Rick Huckstepp•21 Jan 2016

REVIEW

Silversun Neptune 402D

Like Doctor Who’s Tardis, this cut-price Queensland-built composite van packs in plenty of surprises

Compactness is only skin deep when it comes to the 402D Silversun caravan, the first model from one of Australia’s newest RV manufacturers.

A body just over four metres in length gives the impression of a caravan most of us would put in the ‘too small’ basket but open the door and it really is another world inside. In fact, it’s a bit like opening the door to Dr Who’s Tardis…

So what makes the 13ft Silversun so refreshingly different?

OUTSIDE BOX THINKING

Fibreglass and foam core composite materials have been used in manufacture of various products for a number of years. In the marine industry, for example, composite construction has been instrumental in reducing the centre of gravity on big boats particularly when used in supporting structures like cabin walls and bulkheads.

The great insulation it offers can’t be sneezed at either, along with its light weight, strength and rigidity whilst also offering an exceptionally clean and slick finish.

In more recent years a number of RV manufacturers including Free Spirit have been utilising composites but Silversun Caravans in south-east Queensland have really nailed the advantages, delivering an eye-opening van in more ways than one.

For starters, the front and rear wall as well as the roof are manufactured as one shell, reducing the likelihood of water ingress.

The core of the panels is rigid extruded polystyrene made by Dow Chemical with fibreglass reinforced plastic sheeting (FRP) and a top layer of gelcoat.

The near and offside walls are single sheets cut on a CNC machine with rebated edges that fit into each other. They’re also triple glued with KD Bond and Seal.

The shell is mounted on the floor (construction ply with a waterproof skin) and sits on a painted chassis constructed from a mix of 100 x 50mm, 75 x 50mm and 50mm square galvanised box section steel. Underneath all that are load-rated 14in tyres and alloy rims on a leaf sprung single axle.

The spare sits on a mount on the rear wall that’s bolted through the body and fish plated on the inside.

The draw bar is elongated more than the typical minimal length on a standard van to facilitate adding accessories such as outboard motor mounts, a firewood tray or in the case of the review van, a large, lockable alloy tool box.

The brake set-up is mechanical, override style, utilising a standard 50mm ball hitch with manual handbrake, and it shares the drawbar with a single 9kg gas bottle and manual jockey wheel.

QUALITY WHERE IT COUNTS

The blokes at Silversun haven’t skimped when it comes to building components likely to be subject to the rigours of travel either, with wheel arches made from galvanised metal rather than plastic and a pair of galvanised stabiliser legs under the rear corners.

A front, nearside hatch opens to a pull-out, marine grade barbeque whilst the toilet cartridge is accessed from a rear offside hatch.

Many of the fittings are Jayco’s Coast to Coast brand; the concept being that warranty issues can be dealt with in nearly every major town in Australia if need be.

The entry step is manually pulled out and a compact wind-out awning shelters the near side.

Externally the Silversun Neptune measures 5.7m long, 2.25m wide and 2.5m high whilst the inside space measures 4.0m long, 2.1m wide and 1.95m high.

The internal furniture is made from 16mm lightweight ply with a timber laminate finish, with a durable laminate finish for the bench tops.

The small kitchen along the back wall near the entrance door offers plenty of ventilation when cooking on the Smev two-burner gas cook top. The range hood vents fumes outside and there’s a large amount of cupboard space overhead as well as below the sink where double doors open to a large void.

The drawer set is also ample with plenty of pot and pan space in the lower unit.

THERE’S A BATHROOM TOO!

The bathroom occupies the offside corner and we were surprised at its internal dimensions considering the overall size of this caravan.

The door opens to a swivel bowl toilet system with overhead storage on the front wall.

The shower alcove features a flexible, roll-back opaque door that secrets in the jam when opened to maximise the door space and as well as create a more airy and roomy space. It’s super light to boot; compared with a typical shower door on the majority of vans we look at.

The Waeco 140 litre fridge sits midway along the offside wall, under a large bench top suitable for food preparation, while next to it is a vertical door that hosts three, pull-out condiment racks.

On the opposite wall is a storage unit with a short hanging space for clothes, shelves for folded clothing and a bottom door for shoe storage and a large laminated bench top.

Both these bench tops complement the glass lids on the sink and the cooker for food preparation and have overhead cupboard space as well.

CONVERTIBLE LOUNGE/BED

The ‘D’ in the model number 402D denotes a double bed layout on this model and it assembles from the club lounge when the table is lowered down onto a set of cleats.

Sleeping north-south the bed is queen size and when east-west it’s a slightly larger king size in area.

The house battery is located under the offside lounge cushion along with the 10 litre 12/240v hot water system (not fitted on the review van).

The 100 litre water tank sits in the storage area across the front of the van and another storage area is available under the nearside club lounge.

A roof hatch sits centrally over the living area and another is fitted above the shower hob. There should be plenty of ventilation all round inside with large windows with fly screens and sun shades on three sides of the lounge/bed.

WE LIKED:

>> Quality, composite construction

>> Ridiculously low price

>> Shower/toilet in 13ft van!

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Internal square construction (costs money to contour)

>> Rear bar for mounting a genset box for free camping

>> No permanent bed

VERDICT

Value for money isn't always a major feature of Aussie caravans, so it's good to see at least one local manufacturer addressing the issue.

Also welcome is the available space and features inside for what is a pretty tiny van, along with the generally high quality finish inside and out.

Icing on the cake is a four-cylinder car friendly tare weight of 1050kg and a starting price of $32,990 (tow-away) for on-road versions. They have got to be kidding; you can’t buy a mediocre boat for that!

SILVERSUN CARAVANS NEPTUNE 402D

Overall length: 5.7m

Internal body length: 4.0m

External body width: 2.25m

Internal height: 1.95m

Travel height: 2.5m

Tare: 1050kg

ATM: 1290kg (1490kg optional)

Ball weight: 60kg (129kg loaded)

Body/frame: Composite foam core and fibre reinforced plastic panels

Chassis: galvanised box section, 100mm x 50mm draw bar

Wheels: 14in alloy

Brakes: Drum mechanical over-ride

Stability control: No

Cooking: Smev two gas burner

Microwave: No

Fridge/freezer: Waeco 140L

Toilet: Swivel seat, cartridge

Shower: separate internal

Air-con: No

Central heating: No

Gas: 1 x 9kg

Lighting: 12V LED inside and out

Batteries: 1 x 120Ah

Solar: No
Price: $32,990 (drive-away, Qld)

Supplied by: Silversun Caravans, Meadowbrook, Qld

Silversun Neptune 402D

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