RV FEATURE
HYBRID FRAME
Rather than using a full timber or aluminium frame for its vans , Lotus Caravans 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 . 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 . The A-frame came with a 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 was mounted to the box , and dual 9kg gas cylinders sat to the front , protected by a mesh stoneguard .
It was not inordinately heavy at Tare when you considered all the van offered , in particular the optional extras on this rig . It tipped the scales at 2640kg , had an ATM of 3495kg , and an unladen ball weight of 255kg .
The nearside was equipped with an ‘ entertainment locker ’ equipped with an antenna and powerpoint for a TV , as well as a large Fusion speaker and a fold-out step at the door . Given the impressive ride height , with the van above the wheels ( no wheel arches intrude into the layout ), that fold-out step is a welcome inclusion .
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