Supreme Spirit Limited Edition

WHAT WE LIKED

• Lived up to its “semi-offroad” classification
• The checkerplate skirts – there wasn’t a scratch on them
• Well-appointed interior – such comforts are very welcome when you’re a long way from home

NOT SO MUCH

• No piano hinges on all overhead lockers for extra strength
• No towel rail in the bathroom
• Limited protection for the PVC pipes underneath

The mission: find a caravan that will hold its own in the Flinders Ranges without skimping on comforts.

It had been many years since I’d checked out the dust and dry beauty of the Flinders, and I reasoned it would be the best place to test the toughness of the Supreme Spirit Limited Edition, a semi-offroad van.

I picked up a 76 Series LandCruiser from Complete Ute and Van Hire after arriving in Adelaide, and headed to Twilight Caravans, a new Supreme dealership run by Michael Fox. He didn’t hesitate when I told him where I was taking this brand new van.

“Just try not to put too many dents in it,” he said with a wry smile as I hitched up.

Heading north, it was immediately apparent that the utilitarian 76 Series was more than capable of towing the Spirit on the bitumen. At city speeds, the van felt steady and stable, and as the highway opened and we accelerated to cruising speed there was very little pitching or yawing.

Settling in for the long tow, I asked the photographer, Michael Ellem, a bit more about Parachilna, our day’s destination.
“It’s got a great pub and the scenery is magnificent,” he said. Good enough for me.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

It’s apparent that Supreme has put considerable effort into presentation. There are no rough edges on the cabinetry and I looked forward to spending a couple of nights in it.

The layout of the Spirit lends itself to easy living: forward bedroom, mid-offside kitchen with dinette opposite, and a full-width rear bathroom, the door for which is angled towards the main entrance.

The bedroom has a padded headboard and shelf behind, bedside shelves with bench space and a small drawer and cupboard below. There’s enough space to hang up a few days’ worth of clothes in the wardrobes.

A couple of lockers sit above the bedhead, either side of which is a multidirectional halogen reading light. The bed itself measures 1.8x1.5m (5ft 11in x 4ft 11in), above which is a Four Seasons hatch – a godsend on the cooler Flinders nights. As is usual, the bed base lifts on gas struts for access to the storage area beneath.

The kitchen bench is tastefully finished in blue laminate that even extends over the lift-up lid of the cooktop. In terms of storage, there’s enough to satisfy the needs of a couple of intrepid travellers for a couple of nights or more.

There are two drawers and one soapbox; three cupboards above the wheel arch; one floor locker (hiding the 12V Shurflo water pump) beneath the oven; and three lockers above the bench – the Sharp microwave is set between the two main lockers.

There are two powerpoints in the kitchen either side and well away from the sink, and a JVC DVD/MP3/stereo system (connected to two DNA speakers inside and two outside) is mounted into the overhead woodwork at the forward end.

The slide-out pantry, between the bench and 186L Dometic three-way fridge, is split into two sections: one above and one below, each with three shelves. It is an interesting setup in that it allows you to separate your non-perishables to minimise rattling, etc.

Internal cooking facilities (there’s a barbecue outside) include a Swift cooktop (three gas, one electric), a griller and oven, with a stainless steel rangehood above.

The pushbutton catches on the cupboard and locker doors were prone to sticking, but experience tells me this tends to be the case on brand new vans – they loosen up after a bit of use.

A waist-high bench separates the dinette from the entrance. It’s small, but proved a handy spot for keeping my travelling backpack, and the deep drawer and cupboard were hardly challenged by my other bits and pieces.

The L-shaped dinette will seat two comfortably. Or, at a squeeze, three could dine here. I particularly liked the drawer storage at the base of the “L” – if you’ve ever been on hands and knees trying to reach something at the back, you’ll agree that a drawer or similar is ideal. Of course, you can still access the main under-seat storage area, but you’ll need to lift the cushions and ply bases to do so.

I also like the lockers above the dinette: the plastic inserts on each door are not only tough, they let you see inside – again, it’s all about accessibility.
The two halogen spotlights in the dinette did a good job of illuminating this area at dinner time. During the day, a Four Seasons hatch in the entry shed plenty of natural light on the subject.

The bathroom is simple and quite elegant. A vanity unit with a washbasin and a couple of cupboards below and lockers above separates the fully-moulded shower (with 12V fan) that fills the nearside from the LG front-loader washing machine. Two good-sized cupboards sit atop the washing machine.

The Thetford cassette toilet, forward of the washer, has a 12V fan above. The bathroom door swings on a piano hinge – it’s strong. The top hinge of the shower door, however, worked loose as we traversed the rocky tracks of the Flinders Ranges – I was assured later that this would be addressed.

