Option RV Summermile: Review

The Option RV Summermile is about as comprehensive as caravans get, while sporting one of the largest payload capacities you’ll likely find on an Aussie van. Let’s climb aboard…

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Sometimes you just want to get away to a quiet little spot, somewhere the rest of the world can just roll by, somewhere that, by a summer mile, the living is easy.

With that in mind, we picked up the new Option RV Summermile and took it to a spot within the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, just north of Brisbane. And when there we took a moment to discover if this Option RV has the right stuff for a caravan that is slated as a rig for the entire family.

OUTSIDE THE OPTION RV SUMMERMILE

The Option RV Summermile, a 22ft family caravan, was housed at the Caravan World dealership in Chevallum near Maroochydore, a seaside jewel of the Sunshine Coast. From there, we headed north until we found a beautiful little spot, wedged between Eumundi, the Sunshine Coast’s hub of artisan creativity, and Kenilworth, famous for superb dairy products.

option rv summermileThat bucolic countryside provided a perfect backdrop to see if this rig was a worthwhile caravan for a family of five. Arguably, the key considerations with a family van are space, comfort, and storage. Around the outside, of note is the independent Level 3 Alpha Xtreme independent air-bag suspension, a great choice for a modern van. Then there’s the robust and ever-reliable DO45 couple to make hitching up easy. The chassis boasts Line-x coating, which is said to offer a combination of durability and armour-like protection.

option rv summermileThe Option RV Summermile is built from a meranti timber frame, with one-piece fibreglass sandwich panel roof section. The floor, meanwhile, is a ‘honeycomb’ structure – no timber here.

Out the back, you’ll find a convenient wood box mounted to the four-stay rear bumper, and on the drawbar there’s a good-sized toolbox and convenient storage drawer adding to the storage options, which also include a tunnel boot and storage hatch. 

option rv summermileTwo 9kg gas cylinders provide ample gas. The drawbar also includes a well-positioned water tap, diesel storage container for the diesel heater and a sizeable stone-guard. 

INNER GLOW

While the exterior shows that the Option RV Summermile is ready and able to handle the rough and tumble on any adventure from the blacktop highway to the corrugations of most outback roads, the interior should be all about comfort and convenience.

option rv summermileStyle-wise, like the exterior, the interior has that X-factor. It has style, space, and comfort. 

Although the dinette upholstery was cloth fabric in the review van, the standard for this model is leather. For my money, leather is preferable anyway.

option rv summermileStorage-wise, there’s ample. Overhead lockers, under-bed storage, a small roll-out pantry, and quality kitchen drawers… it adds up to a lot of storage space for things such as spare blankets, shoes, magazines and more.

The 224L compressor fridge, cooktop and microwave, combined with a quality benchtop and deep kitchen sink, should make cooking a breeze.

option rv summermileThis van excels on the small details. A magazine pocket by the door, and two in the bedhead, quality bedside lights, brushed copper taps and sink in the kitchen, an ensuite, and a shower that matches the brushed copper towel rack. There’s even a diesel heater.

The main bed is king size. The specifications list boasts 3.5 bunks offering space for up to four young children. While the bunks are stylish and well-built, for my money, there is ample room for two or three children, with the small space on the floor best suited for the slippers or the family pooch. However, if you would prefer a different layout, Option RV has a range of layouts to choose from.

option rv summermileWhen it comes to plumbing, our review van had plenty of fresh water capacity, with three rotomould 85L tanks and a rotomould grey water tank. It’s easy to throw your undies and socks into the wall-mounted washing machine just before you carry your bare bodkin into the shower to wash your locks under the stylish brushed copper showerhead. There’s even a Nature’s Head compositing toilet in the ensuite! We are seeing more of these units appear in new vans and by all accounts they work very well.

The 12V system in this van is all quality. It is comprised of a 300Ah lithium battery kept up to charge when off-grid by 800W worth of solar panels, all supported by a Victron battery management system and 3000W inverter.

GORV’S VERDICT

The key points for the Option RV Summermile include air-bag suspension, plenty of well-built storage inside and out, and an overall quality finish with admirable attention to detail. 

option rv summermileHowever, it is worth nothing that it has an ATM of 4500kg, so this rig will require a powerhouse 4WD along the lines of a Silverado in order to make full use of the very impressive 1760kg towing capacity. 

The van Tares at 2760kg so it is quite possible to tow it with 3500kg-rated vehicles while still having an excellent payload capacity. Nonetheless, this is a quality rig that the owners are likely to treasure for years to come. It is well worth considering.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH – 4.5 out of 5 stars

LAYOUT – 4.5 out of 5 stars

INNOVATION – 4 out of 5 stars

HITS & MISSES

  • Level 3 air-bag suspension with PolyAir upgrade 
  • Large drawbar toolbox and drawer
  • Overall build quality – I found it hard to fault
  • I would’ve liked some jerry can holders and an electric step

COMPLETE SPECS

Overall length: 9.2m

External body length: 6.71m

External width: 2.45m

Internal height: 1.97m

Travel height: 3.1m (depending on setting of air-bag suspension)

Tare: 2760kg

GTM: 4320kg

ATM: 4500kg

Unladen ball weight: 180kg

Frame: Meranti timber with one-piece fibreglass composite roof; ‘honeycomb’ floor 

Coupling: DO45

Chassis: 6in with Line-x coating

Suspension: Alpha Xtreme 4.5-tonne Independent air-bag

Brakes: 12in electric drums

Wheels: 17in alloy

Fresh water: 3x85L

Grey water: Yes

Awning: Roll-out

Battery: 300Ah lithium with Victron battery management system and 3000W invertor

Solar: 800W

Air-conditioner: Reverse-cycle

Gas: 2x9kg

Sway control: No

Cooking: Swift four-burner cooktop with griller and oven

Refrigeration: 224L compressor

Microwave: 25L NCE

Shower: Separate cubicle, fully-moulded fibreglass

Toilet: Nature’s Head composting

Washing machine: 3kg wall-mounted front-loader

Lighting: 12V LED

Hot water: Gas-electric

Entertainment: Flatscreen TV; Fusion sound system with speakers inside and out

PolyAir air-bag suspension upgrade

$159,990

RRP: $155,990

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David Gilchrist is a Brisbane writer and filmmaker whose writing has appeared in publications as diverse as Australian Geographic, The Sydney Morning Herald, The New Zealand Herald, RM Williams Outback and The Independent (London). He has produced documentaries for ABC TV and has co-written a best selling Australian biography called 'Life in the Saddle.' A word wrangler, he can’t ride horses or catch bulls.

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