August 2010

ALL-CONQUERING AIRFLOW

Justin and his family during their recent travels in the pioneering Airflow caravan

Justin's family rides on air during outback trip

JUSTIN Clarke's innovative new caravan which lowers to allow easy access for the disabled has conquered some of Australia's harshest terrain with flying colours.

His self-designed prototype aerodynamic Airflow has just clocked up 40,000km, the latest sojourn taking Justin and his young family to Queensland's iconic Burke and Wills Dig Tree and Innaminka.

"The caravan went very well and handled the rough roads with ease," the boss of JPC Engineering in Toowoomba, Queensland, told Caravanning News. "I wish the tow car had been fitted with airbags as well."

With its unique airbag suspension system allowing it to be lowered to near-ground level, the caravan proved a showstopper during its debut in Brisbane last year.

Justin, wife Sonja and children Patrick (13), Ben (11), Hugh (8), James (4) and Emily (2) are all keen caravanners and have travelled extensively in their 1820kg Airflow.

They began their latest trip by travelling west from Toowoomba, generally bush camping each night.

But about every four days they stayed on powered sites in towns to use the van's washing machine for the family's mountain of dirty clothes.

"We had a few days looking for opals in Yowah west of Cunnamulla then continued to Noccundra (population four) and on to the Dig Tree where the Burke and Wills expedition had one of its main camps," Justin said.

"We had the Airflow caravan set up along the edge of the creek – which happens to be 50m across – with a campfire. The variety of bird life and the continual show is amazing ... it's like watching a wildlife documentary on a 1km-wide flat screen TV."

The family returned via Eromanga, Quilpie, Charleville and Roma.

"We were certainly in the country of Landcruisers and off-road camper trailers," Justin explained. "But it was wonderful to have the luxuries of our 'van while exploring this fascinating area of Australia.

"With the aerodynamic shape and the height adjustable suspension, which allows the 'van to travel close to the road, the average fuel consumption was 13.6Litres/100km while travelling at the speed limit of 100 to 110 km/hr."

Justin said that during his travels, he usually fields many comments from elderly people who are sick of climbing two or three steps to get in and out of their caravans.

"We have also met several people in wheelchairs who have had custom 'vans made with very long ramp ... resulting in worn-out partners!"

The Airflow caravan can be custom built to meet the specific needs of would-be travellers with mobility limitations or who are in a wheelchair.