BRINGING LUX TO LIFE

Randall Johnston checks out the five-berth Dreamline Lux FD family bunk caravan, which has a lot to offer in regard to luxury, specifications and features.

The Dreamline Lux range consists of ten different model options, three of which are single axle. They all range from 16ft to 22.6ft long, sleep anywhere between two to five people and include a range of different layout options. The Dreamline Lux 22’ Family Bunk model impresses as a modern, spacious unit that would accommodate a family with ease.

The Dreamline Lux has an inviting interior, modern styling, and some high-level specifications. Its practical layout makes it ideal for families, and for those looking for something spacious and elegant. The layout is simple and intuitive, with the main bedroom at the front, kitchen and dining area in the middle and bunk beds for two opposite the bathroom at the rear.

The dining area is spacious for a family unit, and the seating area converts into the fifth bed by pushing the table down.

The kitchen includes a four-hob stovetop, grill, and full-sized oven with a concealed rangehood. The full-height, 170-litre, three-way Thetford refrigerator, and full house-style microwave and bench space all add to the convenience.

In the main bedroom, the queensize fixed bed is very comfortable. The bedroom itself is generously sized with large windows on either side and a sunroof. In the rear, top and bottom bunks have comfortable mattresses, separate reading lights for each, double 240v outlet power points and the allimportant USB hub for those beloved phones and tablets.

The full-size shower with two-stage lights and the Thetford fully ceramic toilet are well-positioned, with plenty of room between the shower, toilet and vanity – a design consideration that people of regular, modern-day proportions will appreciate.

The caravan has been fitted with the Wi-Fi Elec-Brake system, which is mounted on the drawbar; there is also a remote to adjust your brakes up and down on your tow vehicle dashboard. It also has breakaway chains and a Trail-Safe breakaway unit to stop the caravan if it comes away from the tow vehicle. It also has stability control as standard, built on a tough AL-KO Rocker 3.2-tonne/Dexter 2.5-tonne suspension, and Supagal chassis. Caravan park power hook up, fresh water mains pressure hook up, water hose, awning tool, jack, wheel brace and speed brace for stability needs are all included in the package. Find out more at dne.co.nz

SPECIFICATIONS

Chassis

Mainframe

Raiser 2-inch (optional)

A-Frame 6-inch

Coupling AL-KO 50mm ball coupling

Brakes Electric

Tyres 235/75 R15 LT MPC 27

Rims Black silver 15 alloy

Price $116,995

Tough Mudder

Roomy and robust, Paul Owen discovers that the Bivouac Kākāpō trailer camper is ready for anything.

Camping trailers have long been part of the roadscape in Australia, but the concept of an easy-to-tow and store, affordable ‘imploding caravan’ is only beginning to catch on here in New Zealand. So, when Tauranga residents Fergus King and Chris Snelson were looking for a business they could run in a semi-retired fashion, they decided to import Australian-designed, Chinesemade, camping trailers in knocked-down form, and assemble them here.

A $4,500 premium package can be added to the base $23,000 Kākāpō camper. This adds a 44-litre Waeco chest fridge, 240v battery charger, two-way towing hitch for off-road use, portable toilet, gas califont and shower with extra gas bottle, spare mag wheel fitted with a 265/75R16 Goodride all-terrain tyre, and a 120-watt portable solar panel.

The undercarriage of the Bivouac includes industrial-strength coil sprung suspension and beefy safety chains to prevent the coil springs from popping out should the trailer become airborne.

To the rear there’s the 120-litre stainless steel water tank, surrounded by thick alloy checker plate armour. With the ability to carry 500kg to take the Gross Vehicle Mass limit to 1900kg, there’s plenty of load weight capacity left for other touring essentials.

Inside, taller folk will appreciate that the tent roof is located 2.2 metres above the floor of the camper, while the main bed measures 1.95m x 1.6m. The U-shaped dining area has an adjustable table and seats six. The dining area squabs can be arranged into a second double bed if required. With two 100Ah deep cycle batteries to keep the fridge and the lighting going, the Bivouac can stay parked up in one place off-grid for quite some time. A third room comes as standard with the Kākāpō, to be added outside in the awning area as an ensuite, especially as a pressurised shower outlet is located on that side of the trailer.

The Bivouac includes two gas bottles and the 44-litre electric fridge is accessed via a pull-out drawer. There are four stabiliser legs located in each corner of the trailer so that you can get it on the level, as the trailer has a slight tilt forward when hitched up to most vehicles.

Assisting Bivouac owners to turn their compressed trailers into canvas palaces are the two hand winches located at either end to help fold things out.

Find out more at bivouaccampers.co.nz

Specifications

Make/model BIVOUAC KĀKĀPŌ

Chassis Galvanised steel with independent coilsprung suspension

Berths 4

Fresh/grey water Fresh 100L/Grey BYO container

GVW 1900kg

(unladen mass: 1400kg)

Price $23,000 ($27,500 with premium package)

Read the full review in issue #216 or online at nzmcd.co.nz/reviews/camper-trailers/bivouac-kakapo-camper-trailer-review/