Time to Roam Magazine Issue 13 - February/March 2015 | Page 28

|

tried + tested caravan review

HARD ON
THE OUTSIDE
SOFT ON THE
INSIDE
JAMES FIELD runs his eye over
Paramount’s luxury off-road tourer.
Paramount Caravans is one of the
best-regarded established caravan
brands to come out of the “Caravan
Belt” to the east of Melbourne.

Pros
• Good range of
standard inclusions
• Simple layout

Cons
• Light towball weight
• No “offroad”
style coupling

The Commander is one of nine models in
its 2015 line-up. The firm has had major
success with its very versatile caravan/
pop top hybrid Duet range, prompting a
move to a new manufacturing facility in
Campbellfield to cope with demand.
Like so many successful Aussie
manufacturers today, Paramount prides
itself on building quality caravans to
the individual customer’s requirements,
offering an almost countless number of
different layouts across the entire range.
Our review model Commander is a good
example of that versatility. Brisbane RVs
have ordered a range six inches longer than
standard. This allows the ensuite to have a
solid privacy door and for two external storage
lockers behind the shower. Cruisemaster
suspension has also been added along with

TRIED
+
TESTED

a solar panel, regulator and second battery.
All the essentials needed for extended
off-road touring. Even with these extras,
the Commander comes in under $65,000.
Impressive for a caravan with this many
features and a high quality finish to boot.
Outside there’s a classy and durable
combination of the black checker plate
pebble guarding, silver cladding and alloy
rims. A galvanised steel lined tunnel boot
takes the place of a front boot in this model
which allows ample room on the A frame
for a toolbox if you want to add it. Not a
bad thought considering the ball weight is a
little on the light side – a bit of extra weight
on the A frame may be the way to go.
Also standard on this model are two jerry
can holders mounted next to the gas bottles
on the A frame – handy to safely carry extra
fuel or water. The van is fully insulated
and also comes with a reverse camera.
Inside the layout is similar to
> continuead on page 30

Review by James Field Tried and Tested Paramount Commander 19’6 RRP $64,990 ex Brisbane
28

timetoroam.com.au