Experience suggests a circa 18ft van with a full-width rear ensuite , independent suspension , solar , 190L of fresh water , and even a BMPro Genius battery management system would normally cost about $ 55,000 , if not 60 large . But as it turned out , that ’ s not entirely true . I arrived at the Campbellfield , Vic , headquarters of Tango Caravans to find a van that appears to outstrip many of its competitors in the value-formoney stakes .

The van we hitched up was the Tango Escape 18ft 8in , which has an asking price of $ 49,990 . Strictly speaking , our van was actually 18ft 6in ; however , future models will be 2in longer in the body so as to allow for a slightly larger bathroom . Stepping inside reveals a light , pleasant interior , with the bedroom in the front , bathroom across the back and everything else in between . Is it a well thought out interior ? I think so . Between the bed ’ s overhead lockers and the bed itself runs a mirror , adding to the sense of internal living space . Naturally , there are wardrobes either side of the bed , as well as cupboards at the foot of the bed – the offside cupboard contains the Brakesafe unit . All locker doors , in the bedroom and throughout the van , I ’ ll point out , lift on gas struts and piano hinges – they certainly seem sturdy . The kitchen is equipped with a four-burner cooktop , griller and oven , and a reasonable amount of storage space . In the forward overhead locker you ’ ll find a 12V point , 240V point and antenna for the TV – a mounting bracket is fitted to the outside of the cabinet where the telly can be viewed from the bed . I ’ ve never said this before but I think my favourite feature of the kitchen is the benchtop and colour-matched splashback .

There ’ s something almost beachy about it . Opposite , the dinette has the the same colour scheme and , sensibly , the hot water service is under the forward dinette seat – these are cumbersome units so it ’ s better , I believe , to mount them where they won ’ t take up useable storage space . The dinette is good and comfortable , with a reading light for each lounge and some storage space above , though one overhead locker is filled with the BMPro Genius battery management system , the 30A regulator for the roof-mounted 150W solar panel , HWS and water pump switches , and the water level indicator . With all controls and switches centralised , the splashback and walls of the van are uncluttered . As I alluded to , the bathroom in this van is a little on the narrow side . Thankfully , Tango is aware of the issue and this model is being extended by 2in so as to give some more elbow room .

10 gorv . com . au