It’s hell trying to decide what van to buy. You can visit shows, talk to owners and go on line to ask questions. But most vans look very much the same in build quality and it’s always difficult to know what’s under the aluminium shell and what skill level went into producing the van.
However, there are a few things that can demonstrate the inherent build quality from caravan manufacturers that can help us make the right decision. Like, is the manufacturer a member of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association (RVM Australia) which is the peak body that represents the RV manufacturing Industry in key areas of compliance with government regulations and policies and works very closely with manufacturers in ensuring high standards of workmanship. These will point to a builder who supports and is recognised by the local industry.
One such manufacturer is Vanguard Caravans in Melbourne, led by company director John Kyriakidis, or Johnny K for those of us less adept at getting around the Greek language. I found him fascinating to talk to and an hour spent with Johnny K could teach more about caravan building than a year of research. He knows the industry as well as anyone and is a qualified automotive engineer with a Doctorate in Business who has been working in the automotive and manufacturing industry for more than 30 years.
He told me he was the first caravan builder to obtain electrical safety standard certificate ‘sign off’ through Energy Safe Victoria – the government statutory body that deals with legislation and regulation of the electrical industry – and that every single caravan built by Vanguard is audited by a qualified independent electrical contractor and then randomly by Energy Safe Victoria. John also stated that every completed caravan is weighed on a public weighbridge where the original certificate is given to the customer. Vanguard is one of only three caravan manufacturers in Australia that has obtained International Standard Organization (ISO) Quality Management Assurance accreditation. This means his production line is independently audited three times a year to ensure his production standards and procedures are consistent and complies with global quality standards.
Like he does for many of his prospective buyers he spent time showing me around his factory explaining how things were done on an impressive display of CNC cutters, plasma cutters and TIG welders and a host of other fabrication equipment. He then took me into the design centre of his business to show how each caravan is laid out to optimize weight distribution and usability with some ‘high – end’ automotive design software.
Vanguard’s factory is spread over three large factories in Epping with one dedicated to their own chassis manufacturing, component building and the other to assembly.
Our Globe Trotter Safari on test is built exclusively for Noel’s Caravans in South Australia, a well-established business with a long association with Vanguard.
As the name suggests the Safari is set up for discovery in more remote places. Johnny described it as a semi-off road van with modern amenities and lots of room to be able to spend extended time away from home. At 20’6” it seems to me the ideal size for a couple on their big trip – and still light enough at 2,880 ATM to be towed by medium sized utes like the Isuzu and Triton.
From the outside the styling is contemporary and assertive without being too aggressive like the black and grey colour scheme that seems to be the signature finish of some of the more extreme rigs. Nonetheless, the vivid white with black accents around the lower sections of the sides and high checker plate at the front still make a strong visual impact.
Big tough looking alloy wheels and a 3” lift make the hot dipped galvanized chassis visible from the sides and give the van a high stance on the road. Added to this a squared off back section and a purposeful generator box on the drawbar add to the van’s rugged image.
At the 6” A-frame there’s a 3,500kg Al-KO hitch, mesh carry rack, a central jack position, twin gas bottles and breakaway brake system as well as the propeller plate aluminium generator box with slide out.
Under the van is a tandem 3-ton Simplicity suspension matched to six stud 15” wheels rated to 1,100kg each with 235×75 tyres and 12” Al-KO electric brakes. Two 95L lockable water tanks are mounted between the chassis rails and I noted their hoses are well protected underneath from stone damage. Also visible is a single piece 12mm marine grade floor, made in Australia by Worthington and sealed to protect it from water penetration.
Following the tried and true Australian approach of delivering long lasting and robust vans the Globe Trotter is constructed with a 42mm Meranti frame with 180 joists and clad in 2mm aluminium with full insulation. Johnny K said that, if anything, his vans are over engineered to build in a safety factor when people take them places they maybe shouldn’t.
Towards the front of the van is a full-width tunnel boot with an LED light and timber lining for a neat finish. I liked the inclusion of a robust 4 ton hydraulic jack that, while an essential travel item, is rarely included as a standard accessory.
Along the side are features that make outside living more comfortable including a fold down picnic table, weatherproof stereo speakers, 3 weatherproof LED lights and plugs for 12v, 240v and Explorer television connection.
