Australia might seem an unlikely place for a Slovenian-made caravan, but that hasn’t stopped the Adria Altea 432PX finding our shores. The enthusiasm of importer RV Asia-Pacific has given rise to the Adria name, and compliance matters such as the entry door being on the nearside and issue like the electrics, gas and the running lights, now appear to be in tow.

In fact, Jo Vaughan, the European correspondent for CW sister magazine Motorhome World, tells us that Adria is well-known in that part of the world as well.

The Altea is new to the Australian market and complements the Action/Adora/Adiva lines. The main difference (apart from certain features) being the length. Our van was supplied by Adria dealer David Carlon Motors, based at Wollongong, NSW, about one hour south of Sydney. We met up with the dealership’s Wayne Brady, who gave us a run down and handed us the key. Yes, a single key, not a pocket-tearing bunch.

Construction methods

Like all Adria caravans, the Altea is built on an Al-Ko chassis, used on many European vans and noted for differences to the typical Australian designed frame. The rating plate on the drawbar states a Tare of 910kg and ATM of 1300kg, which is light for a van of 15ft 9in (4.8m) long, that’s for sure. The other drawbar items – ball coupling, handbrake and jockey – wheel are Al-Ko items, too. In fact, the unloaded ball weight of the Altea is light enough to be lifted by one person.

The wall structure of the Altea is polyester/ply/insulation and a dimpled aluminium cladding. The back and front are moulded GRP (fibreglass to you and I). Included in the rear moulding are tail lights, large triangular reflectors, grab handles and numberplate mounting.

The entry door can be half or fully opened, but it doesn’t have an insect screen or a security door fitted. Windows are tinted acrylic, and have internal flyscreens and blinds.

Nicely integrated into the bodywork is the front boot, which contains a spare wheel and two 4kg gas cylinders, with extra room for other travelling items. Dedicated storage doors on the front nearside are for the house battery and power lead connection (out of the weather), and on the front offside, there’s an access for the Thetford toilet cassette. For the outdoor chefs, a connection point for a gas barbecue is fitted beside the electrics box.

The interior differs to the conventional, but that’s nothing to be sneezed at. It’s a front bedroom layout, with the north-south double-bed fitted into the nearside corner alongside the bathroom, which is squeezed into the front offside corner. Between the bed and the rear entry door is the kitchen bench and placed in the rear offside corner is a dinette.

Cupboards fill the remaining spaces, and a timber look prevails. In addition to the fitted blinds, all the windows except those in the bathroom and kitchen have curtains fitted. We have to say, the general fit and finish of the Altea looks good.

At the back, the main bed is chamfered and measures 6ft 2in x 4ft 7in (1.88m x 1.4m), narrowing to 3ft 9in (1.14m). The mattress and wooden slatted base are split in the centre to provide easy access to a storage area underneath.

The bedhead has halogen reading lights, two (not the usual single) shelves plus two overhead lockers. A couple of additional lockers are fitted on the wall side as well. The hinged shelf from the kitchen bench that extends over the bed is a common design feature in European RVs, and can be used to support a TV.

Compact is certainly the word to describe the kitchen. It does have almost all the basics, although a grill would be nice.

Make way for more

In a van of this length, fitting the bathroom in is a challenge. Adria eloquently achieves this by enclosing the bench-style Thetford toilet and shower in the bathroom cubicle, with the vanity wash basin located outside of it. The toilet doesn’t impinge on the shower, and there is room spare for a storage compartment behind the loo.

Adequate air flow is provided courtesy of a relatively large window and roof vent. The vanity cabinet has been fitted with an under sink cupboard, four shelves, a large wall mirror and is lit by two halogen downlights.

The rear corner dinette seats a friendly four and can be made up into a second bed of 6ft 2in x 4ft 6in (1.88m x 1.36m). The front seat extends out and can also be used (with a cushion) as a foot rest when relaxing inside. Windows in both walls give a good level of light and ventilation, and for night time, there are two halogen reading lights and one overhead fluorescent fitting.

The space under the front seat is occupied by the water tank, but the rear seat storage area is empty. Above the dinette are five overhead lockers, and between the dinette and the door is a full height cupboard that contains both hanging space and a multiple number of small shelves – a very neat organiser.

On the front side of the dinette, there is a low height cupboard with two high shelves above. The former can be used as general bench area or a place for locating a TV. Above the bench are a powerpoint, mains switch (the circuit breaker is in the wardrobe), TV antenna connection and battery gauge.

The Bottom Line

There’s little doubt the Altea will appeal to those who don’t want to tow a heavy van. With an ATM of just 1300kg, it’s eminently suitable for a wide range of tow vehicles, including many Commodore, Falcon and Magna sedans. Yes, it’s not for dirt road/off road use but then it is not designed to be – the fridge and water tank size also limit away-from-it-all meanderings.

The Altea’s Euro look inside is also attractive, and the fixed double bed and bathroom in a van less than 16ft (12m) is an set of impressive specifications. All up a very neat little package at a great price.

David Carlon Motors, 105-107, Princes Highway, Unanderra, NSW 2526, (02) 4272 6000, www.davidcarlonmotors.com.au

For more information on RV Asia-Pacific or for your nearest Adria dealer, visit www.adriamobil.com.au or phone 1800 625 779.

Liked

The weight or lack thereof

A design approach that makes the best of every square inch

One key to operate everything

Rear bed shelves that offer plenty of space for items such as books and glasses

I would have liked

A microwave or grill for more varietyin the catering department

A larger fridge – a 90L fridge wouldprobably be the minimum size

An insect screen (even a half height one) on the entry door

By Malcolm Street, as featured in Caravan World issue 452, April 2008.

External length: 15ft 9in (4.8m)

External width: 7ft 6in(2.3m)

Interior height: 6ft 4in (1.9m)

Nameplate ATM: 1300kg

Nameplate Tare: 910kg

Frame: Composite walls

Chassis: Al-Ko

Suspension: Al-Ko

Cooktop: Smev three-burner

Fridge: Dometic RM4211 55L

Microwave: No

Shower: Fixed height

Toilet: Thetford cassette

Lighting: 12V

Gas: 2 x 4kg

Freshwater tank: 40L

Hot water Truma: 14L

Price: $29,990 plus on-road costs