"Not everything is Created Equal" – How true is that?
Once every decade or so a new leading edge product appears on the camper trailer scene.
I'm prompted to write this after spending a week travelling and living with the Vista RV crossover’ camper/caravan. When a new revolutionary product appears on the market, it not only sets the benchmark it, sets a standard above what has been before- then others follow.
The Crossover is the latest in this line of leading edge lineage.
The VistaR V is a compact Crossover caravan that not only addresses all the concerns it overcomes all the criticisms that adventurous travellers around Australia have expressed about campers for the last 20 years or so
I should say from the out set that The Crossover is designed primarily for two people. There is adequate storage kitchen facilities etc, for more than two, but I'd suggest adding an annex/ ensuite to cater for additional sleeping arrangements if you have kids or other adults travelling with you.
There's nothing ordinary about the Crossover, either in looks, design function or finish- Step one is the eye-catching shape.
A good designer needs a good precision manufacturer to bring his product to life.
Louie Cretella has been manufacturing precision camper components for over 20 years.
Louie builds the Crossover to the exacting standard that travellers have come to expect.
Louie ensures that every component is manufactured to the finest tolerance resulting in a product that has a fit and finish that is second to none.
The Crossover body construction is a mix of fibreglass vacuum pressed, composite panels, aluminium and powder-coated, zinc-alum, Sheetmetal inside and out, there's nothing rough or out of place- every detail has been considered.
Finish is superb- everything is as it should be and it all works perfectly. Examples of the attention to detail are the use of stainless steel fittings instead of zinc plated steel And the pop rivets used in the construction are aircraft quality, not your average hardware store pop rivets.
From conception to the pre production unit was over two years of design and fabrication, be assured the Crossover is a world class product, and it has been designed and built in Australia.
Experienced travellers know the importance of a good chassis and suspension on a caravan. Underneath the Crossover rides on a hot dipped jig assembled chassis along with A long travel lateral link independent suspension this suspension system is second to none.
On the road the Crossover tows extremely well, It has no towing vices- really- none at all. The importance of this cannot be under-rated. Anyone experienced with towing vans and trailers in out of the way places will tell you how quickly you find the limitations with lesser suspensions on rough roads and how heavy stiffer suspensions cause damage to both the structure and the contents.
The Crossover long travel independent suspension handles rough roads wash outs and corrugations with aplomb.There are no signs of snatching jerking or axle steer- a common problem with lesser suspension systems.
I hesitate to mention technical terms in a caravan report but in this case it is important -The Crossover long travel independent suspension has what is called- 'Compliance'. This means that most of the road shocks are absorbed by the long travel suspension and not transferred to the van nor the interior or the contents.
If there is a problem (as such) while towing the Crossover, it's that you forget it’s behind you that is until a glance at your inside mirror reveals the jet fighter cockpit following very close behind you.
Unlike many other compact caravans the Crossover hasn’t he advantage of being no wider than most 4WD's. My Patrol is no exception- and of course the Crossover followed my vehicle down the same narrow tracks that are often only wide enough for a 4WD. The towing height is also no higher than my Patrol yet with the roof flipped up there's more than adequate standing room at the inside kitchen even for my 6 '1" height.
An added bonus is there's no need for extended rear view mirrors. The wheel track on the Crossover is the same as the majority of 4WD's so the van wheels also follow in the same wheel tracks when on rough tracks or soft surfaces.
Highway speeds are very easy to maintain when towing the Crossover the lack of towing vices can easily take you into Speed Camera Country if you're not careful.
Stopping presents no problems at all – The Crossover electric brakes, mated to the prodigy brakes controller in my Patrol proved to be a perfect match, it really is a 'set and forget combination.
There's never any feeling that you're not in complete control, even on lesser main roads which often have rough patches broken edges, pot holes and so on gravel roads and corrugations are not a problem.
Many people comment on the large angled deflectors on each side, at the front of the Crossover. They are not there to just add to the 'Darth Vader 'look of the Crossover these Stone reflectors are very practical .After a week with the Crossover while travelling around Western Victoria I'm confident this van can easily handle outback tracks such as the Oodnadatta, Strzelecki and Birdsville tracks.
