GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #13 | Page 19

RV REVIEW POINTS OF DIFFERENCE While the traditional Jurgens vans, which remain in full production, are known for being light, the Solaris is somewhat heavier. Our review Solaris (layout C6603) weighs in unladen at 2200kg. Its ATM of 2750kg, meanwhile, provides a 550kg payload capacity. It’s also wider, 110mm in fact, than other Jurgens vans. Finally, the Solaris offers greater ground clearance. Under tow, the Solaris performed as solidly as expected. The van is fitted with Al-Ko ESC as standard and, in extremely windy conditions, we towed it at about 90km/h on the highway, experiencing no sway or porpoising on the towball. It is a dirt-road-capable caravan built on Jurgens’ own ‘Optima’ steel chassis with independent trailing arm suspension and 16in wheels. Two 80L water tanks are fitted as standard but a third 80L tank can be optioned in, as can a grey water tank. ENS ED G R JU HAUL R OVE The Solaris comes with a decent amount of external storage, too, and I liked that the front boot has a separate compartment for the dual 9kg gas cylinders – this boot setup is fairly typical for all Jurgens caravans I have seen. A tunnel boot is also included; however, our review Solaris was fitted with a nearside slide- out barbecue, which necessarily takes up some of this space. In terms of 12V power, the van gets a 125W solar panel and a 100Ah deep-cycle battery, though a second 125W panel and battery can be fitted as an option. A BMPRO battery management system is fitted standard, too. Our van had a rear-mounted bike rack – also an option – and an electric entry step, a 12V powerpoint, a TV mount and a roll-out awning. It all adds up to a reasonably well-equipped exterior with no glaring imperfections. WORLDS APART If the Solaris looks nothing like a Jurgens from the outside, wait until you climb aboard. In place of the faux woodgrain is a contemporary, glossy interior worthy of a second look. The nearside kitchen comes with all the gear, while the offside dinette has a tri-fold table, reading lights, and overhead lockers with downlights set into the cabinetry and LED strip lighting above. In the bedroom, I liked how the tall cupboards at the foot of the bed were angled in such a gorv.com.au 19