Michael Browning•3 Dec 2013

REVIEW

Swift Explorer 564

Thanks to its unique spec, the lightweight, British-built Swift Explorer can compete head on with Aussie-made vans

To traditional Australian eyes, British caravans look slightly effeminate in the blokey Aussie environment, where beefy solid steel underpinnings, chunky checker plate body armour and rugged, ribbed aluminium cladding have been worn as badges of honour by the majority of local products for many years.

But that perception is changing. Just as homegrown V8 engines are becoming boat anchors and most Australians prefer to drive four-cylinder Toyotas, so many people are discovering that you can enjoy a luxury caravan lifestyle behind a medium-sized family sedan or wagon, rather than a weighty 4WD.

The increasing ‘bitumenisation’ of inland roads and the better understanding of British makers of our market are hastening the trend and in recent years we’ve seen the return of both Bailey and Swift to the Australian market with a range of much improved models over their first offerings.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT

These two major British brands appear almost indistinguishable to many eyes.

Both feature similar aerodynamic styling, with soaring, front picture windows, smooth, flat fibreglass composite walls and blunt tails.

And as they both have strong integrated body structures, their chassis have less work to do and hence are much more slender than their Aussie counterparts, while their interior layouts and décor are as far apart as Longreach and London.

However the two British makers are fierce market rivals, each claiming market leadership. Bailey, with its RV origins dating back to 1948, came first, but Swift, which dates back to 1964, is still older than most Australian brands, so their experience and credentials are similar.

Both also now build caravans specifically for the Australian market, with their latest ranges addressing many of the issues that have held them back in the past.

BUILT FOR OZ

The latest 10-model Swift Explorer range is an excellent example.

Swift initially put its wheels on Terra Australis back in 2008, but then retreated, only to return to the market in 2012 with new Australian-engineered products imported and marketed by a new team.

The Explorer we get here is a unique model developed specifically for the Australian market. Compared to comparable British Swift caravans it has an Australian-specification Al-Ko chassis with additional cross-members (almost twice the weight of its European Al-Ko equivalent).

It also has more ground clearance, upgraded axles, larger wheels and tyres, fewer under-body gas vent holes to let in dust, greater self-sufficiency through larger water and stored energy capacity, a different refrigerator and locally-made double-glazed windows, roof hatches and other ancillary equipment.

Despite all this the twin single-bed Explorer 564 reviewed here – and the slightly larger Explorer 584, which features a transverse double bed – both share a similar party trick: exceptionally low weight for their size.

The 18ft 4in (5.6m) internal length 564 tips the scales empty at a featherweight 1290kg, while its 19ft 2in (5.83m) 584 brother weighs just 18kg more – both less than some of the soft-floor camper trailers on the market, let alone fully-featured caravans of similar size.

This means for most buyers there’s no need to upscale their daily car to go caravanning; they will not be hit with substantial fuel bills when touring, and they can push the van into place back at home.

So, for the outlay of $59,990 required for the Explorer, you’ll get more Brit for your buck.

EASY TO TOW

Like most British and European vans, the Swift employs an Al-Ko hitch with standard mechanical stability control and with its light ball weight adds little to the attitude of most tow vehicles.

The lack of weight is immediately noticeable, with our hulky Toyota FJ Cruiser shrugging off the Swift as a draft horse might dispatch an annoying fly, while its single axle configuration allowed it to follow the tow car effortlessly through roundabouts and other obstacles.

Because of its light weight, the van does bounce about a little on rougher bitumen roads, but for the same reason it never feels as though the tail is wagging the dog.

However the Swift’s clean, bumperless styling means that its rear panel and lights are vulnerable to reversing damage and a reversing camera would be reassuring.

The huge front glasshouse is very appealing from inside and out, but many potential buyers will worry about the potential stone damage to Explorer’s completely unprotected ‘face’.

If that’s you, twist your Swift dealer’s arm and you’ll probably get a good deal on the optional heavy-duty padded bra, which normally sells for an additional $750.

STRONG ARM TACTICS

Once you get on site, setting up the Explorer is straightforward except that the Al-Ko hitch needs a bit of a tug to loosen before it winds off the ball.

And while the hand brakes springs into the ‘on’ position with a moderate tug, it needs a strong forearm action to push it back to the A-frame to unlock.

The wind-down corner jacks require less effort, but take more than 50 turns apiece to lower, or retract. Our tip: invest in a cordless drill and socket!

Another thing you’ll need to remember to pack is the special power cord that fits the three round-pin European socket on the offside of the van.

We have been assured by Swift Australia that this will be changed to a conventional three flat pin Australian plug when the model gets its next life cycle update.

Unlike most blacktop Australian vans, Swift doesn’t fit drop-down steps to its vans, so you need to deploy the plastic one that comes with the van to clear the lower door lip and enter the bright and breezy interior.

Unlike Aussie vans, which invariably come with a combined security and flywire door, the Swift has a two-piece ‘barn door’ and a sliding flywire screen. It’s bound to be walked into by visitors until they get used to the system, but otherwise works well.

