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DIGITAL MAGAZINE ISSUE 260 $6.95 ON SALE 07/06/2021 INCLUDES MOTORHOME & CARAVAN TRADER Compact comfort GERMAN ADAPTABILITY Geelong-Based Achtung Campers transform reliable Volkswagens into campervans with a difference THE ULTIMATE RV BUYING AND SELLING MARKETPLACE $13,990 $21,499 $181,286 q 1998 COMPASS GTS MAVERICK CAMPERS Ranger Air 2021 SUNLINER Pinto Twin beds L-shaped dinette roll out awning stainless steel kitchen 120L water tank reversing camera two door fridge Toilet and shower SA 08 8285 5000 sa 1300 628 494 nsw 02 4948 0433 ,!3BD0A6-aahdbj!:K; Discover Australia by caravan WITH HEMA’S FIRST GOTO GUIDE $39.95 Hema’s Go-To Guide for Caravans is the fi rst in a series of publications designed to provide essential information to those who thirst for new adventures. From windswept grey nomads to sun kissed newly- weds, Hema’s Go-To Guide for Caravans is a vital companion for every kind of caravan-hauling holiday maker. Everything the reader will need to know is presented in an easy-to-read format, with plenty of info-graphics and Hema maps, and advice from an extensive network of industry-leading experts. THE GOTO GUIDE COVERS • Trip Planning • Safety & Security • Preparation • Equipment & Gadgetry • Food & Frivolities • Inspiring Destinations • Maintenance & DIY DRIVE EXPLORE Be prepared to explore with Hema Maps, guides and digital navigation. shop.hemamaps.com NOW AVAILABLE FREE SHIPPING OVER $50 Discover Australia by caravan WITH HEMA’S FIRST GOTO GUIDE $39.95 Hema’s Go-To Guide for Caravans is the fi rst in a series of publications designed to provide essential information to those who thirst for new adventures. From windswept grey nomads to sun kissed newly- weds, Hema’s Go-To Guide for Caravans is a vital companion for every kind of caravan-hauling holiday maker. Everything the reader will need to know is presented in an easy-to-read format, with plenty of info-graphics and Hema maps, and advice from an extensive network of industry-leading experts. THE GOTO GUIDE COVERS • Trip Planning • Safety & Security • Preparation • Equipment & Gadgetry • Food & Frivolities • Inspiring Destinations • Maintenance & DIY DRIVE EXPLORE Be prepared to explore with Hema Maps, guides and digital navigation. shop.hemamaps.com NOW AVAILABLE FREE SHIPPING OVER $50 Editorial MANAGING EDITOR Tim van Duyl DEPUTY EDITORS Charlotte Long, Sinead Reilly, Robyn Pitman-Williams PRODUCTION EDITOR Tyler Jefferson FIELD EDITOR Malcolm Street DESIGNERS Swathi Sankaran, Angus Greaves EDITORIAL AND NEWS 08 3 Wyman Place, Braeside, VIC 3195 [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Malcolm Street, Glenn Marshall, Carolyne Jasinski, Scott Heiman Marketing [email protected] Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Lamplugh [email protected] Advertising enquiries [email protected] emprisegroup.com.au Head of Partnerships Christopher Jefferson 0477 775 020 [email protected] NSW & Tourism Partner Manager — Serena Prasad 0429 489 615, [email protected] QLD Partner Manager — Karen Ratzke 0484 333 181, [email protected] VIC/SA/TAS Partner Manager — Richard Grant 0498 880 377, [email protected] Private Advertising tradervs.com.au/sell Customer Support [email protected] Executive group CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Robert Gallagher [email protected] CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Matthew O’Meara [email protected] Advertising Terms & Conditions emprisegroup.com.au TradeRVs is printed in Australia. We are proudly ISSUE 260 Australian-owned and members of a number of industry bodies which are working to grow the caravan and RV market in Australia. Total printed copies: 5500 Contents Features and reviews 8 Review: Summer Life Xplorer This lighter-weight caravan boasts towing ease and unique features 16 Feature: Gwydir Explore the picturesque and peaceful Gwydir Shire 18 Review: New Age Wayfinder Head offroad with the easy-to-set-up pop-top Wayfinder 26 Feature: Being Safe in the Bush Learn valuable safety lessons for your next big trip 34 Review: Achtung Camper A space-efficient campervan, perfect for weekend adventures 42 Private advertising TradeRVs is published by Emprise Group Holdings. ACN: 155 672 192 ABN: 29 155 672 192 All material in TradeRVs is protected by the Commonwealth Copyright Act, 1968. No material may be reproduced without written consent. 118 Advertisers index *Recommended maximum retail price. Distributed by Gordon & Gotch. Printed by IVE, NSW. DEALER ADVERTISING AND PRIVATE ADVERTISING 07 3340 0000 6 TradeRVs.com.au MOVING WITH THE Offroad caravans from various manufacturers often seem to have a number of similar build characteristics including a heavy weight. Some though, like Summer Life RV’s Xplorer are a little TIMESWORDS AND PICS malcomn street different. 