Lotus Spaceline Hummer 2006 Review

By Joan Green

South Australians who were part of the caravanning generation of the early 1970s remember Spaceline as a local brand that stood proudly alongside the other iconic names of the time.

As one of Adelaide’s own, it remains a favourite to this day, not only among local customers but also with people who come from interstate especially to do business with the knowledgeable sales staff at Spaceline Caravans.

What makes the success of the business remarkable is that Spaceline is the retailer’s own brand name, rather than a badge belonging to a specific manufacturer. Spaceline caravans are made to order in another company’s factory.

A not dissimilar marketing practice is still adopted today by a few other caravan retailers, who purchase batches of generic vans from an anonymous manufacturer and sell them as their own brand.

In the case of Spaceline, the business, founded in 1973 by the Gadd family, was based on sound all-round knowledge of the industry from manufacturing, sales and marketing aspects, together with first-hand experience of the needs and expectations of caravanners themselves.

When choosing a manufacturer the family looked at the quality of workmanship, not just the price, and the vans were built to the family’s own strict standards.

By remaining independent, and offering a reliable product without the hassle and expense of owning and running a factory, the Gadds won the approval of their customers and could afford to concentrate their efforts on providing good service.

Spaceline was founded in 1972, two years after Caravan World first saw the light of day. During the past 34 years several different manufacturers have been responsible for building the Spaceline brand.

Some of the better known ones have displayed their own badges alongside the Spaceline name on the vans while others have been satisfied to remain incognito.

However, having ‘grown up’ with Spaceline Caravans, CW can vouch for the fact that the business has continued to seek out reputable manufacturers and has exercised great care to maintain a satisfactory standard.

In the 21st century, Spaceline is still a family business. Malcolm and Christina McPherson took over the operation a few years ago and have continued to run it along the same lines as their predecessors.

With 27 years’ experience in the caravan industry, Malcolm has a wealth of knowledge and the brand continues to thrive. Spaceline caravans are now built by George Josefski at Lotus, a Somerton, Vic-based manufacturer that has been commended for the quality of its products.

One of the latest Lotus-built Spaceline models, shown here, is an excellent example of the marque. You won’t forget the name – it’s called the Hummer.

What is a Hummer?

The original Hummer is a huge SUV (known in Australia as a 4WD) built by General Motors in the US, and is sought after in certain circles because of its enormous size, massive power and imposing presence.

The first Hummers were designed for military use by US forces during the Gulf War, and they were – apart from being quite big by all accounts – extremely capable offroad.

The Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, had a fleet of them, but we’ve heard that he disposed of them recently because they were using too much fuel.

A few examples of the civilian GM-built version found their way to Australia, but its high fuel consumption and oversize dimensions have diminished the Hummer’s initial appeal as a potential offroad/towing vehicle.

Now for the caravan. The title of Hummer has been bestowed on the Lotus-built Spaceline by the builder (not the retailer, a Spaceline spokesman assured CW) and is no doubt intended to convey its ability to handle demanding road conditions.

With a 6in hot dipped galvanised chassis and A-frame, 2.5 tonne Simplicity independent suspension and 15in offroad tyres and rims, the Hummer’s foundations and running gear are built to handle Australia’s unsealed inland roads and forays into the bush in search of secluded campsites.

The van’s traditionally hand-built Meranti frame should have the strength and flexibility to withstand shocks and vibration, and its electrical system, with the addition of solar backup, will provide 12V power for comfortable overnight stops in isolated areas.

The front boot contains a teamed SmartCharger and inverter, and 12V battery, wired to store power from optional rooftop solar panels as well as the mains supply. Two 9kg gas cylinders on the A-frame supply the van’s alternative power source. The rear of the van sports a galvanised bumper bar carrying a spare wheel.

After noting its name, however, the appearance of the Hummer might be a bit of let-down if you were expecting the huge beast that its name suggests. Actually, the exterior of this 21ft (6.4m) caravan is surprisingly graceful.

