HYBRID FRAME
Rather than using a full timber or aluminium frame for its vans , Lotus employs what it calls a ‘ hybrid ’ frame utilising aluminium for the front , rear and roof , while meranti timber is used for the walls . The vans are then clad with marine-grade composite aluminium panels from Germany , with a range of colours available . The floor , meanwhile , is a onepiece structural ply with a laminate finish inside .
I towed the 17ft Freelander along a range of bush tracks . A constant drizzle was slowly turning the gravel to soup , and I proceeded very cautiously in 4H , expecting the D- MAX and Freelander combo to start sliding . The van , however , remained sure-footed on its independent suspension , while the vehicle maintained its forward momentum .
Being a tandem-axle Freelander , it sported Lotus Caravans ’ special truss chassis , with the name of the company etched into the 6in SupaGal steel main members .
The A-frame comes with a large checkerplate storage box complete with optional slide-out tray with nearby Anderson plug to suit a portable fridge . The tank for the optional onboard diesel heater is mounted to the box , and dual 9kg gas cylinders sit to the front , protected by a mesh stoneguard .
As standard , the van comes with two 95L water tanks and one grey water tank ( not to mention an ondemand hot water service ). However , our van had been loaded up with optional equipment – including an additional two 62L water tanks .
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