Soul sells $185K caravan

First nautical-themed Soul Caravan sells to well-heeled buyer at Queensland show

A Singaporean businessman has jumped on the chance to be the first owner of a cutting-edge caravan built by new Gold Coast manufacturer Soul Caravans.

The innovative 22ft slide-out model on display at last week’s Queensland Caravan Show is one of the most expensive caravans ever sold in Australia, with a sticker price of $185,689.

However, it was fitted with around $46,000 of optional extras including upgraded Cruisemaster airbag independent suspension, a 5.5m Dometic remote control awning, electric entry steps, wall mounted washing machine, bigger 50in TV, C-Zone home automation system, electric lifting side windows, Enerdrive 200Ah lithium battery system with 240W solar panels and 600W inverter, bigger 16in wheels with all-terrain tyres and Al-Ko ESC electronic stability control.

Set up by Curtis Goldring and Adam Skelton in early-2015 after both had worked for Queensland luxury boat-builder Riviera, Soul Caravans is targeting cashed-up grey nomads and discerning buyers with its game-changing new caravan constructed using “proven luxury boatbuilding techniques of laminated fibreglass moulding”.

“The construction techniques are nothing new to the marine industry but the way we’ve done it is quite new and innovative to the caravan industry… there are no joins on it at all apart from where the main body and undertray join,” explained Goldring.

According to Soul, the fibreglass shell with enclosed foam core (20mm thick in the walls and 30mm in the roof and floor) provides a stiff monocoque structure with superior sound and temperature insulation. It’s also water-tight and much easier to repair than traditionally-made caravans.

“It has very good insulation and is hail-proof and as far as damage goes any fibreglass repairer around the country can do it,” he said.

The slick slide-out model is no lightweight though, with a Tare weight of 3000kg and 3500kg ATM.

“We haven’t saved on the weight but the structure is a lot stronger and there are no joins in the structure itself,” he said.

Goldring admitted it’s a time consuming and relatively costly construction process “but once you’ve got the tooling it’s easy to replicate and get the quality as well”.

He said the open-plan interior, which boasts 20 per cent more interior space thanks to a massive 4.39m long slide-out section on the off-side wall, also “reflects our boat building heritage”.

Premium surfaces include varnished walnut timber veneer for side and dining tables, leather upholstery for the dinette and separate couch and Corian benchtops.

Clever, boat-style storage solutions abound including a dedicated storage space for outdoor table and chairs, separate sealed lockers and slide-outs for twin 9kg gas bottles and external kitchen and gelcoat sealed front boot locker that can be hosed out.

The front kitchen area features a moulded benchtop with double stainless steel sink, convection microwave, three burner gas cooktop, and large fridge/freezer, with an optional 12V portable fridge that slides out from under the dinette so you can grab a coldie from outside without entering the van.

Another party trick is the 50in TV that slides in and out of a wall compartment and rotates 180 degrees for Gold Class style viewing from either the east-west queen bed or through the window from outside.

The two custom built aluminium awning-styling side windows are some of the biggest on any caravan and with domestic-style pull-down blinds and clip-on magnetic screens aim to “deliver the luxuries you have at home”.

There’s also a full width rear bathroom with fiberglass enclosed shower, and reverse-cycle air-conditioning and twin 80 litre water tanks are fitted as standard.

“We’re trying to do something different… it’s a new level of fit-out, a new level of finish, and I hope to say a new level of quality,” Goldring said.

“We looked at the industry and did some research and realized there are a lot of people doing the same thing. We wanted to do something different, so when people walk in it they go wow.

“We know the price point is in a different league, and in a way it is a niche product but we think people can see the value in it.”

Following the release of the 22ft Soul, which is classified as a touring or semi off-road van, the Gold Coast company is planning a cheaper and lighter 19ft version, with other models in the pipeline including a possible toy hauler.

Soul sells $185K caravan

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