Regal Caravans RSV

Stand and deliver

Many of the caravans that we review are arranged with careful planning, but very occasionally we slip up. The story of this Regal RSV (Regal Special Vehicle) van is a case in point.

I had a Kia Sorento at my disposal for a few weeks, and given its 2800kg towing capacity and 2.5L/125kW turbodiesel engine, I decided to use it to tow several of the caravans on my 'to do' list.

Having a 2800kg tow capacity is quite generous for a vehicle of this size, but when I turned up to collect the caravan as arranged, I discovered that its ATM was over the Sorento's limit. While I have no doubt the 125kW turbodiesel would have coped, as a rule it's better to tow a van well within the vehicle's design limits rather than on its outer edges. So I ended up with a slightly smaller Regal RSV than planned, which had an ATM of 2430kg.

The name Regal Special Vehicle has a noble ring to it (pardon the pun), which is exactly what is intended, given that it's assigned to Regal Caravans' top-of-the-line range.

Regal's RSV range is made for the discerning caravanner who likes to travel with a few home comforts. With an external length of 6.1m (20ft), our review RSV is a good size for someone who likes a leisurely tow while still requiring a reasonable amount of living space.

Sure enough, the Kia Sorento towed the 6.1m RSV around the suburbs, on the freeway, as well as on a few rough roads (which I accidently happened upon) without any trouble.

READY FOR THE OUTDOORS
A look under the RSV reveals a 150x50mm (6x2in) DuraGal chassis. There's also a 150x50mm drawbar, but it's not a one-piece arrangement. The drawbar is welded underneath the front part of the chassis, and there's an additional 100x50mm (4x2in) rail tacked in that fills the gap between the drawbar and the front suspension mount. It almost looks like a piece of over-engineering, but it's certainly not going to come apart in a hurry.

Load sharing leaf-spring suspension is used for the tandem-axle mag wheels. In each corner of the chassis is a quick-release corner stabiliser jack. I think these should be compulsory on all caravans: they're much quicker and easier to use than the conventional variety.

Regal caravans are all built on a meranti timber frame that's clad with aluminium sheeting. A lower skirt of aluminium checkerplate and some striking stripes impart an air of majesty. In addition to the usual external features, like the triple-lock security door, tinted hopper windows and full-length awning, are plenty of extra goodies: front tunnel storage (instead of a front boot), a small fold-out table, a power outlet, and two external lights.

The offside of the tunnel boot contains the house battery plus a battery charger and 12V fuses, but there is still plenty of room for other items. The tail-lights are mounted in a moulded fibreglass fairing, and the spare wheel is mounted on a nicely shaped bumper bar.

On the drawbar are two 9kg gas cylinders - no worries about running out of LPG - plus a mains pressure tap. Given the design of the drawbar, the jockey wheel is mounted between the A-frame rather than on the outside.

EASY LIVING
Inside the 6.1m RSV is a layout that features a front bedroom, entry door in front of the wheels, mid-offside kitchen, mid-nearside dinette and a full-width rear bathroom.

For the interior, Regal has opted for a light stained timber look with blue/grey curtains, patterned upholstery and a white ceiling. In addition to plentiful windows, natural ventilation is provided by two Four Seasons hatches plus some bathroom hatches. For warmer times, a roof-mounted Dometic air-conditioner delivers cooling air.

Regal caravans are often noted for their generous kitchen areas and this RSV certainly follows that trend. It has three cupboards, three overhead lockers, two drawers and a floor locker. In the kitchen are those other essentials: a Smev four burner cooktop/grill, stainless steel sink with drainer, Dometic 150L fridge and a Sanyo microwave.

Like all the shelf and table-top areas, the kitchen bench is finished in a glossy, black laminate. It's a bold contrast against the timber finishes in the rest of the van, and matches well with the blue/grey curtains. A feature of this van is the lid over the cooktop that sits flush with the rest of the bench: it provides more room to prepare food. Powerpoints are abundant around the kitchen bench (the one at the forward end is allocated for the flatscreen TV). Also fitted in this area are the TV antenna connection point, AM/FM radio/DVD player and a small access hole for the connecting cables.

Opposite the kitchen bench is the dinette, which is made up of two contoured foam seats and a small table. It fits four people in reasonable comfort, although the wrap-around corner cushions suggest that it's really designed for two. The storage area under the seats consists of drawers at the end of both seats. I liked the locker by the entry door, which can easily be used for shoes.

The two overhead lockers have imitation leadlight windows, which allow you to see what's inside of them.

As in many other layouts, the double bed is surrounded by a bedhead with a small wardrobe and bedside cabinet on each side, plus two overhead lockers. Both sides of the bed have halogen reading lights, a powerpoint and a bedside shelf of a reasonable size. A small amount of extra storage is provided by two diagonal cupboards (nearside full height, offside half height) at the foot of the bed, as well as the usual under-bed area.

Following contemporary trends, the rear bathroom is the full kit, with a separate shower cubicle, Thetford cassette toilet and a washbasin. The sink is surrounded by an impressive unit that comes with two drawers, two overhead lockers, a multi-shelf linen cupboard and a cupboard next to the sink that has three wire-basket drawers. This has a hinged lid for an optional washing machine.

The lighting is all 12V, and apart from the halogen reading globes, the fittings are fluorescent - round, ceiling-mounted fixtures are through most of the van, and a conventional tube is in the kitchen. There is a generous amount of powerpoints throughout, including one under the dinette table. Hot water comes courtesy of a Suburban internal start gas/electric heater, which hides in the bathroom linen cupboard.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED:

Regal Caravans
7 Halley Crescent, Campbellfield, Vic 3061.

For information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.regalcaravans.com.au