Seachange Tuffnut 420

WE LIKED:
>> Very high ground clearance
>> Excellent storage facilities and space?
>> Cooking facilities inside and out

NOT SO MUCH:
>> High ground clearance puts a ‘front down’ attitude to the van when towing
>> Needs limiting straps on the suspension travel for the really rough stuff?
>> Desirable options like slide-out bunks and external shower and kitchen jack up price considerably

Plenty of people enjoy the comforts of on-road caravanning but just as many like to stay as far away from the tar as possible.

On the other hand, some like to do both but until recently they’ve had to either buy a van or trailer for each discipline, or go for one of the expensive, full-size off-road vans.

Part of the boat building giant The Haines Group, Seachange waded into the caravan market a couple of years ago and went straight into the high end of the field with absolute quality and style from the very first model to roll out of its Queensland factory. ??

Subsequent market research revealed buyers wanted a caravan for comfortable on- and off-road use; one that could survive Outback conditions but without the bulk that would restrict access to really remote locations.?

Enter the 420 Tuffnut, a compact, 14ft fibreglass ‘van that addresses those issues and then some. Oozing quality throughout, its innovative design provides the best of both worlds to those that like to escape into the wilderness but don’t want to rough it along the way.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE SQUARE?

Entry via the nearside rear door, reveals a compact but comfortable interior with all the mod cons and appointments of a larger luxury caravan.

It’s obvious the designers thought long and hard how best to use the space, starting with the dining table against the offside wall, which is multi leaved and folds out of the way to turn the dining area into a lounge.
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However, it’s the unique rear lounge/slide-out bunk bed arrangement that demonstrates real ‘outside the square’ thinking that, together with the front east-west double bed, turns the Tuffnut into a comfy four (or even six) bedder.??

The most rearward lounge has a removable back that allows entry to the lower bunk through the aperture in the rear structural wall. ??Together with the bunk above, it folds up so the rear section (encompassed top, bottom and sides with a bellow) can be retracted, while the fibreglass shell acts as an awning, dropping down to seal this area off for storage or travel. ??

It’s a brilliant solution to say the least!
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What’s more, the dining/lounge upholstery can have an infill added to create another double bed for larger family outings. ?

ROOM FOR YOU STUFF TOO
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Storage space is typically at a premium in smaller caravans and in nearly all camper trailers, with owners forced to rely on plastic tubs secreted in any little spot they can find. ??

Not so the Tuffnut, which offers fixed storage under the lounge, as well as at head height around the van in the form of quality timber cabinets with shelving and strut-operated doors.
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The main double bed at the front of the van also has a fixed base with the box it’s mounted on serving to house the external pull-out kitchen, while forward of that is the full width boot which can be accessed from either side.
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A serviceable kitchen on the nearside consists of a three burner gas range under a glass lid and a neat single bowl sink. ??This unit also has a full size drawer set underneath along with a vertical cupboard, while opposite the entrance is a pull-out multi shelved pantry. ??

A rangehood is fitted above the kitchen, which also benefits from an airy window in the splashback.

?There’s also big, 190 litre three-way fridge/freezer installed under the built-in microwave oven.
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Keeping the air flowing is a roof-mounted reverse cycle air conditioner and there’s a hatch with an electric exhaust fan above the main bed. There are also two large windows at the head and foot of the main bed.

QUALITY INSIDE AND OUT?

Structural quality is evident on the outside, starting with the latest DO-35 Hitchmaster hitch fitted via galvanised steel fishplates, which are attached to 150mm aluminium C-section chassis rails extending to the rear of the van.
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The Cruisemaster independent suspension includes a hot galvanised steel sub-frame bearer that bolts in place and consists of a single wheel each side mounted on a trailing wishbone with twin shock absorbers assisted by a coil spring and rubber buffer. ??

However, we'd like to see a limiting strap installed to alleviate any over travel and inherent damage to shock absorber shaft and seals when the TuffNut is traversing voids.
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The water tanks slung underneath (125 and 65 litres) looked well constructed while the exposed timber flooring undersides had been waterproofed with black resin.

The tail end of the chassis has an aggressive upsweep to prevent any hang up on obstructions.

Mounted at the back, the robust spare wheel carrier is unpinned and folded down so that the rear wall can be extended for double bunk usage.
?The two 120Ah batteries are secured in an alloy box slung under the van below where the eternal kitchen pulls out.

Opposite the pull-out kitchen are two hatches; the top one locking in position as an awning with a vinyl shower screen extending down to and attaching to the lower hatch which forms the shower hob. ??A portable toilet is also stowed in the wall recess.

A motion activated light services this area, which also includes a flexible hot water shower rose.??

BUILT FOR A BEATING

As with all Seachange vans the superstructure is based on aluminium framework clad with a fibreglass shell and styrene insulation, while inside is a mix of fibreglass and timber furniture.
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As is the norm these days, the lower sections of the body including the front wall are protected by expanses of aluminium checker plate.

Sitting across the drawbar are some expensive-looking lockable storage boxes housing 2 x 9kg gas bottles and a 2kVa generator. The latter box has two large closable vents so the lid may be shut when running the generator when raining.
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The external kitchen doesn’t disappoint either. It’s incredibly well crafted from stainless steel and includes a three-burner cooker, single bowl sink and a BBQ perched on the end with an extendable table under that for foodstuffs and utensils. ??

However, while the drawer under the cooker held utensils the one under the sink couldn’t be opened as it clashed with the aperture in the wall of the van; a little teething problem that will be remedied in the not too distant future.

VERDICT?

As soon as you lay eyes on the Tuffnut you know there’s going to be a reasonably large price tag involved, and at $109,000 as tested (our review van was fitted with around $35,000 of options) it will be out of reach of many. ??

Just some of the options fitted included rear bunks slide-out, additional water tank and battery, external shower unit, 1800 watt inverter, 135 watt solar panels, external kitchen, extra large roof hatch and mud tyres, so few will be paying $75,000 for the 'bare bones' Tuffnut...

That said, few can offer so much space, innovation, comfort, quality and robustness in a six-berth caravan that’s more than off-road capable on two wheels.

For those that want it, it provides the best of both worlds.

SEACHANGE CARAVANS 420 TUFFNUT?

Body length: 4.2m ?
Overall length: 6.72 m         
External width: 2.26 m        
Internal height: 2.0 m            
Nameplate tare:  2080 kg         
Nameplate ATM:  2500kg
Ball weight:  140 kg  
Body: fibreglass composite shell, aluminium frame
Suspension: Cruisemaster independent suspension?                         
Cooktop:  Smev three-burner/sink combo                       
Fridge:  three-way 190 litre fridge/freezer                           
Lighting: LED?
Batteries: two 120aH                               
Freshwater: 190 litres (two tanks) ?
Gas: 2 x 9kg               
Price: from $75,000 (as tested $109,000)
Supplied by: Seachange Caravans, Wacol, Queensland