Top-5 future RV trends

If you want to know what many caravans and motorhomes will look like in Australia in the not too distant future, you only need to look at what’s happening in the UK and Europe.

The UK’s biggest caravan show, the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show was recently held in Birmingham, and we spotted some trends likely to make their way to a dealer yard near you…

Smaller, more efficient hot water systems

Instantaneous hot water systems are increasingly being fitted to caravans down under, like the new Camec unit recently fitted to Coromal's latest Evolution caravan.

However, European specialist Alde has taken mobile hot water heating to a new level with the introduction of their latest ‘Glow’ continuous hot water system.

Designed so you “never run out of hot water” the Alde system works by pre-heating the water that goes into Alde's 3020 Compact HE boiler/heater. A special heat exchanger, about the size of a shoe box, takes heat from a coil carrying glycol fluid from the boiler, ensuring continuous hot water at 40°C.

“If you’re on a site where you’ve got electric and gas, you can put it on electric 3kW and gas and literally stay in the shower as long as you want, and as long as you provide enough fresh water, you could even run a bath, “ an Alde spokersperson said.

The new Alde system is currently fitted to UK-built Swift RVs, but could be an option available to Australian RV manufacturers soon.

More family motorhomes

Family caravans are a fast-growing segment of the Australian market, but most motorhomes and campervans sold here are still aimed primarily at couples.

However, European brand the Roller Team has come up with one of the smallest and most comfortable campervans for families, thanks to a layout that includes 'double double' bunks. The Fiat-based, four berth campervan has a rear bench/storage area that converts to two double bunks in transverse configuration at night.

Like most campervans, the bunks can be accessed inside or out, via the barn-like rear doors, while the rest of the family-friendly layout includes a combination shower/toilet, ktichenette and swivelling front seats to create a four-person dinette/lounge area.

More inflation

We've already discussed the growth in inflatable awnings down under, but leading UK brand Kampa is expanding its blow-up options even further with the launch of its ‘Air Break’ inflatable RV wind break at the NEC show.

Believed to be a world first, it's available in either three panel or five panel versions, both with a single point of inflation. They're compatible with Kampa awnings, to create an even bigger enclosed outside living area alongside your van.

Also using inflatable technolgoy to make life easier when setting up is the Lock ‘n’ Level caravan levellng device, which uses blow-up portable ‘pads’ under each wheel to help level the van -- a bit like having airbag suspension, but a lot cheaper.

Another advantage of the inflatable pads are that they have a bigger footprint than the usual  wheel chocks, so are less likely to sink in soggy or sandy ground.But if they do, you just blow them up a bit more...

More energy efficient appliances

With more and more appliances fitted to caravans and motorhomes, having the most energy-efficient units is important to avoid draining the batteries.

Truma recently launched its Aventa Compact air-conditioner, claimed to be the lightest roof-top unit on the market at 27kg, and designed for small motorhomes and caravans with limited roofspace.

Truma says the new 1700W unit is relatively quiet and delivers "extremely fast" cooling. It's also energy efficient, running at 2.8amps, and works with the Truma app to remotely control air con and central heating if fitted.

More trick tents

While there are more and more inflatable tents designed to take the stress out of setting up, the humble camping tent seems to be going as much downmarket as upmarket.

Gaining traction in Australia, especially for environmentally-conscious music festival goers, is the recyclable KarTent from Europe. Made entirely from a heavy-duty cardboard designed to resist moisture, the flat-pack tents can be bought online for about $80 and solve the problem of environmental pollution from cheap polyester tent 'waste'.

At the other end of the tent scale are the increasing number of fancy variations on the beige cotton canvas bell tent glamping theme. A number of high-end canvas yurts and tee-pees, complete with domestic-style interior appointments, were on display at the NEC show.