Regal RSV 2006 Review

By Malcolm Street

Having a name like the Regal Special Vehicle does have rather a regal note about it, if you will pardon the pun.

But that’s the whole point, given it refers to Regal Caravans’ top-of-the-line caravan range.

Regal’s new RSV range is designed for the discerning caravan traveller who likes a few comforts of home along as well.

CW’s attention was drawn to the RSV range when Paul Hutchinson from the Sydney Caravan and Camping Centre phoned to tell us about his latest Regal design, with a layout suitable for a family.

Although he has done the design work, it’s not exclusive to the SCCC dealership. Also, this particular layout does not have a bathroom, although we understand that a longer caravan complete with bathroom is available.

With an external length of 22ft (6.7m), the RSV is quite a big van. Having a loaded maximum weight of 2450kg does put it outside sedan car towing territory and definitely into the medium to large sized 4WD arena. Our tow vehicle, a Hyundai Terracan with a 3.5L V6 petrol motor, handled the van with no particular problems, apart from having to do a little prior fine tuning on the electric brakes.

Given the 400kg difference between the ATM and Tare weight of the van, as well as the two water tanks, it’s worth noting that a little bit of care should be taken when loading up for a long trip, especially with a family. If in doubt, a trip to a weighbridge would be a good idea.

A look under our review RSV revealed a 6in x 2in (150mm x 50mm) DuraGal chassis. There’s also a 6in x 2in drawbar but it is not a one piece arrangement.

The drawbar is welded underneath the front part of the chassis and there’s an additional 4in x 2in (100mm x 50mm) rail that is also welded underneath the chassis, and fills the gap between the drawbar and the front suspension mount.

Load sharing leaf spring suspension is used for the tandem axle chrome wheels and in each corner of the chassis is a quick release corner stabiliser jack. These should be compulsory on all caravans, as they are just so much quicker and easier to use than the more conventional variety.

Regal caravans are all built on a Meranti timber frame that’s clad with aluminium sheeting. A lower skirt of aluminium checkerplate, plus a very striking stripe, results in a caravan with a certain majestic look about it.

In addition to the usual features like the triple-lock security door, tinted hopper windows and full length awning, there’s no shortage of additional external features either – fishing rod/pole locker, small fold-out table, power outlet and two external lights.

At the rear, the taillights are mounted in a moulded fibreglass fairing and the spare wheel is mounted on a nicely shaped bumper bar. A disadvantage of the spare wheel location is that the person occupying the bunk behind the lower of the three rear windows is going to get a rather uninteresting view.

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

Inside the RSV is a layout that features a front island bed, mid-van kitchen/dinette area and triple bunks across the rear. In the last 18 months there seems to have been a rise in demand for family-styled vans, not only from young families but grandparents who like to have their grandchildren along as well.

For the interior appearance, Regal has opted for a light stained timber look with maroon curtains, patterned upholstery and white ceiling.

In addition to the plentiful windows, extra natural ventilation is provided by two Four Seasons hatches, plus a small hatch above the bunk bed area. For warmer times, a roof-mounted Dometic air-conditioner delivers cool relief.

Storage space is certainly plentiful in the kitchen department. There are no less than nine drawers of various sizes. In addition, there are three overhead lockers, two floor lockers and two different sized cupboards.

Although it depends on how you travel, I think that a slide-out pantry or two might be a better use of space than four drawers.

The RSV’s kitchen bench has a Smev four-burner cooktop, with grill/oven underneath alongside the stainless steel sink and drainer set in the corner at an angle.

The microwave sits above the sink, slightly lower than the overhead lockers, thus making it more user friendly.

Also at a user-friendly height is the Dometic 150L fridge, which sits at the forward end of the kitchen bench and raised off the floor, so there’s little bending over.

The area above the fridge is ideal for a TV, either normal or flatscreen, there being both a powerpoint and antenna connection.

Opposite the kitchen bench is the contoured foam dinette which will seat four persons comfortably but the table is on the small side, especially if all the beds are in use.

Under-seat storage consists of two drawers on either end of the lounge plus a general area below the wall seat. The three overhead lockers all have pseudo-leadlight windows but they do have the advantage of being able to see what’s in the locker.

Sleeping area is very generous. Up front is the 6ft 2in x 4ft 4in (1.9m x 1.4m) double bed and at the rear are three 6ft 3in x 2ft 6in (1.9m x 0.76m) bunks. Each bedroom area has a multifold curtain for privacy.

Like many designs, the double bed is surrounded by a bedhead with a small wardrobe and bed side cabinet on either side, plus two overhead lockers. Both sides of the bed have halogen reading lights and powerpoint.

There is also a very useful small shelf behind the bed. A small amount of extra storage is provided by two diagonal cupboards at the foot of the bed, as well as the usual under-bed area.

Down the back, each bunk has a halogen reading light, powerpoint, opening window and foot locker – very well equipped. A linen cupboard on one side and wardrobe on the other provide ample storage space.

Lighting throughout is all 12V and apart from the halogen reading lights, all general lighting is fluorescent – round ceiling-mounted fittings plus a conventional fluorescent in the kitchen. Powerpoints are generously provided for, although one somewhere near the dinette would be useful.

Hot water comes courtesy of a Suburban internal start gas/electric heater, although without a shower it’s probably more economical to boil a kettle.

Regal, with its RSV layout, has created a comfortable and stylish caravan.

Pondering the layout briefly, it’s certainly going to be of interest to a family that likes to caravan in comfort and where the weight factor is not a concern.

Similarly, it is also going to be of interest to those ‘empty nesters’ who like the grandchildren along on a regular basis.

Not having a bathroom is going to have its critics but for people who mostly stay in caravan parks, it does allow for a design that’s not too cramped and provides room for family essentials like bunks and extra storage area.

For more information contact Sydney Caravan and Camping Centre, 19 Smith Street, Emu Plains NSW, (02) 4735 2044. Call Regal Caravans on (03) 9308 6688 for your nearest dealer.

We liked:
• The general layout – bedrooms at both ends of the van adds privacy
• Towing – despite the RSV’s weight, it’s not difficult to tow
• Generous storage area in the bedroom, especially drawers
• Adequate provision of lighting in all the right places
• The shelf by the door – handy for keys, torch, etc

We would have liked:
• Slide-out pantry(s) in kitchen to make better use of space
• A powerpoint near the dinette for all us laptop computer users.
• The towel rail above the front boot – it looks a little low for large towels
• An offset spare wheel – to improve the view for the lower bunk’s occupant