Suncamper joins caravan crowd

NSW-based Suncamper is the latest motorhome manufacturer to release a range of caravans, following the likes of Avida and Paradise Motorhomes in chasing a slice of the lucrative caravan market as homegrown motorhome sales remain in a slump.

Three examples of the new Entrada caravan range were revealed at the 2015 NSW Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, alongside Suncamper’s most popular motorhome model, first introduced 20 years ago, the Toyota HiLux-based Sherwood 4x4.

Built on a Melbourne-built Austrail chassis and utilising traditional Meranti timber framework, the new vans have a slick modern look thanks to smooth, aluminium composite cladding and high gloss cabinetry and contemporary finishes inside.

The new range includes single and tandem axle variants in three body sizes ranging from 16ft 6in to 19ft 6in.

There are currently 10 different layouts, all with either café dinette or club lounge, fully-equipped kitchen, full-width rear ensuite and north-south queen size bed or twin single beds.

Suncamper’s general manager Cameron Harrison said custom-built options are also available for fussier buyers.

“If some-one wants a specific design or layout, we’ll build it for them,” he said.

Harrison said the Entrada name -- which in Portugese means entrance or voyage -- was chosen to differentiate the new caravans from Suncamper’s campervans and motorhomes, which are built with more advanced aluminium framework and fibreglass panels.

He said the Suncamper name would be reserved for a premium range of caravans introduced at a later date, which would utilise similar construction to the Suncamper motorhomes.

Any Suncamper-branded caravans would also likely feature the latest, apartment-style furniture construction using lightweight 12mm plywood, similar to the motorhomes, instead of the Entrada’s more traditional ‘stick’ furniture construction.

Suncamper, which has been in business 38 years, has created space at its existing factory in Thornleigh, NSW to build the new caravans, and employed a number of new staff experienced in caravan manufacturing and sales to help steer the new business.

“We had been toying with the idea of doing caravans for years; we’ve done quite a few custom-built caravans over the years,” Harrison said.

“We thought we’d start out small, and get a lot of market research to find what customers are after and what was selling in the industry.”

“We wanted to hit the market at a good price point and add the features and value that way,” he said.

“All our models have queen sized beds and full ensuites at the back, and some of the smaller ones don’t come standard with a washing machine but they’re plumbed in so one can be fitted if the customer wants it.

“They’ve all got 184 litre fridges as standard, roll-out awnings, air-con, TV, stereo inside and outside… all the bells and whistles.”

A 19ft 6in Entrada Sage caravan weighing just over two tonnes (Tare), was advertised for $64,990 at the Supershow.

The display models were also fitted with independent coil spring suspension and underbody protection for rough road use, and Harrison said full off-road versions are under consideration.

For further details visit the Entrada website.