New Age expands range

Melbourne’s New Age Caravans is

sticking with an Australian native animal theme by naming its new compact ‘expander’ caravan range after a furry, flying marsupial.

Unveiled at the 2015 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, the new Glider range is aimed at families with, so far, a range of 15ft and 16ft (body length) models available, all with a pop-top roof and combination of canvas-walled slide-out beds at one or both ends and bunk beds.

All four, single axle models have ATMs of less than 2000kg, and offer at least four berths, with the possibility of converting the dinette to another bed.

With ‘show special’ pricing of $57,990, the 15ft Glider GL15 model includes a kitchen and lounge/dinette, with a double bed slide-out at each end but no ensuite.

The bigger 16ft GL16b (with $63,990 ‘show special’ pricetag) has a front, slide-out queen bed, kitchen, L-shaped dinette and double bunks at the rear, opposite an ensuite with separate shower cubicle.

Construction is the usual Meranti timber and aluminium cladding, with optional silver cladding and black or red checker plate to jazz things up a bit.

Standard equipment across the range includes two 4.5kg gas bottles, gas/electric hot water system, 150 litre fridge, four burner cooktop, microwave,  CD radio player, 24in TV/DVD, Winegard antenna, 100Ah battery, solar wiring, and roll-out awning.

The family vans also come with Truma under-bed ducted air-conditioning, although the

wall-mounted washing machines fitted to ensuite models are optional.

Also making its debut on the New Age stand was a snow-themed, all-white Oz Classic model, complete with snowboards and fake snow. 

Priced at $94,990, the 20ft Oz Classic Snow Pack featured white, high profile sides and unusual white checkerplate for lower body protection and the front toolbox.

For the price it also came with an additional battery and Cruisemaster suspension, while the winter wonderland theme continued inside with gloss white walls and furniture complemented by a beige leather dinette and bed covers.

While the timing seemed at odds with the extreme summer heat experienced during the Melbourne show, it could be spot on considering any orders taken at the show are likely to be delivered around the start of southern Australia's winter snow season.