More caravan firsts for Elite

Fast-growing Elite Caravans is always on the lookout for something new, or not readily available in the Australian caravan industry, to attract buyers to its range of custom-built vans.

Some notable past examples include a hi-tech (and very expensive) methanol fuel cell, in-built caravan generator, and triple axle Cruisemaster suspension.

Now the attention-seeking Melbourne manufacturer has launched more novel and enticing options for its 2015 range at this year’s Victorian Caravan Supershow.

According to company boss Peter Smith, Elite Caravans is now the sole Australian distributor for Victron Energy, a multi-national supplier of power management equipment to the military, marine and remote service vehicle industries.

Victron Energy produces a range of extreme temperature ‘Blue Power’ products including AGM batteries, solar charge controllers and invertors, all of which are now available exclusively on Elite caravans.

“The MPPT (solar charge) controllers give you about an extra 30 per cent more power, their batteries have 30 month warranties, and all their stuff works at high temperatures or really low temperatures, so you’ll get no voltage drop even at 50 degrees,” claimed Smith.

Elite is also offering on its caravans the latest Australian-designed Finscan Intellicore computer management system, as seen on Sunliner’s ground-breaking 40th Anniversary motorhome.

Available as a $2500 option, the Finscan system manages and controls functions such as lighting, battery power, water pump, tanks, air-con, and TV and entertainment, all from the one, user-friendly touchscreen display.

Finally, Elite buyers can now opt for benchtops made out of imported, recycled bamboo, an attractive, hard-wearing natural material increasingly used in houses.

To give cashed-up showgoers an idea of the new options available, an Elite Balistic off-road caravan displayed at the Melbourne Supershow was fitted with bamboo bench and table tops in the bathroom, kitchen and dining areas, a Finscan touchscreen system and a Victron Energy BlueSolar MMPT charge controller.

But if that wasn't enough to grab their attention, the Elite stand also featured a giant TV screen, playing some of Elite's quirky promotional videos, that Smith said was hired for the show at a cost of $7500.