In my book , a handful of caravan manufacturers truly stand out . Nova Caravans is one of them . In recent years , Nova has introduced new construction techniques , which was on show in our review van , the Family Escape Signature Series 20-8C .

But the bigger news for 2020 was that Nova ’ s dedicated family caravan range became available in Signature Series format . Essentially , all the you-beaut features found in the Nova Signature Series caravan could now be found in the Family Escape as standard .

Nova ’ s national sales manager , John Sills , said this equated to $ 5000 worth of additional equipment without affecting the van ’ s retail price .

Inside , the Family Escape took on some of the design cues first found in the Terra Sportz offroader when it was relaunched last year . For example , the under-sink drawers had special ‘ recesses ’ that allowed them to sort of wrap

around the grey water plumbing – an excellent way to use this otherwise awkward space .

Such was the high standard inside that if anything let the interior down , it ’ s the lack of kitchen bench space . However , having catered for a family of five in kitchens with this common problem , I know it ’ s just as easy to use the dinette table or glass lid over the cooktop ( a griller and oven is standard , too ).

The rear bedroom is available with two or three bunks , each with its own reading light and 12V point . A large cupboard was fitted to the rear wall and I couldn ’ t complain about the storage space here .

The offside corner bathroom came with all the usual equipment but the fit and finish was almost immaculate .

FAMILY STRUCTURE

The van rode on a 6in chassis with 6in A- frame . The suspension is a standard loadsharing leaf-spring setup .

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