GORV - Digital Magazine Special Tests Issue | Page 29

RV REVIEW |
THE LAUNCH OF THE GT SPORT MK2 LATE IN
2016 HERALDED A NEW ERA FOR ROADSTAR.
says, is more thermally
efficient than the alternative,
and it doesn’t hold moisture.
It’s also light and strong.
In fibreglass form, the Little
Rippa looks every inch the
serious, long-lasting caravan.
As Ken says, these fibreglass
vans take weeks to build,
rather than the seven (or less)
days required for a ‘stick and
tin’ caravan. For example,
production on a van will
stop for long periods while
the crew waits for the
bonding agents on certain
components to cure.
The van sports a waist of
checkerplate, nearside fold-
down picnic table, a couple of
speakers, a fold-out step, and
a Dometic roll-out awning.
At the back of the van, you’ll
find a rear-view camera.
Up front, there’s a tunnel
boot, and a well-constructed
checkerplate storage box
featuring strong catches sits
on the A-frame. This storage
box is split into two sections,
one housing the dual gas
cylinders, the other housing a
slide for a generator.
The underside of the van is
presented neatly. The 16in
alloy wheels ride on Al-Ko
Enduro Outback suspension.
During our test tow, on
various corrugated roads
and undulating terrain, it
performed to a high standard.
Two 95L fresh water tanks,
each protected by a sheet
of galvanised steel, are fitted
beneath the Little Rippa,
fore and aft of the suspension.
It’s a decent amount of
water storage.
It’s a single-axle van, so
you’d be forgiven for thinking
the Little Rippa offered only
300-400kg of load-carrying
capacity. But how does 500kg
sound? With about 200kg
taken up by water and gas,
the remaining 300kg is more
than enough.
INNER LITTLE RIPPA
The layout, with a front
north-south bed, nearside
dinette, offside kitchen, and
rear ensuite, works well.
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