Newlands Tourister

‘Top 5’ Melbourne-based caravan manufacturer Concept is hoping to grab a bigger slice of the full-height Australian caravan market with its new, entry-level Tourister that comes to market under its Newlands Caravans brand.

Displayed at October’s Melbourne Leisurefest, the competitively-priced Newlands Tourister is part of Concept’s new budget Core range and currently comes in four models (510, 610, 628 and 675) with nine layouts available.

Competing in the cut-throat $50,000-$55,000 market segment, Concept hopes to steal sales from major rivals Jayco and New Age by packaging both the entry level 20ft Tourister and up-specced Tourister Luxe with a high level of original equipment that is often optional on other vans in this price range.

Both current tandem-axle Touristers come with a north-south island queen-size bed, a café dinette, an Air Command air conditioner, a wall-mounted Daewoo Mini washing machine, a 21-in TV/DVD player, CD/Radio and speakers and LED lighting.

A gas/electric hot water system is connected to two 95-litre tanks via a 12-volt water pump, while the battery system includes a BMPRO monitor, a single 120W solar panel and a 100Ah battery pack.

Both Tourister kitchens have a 190-litre fridge freezer, a four-burner cooktop and grill, a 12V rangehood and microwave oven, while their ensuites features a separate shower, a cassette-style toilet and backlit mirror.

The Luxe ups the interior ante with gloss-finished cabinetry, leather-look lounge upholstery, an oven and pull out footrests that can double as extra seats for two thanks to their 130kg rated loading.

It would be a great size if it didn’t have to share space with the battery and energy management system, but if you want more exterior storage you can always upgrade to the Luxe, which has a three-quarter tunnel boot as well.

An exterior A-frame tap, thoughtfully protected against stone strike is a welcome feature, but it contrasts with the van’s rear plumbing, which although sheathed in protective convoluted hosing, hangs alarmingly low. Concept said this wasn’t normal and suspected it might have incurred transit damage. 

A central jockey wheel is a welcome feature to make fitting weight distribution hitches easier, but to be honest, given the review Tourister’s maximum 151kg ball loading, few travellers should need them. 

That’s another of the Tourister’s attractions. Despite its ‘sweet spot’ internal length of 6.02m (19ft. 8in) and roomy 2.31m (7ft 6in) width, the base model has a rate weight of just 1985kg and can carry a 400kg payload, putting it very much in Prado/Pajero territory. 

However, Concept is currently working to shave a further 85kg off that Tare to bring it down to 1900kg, which will put it within the legal realm of the early-model 2300kg tow-rated Ford Territory, which would make a good, cheap tow tug.

The Luxe with its extra fruit, including checker plate cladding for the boot and lower sides and its larger single 135W solar panel, is slightly heavier at a Tare of 2105kg, but fully laden it could just scape into Prado-land provided you don’t travel with both water tanks brim full.

The regular Tourister certainly towed easily and confidently behind our elderly 2500kg tow-rated, petrol-fuelled SsangYong Musso, which could another cheap alternative for many budget-conscious Tourister buyers.

PRACTICAL SAVINGS

Inside, an experienced eye can pick the difference between a Tourister and its upper-market Concept or Franklin brothers, but the savings have been made in a practical, rather than a mean way.

The Thetford cassette toilet, for example, is plastic rather than China bowl; the air-con is the smaller AirCommand Cormorant and there are no little luxuries, like USB points beside the bed. If you want such things you should look for another model in the Concept/Franklin/Newlands range, because the Touristers’ one-size-fits-all specs are what makes it affordable in the first place. 

As tested, with its introductory price of $49,990 (against a normal RRP of $52,990) with the Luxe a tempting $4000 more at $53,990 (versus its regular $56,990), it makes a lot of sense.

Entry is via a rear door with the ensuite on the right and the kitchen and lounge on opposite sides of the centre and the bedroom up front. Nothing tricky here; it’s the layout that most caravanners want.

Big windows and white walls and ceilings make it look bright and roomy. The kitchen is a reasonable size, with adequate bench space, while the café dinette lounge opposite, although a two seater given the intrusion of the tandem axle wheel box, has bolster cushions on the wall end so at least you can put your feet up to enjoy the standard 21in TV. 

Plenty of cupboards around the roof line of the bedroom, lounge and kitchen, combine with large lower cupboards everywhere to provide good storage space, while the rectangular space under the lift-up queen bed is unencumbered and spacious. 

The ensuite too shows design thought, with plenty of knee-space around the toilet and a good-size fibreglass shower, while the vanity bowl with its large adjacent bench space and big mirror above, is ceramic.

WE LIKED: 

>> Size and packaging
>> Well-equipped for the price
>> Impressive design detail
>> Towing ease

NOT SO MUCH: 

>> Rear plumbing vulnerable
>> USB or power points beside the bed should be included

VERDICT

The Newlands Tourister gives a very fat tick to the value-for-money box. Yet even if price was not its key feature, there’s still a lot to like. 

This is one to put on your shopping list along with entry level Jayco and New Age caravans if you’re in the market for a fully-equipped, mainstream touring caravan.

NEWLANDS TOURISTER

Travel length: 8000mm
Interior body length: 6020mm
External body length: 6280mm  
External body width: 2310mm
Travel height: 3030mm
Internal height: 2020mm
Tare weight: 1985kg
ATM: 2385kg
Ball weight: 151kg
Body: Ribbed aluminium cladding over Meranti timber-framed and insulated walls
Chassis: Galvanised steel
Suspension: Tandem roller-rocker leaf springs with beam axles
Brakes: 10-inch electric
Wheels: 15in alloy with 205/70R15 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 95L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah with BMPro monitor
Solar: 1 x 120W roof-mounted panel
Air-conditioner: AirCommand Cormorant roof-mounted reverse cycle
Gas: 2 x 8.5kg
Hot water: Suburban 23L gas/electric
Cooking: Swift gas cooktop with grill
Fridge:  190L Dometic 3-way
Microwave: Daewoo
Toilet: Thetford cassette type
Shower: Interior fibreglass module in ensuite
Lighting: LED throughout
Price $49,990
Options fitted: None
Supplied by: Caravan Central
, Croydon Vic
More info:

Concept Caravans