By Max Taylor
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The Paramount Signature Series Elite is something of an all-rounder – the kind of caravan that would glide on bitumen and hold its own on rougher terrain. 
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With an ATM of 3020kg, it will need a suitably big tow vehicle, such as a Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser, to get you to your destination (the Ford Ranger in the picture is rated at 3000kg). For long-term touring as a couple, the Elite is the kind of van that will make life in those faraway caravan parks very enjoyable.
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The Signature Series Elite was designed by Colin Tobin of Canterbury Caravans, Vic, which has been a Paramount dealer for more than five years, when the manufacturer was established.
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A long van, our review Elite packs a lot of love into its 24ft (7.32m) internal length. And, when the road does become rough, the optional three-tonne Simplicity leaf-type suspension with independent trailing arms, 16in LandCruiser wheels, and 12in brake drums (for more braking capacity) should help to see you through.
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If a van for all seasons is what you’re after, read on.
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OUTSIDE LIVING
Outdoor entertainment is ably taken care of by this Elite. Is it too nice to cook inside? A hatch on the mid-nearside conceals a stainless steel barbecue, while the flip-down picnic table will hold your plates and bottle of red. 
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In a dancing mood? Two speakers, mounted near the roof on the nearside, are connected to the DVD/CD/MP3 player inside.
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The 6m Dometic 9000 rollout awning is top of the range and relatively uncomplicated to unfurl. Quick access to fresh water comes via a tap on the A-frame.
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With fibreglass ends, the Elite has aluminium cladding and a Meranti timber frame. It has a 6in x 2in SupaGal chassis, and two 80L fresh water tanks. Jerry can holders and the spare wheel are on the rear bumper. There’s also a reversing camera at the rear.
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The front boot houses two deep cycle 100Ah batteries and two 9kg gas cylinders, while further storage is concealed by a hatch on the rear nearside.
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The external shower, which folds up neatly and can be stored in the front boot, has its outlet on the offside for added privacy. 
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While it is an option, this Elite did not have a generator. Instead, it featured an efficient 12V setup that will power most appliances, including the television, when the van isn’t hooked to mains power.
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Two 64W shade-tolerant solar panels from Uni Solar connect to a Pro Star 30 regulator, which is located in an overhead locker in the living area. This unit regulates the amount of solar energy that runs into the batteries in the front boot.
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The batteries are also kept charged via an Anderson plug, which is wired separately to the two batteries from the tow vehicle.
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The batteries are also charged when the van is plugged into mains power. The 240V power runs into the 30A Smartcharger, located just above the batteries.
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Positioned at the rear, the Elite has a Camec triple-locker door with a separate security screen door. The entry step is finished in checkerplate.
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COMFY INSIDE
Inside, the rear kitchen setup means you won’t have to traipse through the entire van if you’ve left the barbecue tongs inside. It includes a Swift oven with a four-burner cooktop (three gas, one electric), with a 12V Swift rangehood. The 186L three-way Dometic fridge is on the offside, positioned so it faces the door. 
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The bench, which has a black and white, marble-look laminate finish, has a reasonable amount of work space. Kitchen storage is optimised by some thoughtful, space-saving ideas. One of these is the two-tier slide-out pantry at the entry.
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The main pantry, a full height unit with four tiers, is next to the fridge, and contains plenty of room for storing the week’s dry food.
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There’s also a good spread of drawers and cupboards in the kitchen. A Samsung microwave is above the lounge.
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The Elite features 12 overhead lockers, each raking toward the walls to increase the feeling of space, each having piano hinges. The four lockers above the dinette have leadlight inserts – handy when performing a quick search for stray items.
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Lighting throughout is all 12V and there’s a scattering of halogen reading lights. A low profile Dometic air-conditioner is located amidships, while a small Al-Ko hatch is above the bed and a larger hatch is positioned toward the rear.
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The Camec Galaxy windows (there’s two each side, one in the bathroom and one in the rear) wind out and each have flyscreens, slimline venetian blinds and timber pelmets.
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The dinette and opposite lounge, upholstered in cream leather, are very comfortable and will easily seat five around the table. As an option, the table can be lowered to create an extra bed.
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A corner cupboard, between the lounge and bedroom, is accessed from the bedroom and four small drawers on the side. The DVD/CD/MP3 player, water level indicator, and flatscreen TV are all nearby. 
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The quick-release mechanism for the TV will make preparing to hit the road that much easier. There are also stereo plugs for surround sound nearby, as well as the Winegard antenna mechanism.
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The bedroom, divided from the living area by a curtain, is made all the more spacious by the retractable east-west bed. A steel portion of the mainly slatted base extends and is fitted with a one-piece infill that, by day, is used as a pillow. The bedside cupboards have reasonable hanging and general storage space.
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A sliding door leads to the bathroom. Although small, it’s functional, even managing to squeeze in a 5kg top loading washing machine, hidden by a hinged benchtop. 
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The hot water shower, with stainless steel frame door and adjustable shower head, is fully moulded and provides full standing room. The offside Thetford cassette toilet is tucked next to a small linen press.
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THE BOTTOM LINE
The Elite is, first and foremost, a two-person tourer. Although you can choose to have the dinette convert to an extra bed, the van’s design will appeal to a couple making a break from working life.
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Although our review model included a lot of options, it is nonetheless a stylish caravan that’ll follow you willingly and reliably for a long time.
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In designing the van, Canterbury Caravans has paid attention to creating an efficient living space, both indoors and out, that will serve you, your partner, and those you meet at caravan parks along the way, very well.
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Canterbury Caravans, World of Caravans, 140 Canterbury Road, Bayswater, Vic 3153, (03) 9729 8188, web: www.canterburycaravans.com.au
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For your nearest Paramount dealer see ad on page 41.
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I liked
• Extendable queen sized bed
• Leather upholstery for dinette and lounge
• Raked overhead lockers increase feeling of space
• Quick-release TV mechanism
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Now I’m being picky
• A concertina door between living area and bedroom would give more privacy
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Paramount Signature Series Elite 

Internal length (as provided) 24ft (7.32m)

External width (as provided) 7ft 9in (2.36m)

ATM 3020kg

GTM 2720kg

Tare 2620kg

Chassis SupaGal

Gas cylinders 2 x 9kg

Suspension Simplicity leaf-type with independent trailing arms

Oven Swift four-burner

Fridge 186L RM4605 Dometic three-way

Fresh water 2 x 80L

Microwave Samsung 850W

Toilet Thetford cassette

Shower Yes

Air-conditioner Dometic

Solar panels 2 x 60W

Price (as reviewed) $93,000 
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Paramount Signature Series Elite

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