Compass has been building good quality caravans for a number of years. And the Aurora, of which we've selected the 1776-3 Tandem with bunk beds, is one of its stand-out ranges.

Rather than being a particular model, the Aurora is an umbrella term incorporating compact 'vans, family 'vans and Tonka-tough rough-road caravans.

With its bunk beds, four-seater dinette and full kitchen, our test 'van, is a perfect 'young' family caravan. Indeed, it reminded me a lot of the old Viscounts that I used to holiday in at the beach as a kid - the Aurora has a good, homely feel.

It also looks loads, and loads better on the inside than it does on the outside. To say the exterior is bland is an understatement, but the interior, and you can look at the pics and judge for yourself, more than makes up for any shortcoming in the looks department.

We hitched the Aurora up to an all-new Mitsubishi Pajero Di-D, and it towed and handled absolutely brilliantly.

Technically talking

Compass, like most traditional Australian caravan builders, builds the Aurora around a Meranti timber skeleton with a ply inner wall and a corrugated aluminium outer wall, insulation is sandwiched in between the two walls creating a well insulated structure.

The chassis is a heavy-duty Supagal number, and like on all good 'vans the A-frame extends right back to the axle for added strength. The Aurora sits on a tandem axle (all caravans in the range longer than 16ft run a tandem axle set-up) which, for its size, makes it incredibly stable on the road. Suspension is courtesy of leaf springs and beam axles, and while it's noisy over roughish roads it works just fine.

The corners are well sealed with a combination of thick rubber seals and silicon to prevent water or dust ingress. Just be aware that long-term travel on dusty roads can, for want of a better description, stain the silicon. And once the dust has taken hold it can be a real pain to clean out. The padded vinyl stone-guard at the front of the Aurora, particularly in burgundy, gives it a very slabby face, and makes it look a little dated. Sure it keeps rocks from dinging the front but there has to be a better design - it's a little too old-school to be cool.

The wind-down front and rear window guards are a bit old-school, too, but they do keep the windows from being broken by flying rocks when on the road. The awning is huge, it's simple enough to use and it dramatically increases the Aurora's living space - and if you've got kiddies you'll love that. In all, it's a well built and designed unit.

The inside story

Wow. The Aurora looks so much better on the inside than it does on the outside. The colour scheme on our test van which was various shades of light brown (timber) and blue for the curtains, seats and bunks gave the Aurora a modern feel.

That said, the Aurora is still very much a traditionally-styled caravan, read: frilly curtains, etc. And while that styling isn't everyone's cup of Darjeeling, it's certainly not a thumbs-down from this reporter.

As you step inside the Aurora, the door is down at the back-end, you'll immediately notice the bunk bed arrangement sitting to your right. The design for the bunk is such that you almost don't know it's there, it doesn't hamper the living space at all. Indeed, pushing the top bunk back on its hinges and then locking it in place frees up more living space; the bunks convert into a second lounge which runs the full width of the 'van. Oh, and so you know, I could easily sleep on the bunk beds and I'm basically six-feet tall.

The kitchen features a conventional sink with drainage board, a mains mixer tap and also a purified tap. Nice. There's a four-burner gas cooker next to that and a range hood above. And to keep all of your goodies, read: six-pack nicely chilled there's a three-way fridge - it's probably a little too small given the van is ostensibly designed for four.

There's plenty of storage space above and below the sink, and there are airline-style lockers around the roofline.

The L-shaped dinette sits opposite the kitchen sink and features pillow-style cushions which means its oh-so comfortable. It'll easily seat two adults and two kids.
 
There's a double bed at the front-end of the van and while it's not as big as the kind of double bed you'd have at home it's comfortable enough. Two wind-out windows on either side of the 'van let in plenty of light and fresh air. There's plenty of storage space in two cupboards/wardrobes on either side of the bed.

In the end

We've tried to keep the caravans in this issue at the more compact end of the spectrum, and while the Aurora isn't exactly a tiny tot it's definitely a 'compact' as far as family 'vans are concerned. And for that reason it gets a run in this issue. And, also for that reason, it earns a big thumbs-up from us.

The Aurora, in this spec, is exactly the sort of caravan you'd buy to take the kids away in for school holidays by the beach. It's compact enough that towing it isn't a scary prospect and yet it's got enough room that being cooped up with the kids for a couple of weeks won't be a hassle either.

Here are two other caravans you might like to consider

JAYCO Sterling 20.64-2
Plenty of room to move and exceptional build quality make the Sterling a stand-out family caravan
T (03) 9791-6599

Coromal Caravans Lifestyle 61 Series
Well-built Aussie 'van for the family; great to tow thanks to its independent suspension
T (08) 9352-0900

Thanks to Mike Griggs at Mike Griggs Caravan Service Centre, Elm Street, Hampstead Gardens, SA 5086. Tel: (08) 8261 5308.

Article published in Caravan + RV magazine, Winter 2007. Words Isaac Bober, photos Guy Bowden.