RV REVIEW
SETTING UP
With its price tag of circa $45,000, the Parkes
15 is a relatively affordable offroad family van.
Sure, it takes a little setting up but, to my mind,
it’s a five-minute exercise that one person can
do while the other wrangles the kids. Just open
up the expandable rear section (which fits the
main bed) by lowering the rear bumper, lift the
lid, fit the two side panels that swing out from
within, and lift the rear wall panel into position.
Everything locks neatly into place with over-
centre catches and sliding bolts. The roof
simply pops up from the inside.
Underneath, you’ll find two stainless steel
water tanks, both protected by sheets of
checkerplate. The gas bayonet is, perhaps,
a little vulnerable but for the most part, the
underside of the Parkes 15 is well presented.
The van is all about outdoor living. In fact,
there’s no internal fridge or kitchen on the
Parkes 15 (though there is a small sink inside).
This means you’ll need to factor in a portable
fridge for the front-nearside slide-out tray.
The slide-out kitchen, fitted at the back of the
van, is the real deal. It includes wind-deflectors
for the four-burner cooktop, hot and cold
water for the sink, a work light, a flip-up rack,
slide-out cutlery draw, a slide-out bench, and
some storage nooks.
There’s a smaller slide-out tray, just in
front of the kitchen, that could house a 2kVA
generator or perhaps a secondary (smaller)
fridge packed with that night’s steaks and a
sneaky beer or two.
FOUR-BERTH FITOUT
This van’s biggest trick, I believe, is the fact it
incorporates a sizeable bathroom into modest
dimensions, along with front bunks and a
rear queen-size bed. And it does it all without
feeling particularly cramped.
But every layout involves a compromise.
For the Parkes 15, that comprise is the lack of
an internal kitchen and fridge. Does the fact
you will always be cooking outside let the van
down? Not really, especially considering the
trade-off is a large bathroom.
The main bed fills the entire width of the
van. The mattress folds forward when the rear
expandable section is closed, and you’ll need
to lift it right up and out of the way to access
the three AGM batteries, 1.5kW inverter and
20A charger. It’s an awkward process but,
thankfully, these are low-service items so you
won’t be doing it too often.
The bathroom includes a cassette toilet, a
separate washbasin and hand-held shower.
gorv.com.au
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