Its lower sides and front are clad with the mandatory checkerplate aluminium to dampen the effects of gravel road ‘shrapnel’, but the cladding is applied discreetly to a nicely proportioned body with classic styling and a conservative paint job.

Galaxy acrylic bubble windows are used all around the van, and a white Dometic rollout awning completes the picture of the ideal van for enjoying days of civilised solitude in a bush hideaway.

Elegant interior

If you were hoping for gun racks and ammo boxes, once again you’ll be disappointed, because the inside of the Hummer is as gracious as its exterior suggests. You’re surrounded by honey-coloured panelling with cabinets, benchtops and soft furnishings all perfectly matched and coordinated to create a very welcoming ambience.

The Hummer’s 19ft 6in (5.9m) interior is long enough to contain that most desirable of caravan amenities, a complete full width ensuite. This is located at the rear, with access through a centre sliding door.

It contains a flush toilet, a separate shower with translucent sliding door, and a large vanity unit with a row of overhead cupboards that include a mirrored shaving cabinet. There are two roof hatches, each with a 12V extractor fan – one inside the shower unit and the other fitted above the toilet.

The kitchen is arranged along the centre offside of the caravan, ending with a 150L Dometic three-way refrigerator. Where once the caravan fridge could always be found under the bench, this larger size fridge is becoming increasingly popular.

Its height does reduce the amount of useable work space, however there is a small area of bench on the right side of the sink, and everything is close to hand (although the overhead microwave may be safer to use if it were a little lower down).

The stove is a Swift four-burner cooktop with an easy-to-clean stainless steel top and a grill underneath.

Two spacious pot drawers under the stove as well as a pull-out pantry and roomy overhead cupboards provide plenty of storage.

The occupants of the Hummer have a wide range of entertainment choices, with a 17in LCD TV accompanied by an MP3/DVD player and a CD/radio. A Winegard direction-finding TV antenna sits on the roof.

CW has noticed that small flatscreen LCD TVs are proving ideal for caravan use. The TV in the Hummer can be folded back against the wall or drawn out on its adjustable arm to face either the bed or the dinette.

Moving into the bedroom you’ll find that the bedhead is located under a window, which in turn has a row of cupboards above it. The queen sized mattress is supported by a hinged and slatted base that lifts up for access to the boxed storage area underneath.

There are the usual side wardrobes, each with a mirror in the door and a bedside cabinet with a drawer and cupboard underneath. Additional storage can be found in the corner cabinets facing the foot of the bed.

Add the big drawer fitted under the end of the dinette seat, and you’ll agree that very generous provision has been made in the Hummer for the storage of personal effects.

At night the Hummer is illuminated by four ceiling lights, fluorescent lights above the kitchen and vanity, and a number of thoughtfully placed halogen spotlights, all of which draw 12V power from the battery – 12V powers the entertainment system and the fridge when not switched to gas.

Charge the battery while you drive with a 12V Anderson pin. Mains power is needed while stationary unless you fit one or two solar panels on the roof (the wiring is already in place) – advisable if you plan to stay offroad.

The Bottom Line

As well as having a tough exterior, the big Hummer is sufficiently well equipped with home comforts to suit the most discerning couple and could almost be classified as a luxury caravan. For what you get in this van, its price of $54,990 is more than reasonable.

Spaceline Caravans, 541 Regency Road, Sefton Park, Adelaide, SA 5083, (08) 8269 7288, www.spaceline.com.au

For Lotus dealers contact Lotus Caravans, 36 Fleet Street, Somerton, Vic 3062, (03) 9305 3907.

We liked:

• Easy-clean stainless steel cooktop

• Large vanity basin with well placed mixer tap

• Individual water tank level gauges

• Coordinated colour scheme and uncluttered interior

We would have liked:

• Towel rails in the ensuite and kitchen

• A tap on the A-frame

• The microwave a little lower down