Twelve years after the arrival of the original Eco-Tourer, with its low-profile, lightweight fibreglass body and innovative, lift-up roof mechanism, a second, smaller model with rear door and electric roof has been released.
Three years in development, the Eco-Tourer 420 shares many of the characteristics of the original Eco-Tourer, including moulded fibreglass panels and streamlined shape. But the body is completely re-designed in order to accommodate a walk-around double bed, dinette and kitchen inside a more compact 4.2m long body (about 1m less than the original) with rear rather than side door entry.
โWe changed everything. To get it down smaller and really workable inside required a total new approach rather than just chopping two feet off the other one. That just wouldnโt have worked,โ said Eco-Tourerโs Mike Hawkins.
With a target Tare weight of 1150kg (around 200kg less than the lightest Eco-Tourer) and 1450kg ATM, Hawkins said the Eco-Tourer 420 is targeted at buyers with smaller tow vehicles.
With a starting price of $44,000, itโs also around $3000 less than the cheapest Eco-Tourer.
For that, you get a decent amount of standard equipment including a 12V battery system that runs the LED lights and 90 litre 12V compressor fridge (a first for Eco-Tourer), a microwave, stainless sink, three-burner cooktop and rangehood, 12V roof hatch, LED TV/DVD and Winegard antenna, CD player, and water level indicator for the 60 litre water tank.
There are a number of interior cupboards inside with acrylic doors while external storage is confined to a front boot.
Various options are available including Truma ducted air-conditioning, which as fitted to the display model at the 2015 Victorian Caravan Supershow added $2250 to the cost.
But like the original Eco-Tourer, itโs the clever lift-up roof mechanism that most impresses. But instead of having to use a jack winding handle or cordless electric drill, the Eco-Tourer 420 features a new electric hydraulic system that raises the one-piece fibreglass roof and insulated walls at the push of a button.
The folding rear wall and door are put in place manually, while the solid, top-hinged awning with built-in โskylightโ is raised and supported by two drop-down poles. The whole operation takes around one, stress-free minute.
โBecause this has got the rear door we wanted to design it into a canopy on the back to provide protection over the door, so when itโs down itโs completely dust proof,โ Hawkins said.
Eco-Tourer also hopes to offer an off-road version using Cruisemaster suspension, as well as an ensuite layout. It's also working on an 'off-road' shower/toilet using a canvas drop-down enclosure over the rear canopy, combined with an external shower.
The Eco-Tourer 420 will be available from Caravan Court in Springvale South, Victoria.
