Weekly Wrap

FOURTH BRAND FOR CELL CARAVANS

Melbourne-based Cell Caravans, is about to add a fourth model to its range of American-built imported caravans.

Joining the company’s Viewfinder, Fun Finder X and ShadowCruiser models is a compact slide-out van from California-based Lance Campers.
Based on the smallest Lance 1575 model, it will feature a slide-out dinette, kitchenette with fridge and cooktop as well as a small bathroom and toilet.

Overall length is less than 20ft and with a Tare weight of around 1100kg, it should be towable by a wide range of vehicles.

We’ll have further details including pricing closer to its unveiling at the 2012 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow in early-March.

KEA CAMPERS SHUTS RENTAL OUTLETS

A major player in the Australian motorhome rentals market has become the latest victim of a soaring Australian dollar and reduction in the number of international visitors.

Kea Campers will close down four of its nine rental depots in Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide, Broome and Alice Springs. Its Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney depots will continue to operate normally but as part of an “East Coast only model”.

According to a statement on the Kea website, all existing bookings will be honoured with “changes for new bookings effective from March 31st 2012”.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, as the company also mentioned that, as part of the changes it will introduce “an exciting range of new vehicles and depot refurbishments over the next 12 months”.

STARS COME OUT FOR 4x4 SHOW

Some of the big names in the Australian off-road industry will be at the National 4x4 & Outdoors Show at the Brisbane RNA Showgrounds from March 23-25.

The Waeco Outback Stage will host presentations every half hour from a number of 4WD experts and celebrities including Pat Callinan of Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures, John ‘Roothy’ Rooth of magazine and DVD fame, and ex-AFL footballer and star of The Great Australian Doorstep, Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt,

The National 4x4 & Outdoors Show runs alongside the Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, and ticketholders can take advantage of free weekend trains from Brisbane’s Central and Roma Street Stations running across the weekend.

SUPER NEW SHOWROOM FOR SUPREME

Leading Victorian caravan manufacturer Supreme Caravans has officially opened the doors of its new, state-of-the-art showroom and sales centre.

Situated on a four acre site on the corner of Hume Hwy and Grasslands Ave in Craigieburn, the new modern facility takes the place of Supreme’s previous,  smaller sales yard that was just down the road at Fawkner.

The new facility includes a large indoor showroom displaying a wide range of new and used caravans as well as spare parts. There’s plenty of parking space and a cafe with refreshments.

To celebrate the opening, Supreme Caravans is offering a number of specials including its Classic model priced at $49,990. Check out the website for more details.

FILL ‘ER UP FREE WITH JURGENS

Jurgens Caravans is taking some of the financial pain out of visits to the fuel pump with some free fuel deals for buyers of its South African-designed, Australian-built lightweight caravans.

The best deal is on the company’s flagship Lunagazer, with buyers getting $5000 worth of free fuel. The mid-range Skygazer comes with a $4000 fuel voucher, while Jurgens will throw in $3000 of go-juice if you purchase an entry-level Sungazer van.

The offer runs until March 31, 2012, and is limited to floor stock.

ONE KEY FITS ALL

Tired of having to carry a bunch of different keys to open all the various locks on your caravan, motorhome or camper trailer?

RV accessories supplier Camec has come up with a solution that allows you to upgrade each of the locks on your camper so you have just one key to unlock them all.

The “one key fits all” barrel is available for a range of door locks, T-handles, toilet cassette doors, picnic tables and water fillers, thereby eliminating the need to have a different key for every lock.

OUTBACK ICONS CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARIES

Two household names of the Australian outdoor leisure industry -- Queensland off-road caravan manufacturer Kedron Caravans and Outback favourite Engel fridges -- are celebrating 50 years in the business in 2012.

Barry Gall established Kedron in 1962 and his sons David, Peter, Craig, Ashley and Glen have all been heavily involved in the family business since, including the making of the legendary Gall Boys offroad adventure DVDs showcasing the go-anywhere abilities of the Kedron vans.

To help celebrate the milestone, Kedron's newly released, lightweight offroad van, the XC3, will be one of the stars of the Boys’ next DVD, shot on Queensland’s Coral Coast, due for release in April.

While not built in Australia, Engel’s portable fridge/freezers have developed an enviable reputation over the years for delivering the goods in some of Australia’s toughest regions.

With more than three million sold worldwide, the Outback-proven fridges still use a version of the swing motor compressors developed in the ‘60s by Japan’s Sawafuji Electric Co. for the first Engel fridges – many of which continue to keep their cool today.

To mark the occasion, Engel has released a gold coloured, limited edition 50th anniversary 40 litre model, featuring the latest Sawafuji electronics including built-in battery monitor and digital thermostat control. Priced at $1449, it comes with a special black and gold transit bag.

MOTORHOMES SET SALE FOR CMCA RALLY

Registrations remain open for the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) 26th anniversary rally from April 4-10, 2012.

The Easter rally (a first for the CMCA) will take place in the RV Friendly town of Sale in south-east Victoria. As well as a long list of programs and events planned for participants, a special feature of the Sale Rally will be the running of the CMCA Cup at the Sale and District Greyhound Racing Club.

There will also be an open day for non-members to view the impressive display of motorhomes.

Last year’s 26th National CMCA Rally in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, attracted more than 500 member vehicles, The CMCA is Australia’s biggest RV club with more than 62,000 members.

MOTORING CLUB SUPPORTS RV ENTHUSIASTS

Victoria’s premier motoring organisation, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has jumped on board as the major sponsor of this year’s Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow.

The annual six-day event is Australia’s largest caravan show, with around 400 RVs and up to 65,000 people expected at this year’s event, to be held at Caulfield Racecourse, from March 8-13.

A highlight of this year’s Supershow will be a new ‘Innovation and Technology’ area on Level 2 of the indoor Grandstand, which will include some of the latest gadgets, gear and ideas in the RV industry.

Attendees will also have the chance to win a $37,000 Jayco Expanda caravan.

As part of the sponsorship deal, RACV members will be able to take advantage of a two-for-one ticket deal on the first and last days of the show.

HEMA MAPS GO DIGITAL

Designed for the iPad and iPhone, the Hema 4WD Australia App puts more than 60 Hema 4WD maps at your fingertips, including Great Desert Tracks, Cape York, the Kimberley and the High Country.

It requires no cellular coverage for real-time GPS navigation that detects and displays speed and direction of travel.

The app also includes Hema's new state and national maps, as well as a Topo 250K Australia map which offers national coverage of tracks and terrain, plus campsites, roadhouses and caravan parks.

RRP is $179, from the App Store or visit hemamaps.com.au for more.