Rick Huckstepp•27 Jul 2016

REVIEW

Soul 22

New Queensland manufacturer puts serious ‘wow’ factor into 22ft launch model but you pay for the privilege

One look at the Soul 22 will have you going back for a second. For starters, the massive twin windows driven by four electric servo motors occupy much of the top half of the nearside wall and, fully opened bring new meaning to spaciousness in a caravan.

The Soul 22 is the product of a couple of forward-thinking Queensland boat builders, and when we spotted their super-pricey display van at the Brisbane Caravan and Camping Show we immediately put it on our ‘to do’ list...

LUXURY YACHT INTERIOR

The upper section of this van is a single piece shell constructed from closed cell, foam core fibreglass while the lower section is also moulded in one piece; no different from a boat hull really.

This in itself makes it stand out from the majority of caravans on the market that utilise modular construction, or pieced together panels.

Does this one float? We have no idea and weren’t about to find out but the concept is interesting considering the waterproof qualities that should come with this type of construction.

The ‘keep water ingress at bay’ theme is obviously at the back of the minds of the designers, as the front boot is finished with gelcoat and includes a floor drain for easy hosing out.

Not a bad idea really, given boots are the usual storage areas for tables and chairs and other ‘outside’ stuff which transfer dirt and mud. It’s an ongoing issue for those of us that have to pull our ‘homes’ behind us…

Continuing the fibreglass theme, there’s a large, fold-down fibreglass stone guard that covers the huge front window and which opens for a panoramic view to the outside while you’re slaving at the stove and kitchen sink.

The A-frame is quite bare due to the twin 9kg gas bottles being secreted in a lockable, vented compartment with dedicated slide-out rack.

But what also grabbed our attention was the standard 50mm ball hitch on the front; rarely seen on caravans these days and especially surprising considering it had a very off-road capable Cruisemaster independent suspension slung under its belly.

Well, being a prototype a low-cost conventional hitch can be flicked for something more serious for those that want to push the boundaries when they take possession of the first of many Soul caravans that are likely to roll off the production line.

The suspension is air bagged and pressure on each side can be adjusted to level the van, via a switch in the ‘electronics’ panel found in another external compartment.

SUPER SLIDE-OUT

The Soul 22’s other party trick is the massive slide-out that runs along almost the entire offside wall, leaving the kitchen bench and the bathroom in the main body when out.

A pantry with a small work bench, the lounge with external storage behind it and the queen size bed with two hanging robes take the trip outward on the rollers, once you’ve parked up for the night.

Another theme common in the Soul is cupboard space and there’s no shortage of it in the front kitchen with overhead cupboards, large pan drawers and handy cutlery drawers; not to mention an under-bench pantry.

Good news for caffeine addicts is that the top section here has been designed for installation of a coffee machine!

There’s also a convection oven mounted in the face of the kitchen unit and a three burner cooktop that shares bench space with a double bowl sink.

If you were ever concerned about having enough storage space for long trips away, a look at what’s on offer under the bed should allay any fears. There are drawers around three sides of the base; all accessible from the top when the gas strut-assisted mattress base is lifted up.

It’s just the thing to make life less complicated, with so much storage and not enough cells in the memory bank to recall where items might be!

There are overhead cupboards as well, with some of the doors hiding control systems for the electronics that can also be controlled from an iPad tuned into the Wi-Fi system installed under the bed.

However, the main switchboard hiding behind one of these doors really needs a supporting strut to hold it open while you concentrate on the task at hand.

The inside dining area comprises a very large café lounge along the nearside wall with an equally large table to spread out on. Soul might consider a few tweaks here that would allow room to sleep a couple of children.

Moving to the rear bathroom, there’s ample shoulder room to get comfy on the Thetford toilet with fixed bowl. The vanity top is a ‘solid surface’ type with basin atop while a front loader NCE Mini 2 washing machine is mounted on the rear wall.

The spacious, separate shower cubicle features a hardened glass door as well as a typical single top mixer and wall-mounted shower hand rose.

WATCH THE STARS UNDER THE STARS

The east-west bed is located opposite a narrow bench running along the nearside wall. It's here where you’ll find another unique feature: a big flat screen TV that rises and can be viewed from any position within the van.

With the large windows cranked open it can also be swung 180 degrees to entertain those sitting under the optional, electrically-operated external awning.

With a set-up like this you’ll never be lonely at Happy Hour!

A second window of the same generous dimensions opens out to complete the sort of flow-through ventilation mostly seen on large food catering trailers.

Pull-down, heat-deflecting privacy screens are standard, as are insect screens fixed by magnets attracted to the metal tape running along the inside of the window frames.

It’s a bit of a hassle compared to more traditional, screen set-ups, but a small price to pay for the numerous benefits that such a big window system offers. Besides, if the bugs are really bad you could always crank up the roof-mounted 3kW reverse cycle air conditioner!

While you’re outside watching the footy on the big screen there’s an external kitchen sink and two burner cooker integrated into a lockable, slide out drawer to prepare the snags and salad, and cold drinks are never far away thanks to a 35 litre ARB 12-volt fridge that slides out from under the dining seat just inside the entrance door.

In keeping with the ultra-modern feel of this van, an optional 200Ah lithium battery system including pure sine wave inverter sits in a lockable compartment in the offside outer wall.

WE LIKED:

>> Innovative design and construction

>> Water-proof properties

>> Inside-outside swivel TV

NOT SO MUCH:

>> It’s heavy

>> It’s pricey

>> You’ll be constantly pestered by sticky beaks!

VERDICT

Soul Caravan founders Curtis Goldring and Adam Skelton should be congratulated for their daring-to-be-different approach and desire to take Australian caravan design and construction to a new level.

The boat-like build, attention to detail, clever storage options and adoption of modern technology help lift the Soul 22 above your average Aussie van.

The price will deter many but this is as close as you’re going to get to five-star luxury while still being outdoors in the open air.

SOUL 22 CARAVAN

Overall length: 8.345m

Internal body length: 6.5m

External body width: 3.04m

Internal height: 2.005m

Internal width: 2.44m

Travel height: 3.04m

Tare: 3000kg

ATM: 3500kg

Ball weight: 245kg

Body/frame: Two-piece fibreglass shell body moulded together

Chassis: 100 x 50mm deck main bearers, extended A-frame

Wheels: 14in alloy with underslung spare wheel

Brakes: Al-ko 12-inch electric

Stability control: Al-Ko ESC optional

Cooking: Thetford three-burner (inside), two-burner (outside)

Microwave: Panasonic 900W

Fridge/freezer: 193L 12-V plus 35L ARB slide out fridge

Toilet: Thetford portable cartridge

Shower: Yes

Air-con: 3kVA reverse cycle

Central heating: No

Gas: 2 x 9kg bottles

Lighting: Strip LED roof and floor lighting

Batteries: 1 x 200Ah lithium

Solar: 2 x 120W panels

Options fitted: Airbag suspension, electric awning, electric entry steps, washing machine, 50in TV, home automation system, electric lift windows, 16in wheels, 200Ah lithium battery system with 240W solar and inverter, Al-Ko ESC

Price: From $139,800 (As tested: $185,689)

Supplied by: Soul Caravans, Nerang, Queensland

Soul 22

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