GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #9 | Page 15

RV REVIEW comfortably at highway speeds. Though I’m tall (6ft 1in), I found the seating position fairly comfortable. And, of course, the cab has the main features you’d expect, such as air- conditioning, cruise control and keyless central locking. SET-UP AND LAYOUT Setting up the Freedom is about as easy as it gets. Pull over, open the ‘whirr-bang’ door, and use the two ceiling-mounted grab handles to push up the roof. Tall people might find the process a little uncomfortable – I had to hunch and use only upper-body strength to get the roof up. Storage-wise, you’ll be making good use of the roof rack. But there are some cupboards and nooks for pantry items, plates and cutlery. A two-burner cooktop is built into the cabinetry just behind the cab, as is a small sink (with hand pump) and a microwave on the offside. Beneath the microwave, you’ll find a Vitrifrigo 12V/240V 85L fridge. The water tank is a minimal 45L – off-grid camping for extended periods might be a challenge in the water department, but in terms of 12V power, the van has a 100Ah deep-cycle battery that can be charged by the 120W roof-mounted solar panel via the onboard Setec battery management system. There is a minimal amount of bench space on offer, though a hinged table folds out of the entry door. The best bet might be to load up a portable table and have it set-up under the Fiamma awning when onsite for a few days. The other aspect of the layout is the dining area/bed. It includes a table that can be swivelled around for easy(ish) access to the facing seats or rear passenger chair. This entire seating area folds down to create a bed at nighttime. Now, I won’t lie to K C I QU ERVAN P M CA gorv.com.au 15