Nice and compact, and comfortable too, Coromal's Pioneer Compac really shines when it's off the beaten track. We put it through the wringer.

Getting off the bitumen and exploring those tracks once the domain of the four-wheel-drive and- swag-set only, has gotten a whole lot easier.

Thanks to Coromal's hard work and years of pounding along Outback tracks, it has been able to develop an entire series (called Pioneer) of very strong and very capable rough-road caravans.

We grabbed the tiny tot of the range, the, and take a big breath: Coromal Pioneer Compac PE401 and hooked it up to a brand-spanking new Rodeo 3.0-litre diesel. More about that later. The Compac is a narrow track caravan that, like the T@B Safari is perfect for getting down narrow and tight-twisting tracks.

It basically follows in the same tracks as the tow car, and when you're driving off-road and want to stay in the ruts of other vehicles that's good news.

The Compac is a traditionally-built Aussie caravan and this means it's of a monocoque nature, has a meranti timber frame and aluminium cladding. It sits on a heavy-duty chassis and rides on big 16-inch off-road rubber and independent suspension.

Inside, the Compac is everything you expect from an Aussie-built and designed 'van; frilly curtains and pastel colours. But just like cars, caravans can be customised to suit all tastes and Coromal is no different - talk to your dealer.

Technically talking

Coromal has been at the sharp-end of building capable and affordable rough-road caravans for quite a few years now, and of all the noncustom- caravan builders its products are easily the best on the market. And that's down to the strength of the product.

Designed to take the knocks and bumps of being bashed down a rough old track, the Compac is a combination of a six-inch drawbar and tough four-inch chassis framework.

The towing hitch is the usual Treg coupling which allows for plenty of angle while inching over rough terrain. The chassis proper is constructed from hotdip galvanised steel. It's pretty neat underneath with most of the wiring and plumbing tucked out of the way.

The only problem we found while off-road and we tackled a fairly extreme four-wheel-drive-only track was the wind-down legs; in their upright position they were the lowest point of the 'van and jutted out catching on ruts and rocks. This makes them susceptible to bending and ultimately breaking.

Something that sits flush-ish with the chassis is the way to go for prolonged trips into the bush. As mentioned the Compac runs independent suspension and unlike some suspension that is just too hard until the 'van is fully loaded, this unit is excellent even when empty. Few vans I've towed have been as compliant over the sorts of gnarled and rutted tracks we tackled on test.

The Compac sits on 265/75 R16 wheels wrapped in tough Bridgestone LT rubber. Braking is courtesy of AL-KO off-road electric brakes. The construction of the Compac is fairly basic and the design hasn't really changed for years; there's a plywood floor with a meranti timber frame, aluminium cladding on the outside and plywood on the inside. Insulation is wedged in-between.

As the market continues to grow it'd be nice to see Aussie 'van builders experimenting with some more modern designs and techniques.

But then, if it ain't broke, and all that.

Inside story 

This particular caravan reminded me of the sorts of caravans I used to go holidaying in when I was younger; frilly curtains and flowery fabrics. So while this particular example was specced to suit older readers, rest assured Coromal offers an extensive range of colour schemes and fabric choices to suit all tastes.

The Compac is a strict two-person 'van. The dinette is a café-booth style arrangement and sits immediately to the left of the rear-entry door. There's limited storage space underneath both seats. The kitchen sits opposite the dinette and, for the size of the unit, is actually quite large. The cooker is a three-burner gas unit with a single electric hotplate (so four in all). The sink sits to the right and is a hand-pump cold water only. A pump and hot water should, in this day and age, be standard fitment.

There's plenty of cupboard space in the Compac's kitchenette and build quality wasn't too bad. An island bed sits at the front of the caravan, and there are two small bedside tables on either side. There are hanging wardrobes set above each bedside table. The bed itself is comfortable but it's a little too small.

My nearly six-feet struggled to fit on the bed and while it can be extended, a touch, it'd be a squashy arrangement for two. In all, though, the Compac's interior design is pretty neat.

There's somewhere to sit and eat, or read, there's somewhere to prepare food and cook and there's a double-ish bed. Even with photographer Brunelli and me inside it didn't feel cramped. This is a 'van for the 'outdoorsy' set and for that reason the interior layout, if not the colour scheme, gets a thumbs up from me.

In the end 

This is one of the toughest and easiest to tow rough-road caravans you'll find; one look underneath will tell you just how strong it is.

It stood up to everything we threw at it and emerged without a scratch or a ding. So if you're keen on a van that could almost fit inside your back pocket, is happy exploring the road less travelled and is comfy enough for two then the Compac should be on your list.

Article published in Australian Caravan+RV magazine, Winter 2007. Words Isaac Bober, photos Cristian Brunelli.