shower with curtain, hand basin with flip mixer taps and vanity, extractor fan, LED lighting and the usual array of towels hooks, mirrors and storage areas.

Head height is reduced due to some overhead lockers but if it’s too squashy a “double-sized” bathroom with the same fittings but more space is available.

BIG BERTHA

The main bedroom in the front overhang has a queen-size bed with underbed storage and the usual side tables and overhead lockers. Unfortunately, headroom was severely restricted as this particular rig was built to accommodate a tow vehicle with a high rear tray. Liversidge said the standard height is a more head-friendly 200cm.

A nice decorative touch is the white textured bed backboard created by a NSW artist.

The other bedroom was set up with two bunks in a corner arrangement including additional storage drawers and cabinets. Each level had its own TV/DVD and reading lights, and there were two large windows and a skylight for daytime reading and ventilation.

This room could also be configured as a study or a garage for motorcycles, mountain bikes, etc.

The Family 10 Metre has a full complement of LED lighting and 240V sockets throughout, as well as a wall-mounted digital clock and artwork for a hotel room atmosphere.

As mentioned, heating and cooling is taken care of by ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning with adjustable vents in each room.

BOTTOM LINE

True to the company’s slogan “custom five-star leisure vehicles”, the Family 10 Metre offers a versatile layout and impressive number of standard features not to mention a long list of options to create your dream fifth-wheeler.

Fit, finish, and quality of materials appeared generally of a high standard, although some aspects of the review vehicle were incomplete or unfinished, no doubt due to its ‘prototype’ status.

Kool RV’s promise of providing a customised mobile home kitted out exactly to your requirements, is an enticing one, with the final product limited only by your bank account and vehicle’s towing capacity.

If you are, like Peter Liversidge was, struggling to find exactly what you want in a fifth-wheeler van, the folk at Kool RV may be able to help out.

KOOL RV FAMILY 10 METRE

External length 10m
External width: 2.4m
External height: 3.2m
Internal height (excl. overhang): 2.4m
Nameplate Tare: 3550kg
Nameplate ATM: 4495kg
Chassis: steel powdercoated
Suspension: Tandem Al-Ko rubber torsion
Cooktop: Spinflo four burner cooktop/grill/oven
Fridge: Westinghouse fridge/freezer
Microwave: Panasonic
Lighting: LED
Gas: 4 x 9kg
Fresh water: 2 x 90 litres
Price as shown: $145,000
Contact: koolrv.com.au