River Bremer

WE LIKED

• Can be towed by six-cylinder sedans
• Impressive use of space, especially in the bedroom
• Large bedroom windows give impressive views and lots of light

NOT SO MUCH

• High reach microwave
• Small entry to the shower/toilet combo

It never fails to amaze how caravan manufacturers manage to fit so many features into their smaller vans. Modern caravanners seem to expect their more diminutive lightweight vans to have the same kind of kit typically found in larger rigs. It’s always a challenge, but many manufacturers have cracked the code and found clever compromises to make best use of limited space.

The River Bremer, available through Adelaide’s Mike Griggs Caravans, is a 5.33m (17ft 6in) single-axle offering that succeeds in ticking all the major boxes: queen bed, kitchen, L-shaped dinette, and all-important shower/toilet combo.

Managing to include all of these features, plus some additional luxuries, while keeping a very reasonable Tare of 1860kg and ATM of 2160kg, is the van's key selling point.

For those not lucky enough to own a large 4WD, the importance of this can’t be underestimated.

"Its ATM means most six-cylinder sedans will have no troubles towing the Bremer," Mike Griggs Caravans sales manager Troy Landherr said. "It’s a van that would be ideal for a semi-retired couple who want to start their new caravan holidays in a smaller unit. You can test the waters without going for the big tourer."

River Caravans may be a new brand that was only established in March 2010, but it's backed by management and craftsmen with more than 30 years of caravan experience. The company specialises in custom vans made to individual orders, with a range stretching from single-axle pop-tops to full ensuite tandem vans.

The Bremer I tested was the smallest van in the River range, and on first impressions it succeeds in offering the comforts of a larger van without having to own a 4WD. Naturally, its size means there isn’t the same room to move or the sense of space you find in larger rigs, but a smart layout ensures two people can travel and live in very reasonable comfort.

SPACE AT A PREMIUM

The Bremer’s kitchen, while understandably small, has a quality look and feel to it and features a Swift 500 Series cooktop (three-gas, one-electric). Food preparation space is at a premium, so the cooktop lid is welcome in the extra bench space it provides.

The deep stainless steel sink sits above the cupboards, which are best suited for food storage. Again, there’s not a huge amount of space, but a slide-out pantry is an important touch. And having no oven means there is a big drawer under the grill for larger pots and pans.

If you manage your space well and travel light, the setup will be fine for most travelling couples.

The shower/toilet combo sits immediately beside the kitchen. There was a time when vans of such diminutive dimensions wouldn’t dream of such a luxury, but these days it’s almost a necessity. The Bremer’s cubicle is a bit tight to get into, but once inside there’s ample space to use the toilet or shower and towel dry.

Of course, it's no full ensuite, so dressing, hair and make-up are best left to the bedroom.

The Bremer’s L-shaped dinette looks to be a great use of space for two people – a cafe-style setup would have taken up too much floor space. As it is, the lounge is cosy and nicely finished, and well positioned for easing back and enjoying the flatscreen TV, best positioned on the opposite benchtop. 

The main easy-to-access cupboards are also found here, while larger and less frequently used equipment can be placed under the bed or dinette. There are spring-loaded overhead cabinets on both sides of the van, too.

There is ample space if you travel light, or only for short periods, but don’t expect the endless cargo space usually offered by the larger and heavier caravans.

The Thetford three-way 164 litre fridge has been nicely built-in and is large enough for the needs of two travellers. The microwave above the fridge is fine for someone of my height (6ft), but shorter people would be best advised to request River to custom build it slightly lower.

The rear bedroom is a real winner. Considering it's a 5.33m (17ft 6in) van, space to walk around the queen innerspring island bed is excellent, and it’s nice to see full-size wardrobes available either side. More cabinets are offered above the bed, while the bedside drawers are ideal for smaller items.

There are small, but handy, surfaces surrounding the bed that would suit books and magazines.

Ensuring the bedroom is well lit and free from any feelings of claustrophobia is of definite importance to me. The Bremer succeeds here by offering two substantial wind-out windows (with flyscreens), plus another window behind the bed.

So if you’re fortunate enough to make camp in an area of natural beauty, the blinds can quickly be raised from the bed and its occupants can enjoy the unobstructed view in all its glory.

Overall, the Bremer's interior is best described as small but cosy, and features well-finished furniture and all the kit you’d reasonably expect in a van of its size. There’s also an Air Command Ibis air-conditioner and 12V lighting throughout.

SOLID UNDERPINNINGS

The Bremer is no offroad warrior, nor does it pretend to be, which is fine for the market it’s aimed at. It comes with leaf spring solid axle suspension as standard, but these Rivers are custom vans and independent suspension is an option. You could also add more extreme tyres if you wanted to take the Bremer onto the rougher stuff.

The van features a fairly standard build, with a fully-boxed SupaGal chassis and Meranti timber frame. It's a pleasing little looker on its single axle, complete with 15in alloy wheels.

It also features 12in electric brakes, bumper bar and spare wheel, galvanised wheel arches and quick-release adjustable corner jacks.

Our test van came with a roomy front boot, although a tunnel option (better for fishing rods and the like) is available, while the Bremer's standard specification includes a pair of 4.5kg gas bottles mounted to the wire-mesh A-frame and a well-protected pair of 90 litre water tanks.

You also get an exterior powerpoint located close to the fold-down picnic table (which is ideal to double as a TV table), plus an all-important Wineguard aerial.

As with the interior, you get the required kit for your dollars and it would be easy to specify a few more goodies to your individual taste as part of a custom build.

VERDICT

Smaller vans are a popular choice for those towing with sedans or small 4WDs, but their size often means compromises. The market has offerings with a fold-out bed or no shower/toilet combo, but there are lightweight vans such as the River Bremer that meet the challenge of featuring a fixed bed, kitchen and bathroom.

This means the sense of space to move around inside isn’t huge, nor is the storage, but it still makes a lot of sense for those not concerned with such things.

The price is also a good deal-clincher. At $46,990 tow-away, it's good value, while its lightweight nature will help limit fuel consumption in these pricey times.

For couples new to the caravan lifestyle, or those seeking a downgrade in size, this is an appealing little offering. There are more expensive vans out there with a few more luxuries, but the River Bremer puts up a strong case for offering the necessities without breaking the bank.

RIVER BREMER

Length (overall): 7.19m (23ft 7in)
Length (external body): 5.33m (17ft 6in)
Width (external): 2.34m (7ft 8in)
Height (internal): 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Height (travel): 2.9m (9ft 6in)
Tare: 1860kg
ATM: 2160kg
Ball weight (advised): 190kg
Frame: Meranti timber
Chassis: SupaGal
Suspension: Leaf spring solid axle
Cooktop: Swift 500 Series grill/combo (three-gas, one-electric)
Fridge: Thetford 164 litre three-way
Battery: Deep cycle 110Ah
Lighting: 12V
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Fresh water: 2 x 90 litre
Price as shown: $46,990 (tow-away, SA)
Supplied by: Mike Griggs Caravans, Hampstead Gardens, South Australia
More info: River Caravans