Caravan review: Supreme Executive 19ft 6in semi-offroader

The Supreme Executive 19ft 6in couples van has been constructed using time-honoured traditional methods but with some upmarket touches, as Malcolm Street discovered.

In brief

• Semi-offroad couples van with tandem axle roller rocker suspension
• 6.3m (20ft 8in) body length
• Meranti timber frame, aluminium composite cladding
• Island bed, rear bathroom

Supreme Caravans, a regional Melbourne manufacturer, has built caravans for more than 30 years. A family-owned business, it creates a range of caravans with 10 different models and numerous layouts for all budgets and tastes. That includes offroad caravans and a 9.8m (32ft 2in) mobile home.

The Australian Caravan Centre in Heatherbrae (Newcastle), NSW, made a 19ft 6in Supreme Executive available to me. It’s a semi-offroad caravan designed for travelling predominantly on dirt roads, which, for most travellers, should be more than adequate. It has a price tag of $92,800 and is not the cheapest caravan on the block, but since Supreme builds mostly upmarket models, that’s not a big surprise.

In addition to the standard front boot, there’s a large tunnel boot storage and a drawbar-mounted alloy storage box

Although the Executive model’s name is 19ft 6in, the external body length is 6.3m (20ft 8in). Supreme isn’t the only company that does this by a long shot, but having a model name and a different external body length is confusing, particularly for newcomers. What is so difficult about the industry at large agreeing on using an easily measurable external length as a standard dimension?

The van has an ATM of 3200kg and a tare weight of 2624kg, giving a payload of 576kg. That is reasonable but must also accommodate the water tanks and gas cylinders. With those factored in, the Executive still offers a good capacity of more than 350kg for all the other caravanning essentials. That’s a great feature because the external storage is quite generous. In addition to the standard front boot, there’s a large tunnel boot storage and a drawbar-mounted alloy storage box.

On the road, the Executive handles well. The Holden Colorado I was using to tow the review van proved to be an adequate performer, without any dramas. For anyone who likes to tow a van well within the limits of a tow vehicle, then the 3200kg Executive is a good match for a dual cab ute with a 3500kg maximum towing capacity.

A traditional build

Designed as a semi-offroad van, the tandem axle Executive has a simple roller rocker suspension with 16in alloy wheels and 10in electric brakes. It might not be trendy to use simple leaf springs, but a benefit of the suspension system is that it’s easy to maintain and repair, should that be necessary.

There’s nothing flimsy about the chassis. It’s made from PermaGal RHS steel and uses 150mm x 50mm (6in x 2in) rails for the chassis and the drawbar sections. In addition, there’s a 50mm x 50mm (2in x 2in) raiser for the suspension mounts. A benefit of this is the extra ground clearance, but the downside is the heavier weight of the chassis. All the water tanks have 3mm HDPE (high-density polyethylene) sheet protection. Other chassis fittings include the offside front battery box, and an Anderson plug connection for an extra solar panel.

Battery box and Anderson plug fitted to chassis railThe underside of the Supreme Executive 19ft 6in

Supreme has stuck with the time-honoured method of van construction by using a 28mm meranti timber frame that is screwed and glued. Underneath the external aluminium composite cladding, the van body is fully insulated. Outside, the Executive is well equipped. There are scene lights on the front and side walls, a picnic table, an entertainment box, an external barbecue gas connection and external 240V and 12V sockets. It’s a standard setup but all designed for easy outdoor living.

Heading inside the Supreme Executive 19ft 6in

Inside the Executive, all the cabinetry is made from lightweight furniture ply, which is all interlocked tongue and groove construction — and all put together in good style. There are some nice touches such as the leatherette upholstery, the kitchen cabinetry finished in a wood grain laminate and pelmets fitted to the windows. In addition, the black tapware, upholstered bedhead and semi-concealed lighting are all upmarket touches.

The interior oozes comfort, partly caused by the generous interior area and a spacious cafe dinette. Like the outside, there’s ample storage within the van. That includes the drawers and pantry in the kitchen, the drawers under the seats and the generous array of overhead lockers.

