Legacy Aspect

WE LIKED:
>> Large front lounge
>> Quick-fill tap
>> Unusual caravan layout

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Not enough kitchen storage
>> Shelves rather than cupboards in bathroom

Looks can be deceptive. At first glance, it would be easy to mistake the Legacy Aspect for a fairly typical, modern tandem-axle van. You might even guess that it has a typical contemporary layout. You know the one: rear bathroom, central kitchen, front bedroom.

But step inside and the big surprise is a very different design – rear bathroom and bedroom, central kitchen and a massive front lounge, with huge windows to the front and side.

It becomes immediately apparent why this model is called the Aspect.

The lounge provides a very relaxing space to sit back and take in the all-round views, especially through the two front double-glazed, European-made NCE windows, which can open almost 90 degrees. And just in case even more light and fresh air is needed, there’s an overhead Al-Ko hatch.

SPACIOUS LOUNGE

Visitors to this van will not be forced to squeeze into dinette seating or stand awkwardly around the kitchen. Instead, there’s room for six people on the sculptured bench seats either side of the large central tri-fold table.

Storage under the seats is accessed by lifting the ply bases, and there’s more space in the overhead lockers. The windows come with flywire and nightshades, and everything is lit up at night with plenty of LED downlights.

Having a wonderfully spacious lounge has resulted in some compromises elsewhere in the layout, particularly in the kitchen and bedroom.

The kitchen does have all the essentials – 128 litre Thetford fridge, four-burner Spinflo cooktop and grill, stainless steel sink, Sanyo microwave, and even a slide-out Sphere top-loading washing machine under the sink. The compromise comes in the form of reduced cupboard, storage and bench space.

Moving down to the bedroom, there’s a large cupboard and copious shelf space on the offside, but the 1.9 x 1.45m (6ft 2in x 4ft 9in) bed is placed against the nearside wall, limiting access for the person sleeping on that side. Also, the chamfered offside corner makes foot space a bit squeezy.

With no offside window, extra light and air circulation is provided via a hatch. The storage space under the bed can be accessed by lifting the slat base, or from an external locker door.

A concertina door seals off the bathroom, which has attractive two-tone cabinetry. The near-side separate shower cubicle has the usual fan and hatch but, in an unusual design change, the offside toilet window is in the rear wall rather than the side wall. Remember, this van is called the Aspect.

The open shelves next to the toilet offer good storage space, which would be perfect for long-term stays, but everything would have to be moved or secured when travelling.

STEPPING OUTSIDE

Underneath, the SupaGal 100 x 50mm (4 x 2in) chassis and A-frame sit on 15in wheels with alloys.

The Meranti timber frame is clad in insulated aluminium and the specs include galvanised protection for the two water tanks, gas barbecue bayonet, Winegard TV antenna, offside caravan park TV connection point, large awning and Ibis Air Command air-conditioner.

With a Tare of 2040kg and ATM of 2440kg, mid-size SUV tow vehicles such as a Ford Territory would be needed. Certainly, the big Nissan Patrol we used when we headed out from Canterbury Caravans in Melbourne’s Bayswater, up through the Dandenong Ranges, did the job with ease.

The A-frame has a centre double clamp jockey wheel and two 9kg gas bottles. Instead of a front boot, there are large lockers (1800m x 670mm) on either side. The offside locker space is restricted by a 100Ah battery and 23 litre hot water service, plus an electrics panel.

A mains tap sits on the offside of the A-frame but the plumbing here includes an innovative addition – an extra tap connects straight to the two 95 litre freshwater tanks, for easy filling. 

Entertainment is catered for with an adjustable TV arm inside the door (there is room for another in the bedroom), and a radio/CD/iPod stereo with four speakers.

VERDICT

Caravan layouts can tend to follow the same formula, so congratulations to the team at Legacy for trying a new (at least for Australia) configuration. The result is a big plus when you consider the lack of windows in some more expensive vans.

Sure, there are compromises in terms of space elsewhere in this layout, but we don’t spend all of our time sleeping, so let’s concentrate on the positives: with that huge, comfortable front lounge, the message with this van is to get out there, kick back and take in the views.

LEGACY ASPECT

Overall length: 8.4m (27ft 7in)
External length: 6.8m (22ft 5in) 
External width: 2.5m (8ft 2in)
Internal height: 1.99m (6ft 6in)
Travelling height: 2.85m (9ft 4in)
Tare: 2040kg
ATM: 2440kg
Ball weight: 110kg
Frame: Meranti
Chassis: SupaGal
Brakes: 10in electric
Suspension: Rocker leaf-spring
Cooktop: Spinflo four-burner/grill
Fridge: Thetford 128 litre
Microwave: Sanyo
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: LED
Fresh water: 2 x 95 litre
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Price as shown: $61,990 (tow-away, Vic)
Supplied by: Canterbury Caravans, Bayswater, Vic