Timberless caravan on its way

One of the most technologically advanced caravans ever to come out of the UK is expected to debut at next month’s NSW Caravan, Camping, RV & Holiday Supershow before going on sale later this year.

The 50-year-old Swift Group released its new range-topping Swift Elegance and Sterling Continental models built using its latest, timber-free SMART HT construction method in the UK in February, and the Australian Swift distributor aims to have on display at least one example in Sydney from eight new variants available.

While the original SMART construction introduced in 2013 introduced body panels featuring polyurethane framing in place of timber, the latest Smart HT takes the no-rot theme a step further by replacing the timber floor with a five layer, composite sandwich panel that Swift says has been tested to carry over eight tonnes or the equivalent of 100 people.

Swift has also replaced the aluminium-sided body panels with a fibreglass covering for the exterior and interior side walls and roof for improved impact resistance.

The top-selling UK brand believes the fully timberless body, combined with a new interior finish comprising decorative paper bonded to the walls and new ‘cold bridge’ technology located within the aluminium side framing that prevents the internal surface from cooling and the formation of condensation, “delivers the best caravan construction in the UK to combat water ingress”.

The computer-designed body is also more curvaceous and streamlined than before, thanks to new front and rear panels and flush-fitting tail-lights contributing to around 20 per cent better aerodynamics.

Furniture construction inside has also been beefed up with thicker composite panels, new fixings and cast foam bedding.

The new models were over five years in development, with numerous prototypes pounded over the bone-rattling Millbrook test track to test durability.

Swift said the new technology has also allowed more specification to be added whilst keeping weights in check, which means maximum ATMs of Australian-spec models should remain around 2000kg or less.

The Swift Elegance/Sterling Continental are available in both single and twin axle variants with either two or four berth layouts. Like other Swift vans sold in Australia they should be available in a unique ‘Explorer’ spec including tougher underpinnings and greater capacity 12V electrical system and water tanks to better suit rugged Australian conditions.