Paramount Duet MkII Ensuite

WHAT WE LIKED

• Steel-tube bed frame’s ability to keep the canvas in shape
• Clever design that allows copious features in sub-15ft body length
• Overall fit and finish

NOT SO MUCH

• TV not included as standard
• Missing stoneguard for the A-frame tap

The end of 2010 was approaching and it had been a busy year. Would the Christmas break ever come? It seemed as though it wouldn’t. So I decided to make my own escape. A quick trip away from the office would get me through, so a compact van was in order; something nimble and easy.

Colin Tobin of Victorian Paramount dealer Canterbury Caravans is one of the friendliest blokes in the business and didn’t hesitate when I explained my work-weary state of mind. He had a 14ft 6in (4.42m) Duet in his yard and I had just the place to take it: Kelly Country.

ON THE INSIDE

The thing to note about this van is that you get just about everything you would in something much larger but all in a lightweight van that would sit nicely behind a Ford Falcon station wagon. Our tow vehicle today, though is a LandCruiser that, with the right coupling, could just about tow a house.

Paramount packs in the features and space seen in this Duet by utilising a fold-out bed design at the front, often seen in pop-tops. Our Duet, however, is a ‘full’ van with a rear bathroom that’s not at all squeezed in.

I’ve been away in three Paramount vans now, and each time I’ve been pleased with the quality of finish. In the kitchen, for example, which is immediately to the right as you enter, the cabinetry edges – particularly those of the doors, which on some vans are rough and splintery – were smooth.

Everything looked properly sealed, and the hard lid of the cooktop when closed fitted snugly into position. There’s a good amount of storage options, too. In fact, if you considered yourself quite the caravan cook, fitting an oven beneath the Spinflo cooktop/grill in lieu of the cabinets, shouldn’t leave you short on storage.

On the offside, between the dinette and bathroom, is the 128-litre Thetford three-way fridge, with microwave and storage locker above. The dinette, with tri-fold table, is comfortable for two people, and a bit of a squeeze for four.

I liked the drawers beneath the seats, in lieu of basic locker door access. When you need to get something right at the back, drawers make life so much easier.

More storage can be found opposite the dinette, between the kitchen and forward bed, in the form of a wardrobe.

LOCAL HEROES

The ‘heroes’ of the Duet are the bathroom and that fold-out bed. As mentioned, it’s because of the fold-out design that you get such a large bathroom without skimping on everything in between.

From start to finish, setting up the bed takes about five minutes. The first step is to release a couple of catches on the front fibreglass lid, which lifts on gas struts to become a hard roof above a canvas ceiling. Then, retract the sturdy sliding bolt that retains the bed base in its vertical position to lower it. Inside, it’s a fairly simple matter of raising a frame and securing it all with a couple of horizontal cross members.

I slept a couple of nights in this bed, and while I always sleep well in caravans, I’m particularly partial to fold-out beds. The Duet’s is one of the best I’ve experienced – the frame, while a little fiddly to set up, does a great job of keeping the canvas straight and secure. There are a couple of storage compartments beneath, too.

In caravan design, everything is relative. So when you consider the dimensions of the Duet, the bathroom and its features are pretty impressive. There’s enough elbow room to towel dry after using the nearside shower, and good legroom at the offside toilet.

The full-height linen press and overhead cabinets – not to mention the towel rails on the door – are all welcome features. A Lemair top-loading washing machine can be fitted as an option.

Other internal features include an Aircommand Cormorant air-conditioner, small Dometic hatch in the entryway for additional light and ventilation, halogen downlights in the bathroom and Winegard antenna (although a TV is an option).

ADMIRING THE OUTSIDE

"Nice looking caravan, mate," a chap wearing an Akubra hat said, grinning jealously at the Duet. We were at the bowsers of a petrol station near Glenrowan. "Wouldn’t mind one, myself."

I had to agree. It’s a looker with its 15in alloy wheels, fibreglass front, and aluminium side and rear cladding. During our travels to Glenrowan and back via Seymour, where we stayed on the banks of the river at Goulburn River Tourist Park, the admiring looks continued.

The Duet doesn’t pretend to be an offroad warrior. Rather, this is a solid bitumen tourer that will happily manage a bit of gravel and mild corrugations. Coastal and hinterland cruising are the Duet’s speed.

It has a 4in SupaGal chassis with 2in raiser at the leaf spring suspension, which is adequate for the van’s intended touring purpose.

There are two 9kg gas cylinders on the drawbar, as well as a mains pressure tap – it’d be nice to see a stoneguard here to protect against damage from road debris.

In the space between the fibreglass front and bed base is a galvanised storage area where the 100Ah battery pack, including charger, are kept.

Since a conventional front boot isn’t feasible with the fold-out bed design, a substantial tunnel boot (fitted with a light) has been installed – ideal for lengthy items such as fishing rods.

When packing for a trip, you should always be thinking about payload – which includes the amount of water in the tanks and gas in the cylinder. The Duet has two 95 litre fresh water tanks, two 9kg gas cylinders, and an ATM of 1720kg. A quick calculation reveals just under 100kg for luggage, etc., if travelling with them full.

THE VERDICT

Some people prefer a caravan with a fixed bed because there’s no setting up involved. I, however, believe the benefits that come with having a fold-out bed are worth the five or so minutes it takes.

The Duet is a fine example of the fold-out design so popular in this country and with its 1720kg ATM, should be manageable behind a wide range of popular tow vehicles.

PARAMOUNT DUET MKII ENSUITE

Overall length: 5.95m (19ft 6in)
External body length: 4.42m (14ft 6in)
Overall width: 2.36m (7ft 9in)
Internal height: 1.94m (6ft 4in)
Tare: 1420kg
ATM: 1720kg
Ball weight: 140kg
Frame: Timber
Chassis: SupaGal
Suspension: Leaf spring
Cooktop: Spinflo Minigrill
Fridge: Thetford 128 litre three-way
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water system: Suburban gas/electric
Fresh water: 2 x 95L
Price as shown: $50,990 (tow-away, Vic)
Supplied by: Canterbury Caravans
Website: paramountcaravans.com.au