Weekly Wrap

VALUE-PACKED ADVENTURER

Adria has released a special, value-packed version of its popular 542PK family caravan model.

According to Adria, the new lower-cost 18ft caravan is ideally suited for both families and couples taking long or short distances around Australia, but still wanting all the modern conveniences to hand.

Called the Adventurer, it sleeps up to six people, and there is an optional day bed version which comes with couch seating available at no extra cost.

Features include a comfortable double bed, two bunk beds or couch seating, large fridge, good sized oven, full shower and toilet facilities, microwave, TV/DVD combo, radio-CD-MP3 player, Winegard TV antenna, fitted awning and full-size screen door. It also comes with air conditioning, blinds and curtains throughout, stainless steel sink, tinted double-glazed windows and insulated interior.

The bonus extras including alloy wheels represent a saving of $8000, according to Adria. The 542PK ‘Adventurer’ has a 1500kg ATM and is priced at $49,900, from Melbourne & European R.Vs.

BIG4 BOOST FOR SWAN HILL

Fans of BIG4 holiday parks now have another option to consider when travelling through Swan Hill in Victoria.

Dianne and Dennis O’Bryan, who also own BIG4 Swan Hill, have taken on a second park, now named BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill.

Previously part of the 200-strong Top Tourist chain, Riverside Swan Hill will give guests the option to holiday with their dogs, being one of 19 BIG4 Parks around Australia to embrace the holiday park chain’s new pet-friendly policy.

The O’Bryans are keeping it in the family by handing the managerial roles at BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill to their son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Ainsley O’Bryan, while their daughter and son-in-law Clare O’Bryan and Heath McCurdy will manage BIG4 Swan Hill. The two parks are located about five kilometres from each other.

"With all of the wineries and local produce in the area, we wanted to open up the holiday park experience to more mature visitors and also give guests the choice to bring along their dogs and stay right on the river, while maintaining the family-friendly atmosphere that is delivered down the road at BIG4 Swan Hill," Ainsley O’Bryan said.

JAYCO GOES ON TOUR

Jayco has added a previously show-special only motorhome to its regular line-up.

Previously only available at caravan and camping shows, the Conquest Tour Edition Motorhome is now part of Jayco’s extensive standard product range available through its network of dealerships.

Available on the Fiat Conquest FD 23-1 and FD 23-3, the new model offers extra value for money with around $7000 worth of savings on added interior and exterior upgrades. Bonus extras include external storage doors, electric steps and a Carefree Freedom Electric Box Awning.

The motorhome also boasts Dometic double glazed windows, LED lighting, alloy sport rims, leather upholstery and a stylish silver exterior finish. Its towing capacity is 1.5 tonnes.

"Eurostyle finishings" inside include Italian inspired door handles, a choice of tile and timber floor vinyl design, and a new style sink with a larger bowl.

The 2011 Jayco Conquest Tour Edition is priced the same as the standard FD 23-1 Conquest.

GENIUS KEEPS BATTERIES CHARGED

Setec has released a new battery management system under its Diverse Power Systems brand, which the Melbourne-based company says has been "designed to offer a complete power solution for caravanning and RV applications".

To ensure batteries are optimally charged and ready to use, the Genius battery management system boasts a range of management features including boost charge, float charge, store charge, and trickle charge modes. The device can also draw charge through an optional DC input from a secondary source including solar power.

According to Setec, the Genius has been designed to ensure low battery drain at all times to maximize time between charges and extend battery life while cutting costs.

It also features battery protection features including reverse battery protection, battery current limit, over voltage protection, voltage current limit and fuse protection. The low voltage disconnect facility protects the battery against excessive draw. The Genius also has a thermally controlled fan to keep noise levels down.

Designed and manufactured in Australia, the Genius battery management system will go on sale in August, priced at $395.

ROYAL FLAIR AWARDED TOP FAMILY VAN

A budget-priced 21ft caravan with three bunks and family-friendly entertainment system, has been declared the best family van of 2011 by an Australian caravan magazine.

In its latest issue Caravan World declared the Family Flair from Campbellfield, Vic-based Royal Flair the outright winner in a four-way battle with the Windsor Genesis 615s, Coromal Family Series 616 and Retreat Daydream.

The four vans were put through their paces during a 10-day test run from Melbourne to Mallacoota.

"What makes this Family Flair so appealing is the combination of a strong build, quality finish and the fact that it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not," the mag said of the five-berth layout tested.

The Family Flair's three-bunk arrangement with separate halogen lights and DVD players for each bunk was also praised, with Caravan World editor Max Taylor saying that the Royal Flair’s option of three bunks instead of a bathroom was a worthwhile trade-off when most caravan parks had such good facilities.

"It’s not the most sophisticated or feature-packed family van on the market," Taylor said. "But it earned big scores for most of our test criteria, with individual judges giving five-star ratings for towability, setting up and hitching up, suitability for intended touring and quality of finish."

BIGGEST REGIONAL RV SHOW EVER?

The inaugural Border RV & Camping Expo at the Wodonga & District Turf Club next month is shaping up to be one of the biggest leisure expo events ever held in regional Australia.

Event organiser the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Victoria (CTIAV) has substantially expanded the expo site to accommodate an unexpected surge in exhibitors from the RV industry.

From August 26-28, the race course will be packed with nearly 200 new caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, off-road vehicles, campervans, pop-tops, tent trailers, fifth-wheelers, and slide-ons.

Also on show will be a big range of parts and accessories, tents, annexes, destinations, equipment and clothing, towing equipment, RV telecommunications products, alternative power and off-road equipment.

Event organiser Peter Wright said the Wodonga show should be bigger in size than the annual Bendigo Leisurefest, also organized the by CTIAV.

TRAKKA TAPS INTO RAINWATER

Having access to an adequate supply of fresh water while on the road is a major issue for RVers who like to get away from it all.

Now NSW-based Trakka has come up with an innovative solution in the form of its Rain Water Retrieval (RWR) system, which collects, stores and distributes rainwater from the roof for use inside and outside the motorhome, reducing the reliance on mains water during extended trips.

Currently available as a $2500 option on Trakka’s 730, 760 and 850 motorhomes, the sloped roof design allows rain water to travel to the rear of the motorhome, where it’s directed to a catchment panel.

The panel is curved to allow water to run off the roof into specially-designed slots, which restrict debris entering the system. A concealed gutter under the panel transfers water to a 55 litre auxiliary water tank which, according to Trakka, will fill in an hour during a heavy downpour.

The system is monitored via an electronic control panel, and accessible valves means the RWR system can be flushed clean.