Caravan ISSUE
AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES AND EXPERT ADVICE 585
World
ISSUE 585
ON SALE MAR 07, 2019
$9.95
(INC GST)
BACK to the
FUTURE IN THE JAYCO AIRSTREAM 18FT
LUXURY LIVING
WITHOUT THE BUDGET
GOURMET GRAZING
IN THE GRANITE BELT
ON THE SILOR!
E L P
TRAIL O
T RE BE E H RI CK BSC I CL SU
M A S
TRAVEL HAPPY
We shine the spotlight on caravanners, their rigs and their travel tales MORE
PICS PLEASE
On their recent trip from the south coast of New South Wales to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Andrew and Ann McRae took this photograph of their 2018 V6 Amarok towing a 2005 21ft 6in Boroma Tourista, at the Derrick VC rest area. “What is unique about this place is the convict-built structures and old garrison, from 1839 to 1843,” they write. “It was the Towrang garrison and the convicts who built the great south road, the forerunner to the Hume highway.”
Ben Mortimer took his new 2006 Jayco Expanda on its maiden voyage to Fingal Bay, NSW, towed by a Hilux. “Now we have it all worked out we are already planning our next trips!” he writes.
David Leversha, from Vic, snapped his van as it travelled the Cobb Highway Touring Route from Echuca, Vic to Wilcannia, NSW, past the Black Swamp. “We found the Headless Horseman's ghost riding along with us,” he writes.
Eddy and Tanya O'Hara took this photo of their van while travelling in Ghan, in the Northern Territory. “We have recently embarked on a four-month road trip around Australia with our two kids," Tanya writes. “We are living the dream!”
WIN! 28 caravanworld.com.au
This month’s winner will receive a Purple Line Saracen Ultra Hitch Lock, valued at $189. Saracen Ultra is a highly visible, simple to use, compact, high security lock which works both hitched and unhitched to keep would-be caravan thieves at bay. It fits to most standard 50mm ball hitches on caravans, camper trailers, boat and car trailers, and even work trailers. For more information about this and a host of other vanning accessories, visit purpleline.com.au
READERS' RIGS
REGULARS
Brenton and Josephine Bowley, from Adelaide, took this photograph of their Crusader Porthos at the Head of Bight, SA. “There's nothing like settling in to watch the sunset (and sunrise for that matter) on the Bunda Cliffs with the ocean pounding far below,” they write.
HOW TO WIN
Just email your most travel-inspiring picture (2-3Mb) of yourself, family and friends, with your rig along with a brief description to: submissions@emprisegroup.com.au with ‘Readers’ Rigs’ in the subject line, or send a print to Caravan World Readers’ Rigs, 125 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, Vic 3161. All entries must include your full postal address (not for publication). Photo submissions may also appear on caravanworld.com.au.
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IN BRIEF Iconic US-built 'travel trailer' on Oz soil An exposed riveted aluminium 'Silver Bullet' Retro classic van reminiscent of the 1930s
BACK The Jayco Airstream is a classic transporter that Emmet 'Doc' Brown would approve of
Words
PETER Q U I LT Y
TO THE
FUTURE... Pics Graeme Neander
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J ay c o A i r s t r e a m 1 8 f t TESTED
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MEASURING
UP
“And, like McFly, I felt both stranded in the past and catapulted into the future due to its retro/space-age appearance”
PROS Distinctive body shape Tow-tug versatility Retro/futuristic look Emphasis on privacy Spacious shower cubicle
CONS Asking price could be perceived as exhorbitant General storage is relatively sparse No picnic table Kitchen sans a rangehood
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE The 'Silver Bullet' Airstream will turn heads on the road; classic retro styling in its tail-light design
H
ere I was feeling just like teenager Marty McFly in the sci-fi movie phenomenon Back to the Future, who was blasted to 1955 in a DeLorean time machine prior to ‘visiting’ the year 2015 and eventually returning to 1985. Yes, the ‘past, future and present’ simile was unavoidable while recently reviewing a ‘relaunched’ Jayco Airstream in Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley winery region. And, like McFly, I felt both stranded in the past and catapulted into the future due to its retro/space-age appearance. CW gained an exclusive: testing one of the first batch of eight US-built 18-footers to hit Australian soil. (OK, a couple of ‘prototypes’ arrived in Oz towards the middle of last year.) Dispatched from Airstream USA headquarters in Ohio, the Airstreams are fully compliant (including a nearside entry door)
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on arrival Down Under. Jayco is the national distributor of Airstream caravans. The only exceptions with this initial batch is that Jayco will install the Dometic Harrier air-conditioner, Camec battery and roofmounted solar panel. These vans already have a Winegard Sensar HV aerial fitted.
