By Tom Olthoff
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When over the last 20 years you have spent most of your waking hours designing caravans for others, you’d think it would be easy to produce something for your own family. It appears that this is not necessarily so! Not according to Dave Benson, owner of Dave Benson Caravans in SA. 
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Dave told CW that over the years he has spent a great deal of time working out how to meet the needs of individual customers.
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However, when it came to designing his own family van Dave said that he was, in a way, his own customer.
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With three young children, Dave and Tania Benson’s needs were actually quite different from those of most of their day-to-day customers.
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The advantage Dave has is that he knows what is available, and what can and can’t be done. After all, when you handle 10 of Australia’s most popular brands of RVs, you have a good idea of the layouts, features, decor, equipment and manufacturing techniques that go into producing a quality caravan.
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Dave and Tania realised the value of a caravanning lifestyle many years ago. As their family grew they had to adapt and change the type of RV that best suited their needs.
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Their latest unit needed to sleep five in comfort, be self-contained, cope with outback roads and, most importantly, tow in a safe manner. The result was a very functional and comfortable 22ft 11in (6.9m) Supreme Territory Off-Road caravan.
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Supreme Construction
Being such a large and fully fitted-out van it should come as no surprise that the chassis is extremely rugged. The two 50mm x 150mm main chassis members certainly look as if they can take a pounding.
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The tandem suspension consists of four leaf springs with a rocker between each pair to share some of the load. With a generous carrying capacity of 3200kg there is plenty in reserve. 
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The six-stud hubs that accommodate Nissan Patrol wheels can each support 800kg. Additional clearance is provided with the fitment of P265/70R16 Sumitomo tyres. Efficient electric brakes are fitted to all wheels.
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As the weight exceeds 2000kg, a Break-Away unit is fitted to automatically apply the brakes in case of accidental disconnection of the trailer. Tried and proven meranti wood is used for the framing, and all walls, as well as the roof, are fully insulated. 
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External cladding consists of smooth profiled aluminium that is considered to be less prone to damage while travelling offroad. &nbsp;
A full-height Camec security door together with a built-in step makes it easy to get in and out of the van. Camec Galaxy style wind-out windows provide a good view of the scenery as well as added ventilation, even when it rains.
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Slimline blinds offer privacy when required. Two roof-mounted Dometic skylights give additional ventilation as well as an abundance of natural light.
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The front boot has a considerable amount of space even with the 12V deep cycle battery tucked in the corner and a host of other electrical gear. Two 9kg gas cylinders with a manual changeover valve sit on the drawbar, flanked on each side by a jerry can holder.
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There is also a sturdy 200mm diameter jockey wheel and an external tap. A mesh tray in the centre of the drawbar comes in handy for carrying firewood or wet hoses. Aluminium checkerplate protects the front of the van from stone damage.
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To list all the features in the Benson family van would take up many pages. Some of the more sought after extras include an annexe light, grab handles (although you’d need a footy team to push the van around), corner stabilisers, lockable water filler, water filter, Aircommand roof-mounted Wren air-conditioner, 21ft (6.5m) rollout awning, spare wheel, rear bumper bar and a 1000mm x 500mm fold-out picnic table.
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Internal features
Along the nearside triple bunks that measure 1800mm by 750mm take up the front corner. Opposite is a spacious bathroom with a Thetford swivel toilet, separate shower and vanity unit. Two hatches with 12V extractor fans keep the area free from steam. A floor-to-ceiling linen press fits neatly against the front wall between the bunks and the bathroom.
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Situated at the rear of the caravan is the bedroom for the adults. The queen size bed measures 6ft 7in (2m) x 4ft 5in (1.5m), has an innerspring mattress and wardrobes with mirrored doors bordering the bedhead.
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Additional storage is supplied by two triangular cupboards in the corners at the foot of the bed as well as an overhead cupboard over the bedhead. 
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The bed base can be raised to allow bulky items to be stored underneath. 
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The centrally positioned kitchen has all the modern conveniences. A large two-door Dometic 186L refrigerator sits above the wheel arch on the offside. Opposite is a stainless steel sink with hot and cold mains pressure water supplied from a mixer tap.
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A separate tap provides tank water via a 12V pump. Hot water is supplied from the Suburban gas water heater located under the lounge. 
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Adjacent to the sink is a Swift four-burner stove/grill with a 12V Swift rangehood above. A Samsung 850 microwave is built in above the sink.
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Ample storage is offered by several drawers and cupboard as well as pull-out pantry and full-height pantry cupboard. 
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A fluorescent light over the bench will aid in meal preparation, and the roomy L-shaped lounge/dinette has storage space underneath. 
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Parquetry patterned vinyl flooring adds to the quality appearance – the attractive decor features poly-oak wall panelling, timber pelmets, stained timber doorframes, patterned Pacific blue upholstery and matching curtains.
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For entertainment there is a DNA brand DVD/SVCD/VCD/CD/MP3 player with four internal and two external speakers, and a 17in LCD TV on an extendable arm that permits viewing from several angles.
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The external speakers allow the occupants to enjoy music while relaxing or having fun under the large rollout awning.
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The roof-mounted Winegard TV antenna makes finding the local signals easy thanks to the internal adjustment.
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The bottom line
It’s obvious from the first time you spot a van like the Supreme Territory that this is not your ordinary touring unit. With its ample dimensions and high stance, it needs something like the 4.2L turbodiesel Toyota LandCruiser Sahara CW towed it with. With an ATM of nearly three tonnes the Territory is certainly not a lightweight, but it tows well.
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It can accommodate five in style and take the family to places not accessible with a standard on-road touring van. It is just as suitable for short weekend jaunts as long-term extended travel.
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Dave Benson’s Territory that CW reviewed is a custom model so for information on a base model price contact your local Supreme Caravans dealer.
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For more details contact Dave Benson on (08) 8262 2500 or visit www.davebensoncaravans.com.au
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For a Supreme Caravans dealer call 1800 201 980, www.supremecaravans.com.au
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Supreme Territory

Internal length: 22ft 11in (6.9m)

Width: 7ft 7in (2.29m)

Tare mass: 2495kg

Gross trailer mass: 2655kg

Aggregate trailer mass: 2895kg

Ball mass: 240kg unladen

Axle group capacity: 3500kg

Chassis: DuraGal with protective coating

Suspension: Tandem leaf spring

Hubs: Six-stud 1600kg capacity

Brakes: Four-wheel electric

Wheels: ROH Performance 16x7, 1050kg capacity

Frameconstruction: Meranti

Water tank capacity: 2 x 80L 

Flooring: 12mm water resistant ply

Window type: Camec Galaxy wind-out 

Stove: Swift four-burner stove/grill

Refrigerator: Dometic RM 4601 186L three-way

Microwave: Samsung 850W 23L

Lighting: 12V

LPG: 2 x 9kg 

Price: Varies for each custom layout 
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Supreme Territory

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