DIGITAL MAGAZINE ISSUE 261 $6.95 ON SALE 05/07/2021 INCLUDES MOTORHOME & CARAVAN TRADER Built for offroading TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW Titanium’s Southern Star is a tough-as-nails offroad tourer THE ULTIMATE RV BUYING AND SELLING MARKETPLACE $48,990 $19,990 $79,990 R 2019 AVAN ASPIRE 2021 STAR VISION CAMPER TRAILERS FX 2 2000 winnebago (avida) alpine front tunnel boot battery pack & solar panel 1200kg Tare weight 4 burner gas cooktop cab air conditioning reversing camera 4 berth qld 07 5445 2215 vic 1300 783 318 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, Courtney Cunningham PRODUCTION EDITOR Tyler Jefferson FIELD EDITOR Malcolm Street DESIGNERS Swathi Sankaran, Angus Greaves EDITORIAL AND NEWS 34 3 Wyman Place, Braeside, VIC 3195 [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Malcolm Street, Catherine Lawson, John Ford, Sam Richards 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 261 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: Titanium Southern Star Hardcore ATX This tough offroader is carving out a place for itself 16 Feature: Gwydir Get off the beaten track and explore Gwydir 20 Review: NockAbout Campers A compact camper that will follow you anywhere 28 Feature: Travel Like a Pro Tips and tricks to travel like an expert 34 Review: Emu RV E2S A large van conversion that is new to the game 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. 119 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 STAR GAZING The Titanium brand is carving out a place in the top end of the offroad segment, and this Southern Star Hardcore ATX version from Caravans Coffs Coast is top of the line WORDS AND PICS john ford 8 TradeRVs.com.au Tested Titanium Southern Star 19.6 Hardcore ATX Presented by Caravan World hemax.com 9 escribing a van as an offroad model In the real world, you can take an offroad van is simple. There have been plenty of overland if you want to, but does that mean you will builders that slap some graphics of be covered by insurance if you stuff it between two muddy splatters on the side, and glue trees and need a tractor to extricate it? Again, it’s on some fake checkerplate to give common sense. Dthe impression their van is a go-anywhere weapon Offroad caravans have evolved organically to capable of being dragged to the Cape the hard way. travellers’ demands who want to get out into the bush Actually building a van that can handle some abuse for some peace and quiet. Catch a few fish, watch a in the real world is a different thing altogether. calming sunset and settle in for a good night’s sleep in According to Titanium builder, Jason Grech, if a comfortable bed away from insects and reptiles. To your tow vehicle is up to the task, you can take meet the purpose of adventure travel, vans are built the 19ft 6in ATX anywhere you want. That's pretty tough on heavy-duty chassis with capable suspension creative marketing because no one in their right and a list of appliances and features that make mind would drag their $120k pride and joy down caravan parts suppliers smile. a winding track where dead branches are going to For most travellers, being able to cross long, gouge big welts in the new aluminium sides, or risk wearying sections of deep corrugations and rocky bogging it halfway up to the windows in a mud hole. gibber tracks are the benchmark for offroad capability. Offroading has limits defined by common sense and It's here that the well-considered engineering of the financial pain. Southern Star Hardcore ATX would exceed. “Titanium is a builder that saw the potential for a robust, custom-built van using modern materials and technology.” 10 TradeRVs.com.au Tested Titanium Southern Star 19.6 Hardcore ATX Presented by Caravan World THE BUILD Australian steel and engineered with a 6in A-frame Titanium is a builder that saw the potential for a leading back to laminated 8in x 2in rails and sturdy robust, custom-built van using modern materials cross members. A hot-dipped chassis is probably and technology. Any van destined for rough road 60–70kg heavier than Supergal, but it will last a travel must ensure enough strength and flexibility is lifetime in the extreme conditions which a van like built into the caravan body so it can stand up to the the ATX might be subjected to. punishment, without cracking the frame or chassis, All wiring and plumbing are neatly led to avoid or all the cupboards landing on the floor after the first stone damage, and it should be noted that Titanium unexpected cattle grid from hell. And while it might completes all work on the van in-house with their be true that a timber frame can flex, latter-day caravan own qualified tradespeople. Unlike most medium buyers are scared of the horror stories about rot that volume builders, they don't employ outside can lead to expensive repairs or worse. contractors, like plumbers and electricians, for the An aluminium frame avoids the rot, flexes where specialised work. necessary, and can be light in weight if correctly The next point of difference in the ATX is the engineered — all these are all pluses in my book. Australian built and conceived Cruisemaster ATX Clockwise from left The Hardcore ATX Southern Star is exclusive to tandem trailing arm airbag suspension. Wireless High levels of strength Caravans Coffs Coast and is a design collaboration controllers adjust the air pressure for ride height and flexibility have been incorporated into the build; between the dealer and factory. ATX — All Terrain variations when travelling and to level the van when 85/75 R16 MT offroad tyres Xplorer — refers to the trick suspension which is the top parked. This is a system that’s made to last and has are included of the tree for the brand, and, as the name suggests, it’s an over-engineered 3.7T capacity, heavier axles and as standard; The dark exterior is very on-trend for a high-end model with a lot of unique features. bearings, plus sensational stopping power courtesy of an offroader First up is the hot-dipped FP chassis made from disc brakes at each of the shiny black alloy wheels. hemax.com 11 THE EXTERIOR Dark colours are the trend at present, especially in offroad vans, and there's no departing from that with our review van. High panels of black checkerplate help protect the bottom sections of the exterior, and dark grey composite cladding covers the rest. The roof is a single composite sheet permanently bonded to the walls, so weatherproofing is as good as is possible.