JAYCO has developed the ultimate getaway for those who like extreme sports and leisure ... the innovative Base Station.

The hybrid product is half caravan and half mobile garage and has been designed to meet an increase in the number of people pursuing extreme sports and leisure activities.

From bush to beach, trail and mountain bikers, jet skiers, surfers and kite-boarders are among a growing band of thrill seekers testing themselves to the limits.

Jayco, Australasia's most go-ahead and competitive recreational vehicle manufacturer, recognised there was a gap in the leisure market for a niche product of this kind  to enable enthusiasts to transport their special sports and leisure equipment, often into remote locations with few accommodation options.

"There's nothing like the Base Station on the RV market," says Jayco marketing manager Andrew Ryan. "It's a clever marriage of two concepts: comfortable mobile accommodation and mobile storage space."

The Base Station can sleep up to eight people.

Up front is the caravan compartment which sleeps two, with a fold out double bed extending outside the vehicle's super-structure. By adding an optional converter, the dinette can also provide two additional sleeping berths, while inside the garage compartment there are also two fold down single beds with the option of double bunks.

At the rear, a sturdy fold down back door - comprising the entire back of the vehicle - doubles as a ramp, allowing equipment and machines to be easily stored inside. Two cables allow the ramp to be turned into a deck.

There is also a handy built-in mechanic's rack in the rear compartment. An internal doorway links both compartments.

A toilet and shower are standard features and make the Base Station completely self-sufficient.

"While the vehicle is built for normal road conditions, an Outback model is also available for towing over rougher terrain,"  Mr Ryan says.

Weighing just over 2100kgs, with a tow ball weight of 178kg and a payload of
600kg, the Base Station has a body length of 6.34m (20ft 10in) and is 2.42m (7ft 11in) wide. The interior height is 1.97m (6ft 6in).

Under tow, the vehicle looks very similar to Jayco's top-end Sterling range of caravans with smooth fibreglass walls, sleek automotive finish and contemporary graphics.

Base Station features include:

• Comfortable living interior featuring Euro-style furniture and contemporary décor and quality soft furnishings.
• A three-way Dometic RM 2553 refrigerator.
• SMEV 4-burner stove (with one 240V electric element), 12V range-hood and microwave oven.
• 12V lighting system including bed lights.
• Easy roll drawers under dinette.
• Double mattress (1.4m or 4ft 9in).
• Large recessed, stainless steel sink.
• Jumbo storage boot at the front of the vehicle with side door access.
• Alloy wheel rims.
• Built-in mechanic's rack

As with all other Jayco products, the Base Station features the company's acclaimed out-of-sight engineering technologies including its galvanised, extra-strength Millennium chassis, 'Tough-frame' construction system, and its smooth ride leaf-spring suspension and electric brake systems.

The Outback model has several additional features to handle road conditions in Australia's remote regions including an under-slung axle for higher ground clearance, six-inch chassis for superior strength, checker plate side panel, mud flaps and off-road 15-inch 235/70R15 tyres.

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