TWO’S COMPANY

There’s often a question about what makes an ideal external length for a van designed for couples. Snowy River Caravans’ SRC21 model may well provide the answer, says Malcolm Street.

Snowy River caravans are built in China, but the fitout and finish is done at the Australian company’s factory in Somerton, Victoria. Imported into New Zealand by Vanari Caravans in Northland, the Snowy River brand offers a selection of vans ranging from 4200mm to 7000mm with both single and tandem axle configurations, and include both family and slide-out layouts. The SRC21 reviewed here fits nicely in the middle.

A tandem axle caravan, the SRC21 has a tare mass of 2377kg and an ATM of 3000kg, giving a reasonable payload of 623kg. Fitted with independent torsion suspension and 15in alloy wheels, it has a semi-offroad rating with a normal ground clearance: essentially designed for sealed roads and well-graded rough road travel.

The front bed-rear bathroom layout is well suited for a couple, with the kitchen bench along the offside and the dinette mid nearside. The glossy grey/white used for the walls and cabinetry and faux marble laminate for the bench tops is all easy on the eye, and large windows add to the generally light interior feel, not to mention giving a good crossflow of air.

Dominating the forward area is the 1900mm x 1500mm island bed. The side and front window areas are quite generous and the large front hatch adds even more clear acrylic.

Taking up most of the mid offside wall area, the kitchen is fully equipped with all the essentials like the Mobicool four burner (three gas, one electric) hob and grill, Dometic 174 litre three-way fridge and an NCE microwave. Alongside the hob is a stainless steel kitchen sink and drainer.

Standard on the SRC21 is a 120AH AGM battery, 200W solar panel and a Projecta PM200 battery management system with a 30A charger. Since the fridge is a threeway absorption model, that should allow for a number of days staying off grid.

The SRC21 caravan also ticks a few boxes in the construction and looks categories. Although not a particularly small van, it is an easy towing prospect, and offers plenty of caravan touring comforts, with all the essentials most of us would require for contemporary travel. Find out more at vanaricaravans.co.nz