Oz's first spa bath van!

Left-field thinking Van Cruiser founder and builder Enzo Gnocato likes to push the caravan envelope and raise eyebrows.

He’s best known for his eye-watering Alucobond-clad display vans, that have in successive caravan shows appeared in Ferrari red, jungle green, vibrant blue, orange, bright yellow and, most recently in Melbourne, in copper livery.

In 2010 he unveiled his Shelby Fastback-inspired Ford oval-shaped camper, followed in 2011 by his 'indestructible' polyethylene tub camper, then an optional icemaker on his 2014 Grand Torino off-road caravan.

Now, just weeks after completing his new lime green Outlaw SUV off-road compact toy hauler aimed at the Campin’, Fishin’, Huntin’ and Shootin’ market, he’s off and running with several more industry-leading projects.

His new headline-grabber is a fully functional spa bath with overhead rain shower fitted transversely in the rear of a new one-off 22ft Van Cruiser caravan.

Not content with that, he’s also experimented with a new epoxy resin three-layer ‘pebble-coat’ finish for the caravan’s floor and has also applied it to the van’s lower side panels where other makers might fit checker-plate protection.

Meanwhile elsewhere in his Carrum Downs, Victoria factory sits a just-completed 23ft luxury Graceland model featuring Australia’s first RV application of American-sourced Dexter Torflex tandem axle rubber torsion independent suspension with height and level adjustable airbag springing.

And with one trick feature never enough, the van is also equipped with the very latest Finscan electronic RV switching system that allows all the caravan’s lighting and other electrical equipment to be controlled via a single digital panel – a feature that is only just appearing on a small selection of top-spec caravans and motorhomes.

Enzo Gnocato is adamant that his latest jaw-dropping features are practical.

“I get bored doing the same thing all the time, so I’m always thinking ‘why not’ with new ideas,” he explained.

“If you’ve got all the other comforts in a luxury caravan, like central heating, a top entertainment system, an ice-maker, a luxury lounge and a gourmet kitchen, then why not a spa?

“Of course we recommend that you drain it before setting off to avoid bow waves!”

The epoxy resin floor coating is another ‘first’ in the caravan industry.

“I just thought it was an interesting idea that was totally different,” Gnocato said. “Not everyone will like it, but the colours and designs are virtually limitless in their possibilities, so there will be something for everyone.

“What impresses me is how super-strong it is without adding weight over conventional vinyl flooring. It is also durable, waterproof and chemical resistant, so it’s pretty indestructible.

“You can hit it really hard with a hammer without denting it, so it also adds great strength to the existing marine ply flooring.

“Then I thought, ‘If it it’s this good inside, what about outside? So I have used it on the lower exterior panels instead of Alucobond or checker plate”.

The first application of Dexter’s new Torflex rubber torsion suspension axles with airbag springs is another development that Gnocato has led the industry in.

Last year Van Cruiser became he first Australian caravan manufacturer to fit the American-designed and manufactured Dexter Sway Control (DSC) to one of his caravans as an alternative to competitor Al-Ko’s ESC (Electronic Stability Control).

“Dexter products are distributed in Australia by Melbourne Trailer & Caravan Supplies and after we fitted the DSC they said ‘now, look at this’.

"The Dexter system is both a weight and space saver and I thought Van Cruiser should be the first to offer it. Our customers expect us to lead the way!”