HARVOK CONSTRUCTION
As I mentioned, the Harvoks feature monocoque construction. Aluminium panels are fitted over an aluminium frame; however, each panel, including the roof, are robotically welded together, creating seams that to my eye are so precise that they appear more like folds.
However, while it is a one-piece construction, a large section of the rear panel is fitted separately and sealed up with silicone. This is to allow the internal fittings, from the fridge to all furniture and cabinetry, to be brought inside for fitment. The silicone work is very neat and when painted with the automotive chip-resistant paint that’ s used for the entire van, it’ s barely noticeable.
The body of the van is built atop an aluminium sub-frame that is bolted to the van’ s 6in chassis, which is fabricated from steel with a tensile rating of 700 – it’ s high-strength structural steel. However, because aluminium and steel aren’ t‘ friends’ – aluminium will corrode steel over time – Harvok fits a special gasket between the body’ s sub-frame and the chassis. The overall structural design, with the body bolted to the chassis in the way that it is, is intended to make the body and chassis‘ work’ as one.
It rides on independent torsion bar suspension with 12in electric brakes and 16in alloy wheels, with a spare wheel mounted to the drawbar, behind a mesh stoneguard.
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