New Age Caravans on the hop

It’s not unusual for caravan manufacturers to adopt a theme when it comes to naming models.

Jayco, with Penguin, Dove, Eagle, Hawk and Flamingo, went for the bird theme for its camper trailer range. A’Van looked no further than grandchildren’s names for many of its caravan models: Jenna, Owen, Angus, Erin, Rhys, Liam, Taylor...

New Age Caravans, however, has been inspired by that distinctly Australian mammal, the marsupial, for many of its stylish, modern caravans, with Little Joey, Big Red, Bilby... and now Rockin’ Wallaby.

Previously used for an earlier pop-top model, the new 2013 Rockin’ Wallaby is available as a 16ft or 20ft traditional caravan and like the furry pouched animal it’s named after, packs in plenty of storage area for its size.

According to New Age, the “innovative design gives you the maximum amount of storage space possible inside and outside”.

One way it does this, said New Age’s Brendan Murphy, is by “having the shower and toilet set to the side, rather than the traditional ensuite at the back”.

The compact 16ft layout also squeezes in a double bed in the rear-corner, mid-mounted kitchen, and big club lounge/dinette at the front, amongst a good selection of overhead lockers, cupboards and good-sized wardrobes.

Externally, there are a number of useful side storage lockers including a tunnel boot as well as an optional A-frame mounted tool box.??

Priced at $66,990, the 16ft Rockin’ Wallaby on display at the South Australian Caravan & Camping Show was equipped with a cooktop and mini grill, microwave, 90 litre fridge, air conditioner, 24in LED TV and antenna, DVD/audio system, LED lighting, gas/electric hot water, 140 litre fresh water capacity.water guages, battery/charger, awning and picnic table.

It was also fitted with a range of options including matching fridge insert and splashback, silver cladding, 15in wheels, tool box, black checker plate protection and leather upholstery.

With a Duragal chassis and aluminium cladding, the 16ft model has a Tare weight up to 2100kg, ATM up to 2600kg, and 200kg (approx.) ball weight.

Apart from offering more interior space and storage areas, the bigger 20ft model has similar features except for a bigger 150 litre fridge. Priced at $73,990, and with a Tare weight up to 2520kg, ATM up to 2940kg and 250kg maximum ball weight, the show model was also fitted with a number of options including washing machine and leather upholstery.??

Established in 2009, New Age Caravans has been one of the trendsetters in creating ‘apartment style’ caravan interiors, and for 2013 has released a new interior colour scheme available across its range, comprising 14 cabinet and seven bench top options.

“We’re always trying to be one step ahead,” Mr Murphy said. “Because we are always looking for different ideas, we listen even to our own staff and the feedback we get from the sales team at the shows, and act on them fairly quickly...”??

The Campbellfield, Victoria-based manufacturer is also never far from the limelight, featuring on TV program A Current Affair recently after it gave away a caravan to an unfortunate couple ripped off by another manufacturer. And a 21ft Big Red van was awarded best family caravan for 2012 by Caravan World magazine.

New Age also recently signed on as a sponsor of Dick Johnson Racing in the high-profile V8 Supercars series, and raised its profile in NSW by adding one of Australia's biggest RV dealers, Sydney RV Group, which has two locations in Narrabeen and Penrith, to its nationwide dealer network.