Maytow Designer Series Discover Elite

With 25 years' experience in the industry, Adelaide-based and family run business Maytow Caravan and RV Accessories, SA, knows a thing or two about putting a caravan together the right way. The company is perhaps best known as an accessory supplier and Roadstar dealer, but is now committing more time and energy to promoting itself as a full-blown caravan builder as well.

The company's Designer Series brand is about providing a custom built caravan - and that literally means whatever the customer wants - to suit all budgets. "We like to offer a professional and personalised service," says Ben May, Maytow sales and marketing manager. "And that means providing a caravan that could be a little out of the ordinary if that's what is asked of us."

The flagship model in the Designer Series range is the Discover Elite, primarily aimed at the baby boomer market for getting off the beaten track in a quality van that offers all the comforts of home.

Maytow has produced the van in three versions: 19ft (5.8m), 21ft 6in (6.6m) and 22ft 6in (6.85m). We managed to get hold of the 21ft 6in example, just before it went off to its new owner, for a looking over.

Completely built by Maytow's factory in Melbourne, our test unit was a good looking caravan that features the company's optional off-road Outback chassis along with 15in alloy wheels that give confidence-inspiring 'go anywhere' ground clearance and a tough outward appearance. At 2440kg (Tare), our review van was weighty, although the generous three-tonne Simplicity suspension and Outback chassis provides ample storage capacity.

As expected on a quality caravan, the exterior features are plentiful. They include a roll-out awning (included in the price but not shown in the pictures) fold-down picnic table, white powder-coated square bumper bar, checkerplate front stoneguard, LED lights, mains-pressure A-frame tap and external gas bayonet. And in accordance with Maytow's design principles, anything extra you want can be put in place.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE
Move inside and you'll notice that one of the features is the use full LED lighting throughout. With all the lights on it pulls only 3A, which more than suits the supplied battery's 220Ah capacity. This is brilliant for self-sufficient touring, and compliments the Designer Series' solar panel option.

A real positive of this custom idea is that you don't have to let a caravan builder dictate your interior layout. If you think it is more sensible to have the kitchen at the rear and bathroom at the front, Maytow will work up a plan for you. Of the three full versions of the van completed by Maytow for display, each has a significantly different layout to illustrate what can be done.

Climb into our 21ft 6in Discover Elite van and you will be greeted with the living and kitchen area at the very rear. It seems quite small but it's cosy and has all the amenities you could ask for. The seating area is well laid out and could comfortably accommodate a number of adults, but the attractive kitchen table would be a bit small to have them seated together for a large meal.

The table slides down to create space for overnight guests if needed.

The seating itself is upholstered in deluxe macro-suede (which comes as standard) that is wisely stain resistant and far more like household upholstery than other caravan offerings.

The kitchen area uses its space well to offer plenty of good quality work surfaces. The Spinflo cooker with electric hotplate is small but fine for two or four people, while the microwave is at a nice height for easy access. A real bonus is the amount of storage up high in the living area, again well thought out to maximise the space on offer.

It is appealingly bright in the van thanks to its two skylights and three European-made Seitz windows in the main living area, each featuring flyscreens and curtains. And for those days on the road when temperatures soar, the standard Ibis reverse-cycle air-conditioner will be most welcome.

For those that can't do away with true home comforts, a washing machine option is easily accommodated (although one wasn't included in our review van), while the three-way refrigerator, at 220L, is a good size.

A 15in Teac LCD/TV/DVD (connected to a Wineguard antenna) on an adjustable mounting arm takes care of the visual entertainment, while a quality Pioneer CD/MP3 player with four Pioneer ceiling-mounted speakers offers excellent audio performance.

ROOM FOR TWO
The lounge area is not huge for a 21ft caravan, as the owners of this Discover Elite have opted for a large bathroom and bedroom area instead. The shower is big enough to accommodate two people if occupants are keen on saving water, while the toilet space is a bit on the cramped size, but more than enough for most.

The bedroom is right at the front of the van and is well thought out, featuring deep wardrobes beside the bed. Quality has again been the focus, with Maytow offering a European slat posturepedic bed base and innerspring mattress to ensure a good night's rest. Extra storage is available by raising the lift-up mattress base.

For a shower model in the Designer Series range (as with this caravan), a Swift gas/electric combination hot water service is standard, as are two 70L water tanks.

THE BOTTOM LINE
So what would make a customer go for the Maytow van over the host of other quality offerings on today's market?

"I think the exclusivity of the design and product is a strong point; we really can offer something different," says Ben May. "You can end up with something that is totally yours with all the personal little touches to your specification. We make no compromises when building exactly what the customer wants."

It is a good point, as more and more of us are demanding specific setups to best suit our caravan usage. There are plenty of readymade caravans available immediately, but you have to be happy with what's on offer and the odd option if possible. The full custom design will appeal to those who have exact requirements. After all, these caravans are built to be lived in, so why settle for anything less than precisely what you want?

I WOULD HAVE LIKED:

Maytow Caravans and RV Accessories
602-606 North East Road
Holden Hill, SA 5088.

For more information on Maytow Caravans visit http://www.maytow.com/ or phone 1300 629 869.