If my calculations are correct …
ABOVE The storage bin on the drawbar protects twin 9kg gas cylinders
Dubbed the 'Silver Bullet', the Airstreams are real head-turners with their polished and exposed riveted aluminium cladding, and a distinctive body shape that dates back to the 1930s. Their ‘rounded’ shape is based on designs created by Hawley Bowlus, who had earlier overseen construction of Charles Lindbergh’s aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis. So, in true tradition, the funky little 5.7m (18ft 8in) number under review was sheer eyecandy — and it wasn’t all show and no go!
J ay c o A i r s t r e a m 1 8 f t TESTED
JAYCO
AIRSTREAM 18FT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Overall length 7.02m (23ft) External body length 5.7m (18ft 8in) External body width 2.22m (7ft 3in) Travel height 2.82m (9ft 3in) Internal height 1.99m (6ft 6in) Tare 1805kg ATM 2292kg Payload 487kg Ball weight 214kg EXTERNAL Frame Aluminium Cladding Aluminium Chassis Galvanised LCI Suspension Dexter IRS Coupling AL-KO Brakes 12in Wheels 15in alloys, with 225/70 R15 tyres Water 1x80L (fresh); 1x96L (grey) Battery 1x120Ah AGM Solar 1x80W Air-conditioner Dometic Harrier Gas 2x9kg Sway control No Kitchen No
ROBE FRIDGE
SHOWER
TOILET
QUEEN BED TABLE SEAT
INTERNAL Cooking Smev two-burner cooktop & Thetford Duplex grill/oven Fridge Thetford N3141 three-way 141L Microwave LG Bathroom Full-height fibreglass shower cubicle and Dometic CT4110 cassette toilet Washing machine No Hot water Suburban OPTIONS FITTED None PRICE AS SHOWN $139,990 MORE INFORMATION To enquire about this caravan, please visit www.jayco.com.au or phone (03) 8792 2000
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W
ABOVE Step inside the rear entry door to find the cosy yet well-equipped kitchen and dining space
SENSUALE SOUMAH
In accordance with our theme for this issue – Gourmet and luxury touring – we descended upon boutique winery Soumah of Yarra Valley for the review of the Jayco Airstream. Set among a pristine 50 acres, and nestled on the foothills of the Warramate range, Soumah – south of Maroondah Highway (SOUMAH) – is home to some of the most prestigious vineyards in all of Australia. The owner specifically selected the site for its elevation, lending itself perfectly to the vineyards' Northern Italian grape varieties. In fact, Soumah believes its 'Terroir' is similar to Northern Italy in many ways. The hot but short summers, the cold nights throughout, even the fog that descends on the valley in the early mornings of autumn are all very reminiscent of Northern Italy.
During the review, we found (made) some time for a quick bite to eat, and naturally a palate cleanser. Soumah's congenial staff treated to us to an epicurean delight in the Trattoria d’Soumah… Buon appetito! The workers (lol) - photographer Graeme and myself - wolfed down pork sausage (Salsiccia di maiale), proscuitto and cauliflower (cavolfiore) pizzas washed down with still water, while senior editor Anji and our senior video director Anna – hand-picked (or was that self-selected) from the Emprise Group talent pool – were much more refined quaffing a glass of savarro and viognier with their pranzo (lunch). Even Anna’s five-month-old female ‘Heinz variety’ pooch Mimi received a doggie morsel of charcuterie-like ‘leftovers’.
