This issue is all about our Caravan of the Year event where we evaluated some of the smartest designs and best builds of caravans currently on the market. We delved into a diverse range of vans with various construction methods which reinforced that there is more than one way to build a great van. We saw it as an ideal time to run through the key components of a caravan as well as different approaches manufacturers can take to build their vans, with some of the pros and cons.
Broadly speaking, all caravans feature running gear and a body. The running gear comprises the wheels, suspension system, chassis, and coupling. The body comes together with the floor, walls, and roof. Touring on bitumen roads is still how many vans are used but much of what is on offer now is influenced by the option for semi-offroad and full offroad specifications.
WHEELS
Sixteen inch rims have become the default size for many vans, with alloy rather than steel being the material of choice — the occasional van will feature 15in rims and you will see 17in rims from time to time on manufacturers going for a big and bold look. Alloy rims are popular as they are light and available in a variety
