Grey nomad rigs – as a whole – have been getting more and more luxurious in recent years … but is this the ultimate?
American manufacturer, Global Caravan Technologies (GCT), has just produced the world’s first caravan made out of ultra-light carbon-fibre. It was built with the help of aerospace technicians and the body is apparently completely bonded meaning no screws or fasteners have been used.
GCT estimates the production model of the CR-1 Carbon will have a base weight of about 2,700kgs, which it claims is about half as much as a traditional RV of this size. This lighter weight means the van can be customised with an
Looking good!
impressive list of ‘extras’.
The 35-foot long twin-axle caravan boasts a custom leather wrapped ceiling, private-jet type leather soft touch walls and top-end luxury residential furnishings. It will also have a 700-watt solar system and an integrated generator.
All cabinetry in the CR-1 Carbon uses premium residential hardware with soft-closing doors and drawers. The kitchen has expansive countertop space and the master bedroom suite includes two dressers and three wardrobes, along with optional glass ceiling.
Eight people can comfortably sit in the huge rear entertainment lounge which can be extended and transformed into an impressive media room.
One of the most attractive features of the carbon-fibre RV is said to be the walk-through master bath suite that divides the kitchen from the master bedroom.
“In the bath suite, we wanted to take designs even further, and GCT’s CR-1 Carbon feels more like a luxury New York apartment than an RV,” said CEO Charles Hoefer.
The use of carbon fibre also means the CR-1 is a lot stronger than other caravans but, before you decide to test it out on the most corrugated dirt track, you might want to consider whether you should be more careful with your investment … because all this space-age technology and high-end fittings come with a price tag.
While the base version of the CR-1 is expected to sell for around US$170,000, Global Caravan Technologies says a fully-customised model could cost closer to US$770,000.
The CR-1 is set to go on sale in the U.S next year, and will hopefully come to Australia at a later date.
Is this light-weight masterpiece on your Big Lap wishlist? Comment below.
Sounds all very nice but, as an ex-caravan repairer, I wonder how one goes about repairing this type of body ? will the cost of repairs be so expensive that the Insurance Companies, may not even cover them ???
K.J.
Composite and carbon fibre repairs are done all the time
Good to see the technology is coming to the caravan world
Having said that my personal taste leans toward the more primitive and bombproof