GRAND CANYONS

The Aussie-made Canyon caravan range has arrived in New Zealand via importer and dealer, Off Road Caravans. Paul Owen gets the details.

Looking durable and robust on the outside, the Canyon range is full of comfort on the inside.

The 8.5m long Canyon Classic reviewed here is fully ready to hit the road, with its twin 100Ah deep-cycle batteries, twin 170w solar panels, and twin 95L freshwater tanks backed up by 95L of greywater stowage.

There’s certainly plenty of beef found beneath the Canyon’s luxurious cabin. The beams of the caravan trailer are fashioned from three-gauge steel, which is zinc-plated and powder-coated for corrosion protection. If left as standard, the Classic rolls on AL-KO ‘roller rocker’ suspension, enhancing the performance of the leaf springs by mounting them on rocker arms front and rear.

Inside, the Canyon Classic is light and airy thanks to two generously sized skylights, creating a stark contrast to the darker decorations of the exterior, and there’s plenty of room designed into it to move or stretch out.

The space is apparent when you step inside via the pull-out aluminum step and swivel your head left to take in the permanent island bed and its attendant wardrobes and bedside cabinets. Stacked bunks can be found at the other end of the Classic, with the choice of having two or three bunks.

The kitchen occupies one side of the middle section, faced by an L-shaped lounge and table on the other side. A nice touch to the cooking area is the hinged piece of laminated bench top that covers the recessed stove/oven. This creates a long usable bench when the stove isn’t required, and flips up out of the way when it is. The stove/oven has three gas hobs and one electric, and a decent-sized oven/grille. It’s accompanied by a 199L three-way fridge/ freezer, a microwave oven, slide-out pantry, and flush-mounted rangehood.

Across from the bunks is the ensuite, featuring a large shower cubicle in the rear left corner, a flush toilet located by the lounge, and a vanity unit in between the two. A front-loading washing machine is mounted on the rear wall.

You get what you pay for with the $104,000 Canyon Classic caravan. It’s a robust van that provide years of comfortable living. The niche that it occupies in the caravan market is filling rapidly with new competitors, but the Canyon arguably sets the standard when it comes to bang for your buck.

Find out more at offroadcaravans.nz

Specifications

Chassis Heavy-duty zincplated steel trailer with electric brakes

Cabin Dimensions 6.55m L with 1.98m head room

Berths 4

Fresh/grey water Fresh 190L/Grey 95L

Unladen mass 2450kg

Payload 750kg

Read the full review in issue #221 or online at nzmcd.co.nz/reviews/caravans/canyon-classic-review/