Nova Bravo Mini 2018 Review

If you hadn’t noticed, timber-framed caravans are on the way out in Australia.

After decades of persisting with traditional ‘stick and tin’ construction, many of the bigger caravan manufacturers in Campbellfield, Victoria are transitioning to more modern, composite construction.

Australia’s biggest RV manufacturer Jayco has been building fibreglass composite vans for years, to the point where until recently only its cut-price Freedom pop-tops and caravans flew the ‘stick and tin’ flag.

Also recently deciding to go down the frameless caravan path is Melbourne’s Nova, which is now using aluminium sandwich panel walls on many of its models. Due to costs and production changes required, it’s a step-by-step process with Nova’s popular Metrolink caravan the first to benefit from the new ‘Pro-Al’ panels.

Here we’re looking at a new entry-level 15ft (internal body length) model in the Bravo caravan range, which showcases some of the new production processes being utilised across the Nova line-up.

Compact and affordable

This new 16ft 3in (external body length) single-axle Bravo caravan is currently only available from Nova’s Victorian dealer, May West Caravans. The first Bravo with more space-efficient east-west double bed at the front, it was inspired by the show-stopping Nova Terra Sportz displayed at this year’s Melbourne Supershow.

May West liked the show van's compact but well-equipped layout, and thought it would work well in the touring Bravo range, without all the ‘off-road’ extras and $70,000-plus price tag.

Priced at $55,950 drive-away, the Bravo Mini is not something you’d likely take too far off the bitumen, but offers many features found in larger vans in a compact, sub-2000kg Tare package.

If there’s sufficient demand (May West has already sold a few) don't be surprised to see the Mini Bravo officially join the Nova range in 2019, but with a few changes like the possible addition of a $6000 Z Series option pack, adding things like a front toolbox, longer drawbar, DO-35 hitch and independent coil suspension to make it more rough-road friendly.

Value for money

As it is the Bravo Mini 15-1C represents decent value for an entry-level touring van, built on a galvanized 100 x 50mm drawbar and chassis, with 50mm ball hitch, leaf spring suspension, 10in electric dram brakes and 15 alloy wheels with light truck tyres.

This particular van also presents as a hybrid of old and new construction methods, with Pro-Al panels and black checker plate for the sides; one-piece fibreglass sheeting on a timber frame for the roof, and thinner aluminium composite panels and more checker plate for the front and rear sections, along with a plywood floor.

Peer underneath and it looks like a typical touring van, with some exposed plumbing but  overall neat and tidy appearance. The two gal-lined 80 litre water tanks are located behind the axle, which is not normally ideal for weight distribution but we were assured that in this case it was a deliberate ploy to keep the van balanced.

The unloaded, almost two tonne Bravo Mini certainly behaved well behind our Mitsubishi Pajero Sport tow vehicle, tracking nicely at 100km/h freeway speeds with no hint of pitching or sway.

External storage for the 16ft Nova is limited to a gal-lined tunnel boot at the front, but it's big enough to swallow a few outdoor accessories. Also ticking boxes externally is the A-frame tap, gas bayonet, picnic table and two external speakers for the Pioneer radio.

Also included is something you don’t often see on an entry-level van: a Dometic powered awning, which rolls out at the push of a button although you still need to manually fold down the two built-in legs to prop up the awning at the front.

Step inside

There’s no attached fold-down step so if your legs are on the short side you’ll need to use a portable step to get inside.

Once there though, with the queen bed slotted sideways against the front, windowless wall and the use of a small, fixed dining table, there’s a surprising amount of room to move around the van between the front bed and rear ensuite.

Those stuck with cooking duties certainly won’t feel cramped, with a good amount of benchspace to the left of the stainless sink, which has two taps including one for filtered water.

On  the other side of the sink is the four-burner cooktop and grille, with the microwave mounted above, at around head-height. Further along is a big 184 litre fridge/freezer, and the rangehood and window that runs almost the width of the kitchen, should help keep the cooking smells at bay.

