RV REVIEW
as this would call for winding bitumen roads
and an open highway, but The Little Caravan
Company wanted me to put it on some gravel
bush tracks.
The on-road Optimiser is built on a 4in
chassis with single-axle leaf-spring suspension
(with one shock absorber per wheel), while
the offroader gets a 2in chassis raiser and
independent G&S Crossrider TS suspension.
Now, our review van was fitted with some
optional extras, so it was heavier than
standard, with a Tare of 1860kg. Having said
that, it was still an easy tow, both on the
highway and on gravel roads. It also had an
upgraded ATM – 2050kg is standard on the
on-road Optimisier Series 2, but ours could be
loaded to 2460kg.
Up front, our van had a DO35 coupling and a
large checkerplate storage box incorporating a
slide-out kitchen with a barbecue and sink with
hot and cold running water.
This van was fitted with a second (optional)
90L fresh water tank. These can be filled in the
usual way, but The Little Caravan Company has
also fitted a special tap to the mains-pressure
water inlet which allows both tanks to be filled.
An external shower has also been fitted to the
offside.
Other external features include a couple of
speakers, a roll-out awning and LED light, a
12V point, a fold-down picnic table, a fold-
out entry step, and a relatively high waste of
black checkerplate. At the back of the van is
a reversing camera which, by the way, is fully
wired to the drawbar, where it can be plugged
to the tow vehicle.
INSIDE THE OPTIMISER
Despite the Optimiser Series 2’s small towing
‘footprint’, the layout feels open and livable.
The rear slide-out opens in mere moments
and the mattress lifts on gas struts to reveal
some storage space. Even though our review
van had an (optional) queen-size bed instead
of the standard double, I felt that the bedroom
was still quite roomy.
The dining area is comprised of a seat either
side of the van and a Lagun table (which can
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