16 Jan, 2015

2014 BAV: On the Move Grenade Series II

by Max Taylor

The On the Move Grenade Series II scooped top honours at Best Aussie Vans for many reasons, but perhaps none more prevalent than its fitness for purpose.

The Grenade is a product of passion. On the Move’s owner, Lennie Mifsud, is the kind of guy who would tow a van from Melbourne to the Top End just to attend a fishing tournament. He uses the vans he builds, refining and enhancing what works, and abandoning ideas that don’t. The Grenade Series II sits at the end of a long line of real-world R&D.

Layout & Design

The Grenade’s interior is understated, not garish or begging for attention, and the layout is straightforward and sensible, with at least one design flourish the likes of which we’ve never seen before: shoe compartments recessed into steps either side of the front bed (which measures 1.55x1.9m). There’s another recess behind the bed, and plenty of storage in the overhead lockers and side wardrobes.

In a distinct move away from traditional cabinetry design, the Series II eschews handles for its overhead lockers. Instead, the locker doors extend about 10mm below the base; to open them, just unclasp the doors from behind, and they open on strong gas struts. The appeal is mostly aesthetic but, in this regard, it’s effective.

The offside dinette, finished in leather upholstery, includes snap-up footrests (the rear one blocking access to the bathroom when it’s open) and a tri-fold table measuring 800x950mm when extended. There are four lockers above, each one with its own shelf.

Above and below, you’ll find the Grenade’s other nods to modern technology: a digital water gauge/battery monitor, and the Vansat digital satellite receiver control box.

Kitchen

The kitchen doesn’t, however, score many points in terms of bench space. Layout design invariably involves compromises. In this case, a larger kitchen would equal a smaller bedroom or bathroom, or an extra foot or two added to the van’s overall length. It does, however, come with a sizeable 215L Waeco 12V compressor fridge/freezer (with dual 12V water pumps beneath).

Bathroom

Space in the small bathroom is further diminished by the upward sweep of the rear cutaway, but it packs in all the essentials, and even a 2.5kg washing machine. The Thetford cassette toilet and separate shower each have a 12V fan hatch and window above, while the slimline drawers in the vanity make effective use of the space. The cabinetry above the vanity, meanwhile, is as neatly finished as elsewhere in the van.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Grenade Series II is comprehensive in its level of equipment and is built to a high standard – it’s a deserving winner of the Best Ausssie Vans $80K-plus category.

Some compromises have been made in the layout, with a small kitchen and bathroom the product of On the Move’s desire to keep the size and weight of the van down. Which, for a van designed to head bush, is rather sensible. But certain touches, such as the bed steps and recessed shoe compartments, and the two-tier external storage system, are as practical as they are interesting.

Clearly, the van benefits from its builder’s own touring experience, and there’s only one thing left to do. Hitch up, and head to Nitmiluk!

Measuring up

I liked...

Comprehensive level of equipment
Thoughtful touches such as the 12V point at the front of the van
Design flourishes such as the shoe compartment and lack of traditional locker door handles