8 TradeRVs.com.au Tested Summer Life Xplorer 5.8 Presented by Caravan World hemax.com 9 any offroad caravans built in Australia have similar characteristics — they are relatively heavy and usually require a heavy-duty vehicle, like a Toyota LandCruiser, for towing. MIt was something of a surprise, therefore, when I came across a Summer Life RV Xplorer 5.8 caravan, which is built for offroad use, but has an external body length of 5.8m (19ft) and a tare of just 2300kg. Summer Life RV is headed up by James Kaufmann and based at Newcastle, NSW. It has been around for quite a while but previously concentrated on the fifth wheeler and slide-on camper markets. More recently though, Summer Life made a move into the caravan sector, using the same building techniques as in its other RVs. STEELWORK Starting at the base, the Xplorer 5.8 has a 450 grade steel chassis with 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) main rails and drawbar finished with a two-pack paint system. The chassis is not built in a total box section style, instead using the 30mm fibreglass floor for some of the strength component. A benefit of the thickness of the floor is the insulation it provides. Being an offroad caravan, the Xplorer comes fitted with Cruisemaster XT independent suspension fitted with coil springs, dual shock absorbers and trailing arms, and 12in electric brakes are fitted to 16in alloy wheels. In addition to a 160L freshwater tank and 100L grey water tank — both protected by alloy checkerplate — the spare wheel and the two deep-cycle batteries are mounted underneath the front area of the van. While it’s a convenient storage location, it does make them a bit awkward to get to. 10 TradeRVs.com.au Tested Summer Life Xplorer 5.8 Presented by Caravan World NO FRAME there’s a wall strip light beside the door, but I reckon a Undoubtedly the centrepiece of the Xplorer’s light above the BBQ wouldn’t go astray. construction are the high gloss composite walls A feature point of this van is the external storage. In and roof. Vacuum bonded, the composite structure addition to the front tunnel storage, which in this case gives the dual benefits of strength and light weight, came with a slide-out BBQ, there’s a couple of smaller and everything is held together by high strength bins along the mid offside and one in the rear wall. adhesives — not a screw or rivet to be seen. The While not oversized, they are handy for smaller items. end result is a floor, walls and roof that form a Other option for more storage space is a large box solid structure, albeit one with a somewhat square on the drawbar, one fitted with doors on both sides, appearance. or a heavy-duty slide with a generator tray. Euro Vision double-glazed acrylic windows are fitted all round and the door is an Aussie Traveller POWER TO THE PEOPLE item, complete with security screen. Just for In its standard form, the Xplorer comes with two Clockwise from left something different, it’s nice to see an offroad caravan 100Ah lithium batteries and two 180W solar panels. Independent suspension that isn’t plated with black alloy checkerplate. If that’s not enough, there are extra battery and solar marks this as an offroader; The BBQ and front tunnel There’s no external entertainment unit but there panel options available, as well as 2000W and 3000W storage; The Xplorer in all are two external speakers for use when sitting out inverters. That, together with an optional 160L water its glory under the awning. Along with the grab handle light, tank, should satisfy anyone’s remote travel needs! hemax.com 11 ROOM TO MOVE Stepping aboard the Xplorer van, almost the first thing noticed is that it’s rather a big step up, so the fold-out two step is a welcome feature. Inside, the front bedroom/full-width bathroom looks a bit familiar, but some things, like the individual leather recliner chairs and the bed up front, don’t. More about that shortly. All the furniture is constructed with aluminium tube framing, aluminium composite and plywood. Except for items like the bench tops, it’s all finished off in a glossy acrylic finish. The end result is quite a clean- looking interior. KICKING BACK Recliner chairs are a little unusual in a caravan, but there’s no doubt about the ‘sit down and relax’ offered to anyone who steps into the Xplorer — which is what I did to contemplate the van layout. Both the chairs are strapped to the wall, so that they don’t move around when travelling. It’s quite amazing just how much difference the freestanding chairs make to space perceptions. Between the chairs is a small wall cabinet with a small compartment built in, as well as a 240V power point and USB charger outlet. At first glance there doesn’t seem to be any sort of table for the chairs. However, under the bed is a table top that clips into a wall bracket and, hey presto, a table for two! If something a bit larger is needed, a freestanding table could be used.