For more information on Soumah of Yarra Valley, visit www.soumah.com.au
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For starters, it rides on a galvanised LCI chassis and Dexter IRS suspension, along with 15in alloys and 225/70 R15 tyres. Further, it boasts noteworthy capacities for on-road adventure — and also some off-grid credibility — courtesy of a 120Ah Camec AGM battery, 80L of freshwater, 96L of grey water, 80W of solar, plus a BMPRO J35 battery management system. And its lightweight 1805kg Tare made touring a breeze with a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport tow-tug. Externally, I’m completely won over by its shiny, riveted aluminium armour and a tinted wraparound front window that complements the futuristic look. (The central section of the front window opens out to allow additional light and ventilation for the bedroom.) I’m also impressed with the rear entry door that is ‘camouflaged’ within the external cladding, and likewise the awning that has an ‘undetectable’ effect. And the panoramic nearside windows (bedroom and living zone) certainly provide for inviting vistas. Another tick of approval is a solar plug for utilisation of a portable panel. However, apart from a small nearside hatch, storage is at a premium — and that’s also the theme internally. I also noticed the absence of a front storage locker, tunnel boot and drop-down picnic table. Additionally, there’s no slide-out kitchen, only a gas bayonet for al fresco cooking.
J ay c o A i r s t r e a m 1 8 f t TESTED
RATINGS VALUE FOR MONEY “You’re paying for an American cult classic – but at just under $140K!” TOWABILITY ABOVE The compact front bedroom offers overhead cupboards and a privacy curtain
“I’m completely won over by its shiny, riveted aluminium armour and a tinted wraparound front window that complements the futuristic look”
“Its light weight has you caught in a smooth airstream”
The Airstream’s front comprises a storage bin mounted on the A-frame that conceals and protects twin 9kg gas cylinders, along with an AL-KO 50mm ball coupling and AL-KO jockey wheel. There’s also a TrailSafe emergency breakaway safety unit. But there’s no water tap on the drawbar. Meanwhile, the van’s offside comprises windows that ‘mirror’ those on the nearside (except they’re much smaller), Marinco cable TV point, vents for the hot water service and gas-ducted heater, exterior shower, lockable hatch for potable water only, water filler, 240V inlet, and Banjo shower outlet. At the rear is a toilet cassette hatch, Furrion reversing camera, a couple of ensuite ‘portholes’ masquerading as windows, and stylish traffic lights. This van also has an inner layer of aluminium, with insulation sandwiched between these walls and the outer layer. And the Airstream’s internal wall paneling also follows the ‘curvature’ of the upper-half of the van’s body.
Great Scott!
Its front bedroom is quite compact, with an unusual bed size by Australian standards and no robes or dressers. There are two overhead lockers with ‘frosted’ sliding panels acting as cupboard doors that will keep your clothing tucked away neatly and securely, a curtain around the front window, a privacy curtain,
LIVEABILITY “It's purpose-built for comfortable touring” SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING “You'll be hitting the road with complete peace of mind” LAYOUT “Both the bedroom and bathroom were somewhat cramped” QUALITY OF FINISH “Some internal aspects were more modest than superior” BUILD QUALITY “A 'Silver Bullet' by moniker and nature” CREATURE COMFORTS “Missing some 'staple' mod cons” INNOVATION “The window 'lever' system and roller blind setup lead the way” X-FACTOR “I was riveted by the retro/futuristic paradox”
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Caravan ISSUE
585 AND EXPERT ADVICE AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES
Caravan
AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES AND EXPE RT ADVICE 585
1SSUE 585
ISSUE
1SSUE 585
World
World
ISSUE 585
ON SALE MAR 07, 2019
$9.95
(INC GST)
BACK to the
FUTURE IN THE JAYCO AIRSTREAM 18FT
LUXURY LIVING
WITHOUT THE BUDGET ISSUE 585
GOURMET GRAZING
ON SALE MAR 07, 2019
IN THE GRANITE BELT
ON THE SILO
$9.95
(INC GST)
TRAIL
BACK to the
FUTURE IN THE JAYCO AIRSTREAM 18FT
LUXURY LIVING
WITHOUT THE BUDGET
GOURMET GRAZING
IN THE GRANITE BELT
ON THE SILO TRAIL
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