On the kerbside at the back is a dedicated battery box with a slide for two 100ah deep cycle batteries which can be charged from the tow vehicle on the move or from an optional solar panel for which the van is pre-wired in heavy duty 8mm cable. Not only are the batteries easily accessed, Johnny told me the placement of these heavy items at the rear extremity helps with weight distribution.
The spare wheel sits on a solid bar at the rear – there is easily room for an extra spare if required by customers and the lights are well placed to be protected from damage and easily visible.
Entry to the van is just forward of centre and through a sturdy three-way Camec door. I found a mechanical fold down step and a Bargman grab handle with an LED light to help stepping up to the relatively high cabin.
Inside the van is a nice mix of homely dark jarrah cabinetry and well laid out modern appliances. Square modern profiles on the benchtops, doors and drawers give a modern look especially with the edges bonded with a silver ABS band. Gloss white walls and splash backs contrast with the timberwork and along with a generous number of windows and roof hatches help create a well-lit space. At night three 6” LEDs in the roof would provide lots of light for cooking.
The timber theme is continued on the floor that is finished in hard-wearing Gerflor vinyl in a walnut floorboard finish that blends well with the cabinets.
To the left of the doorway is a 6’x6’6” queen sized island bed with innerspring mattress on a home built steel frame and sufficient space at the sides for access and bed making. Side tables have drawers and room on top for personal items and there are individual reading lamps, overhead cupboards and hanging robes to the sides. Storage under the bed is lined with plywood in another indication of the attention to detail in the brand.
Large windows both sides of the bed have screens and blockouts and another at the head of the bed has a folding cover to protect it from the outside when travelling. Pelmets throughout the van are a pleasing two-tone vinyl with blue-grey sliding curtains for a homely touch.
To the right of the entrance is the living area with the kitchen on the kerbside and the dining area opposite. There’s a long benchtop with a drop-down section over the stove to make maximum use of the bench space for food preparation. Lifting this section revealed a Swift 500 series stove with grill and oven as well as three gas and one electric burner.
Further to the rear is a stainless steel sink with draining board, a swiveling flick mixer tap and a filtered water tap while below the bench is a pair of deep drawers and cupboards all with positive lock, brushed stainless steel handles. To the right of the stove is a pull out pantry, handy for storing often used cooking supplies.
Over the stove I noticed a range-hood with twin fans, more cupboards and further along above the sink a microwave that I thought might be a little high for some people.
I really liked the treatment of the café diner which had plush back cushions extending around to the walls of the van allowing for feet-up, lengthways seating for two when in relaxing mode. For dining, four people could fit comfortably around the table, which folds in three sections to get it out of the way if desired.
There are storage drawers under the seats that are upholstered in a soft material in mix of striped and plain grey. There is a good-sized window at the diner to admire the view and further storage cupboards overhead.
Moving further back there’s an 184L two-door Thetford fridge-freezer clad in the same jarrah veneer as the joinery for a well-integrated look. It’s a good size for extended travel and is well placed for easy access from the kitchen.
The well-finished, modern look continues to the clean and bright ensuite, extending across the rear of the van. A swiveling Thetford cassette toilet with ceramic bowl is to the left, while on the right is a full sized shower with a fibreglass liner and opaque tempered glass door.
Central to the ensuite is a vanity with Laminex benchtop and a classy looking circular ceramic sink and a large vanity mirror. Storage cupboards and drawers should handle personal items and towels and a 2.5kg Sphere washing machine is set into the corner under a raised bench. Light flows in from a kerbside window and there are ventilation fans in the main room as well as in the shower.
Finishing off the list of inclusions in the van are a JVC DVD player with twin roof speakers, LCD television on rotating arm, a Winegard television aerial and a roof mounted Ibis air conditioner.
I found the Safari was well finished and attractive and at $69,000 it represents good value for such a well-credentialed caravan. The experience and certification that stands behind Vanguard should offer great peace of mind to buyers happy in the backing of one of the stalwarts of the local industry.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Vanguard Caravans
Model: Safari
Body Length: 20’6”
LOA: 8,000mm
Width: 2,350mm
Travel Height: 3m
Tare Weight: 2,460kg
ATM: 2,880kg
Ball weight: 240kg
Price as tested: $69,000
Find Out More
Noel’s Caravans
561 Salisbury Hwy, Green Fields SA 5107
Ph 08 8250 8566