Lotus Caravans Autumn Newsletter 2014

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LATEST NEWS | Autumn 2014

IN THIS ISSUE • Lotus Caravans wins Melbourne Caravan Supershow 2014 award • Pat Callinan’s BIG giveaway winner • Lotus Caravans’ new website • Your On The Road travel photos • Lotus Caravans RVM Australia Accreditation

ALL NEW 2014 VANS

Lotus Caravans have had a fantastic start to 2014 We’ve been busy touring the Caravan & Camping shows up and down the country, as well as fitting out our new workshop.

We’ve won awards, been part of some incredible giveaways and have just launched a brand new website. It’s been a pleasure to see the Lotus Caravans community sharing their travel photographs over the past few months and we look forward to seeing more!

Awards Best Stand Award at The Melbourne Caravan Supershow 2014 Lotus Caravans was awarded “Best Stand” at the Melbourne Caravan Supershow in March this year. Beating off fierce competition, we were commended for our presentation and style. We had a great week, and would like to thank everyone who came to support us at the show.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF CUSTOM CARAVAN10MANUFACTURE CELEBRATING YEARS OF CUSTOM CARAVAN MANUFACTURE LOTUSCARAVANS.COM.AU

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winNER

BEST STAND AWARD 2014

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

Nissan Adventure

Giveaway

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more great prizes

2014 giveaway Competition

winNER Mark & Y vonne Carthy

The Lotus Caravans’ factory send its congratulations to Mark and Yvonne Carthy; the lucky winners of the Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures big giveaway.

The competition saw $192,000 worth of prizes given out, with Mark and Yvonne taking out first prize, which included a brand new all-terrain Trooper caravan.

Check out the moment when Mark was told about his big win… click below to view:

We are excited to welcome Mark and Yvonne to the Lotus Caravans community and hope you meet them on the road.

“First of all a huge thank you to Lotus Caravans and Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures for this great prize,” said Mark. “We were totally overwhelmed to find out we had won a Trooper. Both my wife and I have seen pictures of our van and honestly can’t believe how fantastic it looks. The Trooper is well-equipped and stylish with amazing capabilities, true five star camping!”

“The Complete Package now gives us the opportunity and capability of a new lifestyle for the future. We have already started thinking of travel plans across Australia and look forward to catching up with the Lotus Caravans community on the road.”

“The Complete Package now gives us the opportunity and capability of a new lifestyle for the future.”

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

Christmas travel 2013 Competition In December 2013 we launched a travel photo competition, searching for the best travelling photo and story – the winner receiving a Waeco travel fridge.

We had lots of fantastic entries and, after much deliberation, chose Greg Cheshire as our winner.

Check out Greg’s entry below.

“We took this photo after returning home from a 5000km trip to Victoria on our honeymoon. I have owned five caravans and this one is the best”, he said.

“It tows with great stability and rides so smoothly that nothing inside is disturbed. I towed the Trooper over Mt Hotham into the Victorian Alps without a worry. After a week in Bright, we then travelled over the Snowy Mountains via Cabrumurra, the highest town in Australia.”

winNER

GREG CHESHIRE

Have you seen our new website?

Lotus Caravans HQ is proud to announce the launch of the new site.

Check out our fresh look complete with new models, new interiors and new features!

We have also just launched Lotus Caravans video, so now you’re able to see video footage of each model and its features.

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

On The Road with Lotus Caravans We’ve received some awe-inspiring photographs of your travels over the past few months, and you can see some of our favourites here.

And don’t forget to share your photos on Facebook – we love seeing our vans on the road.

“Picked up our Trooper in Dec and headed along the Darling River Run very dry, dusty and hot…will do it again when it’s not so hot!” Bob Caldwell

“Funny what you meet on the Nullarbor Plain” Yvonne Sewell

“On the Murray River near Mildura” John Hiskins

“Us returning home, with our new home – the Lotus Caravans Off Limits at Devil Marbles” Rocky Postrak

“Stop off at Normanton to see the ‘Big Barra’...one of the many places we saw on our 8 month, 17,000 km trip through the eastern states....

Can’t wait to get on the road again” Lyn Reay

“Crossing the Nullarbor at sunrise” Robert Harris

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

WITH ITS QUALITY FEATURES, DISTINCTIVE FINISH AND ROBUST BODY, THE SPRINT SETS GROUNDBREAKING NEW STANDARDS IN AFFORDABLE TOURING VANS. let the adventure begin.

