Time to Roam Magazine Issue 3 - June/July 2013 | Page 28

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tried + tested caravan review

Firstly, at Hank Rojek’s urging, he
recruited Peter Russell, former owner of
Boroma Caravans, for the integral role
of gearing up the business as caravans
project manager and general manager of
manufacturing.
The Haines Group CEO says he’s
“absolutely ecstatic” with what the company
has achieved in just a couple of years.
“I am exceptionally proud of our
Seachange product. There are a lot of
really good manufacturers out there – we
set ourselves apart with our fibreglass
construction.”
At the Wacol plant, the Seachange 550,
595, 640 and 670 series caravans are built
on the same production lines as the Haines
Group’s famous Signature range of boats.
The Seachange range has won wide
acclaim on the show circuit this year. For
many Sydney caravan lovers, their first look
at the Seachange range was at the recent
NSW Caravan and Camping Supershow at
Rosehill where Peter Russell and Hank Rojek
showed off a 640 Elite QB van and one of its
595 series.
More recently, the company showed off its
latest release, a 420 Tough Nut van, at the
Brisbane Caravan and Camping Show.

Tested Seachange 640 Elite
QB Caravan
One of the first construction features
you notice about the Seachange 640 Elite
QB van is the impact of the fibreglass
manufacturing.
Fibreglass combines versatility, durability
and strength to provide the van owner with

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a low maintenance, non-corrosive caravan
that stands the test of travel and time.
The rolled roof and wall panels of the
640 Series consist of welded box section
aluminium frames, insulated with a fireresistant expanded polystyrene foam then
lined with fibreglass. This delivers a lighter,
stronger structure that’s cooler in summer
and warmer in winter months.
The design of the 640 Elite eliminates the
need for the traditional J-mould joint. The
objective with this technology is that owners
won’t have to worry about deteriorating
joints that can ultimately leak water.
The Haines Group’s Peter Russell said of
the aluminium floor rails: “The aluminium
frame gives us strength but saves us
considerable weight in an off-road van. It’s
like a house – start with good foundations
because everything is built on top of it.”
He added that the fibreglass panels
provide great resistance against hail
damage or damage from trees but should it
occur, they are repairable.
The 640 Elite uses the Cruisemaster all
road coil suspension system for economical
load protection and towability with twin
shocks. Softer spring rates are aimed at
protecting the van and its contents.
It has a full length, hybrid light weight
150mm chassis, combining hot dip
galvanised steel and aluminium. Other
general external features include 16 inch
alloy wheels, roll out awning, two 9kg gas
bottles.
The exterior looks stylish with the front
and rear pods both custom-moulded
fibreglass, shaped to reduced drag and
allow air to easily pass over the top.

Stepping inside, it’s smart and
comfortable with clean lines and a polished
finish down to its glossy white walls.
The bathroom has a full ensuite with a
moulded fibreglass shower unit and exhaust
fans, a porcelain toilet and a Caroma vanity
sink.
There’s plenty of storage space around
the Queen size bed, underneath it, in
cupboards above and in the hanging mirrorfronted wardrobes.
Even within the café style leatherette
seating, there are pull out drawers for more
storage.
In the kitchen area, the 640 Elite is
finished in brushed stainless steel, and
Duropol laminate benchtops with timber
edging. The cabinetry is securely attached
to the framework, the cooktop and grill has
three gas burners and one electric plate and
the Dometic frige/freezer has a capacity of
184 litres.
The 640 has an extensive range of factory
fitted options and the Haines Group will
custom build to meet customer desires.
One of the standout exterior options that
I particularly liked was a Webber Baby Q
slide out barbecue that sits neatly under
the awning. Another was the front through
boot that has lockable doors, is galvabond
lined and wide enough to fit things like deck
chairs and inflatable equipment.
At the Sydney Caravan Show, the
Seachange 640 Elite QB displayed had
a wealth of features and a price tag of
$118,920. Its standard price is around
$97,000.
Maybe the last word should go to retired
builder Aubrey McLean, of Splityard Creek,