All the cabinetry found inside the Supreme Executive is made from lightweight furniture ply

Does it have everything a couple needs?

Le Cordon Bleu chefs are going to love the kitchen area. It’s a standard fit-out with a four-burner hob, grill and full oven, sink/drainer and microwave oven. The feature is the benchtop working space and the availability of the flush lid above the four-burner cooktop. Additionally, the drawers are extra large and one of the cupboards has a wire basket pantry. Across the walkway, the three-way fridge has a 188L capacity. Used on LPG, the absorption fridge will reduce the battery load when camping off-grid.

(For more information about fridges, check out this article: ‘A guide to RV fridges and understanding how they work’.)

The amount of cabinetry in the interior kitchen is to be enviedThe amount of cabinetry in the interior kitchen is to be envied

The Executive has a mid entry door, which means there’s a good walk-around space around the island queen-size bed. Although, when the 200mm bolster is used, there’s less room behind the dinette. Behind the bed, the leatherette upholstery is a little unusual, but it looks classy. Anyone who likes a good crossflow breeze will appreciate the large windows on either side of the bed.

Opposite the kitchen bench, the cafe dinette has all the desirable features, including wall cushions. Above the multi-fold table, there’s a mains power point and charger outlets. Below, there are a couple of shelves, which are easier to access than the cupboard with doors.

The leatherette dinette is a nice touch and a comfortable area for entertaining

Like the rest of the van, the bathroom has plenty of cupboards and drawers. The multi-shelf cupboard in particular takes up more space than usual, filling the area next to the shower cubicle and adding a useful amount of shelf space.

The front-loading washing machine fits well into the vanity cabinet

What kind of power does it have?

Controlling the electrical system is REDARC Manager30, a battery management system (BMS) with an in-built DC-to-DC charger. The touch panel is located in the overhead locker above the dinette, and the Manager30 can be used for all inputs and outputs, including from the chassis-mounted Anderson plug. In standard form, the Executive has a lithium LiFePO4 200Ah battery and two 210W solar panels fitted on the roof.

The BMS is located under the bed

Customer care

Supreme Caravans’ models are supplied with a five-year warranty on their chassis, a three-year manufacturer’s structural warranty and a 12-month warranty on all OEM components. Warranty claims can be submitted via any Australian Caravan Centre dealership or the Supreme website. Once approved, any local caravan repair centre can be used for warranty quotes and repairs.

Final thoughts on the Supreme Executive 19ft 6in

Supreme’s Executive is a good example of a manufacturer who has been around for a long time and has plenty of manufacturing experience. For a couple who doesn’t want the weight of an offroad van, the semi-offroad van has much to offer, including a spacious interior that is well kitted out.

A quality build ready for offroad travel

Measuring up

Pros

• Standard inclusions
• Interior look and creature comforts
• External storage
• Well-sized kitchen

Cons

•  Meranti frame still being used

SUPREME EXECUTIVE 19FT 6IN RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY

As a mid-range van, it’s well priced

TOWABILITY

I had a no-problem drive with a well-behaved van

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

For those who mostly stay on the bitumen and at caravan parks but want to spend some time on gravel roads, the Executive 19ft 6in is ideal

BUILD QUALITY

Apart from a few minor things, the van looked quite well put together

LIVEABILITY

Having an external length of 6.3m (20ft 8in) results in a very generous interior area

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

The Executive is well equipped with a 200Ah lithium battery and 420W of solar power

CUSTOMER CARE

Supreme’s five-year chassis and three-year structural warranty is better than many in the industry

INNOVATION

Not so much innovation, as Supreme is using some well-tried building techniques

X-FACTOR

Generous storage capacity, inside and out

SUPREME EXECUTIVE 19FT 6IN SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Supreme Executive 19ft 6in price from $92,800

OPTIONAL EXTRAS FITTED

N/A

Supreme Executive 19ft 6in price as shown $92,800

MORE INFORMATION

Australian Caravan Centre — Melbourne Dealership

Corner of Hume Highway and Grasslands Avenue

Craigieburn Vic 3064

P: 03 8339 9100

THE NEXT STEP

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