Millard Horizon Bunk 2006 Review

Caravan layout designs come from all kinds of sources, some from manufacturers’ tried and true layouts, some from new concepts and ideas, and others from customers’ requirements.

This particular Millard Horizon design came from the latter.

A customer wanted a bunk caravan that could be used in a multitude of ways and NSW-based Parravans’ Steve Edwards decided he liked the idea so much that it has become a regular layout in the Millard lineup.

Part of the sleeping accommodation design is a single lounge that can be used as a bed, with a second, hinged bunk bed above it, which can be easily removed if the children or the grandchildren don’t happen to be travelling.

Standard Millard construction was used with this 17ft (5.2m) caravan – hot-dipped galvanised chassis, leaf-spring suspension with white sports wheels, aluminium frame and aluminium cladding. The roof and walls are all insulated.

Instead of the usual 4in chassis, 6in rails are used instead. This does result in extra strength in the chassis, but it also means that in addition to the 14in wheels fitted to our review caravan, 15in, 16in and even 17in wheels can also be fitted to match the tow vehicle if required.

On the drawbar there’s the obligatory items like the ball hitch, brake handle and jockey wheel plus two 4kg gas cylinders – I’ve mentioned this before but I reckon that two 4kg cylinders are a more convenient arrangement than just one 9kg cylinder.

Also sitting on the drawbar is a mains pressure tap with a hose connection. While on the water theme, the 63L tank sits behind the axle and is fully protected by galvanised steel sheeting.

Most other external features are standard: rear bumper bar with spare wheel, Camec triple lock door, Galaxy tinted polycarbonate windows and two external lights – a mid-wall mounted dome light and a grab handle light.

Interestingly there’s no front boot, instead a right-through storage locker across the front of the caravan. This setup versus a front boot has both advantages and disadvantages, but it does mean that something like a slide-out barbecue can be easily fitted.

The inside layout that is also very interesting – comfortable for two but easily adaptable for four. Not having a bathroom cubicle results in a caravan with a fairly open plan layout: main bed at the front, kitchen along the offside, dinette on the nearside and bunks across the rear.

A light timber stain look for the cabinet work and white walls and ceiling make for an airy interior. Two Four Seasons hatches supply rooftop ventilation.

Set in the middle of the front of the caravan, the double bed looks quite small, but is 4ft 6in (1.36m) wide and extendable to 6ft 4in (1.92m). On either side of the bed is a hanging wardrobe plus a small shelf.  There are no lower cupboards, because of the right-through storage locker, but there are two overhead lockers above the bed.

Lifting up the slatted timber bed base reveals a compartmented storage area underneath, which is much better for general storage.

Both sides of the bed have a halogen reading light and a powerpoint. Overhead lighting is supplied by a round fluorescent fitting. At the base of the bed there are cupboards in each corner, the offside unit is full height and has a mirrored door, while the nearside one is simply half height with a small shelf and powerpoint.

Standard features figure in the kitchen. A four-burner Spinflo hob and grill is fitted next to a stainless steel sink and drainer. Above, in the overhead lockers, is a Sanyo microwave.

Raised above floor level, the Dometic fridge sits at the left hand end of the kitchen bench. This particular arrangement doesn’t give a great deal of benchtop working area but there is heaps of storage space with a double cupboard, two floor lockers, pots and pans drawer, cutlery drawer and a small slide-out pantry. Overhead, on either side of the microwave are two lockers plus a fume extractor above the stove.

Water to the sink is either hand pumped or mains pressure supplied. Kitchen illumination is dispensed by two halogen downlights under the overhead lockers plus a ceiling-mounted fluorescent fitting.

Powerpoints are generously supplied at either end of the kitchen bench, plus a third above the fridge. Together with the antenna connection, it makes a convenient space for the TV.

The foam cushions of the dinette have flat seats and contoured backs, which can also convert into a double bed. Two people can sit very comfortably but four would definitely require an extra seat. There’s the usual under-seat storage with floor lockers at either end of the ‘L’ as well as overhead lockers above. An overhead fluorescent light plus two halogen reading lights give all the necessary illumination needed.

Extra seating is provided by the rear lounge/bed. A slight disadvantage of this setup is the seat back, which is also the mattress for the top bunk. Folded over as it is, it’s quite wide, resulting in not much leg support. However, it’s not an insurmountable problem to solve, especially as this arrangement does offer a versatile top bunk.

Conventionally, the bunk can be folded down or up out of the way. Alternatively the locking pins can be taken out and the bed removed from the caravan altogether. Halogen reading lights are provided for both top and bottom bunks.

Tucked into the rear nearside corner beside the lounge/bed is a full height hanging cupboard with three drawers underneath, which complements the rest of the overhead locker storage quite well.

Family-style caravans are often in short supply in the marketplace, so it’s good to see this Horizon layout offers something for a couple who wish to take their children or grandchildren away with them. Not having the bunk bed permanently fixed offers a variable design that will suit most people.

This caravan will definitely broaden the horizons of many families wishing to enjoy caravanning in a certain amount of style.

Contact Parravans, 130 Windsor Road, McGraths Hill (Windsor), NSW, 2756, (02) 4577 5577, or at 354 Pacific Highway, Hexham (Newcastle), NSW 2232, (02) 4964 8888.

We liked
• Convertible bunk bed/rear lounge setup, which can be used in several ways without too much difficulty
• Main bed walk-around space – no bumped shins
• Reading lights for both bunks – features like this make all the difference
• Right-through storage at the front

We would have liked
• Higher shelves beside main bed
• Light switch at lower level for easy door entry at night