After months of research and development , EzyTrail launched the next generation of its Parkes 15 hybrid . We were offered the first look at the Parkes 15 MkII and took it for a test tow in the bush .

The original EzyTrail Parkes 15 was a good van ; however , the company raised the bar with this second iteration . The fit and finish throughout was much more refined and the suspension had been upgraded .

The Parkes 15 MkII rode on a 4in galvanised RHS chassis , with a 6in drawbar . The upgraded suspension was a key change for the new Parkes 15 . Engineered in conjunction with a well-known Australian suspension manufacturer , the ‘ Ezy-Rider ’ ™ independent coil system found on this van incorporated two shock absorbers per wheel mounted vertically , rather than at an angle . The system performed admirably as I hauled this van over various undulations .

The rear slide-out stainless steel kitchen also received a key upgrade : it was permanently plumbed to the van ’ s water supply via special ‘ cable tracks ’. This means you only need to connect the gas when cooking outside . Brilliant .

Setting up of the MkII was much the same as the first iteration and it all locked together easily . Notably , EzyTrail had improved the seals on this bedroom and I immediately noticed that the walls felt more ‘ substantial ’ than those on the original van – unlike on the Parkes MkI , the walls were insulated composite aluminium , much like the rest of the van .

The inclusion of a small kitchen was one of the main changes found inside . This necessitated a few major layout changes . The former L-shaped lounge had been removed to make room for the kitchen and optional 12V EvaKool fridge and microwave .

The large offside storage cabinet found on the first Parkes 15 had been replaced by a twoseater lounge with swivel table .

32 \