Swift joins British invasion

Bailey is not the only major UK caravan brand now available Down Under.

At least two local businesses are currently offering Aussie buyers the chance to purchase a new Swift caravan, from England's biggest-selling RV manufacturer.

One of these is
Elite RV, a Queensland-based vehicle compliance specialist that is focussed on selling the number one British brand's more spacious, up-spec models to fussy Australian buyers.

"We're offering the whole (Swift) range but a lot of the range is not going to be that popular here," explained Elite RV's Darren Nye.

"We've got the whole range available to us but we're concentrating on some of the premier designs and layouts that we think are going to sell well here."

This includes the 2012 Swift Challenger 580 (pictured), a 7.55m long, single axle four-berth caravan currently for sale for $53,900 towaway.

Featuring a contemporary design and airy layout including front dinette/lounge, kitchen, east/west island double bed and rear full ensuite, the Challenger 580 is packed with modern features including panoramic sunroof,  Dometic awning, LED lighting, Thetford appliances, external BBQ, house battery, two gas bottles and reverse-cycle air-conditioning.

Underpinnings include an AL-KO chassis with anti-sway system, while the one piece marine grade aluminium walls are bolstered by a solid Redwood body with 'Grade 3' insulation.

With a Tare of just 1450kg and 1700kg ATM, the lightweight Swift like other Euro models available in Australia including Bailey and Adria is suitable for a wide range of tow vehicles.

Established in 1949, Swift caravans are the "biggest manufacturers of caravans in the UK" according to Nye. The company's caravans undergo aerodynamic as well as extensive durability testing and have won numerous awards in the UK and Europe.

While not an authorised dealer, Nye said he had Swift's approval to sell the UK-built vans, which he sources from one of the UK's biggest Swift dealers.

"We have nothing to do with (official Australian distributor Swift Australia) but we are an approved seller of Swift caravans," he said.

Nye emphasised that Elite RV, which also imports motorbikes, boats and cars, would offer service and support for Swift buyers, including parts back-up and a 10 year body warranty and one year internal warranty.

"We go through a full certification process where every one of our products goes out the door with a full certificate of conformity to all Australian design rules and regulations. So there's no second guessing to whether it's going to be legal or not," he said.

As well as Swift caravans, Elite RV is also offering British-built Auto-Trail motorhomes, with prices ranging from around $115,000 to $180,000 for the Fiat Ducato-based models depending on size and features.

"There's nothing that's available in Australia at the size and price that these (Auto-Trail) vehicles are," Nye claimed.

Elite RV has a display showroom on the Gold Coast at 1b Burleigh Connection rd, West Burleigh, or email sales@eliterv.com.au for more information.