A-Class

The Essential A-Class is an on-road caravan with a queen bed and an ensuite. Essential describes it as affordable, with a one-piece fibreglass roof, a poly honeycomb floor and smooth aluminium composite sides. Essential lists lithium and solar as standard.

Who does it sleep?

Every layout has a queen bed, 5 foot by 6 foot 2, and an ensuite with a shower and toilet.

• Van layouts: nine, labelled 17'4" to 22'10", drawn for two adults.
• Family layouts: three, labelled 20'6" to 22'6", adding bunks for two children.
• Extra berths: each drawing shows optional ones, keyed as a third bunk or a drop-down table.
• Drop-down table: bench, L-shape and club lounges only.
• Axles: single on the 17'4" and 18'6" layouts, tandem on the rest.

Inside

Air-con is a Sanjo roof unit. Windows are double glazed with built-in blinds. Essential lists a washing machine as standard, except in A-Class family vans.

Kitchen

The cooktop sits under a lid, with a microwave in the overhead cupboard. The fridge is a two-door, 171 litre 12 volt compressor fridge. The kitchen tap has a water filter.

Chassis and running gear

• Suspension: load share leaf springs on straight axles.
• Chassis: 4 inch heavy duty with a 2 inch raiser up to 21'6", 6 inch above that.
• Drawbar: 6 inch heavy duty A-frame with a 50mm ball coupling.
• Wheels, single axle: 16 inch alloys with all terrain tyres.
• Wheels, tandem axle: 15 inch alloys, with light truck tyres up to 21'6" and all terrain tyres above.
• Brakes: 12 inch electric on single axle layouts, 10 inch on tandem.
• Body: 600mm Raven coated checker plate sides and a front tunnel boot.

Water and gas

• Water: two 95 litre tanks and a waste water outlet.
• Gas and hot water: two 9kg gas bottles and a gas and electric hot water system.

Warranty and where to buy

Essential gives a 3 year bumper to hitch warranty and a 5 year structural chassis warranty. Essential sells through dealers around Australia. Its online enquiry form sends a copy to your local dealer.