Retina-scorching Cell Ultra-Lite arrives

Adding some much needed colour to this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest show was a new family bunk model painted in a very uncaravan-like bright red.

Available from Melbourne-based American RV specialists Cell Caravans, the Ultra-Lite 1800 Bunk is based on the Camp Lite model from Livin Lite Recreational Vehicles.

The Wakarusa, Indiana-based company offers something a bit different to your typical American manufacturer of heavyweight RVs with its unique range of “all-aluminium ultra lightweight campers”.

Unlike most Aussie vans the Livin Lite models are built substantially with aluminium, including the frame, walls, roof, floor and cabinetry. Apart from eliminating wood rot, it helps keeps the weight down on this particular model to 1800kg Tare, with a 2300kg ATM and 120kg tow ball weight.

Priced from $71,850, the 21ft family van features a slide-out dinette/lounge and distinctive ‘orbit’ front end, but the piece de resistance is the glossy, two-pack painted exterior. Four ‘standard’ colours are available – grey, black, red or yellow – or for an additional $400 buyers can colour-match the van to their tow vehicle. 

“A lot of people are steering away from the white vans because of bugs and things, they get dirtier quicker, and everyone has a white van. People want their vehicles to match their caravans,” said Cell Caravans’ Jennifer Schmidt.

With an interior layout that includes a queen bed, dinette/bed and choice of two or three bunk beds, Schmidt said the van should appeal to those who want a good-sized family van that can be towed by a vehicle with 2500kg towing capacity.

But if the all-metal look is too much, the interior can be finished in more traditional wood-look Azdel composite panels.

The Ultra-Lite also comes with a small kitchen and bathroom with full-flush, marine-style toilet connected to a 106 litre black water tank. There’s also 121 litre grey water and 115 litre fresh water tanks, two gas bottles and a 12V battery electrical system.

Cell Caravans is also offering a similar layout without bunks and a bigger bathroom, or for something really different, a much smaller 14ft foot version with slide-out and tandem axles!

Schmidt said 60 per cent of the caravan is built in the US, with the rest completed at Cell’s Somerton, Victoria factory to comply with Australian regulations.

Cell Caravans has also announced it will be importing the Jeep Trail Edition camper, a lightweight fashion accessory for the retro Wrangler off-roader.

For more on the Ultra-Lite's construction, see the video below...