First Class All The Way!
First Class Caravans have hit the market with an exciting new range of vans. We were able to spend some time in their Connoisseur complete with slide out dinette and we walked away impressed.
The first thing I noticed when I spotted the Connoisseur was the flashy, two tone, smooth aluminium composite walls and black chequer plate front boot. With the addition of some smart decals this van looked pretty cool. Big windows occupy a lot of the wall space and really add to the van’s smart looks. A wide tunnel boot with easy access from either side of the van to handle the longer items sits towards the front of the van and runs under the bed area and while the front gal boot is spacious I didn’t like the way the handle worked as it seemed too floppy with no positive engagement.
Once the basic exterior has been absorbed the mechanical package takes over the thought processes. The Connoisseur is built on an Austral RV galvanized chassis that hosts AL-KO products such as a jockey wheel, 50mm ball coupling and ESC swerve control. Roller rocker suspension works well with the electric brakes and 15-inch alloy rims and tyres. There are all the usual suspects such as drop down stabilizing legs, twin 9kg gas bottles, mesh floor in the A-frame, tap and an external gas bayonet for a BBQ.
Other gear mounted to the chassis includes a battery system, rear bar and spare and a couple of 80 litre water tanks which can be filled a couple of ways.
Body-wise the Connoisseur features an electric awning, a slide out for the dinette, external shower, wheel spats, pull out drop-down step, picnic table and LED lighting. There is also an external entertainment connection system for watching the TV outside if desired. Overall the exterior package is a tried and proven one that is not only very practical, it also looks very classy.
Inside the van, plush is a good way to describe the Connoisseur. The Tulip Gloss finish of the walls not only looks good, it will also be very easy to clean. Starting from the back of the van the ensuite runs across the rear wall and features an amazing amount of storage. A Thetford toilet is located on the driver’s side of the van while a neat ceramic basin and vanity unit sits in the middle of the space. A good sized shower features curved doors and plenty of room to shower as well as a seat for comfort. I liked the little features in the shower such as LED lighting and a grooming mirror.
Also in the ensuite is a Sphere 3.0kg washing machine, heated towel rail and did I mention plenty of storage? One thing I didn’t like in the ensuite was the location of the sliding door lock which keeps the door locked open and in place. I had trouble kneeling down to unlock the door catch. I can imagine anyone with mobility issues would really struggle with this. I don’t think this would be a hard fix however it’s an issue that will need addressing for some people.
Moving out of the ensuite into the centre section of the van a club style dinette is mounted on the slide out. This is a great C-section leather couch dinette seat with a good sized table. This space would be excellent for entertaining and really adds to the smart look of the Connoisseur.
Opposite the dinette is a long bench section that is eminently practical. It starts at the door with a Thetford 3&1 grill, oven and rangehood. Next to that is a large sink with flick mixer and water filter system. After the sink is a great section of clear bench for food prep and serving. The under bench space is filled with sliding drawers and cupboards, offering a huge amount of storage and there are overhead cupboards above the bench as well. It’s an amazing kitchen fit out.
The fridge and microwave are very important components of any van and the Connoisseur’s are located neatly between the slide out club lounge and the ensuite wall.
At the front of the van is a queen sized bed with aluminium frame. Either side are some wardrobes with huge hanging spaces. Corner cupboards are located between the bedroom and the kitchen dinette that again provide an amazing amount of storage.
There’s so much extra stuff in this van from the roof hatches to an Ibis Air Command system and electrical goodies. The amount of extras is amazing and when you look at the fit and finish of the Connoisseur, although it looks simple, it’s well manufactured and of course pretty practical to boot. I really liked the flow of the van and the very light and bright look.
One of the things that would also work for any potential First Class Caravan buyer is the ability to customise the van to suit their needs and tastes. This is a great way to ensure a van stands out from the crowd.
Towing-wise, our ad manager Rowan was impressed as he hauled the Connoisseur along the freeway towards the coast. It was a blowy day and while cruising just under the speed limit the van sat very well on the back. The AL-KO ESC will deal with any significant swaying beautifully however a set of stabilising bars would make the van behave even more and remove the slight pitching caused by the combination of van and softish suspension on the Cruiser.
With a price tag of just over $84,000 ex Springvale Caravans, this Connoisseur offers some excellent value for money and a lot of space to boot. Overall the vans is well finished and laid out, and aside from a few small points it’s a van that is well worth looking at for anyone wanting to tour in style.
Specifications
Manufacturer: First Class Caravans
Model: Connoisseur
Travel length: 6.88m (22.6ft)
Travel width: 2.4m (7ft 9in)
Tare weight: 2775kg
Ball weight: 125kg
Price: As shown $84,375.00 drive away ex Melb. From Springvale Caravans
Find Out More
Springvale Caravans
723-731 Springvale Rd. Keysborough Vic 3173
03 9798 3858
Email: enquiries@springvalecaravan.com.au
Website: www.springvalecaravan.com.au