RV REVIEW
POINTS OF DIFFERENCE
While the traditional Jurgens vans, which
remain in full production, are known for
being light, the Solaris is somewhat heavier.
Our review Solaris (layout C6603) weighs
in unladen at 2200kg. Its ATM of 2750kg,
meanwhile, provides a 550kg payload capacity.
It’s also wider, 110mm in fact, than other
Jurgens vans. Finally, the Solaris offers greater
ground clearance.
Under tow, the Solaris performed as solidly
as expected. The van is fitted with Al-Ko
ESC as standard and, in extremely windy
conditions, we towed it at about 90km/h
on the highway, experiencing no sway or
porpoising on the towball.
It is a dirt-road-capable caravan built on
Jurgens’ own ‘Optima’ steel chassis with
independent trailing arm suspension and
16in wheels. Two 80L water tanks are
fitted as standard but a third 80L tank can be
optioned in, as can a grey water tank.
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The Solaris comes with a decent amount of
external storage, too, and I liked that the front
boot has a separate compartment for the dual
9kg gas cylinders – this boot setup is fairly
typical for all Jurgens caravans I have seen.
A tunnel boot is also included; however, our
review Solaris was fitted with a nearside slide-
out barbecue, which necessarily takes up some
of this space.
In terms of 12V power, the van gets a 125W
solar panel and a 100Ah deep-cycle battery,
though a second 125W panel and battery
can be fitted as an option. A BMPRO battery
management system is fitted standard, too.
Our van had a rear-mounted bike rack – also
an option – and an electric entry step, a 12V
powerpoint, a TV mount and a roll-out awning.
It all adds up to a reasonably well-equipped
exterior with no glaring imperfections.
WORLDS APART
If the Solaris looks nothing like a Jurgens from
the outside, wait until you climb aboard. In
place of the faux woodgrain is a contemporary,
glossy interior worthy of a second look.
The nearside kitchen comes with all the gear,
while the offside dinette has a tri-fold table,
reading lights, and overhead lockers with
downlights set into the cabinetry and LED strip
lighting above.
In the bedroom, I liked how the tall cupboards
at the foot of the bed were angled in such a
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