FEATURE CARAVAN Opening up new territory in comfortable touring, the Sprint is your ticket to the freedom of open highways and country roads.

Light-filled, convenient layouts make for easy living as dream holidays become reality. Hassle-free towing is achieved through the Supergal chassis and tandem axles.

INTERNAL • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Shell button catches Vinyl floor Laminate benchtops Stylish cloth/Annahide upholstery Recliner foot stools on lounge Slatted bed frame on gas struts Pull-out pantry (where applicable) Innerspring queen size mattress Mesh blinds/blockout screens Tri-fold dinette table Acrylic splashbacks Laminate hinged stove cover Metal case drawers New style lounge

APPLIANCES • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fire extinguisher Smoke alarm Microwave Full Swift Gas/Electric Oven Stainless slimline rangehood Dometic 3 way RM8551 190L fridge TV wall bracket CD/radio/DVD player Ibis low-profile roof air-con Jack antenna NCE washing machine Trail a Mate Jack

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

PLUMBING • • • • • • • • • •

Tap on A-frame 12V Shurflo water pump Large bowl sink Mixer tap 95L water tanks x 2 9 kg gas bottles x 2 Ceramic toilet bowl Ceramic basin Water level indicator H.W.S. gas/240V

The Sprint makes for exceptional value, with a range of sizes available, and all boasting separate shower/toilet ensuites, air-conditioning, washing machine, Euro-style double-glazed windows and a choice of modern or traditional interior panelling.

Hassle-free towing is achieved through the Supergal chassis and Simplicity Independent Suspension which is now standard.

CHASSIS • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Drop-down jacks Supergal chassis Bumper bar – straight Spare wheel 3T or 2.75T Simplicity Suspension 15” Trojan alloy wheels x 235 AT tyres Brakes 10” Extended A-frame to springs 8’’ jockey wheel Drop step One-piece floor 2” Chassis Raiser 2” Recessed Coupling

ELECTRICAL • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Complete 12V lighting Internal down lights (LED) Reading lights (LED) Light above oven and sink/basin (LED) Boot light (LED) Annex light (LED) Battery charger 25A Projecta 100AH battery External power point Bargman door light TV point Anderson plug Breakaway strap Tow Plug 12 Pin

EXTERIOR • • • • • • • • • • •

LED clearance lights Double-glazed Euro-style windows Triple lock security door Heki hatch 12V exhaust hatches Silver Checkerplate – front, sides & rear Grab handles – front & rear AE Dometic awning Insulated roof & walls Drop-down table Black access doors

TO CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DEALER Click here

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LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

Getting to know you Interviewing the best of the Lotus Caravans community We took the time to chat to David Checker, owner of a 20ft 6 Freelander from Adelaide Hills. We spoke to Dave about his time with Lotus Caravans and experiences with his van.

What do you love about your van?

The Freelander was always our number one choice. Everything about the van is totally suited to us – the chassis, suspension, look and build.

How long have you had your Freelander?

We’ve had our van since October 2013. After ordering the Freelander, we actually paid the Lotus Caravans factory a visit on our way to Canberra. We dropped in to the workshop and were given a full factory tour by Wayne Freeman.

It was fantastic to spend time looking at the construction process.

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

We fell in love with the layout and interior of the Freelander, and the ability to customise our van was really special. We’ve even got some neat chequered artwork on our van, checker by name – checker by nature!

Travel plans for future

The Lotus Caravans staff provided excellent service along our journey, and the staff always assisted us when had any questions whilst our van was being built.

We’ve managed to do a fair bit of travelling in our Freelander, but plan to do a lot more.

We’ve started planning a big trip to the northern parts of Queensland for early next year.

Where’s your favourite place to travel?

Touring tips

My wife and I absolutely love going to Lake Bolac.

We have a favourite spot around 40km south of the Grampians. Anywhere near the coast is also always a winner with us.

Don’t rush around the countryside, take your time and enjoy the journey!

Check out some of the photos from Dave’s adventures so far…

New members of the Lotus Caravans Community We welcome the following new members to the Lotus Caravans fleet, happy travels to all!

