Review: Evernew Caravans Platinum GTX

There are very few names in caravan manufacturing with the history and pedigree of Evernew. The brand has been around for more than 60 years – that’s one heck of an achievement. They were always considered the ‘caravanner’s caravan’, the choice of discerning buyers who’d been around the block a few times.

About 10 years ago, though, the company changed hands. Back in the day, Evernew Caravans had a somewhat traditional ‘stick and tin’ approach to manufacturing, but in short order, the subsequent owner set about modernising the look and feel of these otherwise excellent vans. New offroad models were created, the ribbed aluminium was replaced by smooth composite and new features were added.

For more than a year, Evernew has been developing the subject of this review, the Platinum GTX. For Evernew Caravans’ owner, Dani, it’s been something of a labour of love, with no timeline or hurry to finish it. He was more interested in getting it right. But when he was finally ready to release it, we were given the first look…

EXTERNAL DETAILS

The Evernew Platinum GTX is a 19ft 5in (internal length) tandem-axle van that looks like it means business. The green Probond composite aluminium cladding over the aluminium frame blended perfectly with the forest background – it’s a great-looking caravan. It was, in fact, Everenew’s first aluminium-framed van. After decades of working with timber, Dani felt it was time to give the customers the option of aluminium. Side note: he mentioned that he’d intentionally omitted decals from the sides of the van, believing it looked cleaner without. I agree. Besides, the name of the van is beautifully laser-etched into aluminium trim.

Back to the construction, the aluminium studs are set at 400mm centres and then huck-riveted. The roof, however, is a 21mm-thick one-piece fibreglass construction that runs from the front to the very rear of the van. The roof is secured on top of aluminium framing, with the void filled by pink batts.

Built on a 6in RHS chassis with 6in A-frame, everything is nicely protected underneath. Each 95L water tank, including the 95L grey tank, is protected – while the outlets are wrapped in agi-pipe. Great. While agi won’t necessarily last forever, it’ll be easy to replace yourself. I genuinely felt that Evernew had worked on the underside of the Platinum GTX. The grey tank, by the way, contains a bypass valve so you don’t need to use it if you can connect straight to a sullage point.

The suspension is the venerable Cruisemaster ATX airbag setup along with the Cruisemaster Body Control system, a feature that provides complete control over the suspension. The module is mounted within a recessed nearside picnic table. This is where Evernew has also placed the switch for the Carefree electric awning. There’s also a connection point for an air hose so you can use the van’s onboard compressor to inflate the van’s tyres as well as those of your tow vehicle.

At the rear, you’ll find a spare wheel on the bumper bar along with two lockable jerry can holders, a rear vision camera, and traction boards mounted to the rear wall. One thing I noted: Evernew had placed the tank for the diesel heater behind the spare wheel for additional mechanical protection, though it’s also shrouded by checkerplate.

External storage space is so important, and the Platinum GTX doesn’t disappoint. A tall locker – over 6ft! – sits at the nearside-rear of the van, lined with easy-clean marine carpet. It looks great, and the carpet certainly adds a premium feel. A service hatch to the shower plumbing has been included, too. There are some other storage lockers, too, as well as a tunnel boot and a locker on the A-frame.

Originally, Evernew made this locker out of checkerplate. Nothing wrong with that. But ultimately, Dani made the call to switch to smooth, powder-coated aluminium – it looks much more modern while still being strong.

A welcome inclusion: Evernew has given the Platinum GTX a Black Jack Trailer Jack. These are awesome devices that make hitching and unhitching so much easier, though you can still use a manual jockey wheel if you prefer.

What about remote communications, or say you’re in the outback and you need to log onto your emails. Well, the Platinum GTX is already wired for Starlink. This is virtually a must on all new caravans.

As part of the development of this van, Dani wanted to revisit the front profile. Evernew vans have long had a rounded shape, but it was time to change things up. Besides, by giving the nose of the van an angular shape, it created surface area for another solar panel! In fact, that’s another thing this van excels in: power. As standard, it comes with a whopping 1200W of solar on the roof, along with 920Ah of lithium batteries. You’ll find the numerous Victron MPPT solar regulators, along with a 50A DC-DC charger and Cerbo GX, another Victron device that facilitates smart device connectivity, energy optimisation and more. This system should let you run the air-conditioner for five, six or even seven hours at a time, depending on the sun.

EVERNEW LIVING

The word ‘Evernew’ is proudly etched into the doorstep, reminding you that you own a classy piece of equipment each time you head inside. Like the exterior, the interior conveys a sense of strength and purpose. There’s nothing flimsy here, and the fit and finish is excellent.

Let me give you an example. If you lift the mattress, you’ll find the storage space beneath the bed is also lined in marine carpet. Further, the gas struts connect to checkerplate, so it isn’t just the ply bed base supporting the weight of the mattress and bed base via the struts. Evernew had even fitted a microswitch here, so each time you lift the bed base, a light automatically comes on.

The kitchen is simple, elegant, functional and smart. I say ‘smart’ because the microwave is positioned below the bench – less chance of heat-related injuries for shorter people than when having to reach into the overhead locker space. The waterfall bench looks great too.

This is a gas-less caravan, given the impressive amount of 12V power on board. As such, the cooktop is electric induction. Not having a griller or oven inside might be a limitation for some people, but it’s worth remembering that Evernew is a custom builder – they’ll work with you. Or why not fit a Ninja Woodfire barbecue, or a Ziggy or similar to the slide-out tray in the tunnel boot? That’s what I would do. I liked the two-shelf pull-out pantry as well. It’s not the wire-basket style that you might be familiar with, but rather solid plastic. 

The cafe dinette uses genuine leather for the seats – I loved the lift-up footrests. They’re not a new idea, of course, but they’re very welcome. I also appreciated that Evernew placed some USB points and a GPO at the dinette (the same are within the bedside niches as well).

A large compressor fridge-freezer fills out the space between the dinette and the bathroom, and here’s nice touch: a little wine drawer beneath the fridge. It’s essentially plastic with cutouts for wine bottles that’s been inserted into the drawer space.

The bathroom is just as classy as the rest of the van. It has a washing machine beneath the bench, a nearside shower, and even an OGO composting toilet. I don’t mind the gold tapware throughout the van, but colours are a personal choice and Evernew can work with you on that.

A reverse-cycle air-conditioner, Fusion sound system, a TV, a couple of Sirocco fans… there’s a lot of equipment packed within the 19ft 6in dimensions of this van. But none of it feels cramped or otherwise awkward.

Finally, this is one of the very few caravans that I’ve seen fitted with a vacuum cleaner! You can connect a hose, or you can simply sweep the dirt to the module, which is fitted at floor level near the dinette, press the button with your foot, and the vacuum will suck it all up.

GORV’S VERDICT

‘Caravans by Craftsmen’ is Evernew’s tagline, and it fits. Once upon a time, it was the case that you’d rarely see a secondhand Evernew – people would buy them, and hang onto them for a lifetime.

The Platinum GTX is clearly the next stage of evolution for this company. Fitted with almost every conceivable luxury, with an impressive power system, loads of water storage, and a build quality that’s up there with the best of them, this is a van to be reckoned with. It’ll go anywhere your 4WD can take it – and it just looks great.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

COMPLETE SPECS