CARAVAN TEST
Compass Off Road Trailers now has something suitable for couples and families of four. The good news is, these two different off-road caravans cost the same.
Anyone looking for an off-road caravan has their pick of a great variety these days. But when you’re also counting your pennies, it’s much harder to afford a new caravan. Compass builds one of the most affordable off-road caravans on the market – but that does not mean you get an inferior product.
The Compass is well equipped with facilities that include an outdoor kitchen with a sliding frame for the fridge/freezer and gas stove, fold-out beds, a large nose cone, and even a gas geyser – and it’s spacious inside. You can choose from two models: the one sleeps two and the other model is equipped for four. We hitched the 4 Sleeper.
Settle in
The double jockey wheel can be completely removed, which comes in handy when towing on an uneven road. Close to the jockey wheel you’ll find a small spirit level on the A-frame.
The Compass has four loose corner steadies instead of the popular type that swings down. It’s an upright jack with an arm that protrudes into the chassis – and a built-in crank you use to lower or lift the caravan. You only need to use the front two if you want to have the Compass completely solid.
With the steadies in place, it’s now time to lift the roof and ready the beds. First, you fold out the one bed from the right panel and then the one above the A-frame. (The twoperson version doesn’t have the side bed.)
Before folding out the side bed, first thread the fly sheet into the groove at the top of the roof. This bed’s door has the kind of lock you get on cooler trucks, and it’s properly dustproof. The door swings flat and the mesh windows that can open are now on your side. This way you access the U-frame that lies flattened inside. It pitches up towards you and stretches the corners of the tent. Now, slot the three spring slats into the edge of the door to tighten the fly sheet.
Because the front bed folds over the nose cone, first remove everything from there you may need – there is a door on both sides in case you want to take out something small or put it away. The one gas cylinder is here, but you can easily reach the valve.
As you swing the bed over the A-frame, lower the Y-support to the coupler and fold the tent open at the same time. This bed’s fly sheet also uses three slats. The bottom of the tent at the bed base is loose and you pull it over the edge to fasten it with straps.
Finally, get into the caravan to finish getting the beds ready. Fold open the mattress for the side bed, which is folded up, standing upright. Now you need to stretch the top of the canvas above the front bed. Three adjustable poles fit on the sides and one in the middle between the U-frame and the pop-up roof. Lastly, use a loose spacer pole to keep the canvas section lifted so that water drains off the roof.
The big plus of the front bed is that you don’t have to crawl in – there is an extra-large space between the middle of the caravan and the bed. On the floor next to the bed is a step with a loose lid that can be used as shoe storage, for example.
The front bed is more or less the size of a double bed, and the side one is as big as a threequarter bed. The latter is nice and low (40 cm) and, therefore, ideal for children.
What about packing space?
The caravan’s entrance is on the right at the back. At the rear are two cupboards with canvas doors that zip up. The one closest to the door is the larger and has four shelves, and next to it is a cupboard with three shelves. At the top of this cupboard is a wash basin.
On the left are two flat cabinets with metal doors that fold open towards you. The two cupboards are the same size, but the one closer to the bed opens into the outside kitchen. Inside is a 220 V socket with two USB ports. Their tops form a handy shelf when the roof is raised – we put a fan there.
To the kitchen
The four hatches to the left of the entrance together form the kitchen. The larger one (113 x 62 cm) sits above the wheel and also has one of those coolingtruck locks. When you open the hatch, thanks to this lock, it turns into a lovely open worktop without any kind of arm sticking through the surface.
Behind this space are various cupboards with cut-out shapes in foam for storing glasses, cups and plates. The double 220 V socket is inside on the top right.
Another door opens above the bottom cupboard – this is the same cupboard you open from the inside to get to the outside kitchen. The right side is closed as it forms the back of the one inner cupboard.
The two-plate gas stove is pulled out near the nose and is mounted on the tip of the sliding frame with the fridge/ freezer closest to the body (the space allows a fridge/freezer up to 90 ℓ). The stove itself sits crosswise and is slightly sunken to protect the gas flame against the wind. The back is fastened
with hinges so you can swing it up and clean underneath. Underneath are two drawers in which pots and pans but also cutlery and braai utensils are kept. In the body above the fridge/ freezer is a triangular cupboard door with a flat shelf or two – perfect for dishcloths or firelighters.
The battery sits in the other side of the caravan, across from the fridge/freezer compartment, as well as the circuit breakers and a 220 V socket. Above the battery is an ammo box on a sliding frame – a good storage spot for your camping tools, ropes, and pegs.
The shower is at the back. Between the second gas cylinder and the spare wheel is a cupboard in the back panel with the inline geyser where you can pitch a shower cubicle.