Trailcraft Panorama 2005 Review

By Joan Green 

Since reading Doug McIvor’s test report in the June 2005 issue of CW, we’ve eagerly awaited the arrival of the all-new Trailcraft Panorama on the eastern seaboard, and now that the intriguing newcomer is here we’re sure that readers will want to take another look.  

As Doug explained, Trailcraft has used its considerable boat and trailer building expertise, together with input from experienced caravanners, to produce what it hopes to be the ideal RV.

Trailcraft has launched itself straight into production in a big way. Already a major manufacturing company in its own right, albeit of marine craft rather than land yachts, Trailcraft has decided to tackle the market head on.

Its aim is to produce 500 caravans in its first year and 1000 per year thereafter, and it already has the necessary skills and manufacturing base as well as an established dealership.

Of all Australian States, WA is probably the one with the most demanding climate and terrain. This makes it an ideal testing ground for RVs and also explains why local caravanners prefer their vans to be on the heavy-duty side. During Trailcraft’s preliminary study of the market, interviews with experienced caravanners revealed fears that such problems as leaking and poor durability might arise.

Armed with this information, Trailcraft designed the Panorama with a light but strong body on a substantial chassis. Its side walls are of ‘sandwich panel’ – in this case a layer of compressed polystyrene foam sandwiched between two layers of marine-grade aluminium.

Front and rear walls are of moulded fibreglass wrapped around at the corners, and a one-piece fibreglass roof fits snugly over the top of the entire structure. The whole unit is thoroughly sealed and finished with UV-proof marine gel coat.

The chassis is purpose-designed with 10 cross members, fully welded, hot dipped-galvanised and fitted with heavy-duty rocker leaf spring suspension.

The lightness of the body compensates for the heavy-duty chassis, so that the completed caravan weighs no more than other makes of comparable size. 

Trailcraft consulted an interior decorating company on colours, fabrics and finishes, and the end result is a caravan that should satisfy the customer’s desire for style, strength and durability with an acceptable Tare weight, excellent insulation and no leaks.

First impressions

Phil Bravo, who runs the Trailcraft World retail branch at Laverton in Melbourne’s south-west, had only one Panorama model to show CW and we quickly recognised the same 5.4m (18ft) unit that Doug McIvor tow-tested two months earlier.

Although our WA cousins got their orders in first, Trailcraft is extremely serious about selling its new caravans Australia-wide and it won’t be long before a bigger range of Panorama models appear in Phil’s yard as well as at the other Trailcraft outlets in Adelaide and Sydney.

Despite our expectations, the Panorama’s original modern styling was a surprise. The influence of the boat builder’s expertise can be seen in the sleek bodywork, and the method of construction gives total credibility to the maker’s claim that it’s watertight. We also noticed that the van is very well equipped, including some important items such as air-conditioning and a deep-cycle battery supplied as standard.  

The inside story

The interior decorator has done an outstanding job, although what first caught CW’s eye was the anodised aluminium framing around all the cupboards and drawers. There are no gaps to be found anywhere in this caravan – everything fits together firmly and it’s hard to imagine any squeaks or rattles coming from the cabinetry.  

Aluminium is used quite extensively on the interior – all horizontal surfaces (and some vertical ones) are of brushed, non-shiny aluminium and every corner is rounded and clad in the same material to eliminate sharp edges.  

There’s no sense of sterility here: even the interior walls (on the inside layer of the sandwich panel) are aluminium where they are not covered by cupboards, but because the surface is treated with a warm, soft-touch stippled finish, you’d never recognise it.

The cabinets are an easy-care timber-look laminate in light maple. Phil explained that a darker timber finish is also available, as well as a range of different coloured fabrics.

A handy feature for taller occupants is the bed which has a six-inch extension at the bottom. This is simply pulled out and locked into place, and there’s a foam bolster to fill in the gap below the innerspring mattress. In the morning everything needs to be returned to normal for bed-making and wardrobe access.

Lack of storage may have been one of the complaints gleaned from the survey group, because for its size the Panorama has a remarkable number of cupboards and drawers.

We suspect however that many people would dispense with some of these in favour of a benchtop for food preparation. According to Phil, if the buyer prefers not to have a bathroom the space can be replaced by more cabinets, so presumably the existing furniture can also be modified if desired.

Trailcraft offers a good selection of optional accessories. In this particular van the optional TV is a conventional model, fitted on a slide-out swivel base inside a purpose-built recess, but for those who prefer the new LCD flatscreen the recess can be replaced by yet another cupboard – or preferably a small bench.

With the exception of the Aircommand air-conditioner and the microwave, power for the Panorama is entirely 12V. A SmartCharger/transformer is fitted under the bed together with a Breakaway emergency braking unit and a solar power exchange box. The standard van comes fully wired for solar – just add rooftop panels and plug in. 

The bottom line

The complete Panorama Series will include caravans in several sizes and also pop-tops, but for a start there’s the 540 model shown here and the 640 (6.4m) version which has a full-width rear bathroom with separate shower, toilet and vanity.

The range also includes the ‘Dirt Road’ model (a more appropriate description than ‘offroad’) with higher ground clearance, four-wheel shock absorbers, a Treg coupling, LandCruiser wheels and a fully enclosed aluminium underfloor plus protective skirts and stoneguard.

Initially, with the exception of the NSW dealership, the sale of Trailcraft Panorama caravans is limited to company-owned Trailcraft World branches in WA, SA and Vic. More outlets may become available, such as in Victoria where Phil’s Laverton North store will be joined in August by a second branch at Seaford in Melbourne’s south-east (Phil will be based at Seaford but will continue to manage both centres).

Priced in the upper-middle bracket, the Panorama more than deserves its place in this market segment and should deliver excellent value for money.

But is it the ideal caravan? Only time will tell but according to early reports the new owners in WA are delighted with it. The Panorama has the undeniable appeal of a fresh new design and practical modern construction that suggests easy, problem-free caravanning for many years into the future.

For details see the website: www.trailcraft.com.au

CW wishes to thank Melbourne 4x4 Training & Proving Ground: 135 Dukelows Rd, Werribee, Vic, (03) 9748 1202.