V-nosed Viewfinder lures buyers

The just-off-the-boat, fibreglass-bodied Viewfinder van with its unusual V-nose design attracted big crowds at this month’s Victorian caravan supershow, with at one stage 23 people jammed inside the 21ft 9in (6.63m) van body keen for a closer look.

Josh Ryland, general manager of Cell Caravans, which imports a number of American RV models including the Cruiser RV-built Viewfinder, said the first batch of 16 Viewfinder vans brought into Australia last November have already been sold, with another batch of 15 arriving within weeks to meet further demand.

The V-nosed Viewfinder range currently includes 17ft 6in (5.33m) and 21ft 9in (6.63m) models, with Cell about to introduce 15ft 5in and 18ft 5in models, also with a slide-out, shower and toilet.

Apart from the streamlined front, which creates additional interior space for the V-shaped kitchen positioned over the A-frame, Ryland says the Viewfinder’s main selling point is its value for money.

The Viewfinder range currently starts at $64,950 (towaway Victoria) and comes with a host of standard features including ducted air-con, electric jack and stabiliser legs, outside shower, two 22in LED TVs, electric slide out, and large capacity, fresh, grey and black water tanks.

"Everyone says these (Viewfinders) look like horse floats," Ryland said.  "They like the grey (colour scheme) and they like the smooth fibreglass (exterior)."

The Viewfinder vans are built in Indiana to Australian specifications, with final fit-out including some appliances and gas certification completed at Cell Caravan’s new showroom/workshop in Campbellfield, Victoria.

Cruiser RV has been manufacturing RVs since 1988 and currently produces around 4000 vans a year mainly for the American market.

"There was probably a year’s work of research and development to get to Australian compliance," Ryland said.

Cell Caravans is also offering other Cruiser RV models including the more conventional Fun Finder X with its large outdoor (as well as indoor) kitchen. Cell also plans to introduce later this year the family-oriented Shadow Cruiser model which sleeps up to 10.

Ryland said Cell Caravans has also already sold three caravans from Earthbound RV, another American brand, months before the lightweight, eco-friendly vans officially go on sale in Australia in June. He described the futuristic-looking van built from composite materials as "the best caravan I’ve ever been in".

"(The Earthbound is) actually 8ft 1in wide in America, but obviously that’s too wide for us, so they’re building them (to Australian specifications) just for us," he said. "We’re flying over to America in the next couple of weeks to see the first prototype come off the production line for us."

Cell Caravans, which also plans to import California-built Lance campers, provides a two-year general warranty and also stocks a range of parts for its American vans.

"The three manufacturers that we've signed up, have all got good names in America and quality wise they are very good," Ryland said. "There’s been a lot of problems in the last 10 years of people bringing out caravans (from the US) cheaply and they’re not compliant, but we reckon (the Viewfinder) is probably the most compliant van in Australia."

For further information visit the Cell Caravans website.