Venture further onto The Plenty Highway the Tanami Track or The Great Eastern Highway You could travel easily and without any problem. I’d even be confident about towing the Crossover across the Anne Beadell Highway and the Gunbarrell Highway. I never thought I’d have that impression about a caravan of any description.
lf you've become tired of the time consuming effort of setting up camp each evening and packing up each morning the Crossover is for you. Setting up camp for an overnight stop is as easy as it gets.
1 Fit the two rear steady legs.
2 Unclip two roof lid clamps.
3 Step inside and push the roof up.
4 That's it.
For the odd time you find yourself travelling late in the evening then find a suitable camp spot and all you want is to sleep, I can suggest the following.
Step one.
You don't even have to fit the steady legs if you don't mind the gentle rocking that's a result of the supple suspension on the Crossover.
Step two.
I used a product called' The Drop Tow Hitch'. lt allowed me to drop the draw bar on the Crossover up to about 1 00mm for levelling without disconnecting the van From the Patrol.
lf the Crossover Delta Awning is needed it is also easy to erect- and gives adequate cover over the rollout stove and a shady spot to sit. Of the many awnings I've had over the years, on so many campers vans and trucks, one wishes that the Crossover Delta Awning' had been designed years ago.
For longer stays the optional full annex and shower/toilet tent take a few minutes more.
The large external rollout kitchen has a large preparation area, a very good two-burner stove with a removable wind guard, a cutlery drawer plus a sink and drainer area. There are four external storage compartments all lockable. The large front locker on the nosecone can carry a Honda EU20i generator.
The spare wheel is carried behind the front nose-cone locker and is accessed by swinging away the two front Jerry can holders and the front locker.
There is storage for two additional 20 litre jerry cans on the off side and there's an all purpose fold-up shelf on the rear.
Inside the Crossover are many features not found in other campers or small vans. There's a dinette style table and seats- great for two people- squeezy for four if needed. The table folds down very easily (via a ningenious 'singe click 'mechanism to) make a very generous Queen size bed with plenty of storage pockets and shelves to store all your day to day items. There's also generous storage both under the seats and behind the side cushions as well as a small wardrobe with hanging space.
The inside kitchen area has a surprisingly generous bench space along with a sink And 240v power points for use when camped on powered sites or if you use a generator. The sink has water provided via the pressure pump as well as a drop down lid that increases bench space when you don't need the sink.
A fridge, cupboards and cutlery draw provide easy access and storage for all the supplies needed for comfortable travel.
The first impression of not having a stove inside seems like a disadvantage but this is not so. Stoves inside smaller campers and caravans result in cooking smells permeating through everything and there is a safety factor consideration as well.
Outside there's a large rollout stove assembly that's an absolute dream to use. When this unit extended is rock solid and does not require a support leg to keep it stable. The roll out unit has a large stainless steel preparation area as well as an additional roll out sink and drainer unit. Water to the sink is provided via the pressure pump system.
lf you want shade or weather protection the 'Delta Style' awning is the easiest to erect that I've encountered in 30 years of travel with campers and small vans.
Many of us know' Murphy: and his tricks so – my first question to Louie was- As both the inside and outside sinks have water provided by a pressure pump, how does one get on in the unlikely event of a pump or battery failure?"
The answer is simple there's also a manual water pump next to the water tank filler, which is beside the entry door.
The Queen Size bed has storage areas on both sides and the bed is surprisingly comfortable. There's adequate height to sit up in bed and read if you wish, and the insulated body construction makes for an exceptionally quiet environment.
I had one particularly stormy night while away, the storm was hardly noticeable inside the van and of course I was dry. The word that comes to mind to describe the feeling is 'cosy'.
It took me a couple of days of rearranging items so everything from a roadside lunch stop to setting up for a few days was as quick and convenient as it can be.
Once everything from the coffee to the kettle and the bread knife to the butter is where you want it the travelling is so easy. The external rollout kitchen is accessible anytime.
With the Crossover gone are the days of it taking ages to set up camp and taking even longer to pack up in the morning the travelling is easy (l keeps saying that don’t I But it is so true!)
The difficult part of my week away with the Crossover was taking it back once I returned home.
The Crossover may not be for everyone but it does travel as easily on the highway as if you were not towing anything.
lf you wish to travel the very remote tracks the Australian outback has to offer, and do it easily with comfort and reliability the Crossover is the number one choice.
Jim Payton