WOW FACTOR

Similar to other British vans, the Explorer delivers a real ‘wow’ factor, with its Italian designed and sourced timber cabinetry and carefully matched furniture fabrics.

Surrounded by opening, fly-screened picture windows to let the outside in, the front lounge has generous sprawling room for four and could seat more at a pinch.

Yet it can be a private space by night, or convert to a second double bedroom, thanks to the slat base that slides out between the two lounges and to the block-out blinds for all windows.

However dining on the two-stage table that slides out from the front three-drawer cabinet really provides only space for two.

COMPACT KITCHEN

The central galley with its under-sink Dometic 115-litre three-way fridge, Thetford three gas burner plus electric hotplate, griller and separate gas oven and overhead microwave oven, is a very busy place. Yet it’s workable when the folding work-bench extension is raised over the end of the off-side lounge.

There’s also an overhead plate cupboard, a small cutlery drawer and a slim slide-out pantry squeezed into this space, but apart from pot storage under the lower oven, kitchen storage place is pretty skimpy.

Personally, I would prefer a larger fridge fitted in the large cabinet opposite that serves as a large three-quarter hanging robe, but other Explorer models have different layouts that overcome this problem.

Another solution Swift offers is to fit an optional 30-litre Waeco drawer fridge in the front storage locker, from where it can be accessed from outside, just next to the van’s standard external gas BBQ bayonet.

SIDE BY SIDE SLEEPING

Rear of the galley, the bedroom of the Explorer 564 model tested features a pair of single beds, separated by a door that leads to the van’s separate shower and toilet rear ensuite.

For those preferring a double bed there is the 23cm-longer and 18kg heavier Explorer 584, which fits a transverse island double bed into this area.

A nice feature is the folding privacy screen that isolates the bedroom and ensuite from the front living and cooking section of the van.

Both beds lift up on gas struts to reveal the Explorer’s 80-litre water tank on one side, and a large storage space on the other.

Considering the Explorer’s excellent self-sufficiency in other areas, which extend to twin deep cycle batteries and twin roof-mounted 60-Watt solar panels, that water storage is minimal for Australian standards. However a second 80-litre tank can be fitted.

Swift Australia is also developing slimline under-floor tanks – similar to those fitted to rival Bailey vans – as a longer term future solution.

The final port of call in the Explorer is the rear ensuite, which is of a reasonable size and accommodates a separate cassette toilet, wash basin and fibreglass shower enclosure, which has a fairly narrow door entry.

There’s no washing machine fitted, nor air conditioning in the Navigator 564’s $55,990 drive-away price (in Victoria), but a Swift dealer can fit a top-loader washer in the space where the wardrobe stands.

Similarly an Ibis roof-mounted air conditioner can easily be installed, replacing one of the Explorer’s four separate opening skylights, as a companion to the van’s standard Truma central heating system, as the required electrical cabling is already installed ex-factory.

When fitted, the air-con will slightly reduce the Explorer’s 1.95m internal height, which while considered good by British and European standards, is marginal in Australia.

VERDICT

With its comparatively good ground clearance, independent suspension, standard mechanical stability control, 120 watts of solar power and twin deep cycle batteries, the Explorer’s only specification shortfalls are its single 80-litre water tank and relatively small 119 litre fridge – both of which can be addressed by dealer-fitted options.

By the time you do this and fit the optional Ibis roof-mounted air conditioner and perhaps a top-loading washing machine, the Explorer’s price will have travelled north of $60,000, where it will invariably be compared with similarly equipped Australian-built caravans.

However none gets close to its 1290kg tare weight for a 5.6 metre (18ft 4in) van, meaning it can be towed by a wide range of fuel efficient family cars and ‘soft roader’ all wheel drive vehicles.

WE LIKED:

>> Light towing weight

>> Great front entertaining lounge

>> Standard central heating

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Minimal kitchen bench space

>> Interior height marginal

>> 80-litre water capacity marginal for off-site travels

SWIFT EXPLORER 564

Overall length: 7.25m

Internal body length: 5.60m

External body width: 2.25m

Travel height: 2.65m

Internal height: 1.95m

Tare: 1290kg

ATM: 1590kg (upgradeable to 1800kg)

Ball weight: 75kg

Frame: Space frame construction

Cladding: Fibreglass sandwich wall and roof

Chassis: Al-Ko galvanized with independent suspension

Brakes: 10in Al-Ko electric

Stability Control: Yes

Wheels/tyres: 15in alloy/195/70 104R

Fresh water: 1 x 80L

Battery: 2 x 100Ah deep cycle

Solar: 2 x 60W roof panels

Air-conditioner: Ibis optional

Central heating: Truma

Gas: 2 x 9kg

Cooking: Thetford three-burner gas, plus electric hot plate & grill

Fridge: Dometic 115-litre fridge/freezer

Microwave: Standard

Toilet: Swivel cassette

Shower: Separate fibreglass cubicle

Lighting: 12V LED

Price (on road, Vic): $55,990

Supplied by: Caravan Super Centre, Campbellfield, Vic

More info: Swift Australia

Swift Explorer 564

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