The Johnstons

Colin and Madelyn

Matt and Diane

Ian and Phyllis

Chris and Magda

Glen and John

Lorraine and Andrew

Brenton and Naomi LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

In the workshop A visit from WorkSafe Thanks to the wonderful staff at WorkSafe Victoria for dropping in to the workshop in March. WorkSafe provide training to help avoid workplace injuries and enforce Victoria’s occupational health and safety laws.

The Lotus Caravans’ engineers undertook an afternoon of workshop safety training. Check out the boys in action (above)...

Lotus Caravans RVM Australia Accreditation In March, Lotus Caravans received RVM Australia Accreditation, and we’d like to extend our thanks to Daniel Sahlberg (Technical Advisor at RVMA) for his support.

The RVM Australia Accreditation recognises high production standards, and supports initiatives in training and technology development. At national level, the certification also liaises with government and regulators on policies and regulations affecting the RV manufacturing industry.

RVM Australia’s accreditation programs require all RVs produced by members to comply fully with all safety regulations, including Australian Design Rules and Australian Standards.

Sales Manager Wayne Freeman & RVMA Technical Adviser Daniel Sahlberg

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

SEE US AT THESE Upcoming 2014 CARAVAN & CAMPING shows Come and visit Lotus Caravans as we tour Caravan & Camping shows up and down the country.

Hunter Valley Caravan & Camping Show

Brisbane Caravan Show

Albury Wodonga Caravan & Camping Show

Where: Maitland Showground

Where: Brisbane Showgrounds

Where: Wodonga Racecourse

When:

When:

When:

23rd – 25th May 2014

VISIT WEBSITE

4th – 10th June 2014

VISIT WEBSITE

15th - 17th August 2014

VISIT WEBSITE

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

G&S CHASSIS EST. 1975

caravan chassis manufacturer G & S Chassis are proud to have supplied Lotus Caravans with custom chassis for 10 years

ALUMINIUM CHASSIS - Weight saving of up to 150 kg over comparable steel chassis

GALVANISED REAR ANGLE CHASSIS

Family owned and operated, we pride ourselves on quality, consistent chassis production and service for caravan owners and manufacturers.

CONTROL RIDER SINGLE - Rated to 2500kg single with Koni Shockers - A.T.M 2750 kg

ONE TOUCH SELF LEVELLING STABILISERS

CONTROL RIDER TANDEM - T andem axle up to 3495 kg G.T.M

For more information call 03 9357 0227 or email info@gnschassis.com.au 8 Production Dve, Campbellfield Victoria LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

Control rider in action

CLICK HERE FOR ENQUIRIES

Lotus Caravans are proud to announce our national dealer network.

Check out our fantastic dealers across the country…

SEE US AT THESE Upcoming CARAVAN & CAMPING shows

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

lUXURY RV’S WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHAPMAN CARAVANS

DAVE BENSON CARAVANS

120 Princes Hwy 64 Grand Junction Road 583 Pinjarra Road Nowra NSW 2541 Kilburnup SA and 5084 down the country.

Come and visit Lotus Caravans as we tour Caravan & Camping shows Barragup WA 6210 02 4422 6666 08 8262 2500 Hunter Valley Brisbane Lismore 08 9535 5507

Caravan & Camping Show 2014 VISIT WEBSITE Where: Maitland Showground When:

23rd - 25th May 2014

VICTORIA

GATEWAY CARAVANS 112 Bellarine Hwy Newcomb, Geelong VIC 3219 03 5248 7006

VISIT WEBSITE

LOTUS CARAVANS HQ 17 Cooper Street Campbellfield VIC 3061 03 9305 3907

Caravan Show 2014 VISIT WEBSITE

Caravan Camping Show 2014 VISIT &WEBSITE

Where: Brisbane Showgrounds

Where: Lismore Showground

FIVE STAR CAMPERS & When: 4th-10th June 2014 CARAVANS 390 Pacific Hwy Belmont NSW 2280 002 4947 9999

VISIT WEBSITE

QUEENSLAND When: 4th – 6th July 2014 CARAVAN WORLD 227 Nambour Connection Rd Woombye QLD 4559 07 5442 1600

VISIT WEBSITE

WAGGA CARAVAN CENTRE 3871 Sturt Hwy Wagga Wagga NSW 2652 02 6922 8307

VISIT WEBSITE

VISIT WEBSITE

LOTUS NEWS | Autumn 2014

WWW.LOTUSCARAVANS.COM.AU