West Coast Cruiser a real headturner | The West Australian

Essential Caravans’ 20-foot 6-inch (6.3m) West Coast Cruiser looks every bit the stylish black-top tourer.

The striking 3-D printed decals, tough high-profile aluminium cladding, checker- plate front, side and rear sheeting and a stunning rear composite panel are bound to turn heads.

Black colour splashes, dark tinted windows and entry door complete the look.

It is built on a durable heavy-duty chassis of 100mm Australian BlueScope steel, which is both strong and light, and fitted with a single-piece floor, saving about 150kg in weight.

Underneath is a reliable leaf-spring suspension system with 10-inch electric brakes to all four 15-inch alloy wheels with light truck tyres.

The café dinette has a trifold table between two plush seats
The café dinette has a trifold table between two plush seats Credit: photo by Kate Ford

Two 95-litre water tanks have galvanised stone-guard protection.

The A-frame has two 9kg gas bottles, a tap and a mesh grill for storage. Behind that is a full-width boot lined with galvanised sheeting.

Outside is a folding picnic table, external marine speakers and LED lights, a rollout awning and a generator compartment.

An Ibis MK3 air-conditioner, two mini roof hatches and the insulated walls and roof should take care of temperature control.

European double-glazed style windows have integrated insect-proof flyscreens, so vital for west coast summers.

To the rear of the cruiser, an ensuite includes a Dometic ceramic toilet bowl, a designer ceramic sink and 3.5kg top loader NCE washer.

The kitchen is fully functional.
The kitchen is fully functional. Credit: photo by Kate Ford

The front includes a queen bed and a dinette separated by a tall pantry cupboard.

Cabinetry have Italian door catches and gas struts, CNC cut doors/drawers and post-form rolled benchtops.

The white wall panelling is softened by light and dark grey cupboards and soft furnishings but there is a big selection of colours to choose from.

The kitchen has a three-tier pantry, full-size Thetford oven with cooktop and grill, rangehood, stainless-steel sink with mixer tap, filtered water tap, 12-volt water pump, laminate splashback and a microwave.

The 190-litre three-way Dometic fridge has a separate freezer compartment and is tropical rated.

The cafe dinette has a trifold table between two plush seats, each with a return for sitting lengthways when relaxing.

There are also individual reading lights and a handy 12-volt/USB charging point for all your electronic device charging requirements.

Outside is a folding picnic table and a rollout awning.
Outside is a folding picnic table and a rollout awning. Credit: Kate Ford,

The queen bed lifts on gas struts to reveal the storage below and the plush bedhead padding adds a dash of style and luxury. Around the bed are the usual bedside and overhead cupboards and drawers, reading lamps and 240-volt power outlets.

The 12-volt electrical system is capable of keeping you off-grid for a few days and includes a 100ah deep-cycle battery that can be charged through a smart charger from the tow vehicle when driving or from a 150w solar panel.

It also has a 60cm television and a Safety Dave rear-view camera with car-monitoring kit.

The West Coast Cruiser has everything for comfortable touring.

Essential Caravans 20’6” West Coast Cruiser

Price From $57,890

Frame Meranti timber

Warranty Five years

Suitable for On road

Ball weight 149kg

Tare weight 2171kg

ATM weight 2571kg

Dealer George Day Caravans, 1950 Albany Highway, Maddington.

 

As published by The West Australian