The Spirit is also fitted with a Winegard TV antenna (without the flatscreen – that’s an option), as well as an Aircommand Ibis air-conditioner. I didn’t have the opportunity to test this, although the hot SA outback would’ve been the perfect location to do so, but I’ve no qualms about this particular unit.

I should point out that stoppers have been fitted to all drawers except those in the bedside cabinets.

OUTER LIMITS

Externally, the Supreme Spirit Limited Edition looks the part for something touted as a semi-offroad van. There isn’t a cutaway rear, but remember: it’s not designed to tackle Cape York.

We pulled into Parachilna about 7pm looking forward to eating a kangaroo steak at the Prarie Hotel. But it was closed! So, stomachs growling, we checked the map and headed into Parachilna Gorge, road dust forming a dense cloud behind us, to a small but equipped caravan park. The entire way, the van was subjected to rocky inclines and declines. And gravel.

Unhitching the van, I checked the checkerplate skirt that runs 310mm high along both sides and halfway up the front. It was dusty, but unscratched and undented.

External features include a full-length Dometic awning, Camec door with security screen, a drop-down picnic table, LED taillights, a stainless steel slide-out barbecue, Al-Ko quick-drop corner jacks, and a couple of speakers (one of which is covered by the door when it’s open).

The body of the van is fastened to a DuraGal chassis with 6in rails running to the axles and Rocker Roller suspension – 4in rails take over from there to the rear. Electric Al-Ko drum brakes are connected to the 15in alloy wheels.

The drawbar is home to two 9kg gas cylinders and a freshwater tap, which is sensibly protected by a piece of checkerplate. The gal-lined front boot has two access doors rather than the more-common single door and Supreme has put thought into its overall design, with mounting points provided for the wheel jack winder and wheel brace.

The jack itself has its own secure shelf. The boot also keeps a 100Ah battery, the Smartcharger and Break Safe unit.

Underneath, the two 80L water tanks are protected by galvanised sheeting – great for rough tracks. The PVC plumbing withstood our test, but I would consider covering it up before tackling a track such as the Oodnadatta (which I reckon the Spirit would handle).

THE BOTTOM LINE

A trip through Brachina Gorge along the Geological Trail finished our Flinders Ranges adventure. I loved how the Spirit towed, particularly off the bitumen, and at no stage did I worry that we’d ‘punished’ it enough. It was like a faithful dog, always keeping up.

What’s more, this van allows you to do the national parks and the tricky terrain that comes with them in comfort, with confidence.

Did somebody say the Gibb River Road?

HELP! I NEED A TOW VEHICLE

Flying into Adelaide and in need of a 4WD… or a ute or van? That was the problem I faced when preparing to test the Spirit.

A quick internet search led me to Complete Ute and Van Hire, and the guys were extremely helpful and friendly. They sorted me out with the 76 Series LandCruiser seen here, and their rates are very competitive.

It is said that customer service is dead, but here it’s alive and kicking – I was very satisfied. For a small fee, they had the ’Cruiser waiting for me at the airport at a prearranged time, and were also happy for me to return it there after I was done with the Flinders. And my last minute request for a roof rack and an extra spare wheel was accommodated with a “no worries”.

Commercial 4WDs and 2WDs, as well as leisure vehicles such as Troopies and dual-cab HiLuxes are available. A complete range of accessories is available, too.

Complete Ute and Van Hire is at 125 Holbrooks Road, Underdale, SA 5023, with agencies in Roxby Downs/Olympic Dam, Port Augusta, Leigh Creek and Broken Hill. Phone (08) 8234 1300, or visit www.completeuteandvanhire.com.au

SUPREME SPIRIT LIMITED EDITION

Overall length 8.33m (27ft 4in)
External body length 6.79m (22ft 3in)
External width (inc. awning) 2.43m (8ft)
Internal height 1.92m (6ft 4in)
Nameplate Tare 2130kg
Nameplate ATM 2530kg
Ball weight 124kg
Chassis DuraGal
Suspension Rocker Roller
Cooktop Swift four-burner (three gas, one electric)
Fridge 186L Dometic three-way
Microwave Sharp
Lighting 12V
Fresh water 2 x 80L
Hot water Suburban gas/electric
Price as shown $67,990 (tow-away, SA)

SUPPLIED BY:

Twilight Caravans, 168 Grand Junction Road, Blair Athol, SA 5084, twilightcaravans.com.au, (08) 8359 7227.
For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit the website supremecaravans.com.au