Snap, crackle, POP

Excellent handling and clever packaging make A'Van Cruiser an ideal travelling companion

Remember those three characters on the front of Rice Bubbles packets? Snap, Crackle and Pop? Well, the cheeky little hatted fellas' names sum up how easy it is to convert the neatly folded A'Van Cruiser from a tow-friendly package into a commodious cabin perfect for a travelling couple. And it goes like this. Pop the spring-loaded roof panels into place, and then lift 'n' latch the two sides and you're done. It's an easy, 30-second job and a terrific example of innovation that has helped drag the ideas and styling of caravans from the 1970s into the 21st century.

Folding caravans are easier, because of their low height, to haul through the air - and hence require less fuel to be burned - than fixed-head 'vans. Less height also means it's easier to see trees and power boxes as you swing into a site.

Besides being easier to tow, the A'Van is also better insulated, thanks to its solid walls, from the heat, the cold and the dust. The competition offers wind-up caravans with canvas walls. And while these are cool in summer they're hard to keep warm in winter.

Technically talking

The material used in the construction of the Cruiser, and indeed most other A'Vans, (there are several models, from around 2.6 to 4.4m in body length) is a 'waffle' of alloy sheet which is vacuum-formed over a centre of plywood and hard foam which is packed inside a timber frame. Solid walls don't shed heat, flap about in a breeze, perish or leak. The A'Van's sides and roof are sealed with foam strips and so it's also completely mozzie proof when assembled.

Living with the A'Van is easy. And once set up, it's uncluttered, bright and airy inside thanks to white panelling and tinted windows - lots of them - in every flat surface. The larger windows in the roof panels have wind-out domes which are fitted with flyscreens to let in plenty of fresh air yet seal tight in windy and rainy conditions - as we discovered during a blustery storm during our night in the van. Side windows are also flyscreened to allow a cross-breeze and quality curtains provide privacy.

Under the whole lot is an A'Van-designed Centurion chassis riding on a rubber-suspended axle (Al-Ko independent suspension) with dampers for better control and heavy-duty tyres. And while the Cruiser is by no means an off-roader, so good is the Al-Ko suspension that it'll easily handle extended dirt road driving. It also makes everyday towing much more comfortable; the A'Van Cruiser tracks straight and true and swallows humps and bumps with ease.

The inside story

Whether it's a basic camper trailer or the Taj Mahal, a caravan's primary purpose is to be a home away from home and the A'Van Cruiser scores well. The kitchen is centrally located and there's seating for two at one end and a bed-cum-lounge at the other. You only sleep at night so it makes sense to use sleeping space as a lounge during the day. A decent-sized three-way fridge - with both battery and solar power fitted to the test van - means no warm beer, ever, and a microwave oven ensures hot pies if the fish aren't biting.

Storage is also important - kitchen equipment more so than personal gear - and although modest in size, the Cruiser swallows plenty in several drawers and under-seat storage bins. It's difficult to have a full-height wardrobe in a wind-up 'van, so the storage bin next to the table features a coat hanger rail.

A'Van is particularly proud of its 'Euro style' interior furniture and with good reason. Everything is sharp, tight and square. Big thumbs-up, too, to the rear bumper and spare wheel carrier that, unlike many, looks like it would cop a hiding without damage. And fittings such as the orange (less harsh than white) outside light and 240V power outlet, and captive power cord that tucks into its own storage area are extra touches of quality.

In the end

The A'Van Cruiser offers all the advantages of a pop-top - less fuel use, easier vision - but with an extra degree of 'permanence' and weather sealing when compared to its competitors. It also, and we can't emphasise this enough, tows better than most other vans on the market thanks to the Al-Ko suspension.

Caravanning doesn't get much more user-friendly than this.

Our night away with the A'Van Cruiser There's just something so intrinsically appealing about a caravan park by the beach and Ocean Beach Resort Park, where we spent a night for this feature offers a true sea-side spoil. Located at Umina, on the NSW Central Coast (an hour north of Sydney) the park has little more than a stand of trees between it and the mild waters of Umina Beach. In a delightful setting with no through-traffic nearby, it's a destination itself - as demonstrated by the families who camp there during the summer high season - or a base from which to explore the lower Hawkesbury River and several national parks. Like many 'resort' parks these days, luxury cabins feature prominently but there are plenty of campsites (powered and unpowered - two night minimum stay) and van sites to choose from (with concrete annexe pads) with immaculate facilities and coin-op BBQs scattered throughout the grounds.

Article published in Caravan + RV magazine, Autumn 2007. Words Glenn Torrens, photos Phil Cooper.