2013 BAV: Evernew 50th Anniversary
With 50 years’ experience in the bank, Evernew Caravans trots out all the best bits in the E900 series caravan. The family-run company started manufacturing vans in Victoria in 1963 and has just celebrated 50 years of workmanship.
EVERNEW 50TH ANNIVERSARY RATING CARD
VALUE FOR MONEY
This is not a budget van, but it has an outstanding payload and loads of features for the price, which makes it an attractive proposition. Given its build quality, it offers terrific value for money and is up there with the best of them.
TOWABILITY
The E900 feels very solid and stable under tow with no discernible problems.
SETTING UP AND HITCHING UP
Hitching up the Evernew is no problem and certainly no more difficult than anyone else’s. It has a centre jockey wheel and there are no impediments to fitting a WDH, if you choose.
SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING
The Evernew’s owner wanted it for remote camping and so, except for a grey water tank, the van is totally self-contained. Ideal for a couple keen to do some long-term touring, the E900 is fully set up and ready to go with everything you’ll need for remote stays including a 195L Dometic three-way fridge; two 125W solar panels; and two 95L water tanks.
LAYOUT
Evernew hasn’t strayed from the tried-and-tested front-bedroom/rear bathroom layout so popular in modern vans. It’s popular because caravanners love it and it works – the E900 is no different. The van is perfectly proportioned and there is no feeling that space has been hijacked from one part of the van to pad out another.
QUALITY OF FINISH
The van is nicely put together, especially the light oak cabinetry cabinetry with its flawless bevelled edges. This is perfectly complemented by the pale marble-look benchtops and soft grey upholstery.
BUILD QUALITY
The build quality is excellent. A good look underneath, inside and out reveals that the van is well-built and it is very hard to find anything that does not fit or work properly. It’s solid, staid, and stable. It’s hard to fault the build quality of this Evernew.
CREATURE COMFORTS
This van has everything you need – except a washing machine (at the owner’s wish) – and it has a few added extras such as the two-pin 12V sockets inside and out, marine-style AM/FM radio aerial, and a 240V indicator light to tell you when mains power is connected and flowing.
INNOVATION
There’s nothing extraordinarily ground-breaking about the E900, but Evernew, in collaboration with the owners, has created some really interesting – and capacious – storage areas. The vents behind the fridge are a very good idea.
X-FACTOR
The E900 doesn’t immediately overwhelm in its appearance but it has a certain charm about it. It may be a little conservative but it’s the type of van anyone should be happy to travel in – and that’s what counts.
THE CARAVAN WORLD VERDICT
It’s solid, it’s stable, it’s comfy, it’s homely, but it’s also so much more than that. It’s made with love and strong sense of history. So until you can see if for yourself and find out how it makes you feel, take our word for it that is a very well-built van, not made for serious offroad travel but certainly capable of tackling most rough roads, and keeping you in all the comfort of home while you’re on the road.
To discover the Evernew 50th Anniversary final score be sure to check out Caravan World Issue 521. Why not subscribe today!
