GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #30 | Page 28

RV FEATURE HALEN VANS AVALON HONOURABLE MENTION! TECHNICALLY, IT’S BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE WE REVIEWED THIS VAN, BUT THE HEAVILY CUSTOMISED HALEN VANS AVALON STOOD OUT FOR ITS LONG-TERM, SELF-CONTAINED TOURING ABILITIES. This van’s customer requested it be built 200mm narrower and 50mm lower than standard. To Halen Vans, that was a cinch. The Avalon is characterised by smart features. For example, the trailer-to-vehicle wiring harness is detachable from the caravan. Without the matching seven-pin (round) lead, the lights or electric brakes wouldn’t work – effectively, it is a built-in anti-theft device. Tucked in the nearside corner of the front boot was an onboard air-compressor. This Avalon was running Cruisemaster ATX Air suspension; however, all other fittings, including the air- compressor, were fitted by Halen Vans. 28 \ Behind the front boot was a right-through storage system for annexe poles, fishing rods, etc. There’s also a tunnel boot and a dedicated nearside storage box for a Weber barbecue. Electrically, our review Avalon left nothing to chance. It had a 300Ah lithium battery system charged by four 150W solar panels – an excellent setup. Naturally, this system could power your other 240V appliances, including the under-bunk air-conditioner, thanks to the 1600W/60A inverter. And that’s just scratching the surface… WHAT WE SAID Nothing in this van appeared out of place or as though it had been shoehorned into the layout. The Halen Vans crew truly know their stuff. ORIGINAL REVIEW CUSTOM CREATURE