The L-shaped lounge/dinette is sufficiently spacious to accommodate a couple of invited friends, although the table’s only really big enough for two or three meal settings. However, the cloth upholstered lounge looks big enough to double as a single bed, if a guest decides to stay over.

The bathroom is also of decent size, and has a solid sliding door to shut it off from the rest of the van. There's almost everything you want including a vanity and ceramic bowl sink, mirror, swivel toilet and a good-sized fibreglass shower. Even with  a number of open and closed storage options, there's sufficient room to towel down or get changed.

The biggest compromise with this layout is the east-west queen bed. Not only will some-one have to climb over a sleeping partner to get to the toilet at night, they'll need to avoid banging their head on the low-set overhead lockers while doing it.

Unlike bigger Bravo models, there are no side wardrobes for hanging clothes; just a deep, wide ‘bin’ with hinged lid at one end of the bed. But if you’re of above-average height you’ll probably want to sacrifice this extra storage area for a longer mattress.

Otherwise, interior storage is OK for a van this size, with a few drawers and overhead lockers around the kitchen, and a cupboard for larger pots and pans. There’s good storage space under the bed, which includes two slide-out drawers, and a few options in the bathroom, but you'll struggle to get much in the cavities under the dinette seats with the wheel well and battery equipment taking up much of the space.

Looks the goods

The white-grey décor theme chosen for this van, combined with curtain-less windows, enhances the light airy feel, and while we wouldn’t take it too far over bumpy roads, the cabinetry seems sturdy enough for general touring.

Along with roof-top air-conditioning, the van also comes with a decent-sized 24in Smart TV, ready to slot onto the adjustable arm, mounted in a spot so the TV can be viewed from either the bed or dinette.

Although likely to spend plenty of time in caravan parks with a van like this, Mini Bravo owners would be confident of surviving at least a couple of days off-the-grid, with the standard 120W roof-top solar panel feeding a 100Ah battery system, and two 9kg gas bottles keeping the fridge and cooker ticking along. The 160 litres water capacity is also sufficient for a few days cooking, drinking and occasional showering.

The Bravo Mini is also fitted with Al-Ko ESC and RV Wi-fi systems – once again, features you don’t always find in caravans at this price-point.

Nova also has the basics covered with a selection of interior and exterior lighting options, and a smattering of 12V/240V sockets.

One noticeable omission is a washing machine, although there are mounting points on the rear wall in the ensuite for an optional Mini washer to be added. The van also comes pre-wired for a reversing camera.

Summing up

According to May West Caravans the Bravo Mini is aimed at couples “that need everything in a small package”, and that pretty much sums up this budget-priced caravan.

Designed to be towed by smaller vehicles, this compact Nova van delivers just about everything you want in a modern, couples' layout, including room to move, and at a competitive price.

Specs: Nova Bravo Mini 15-1C 2018

Travel length: 6870mm
External body length: 4930mm
Internal body length: 4560mm
Overall body width: 2215mm
Travel height: 2950mm
Interior height: 1950mm
Tare weight: 1895kg
ATM: 2285kg
Ball weight (Tare): 152kg
Body: Aluminium sandwich panel (sides), aluminium composite (front), fibreglass and timber (roof)
Chassis: Galvanised 100mm x 50mm
Suspension: Leaf springs
Brakes: 10in electric
Stability control: AL-KO ESC
Wheels: 15in alloys with 235/75R15LT tyres
Battery: 1 x 100Ah
Solar: 120W with regulator
Air-conditioner: Houghton Belaire 3500
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 2 x 80L
Hot water: Gas/electric
Cooking: Thetford Minigrill MkIII 3+1 cooktop/grille
Fridge: 184L Thetford three-way
Microwave: NCE
Audio: Pioneer CD/radio
TV: NCE 24in Smart TV/DVD
Shower: Separate, one-piece fibreglass
Toilet: Thetford swivel
Price: $55,990 drive-away
Supplied by: May West Caravans, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria
More info: Nova Caravans, Campbellfield, Victoria