Caravan Review: Royal Flair EcoMate 19ft 6in

Royal Flair has been one of Australia’s premier caravan manufacturers for 30 years. The company’s vans are a staple of our roads, without question. From the Van Royce to the aggressive offroader known as the Raptor, Royal Flair has never been afraid to innovate. Perhaps this is the secret to the manufacturer’s longevity. While some companies rest on their laurels, Royal Flair has adopted new technology and new layouts – the Piazza, with its Sky Deck that sits above the A-frame, is a case in point.

royal flair ecomateThe Royal Flair EcoMate is another case in point. It’s a caravan designed for off-grid living and it benefits from the lateral thinking that has long been a hallmark of how Royal Flair does things. I’m talking about slide-out solar panels and a bed that lowers electrically from the ceiling. Intrigued? Read on…

ROYAL FLAIR ECOMATE EXTERIOR

Let’s start with the outside. Our review van was the 19ft 6in bunk Royal Flair EcoMate, and the first thing I’d like to draw your attention to is the solar panel setup. This van comes with four 210W solar panels – with a difference. Instead of these four panels being spread around the roof, taking up space, they are ‘stacked’ in two separate sections. The upper panel of each is on an electric slide-out.

royal flair ecomatePush a button inside and each upper panel will slide out over both sides of the van, meaning all four panels are then exposed to the sun. It’s rather ingenious, really, as it means there is more roof space to allow the owner to add more panels down the track.

The Royal Flair EcoMate rides on Control Rider S independent coil suspension. It has a 6in SupaGal chassis with a completely flat floor (no wheel arch intrusions), and a 6in A-frame. Now, the chassis and all external black checkerplate has been finished with a rubberised compound known as X-Guard, which provides additional protection to your pride and joy – brilliant.

royal flair ecomateRoyal Flair frames its vans using one-piece 18mm ply, which is CNC-routed to accommodate wiring and the like, and the van is clad in composite aluminium, while the floor is a one-piece ‘honeycomb’ structure. It’s certainly a strong way to build a caravan.

Among the external features, the 19ft 6in Royal Flair EcoMate is equipped with a front storage box  that houses dual 9kg gas cylinders on a nearside slide-out tray. Meanwhile, a Swift barbecue has been fitted to a slide-out towards the rear. 

royal flair ecomateThere’s a generous amount of storage available, too, and this extends to a steel compartment on the rear bumper that would be mainly used for collecting firewood on the way to camp, I’d imagine.

A point of difference: the management systems for the van’s 12V system are housed in a vented offside compartment with rubber seals, and easily accessible. The EcoMate is equipped with two 300Ah Enerdrive B-Tec lithium batteries (inside the van), along with a 2600W inverter, an Enerdrive battery management system, MPPT solar controller, a 60A AC charger and a 40A DC-DC charger. It’s an impressive setup, to say the least. All 12V fuses are neatly labelled – a small point, but it’s important.

royal flair ecomateThis van only gets a 50L grey water tank, but the fresh water supply is comprised of two 95L tanks and a separate 50L tank dedicated for drinking water – this tank has its own water pump, too. A water filtration system comes as standard.

What else? There’s a reversing camera, LED light bars where you need them, jerry can holders… the list goes on. It’s a very well setup caravan.

WOW FACTOR!

Inside, this van has wow factor in spades and, to be honest, it’s difficult to describe all of its features and functions in a short article such as this. But I’ll try. First, you’ll notice the bed. It is hoisted above the rear – and very large – club lounge. Press a button inside an overhead locker and the bed will electrically lower to any position you desire. Should you wish to convert the dinette into a bed too, then you’d lower the main bed to, say, half way.

royal flair ecomateRoyal Flair has been offering this sort of setup for a few years now, and it continues to impress me. Yes, it involves mechanical components that will require servicing over time; however, the space-saving nature of this setup is brilliant.

royal flair ecomateIt has allowed Royal Flair to offer layout features such as the three largest bunk beds I have ever seen in a caravan (each with their own 12V fan, light and charging points), a front-corner bathroom complete with a separate shower (no combo bathroom in this van!), a decent kitchen with massive drawers, black sink, cooktop and griller, and much more.

The offside wall contains a separate wardrobe system, since the format of the main bed doesn’t allow for traditional bedside robes (though there are some storage nooks), along with a bench, yet more storage space and even a swing-arm for the supplied 24in smart TV.

royal flair ecomateA CaraFan dust reduction system is supplied as well, not to mention 274L compressor fridge, microwave, NCE wi-fi hotspot, a Fusion entertainment system with speakers that change colour… honestly, if you like your features and comforts, this van truly has you covered.

royal flair ecomateThe LED light strips throughout, though not unique, are a classy touch, while the exacting joinery throughout is pure Royal Flair. And yes, there’s even a washing machine, which you’ll find under the offside bench. Speaking of this bench, Royal Flair has given it a wireless phone charging point. The inclusions don’t seem to end…

Now, the 19ft 6in EcoMate is a substantial van, in case that’s not clear. However, it all adds to its weight. It’s fair to say that it’s heavier than your typical 19-footer, at 3008kg Tare. It’s ATM is 3608kg and unladen ball weight is 281kg. This means you’ll need an equally substantial tow vehicle – we used a Silverado, which made easy work of things.

GORV’S VERDICT

royal flair ecomateI don’t say this often, but wow, this truly is a caravan to check out for yourself. The lateral thinking involved, from the solar panels to the bed and everything in between is a testament to Royal Flair’s commitment to innovation.

If you’re seeking a true family van, with every conceivable feature and function on board, all presented in a logical way, be sure to put the 19ft 6in Royal Flair EcoMate on your list.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH – 4 out of 5 stars

LAYOUT – 5 out of 5 stars

INNOVATION – 5 out of 5 stars

HITS & MISSES

  • Electric bed
  • Excellent 12V system, including the slide-out solar panel setup
  • Huge corner bunks
  • X-Gard treatment

  • It’s a heavy van, but that’s to be expected when you account for everything it offers

SPECS

Travel length: 8.7m

External width: 2.5m

Internal height: 2m

Travel height: 3.3m

Tare: 3008kg

GTM: 3327kg

ATM: 3608kg

Group axle capacity: 4000kg

Unladen ball weight: 281kg

Cladding: Di-Bond composite aluminium (with black checkerplate and X-Gard protection)

Construction: 18mm one-piece plywood

Coupling: DO45

Chassis: 6in SupaGal with 6in A-frame

Suspension: Control Rider S independent coil

Brakes: 12in electric

Wheels: 16in alloy with AT rubber

Fresh water: 2x95L; 1x50L filtered drinking water

Grey water: 50L

Awning: Roll-out

Battery: 2x300Ah Enerdrive B-TEC lithium with battery management system, DC-DC charger, and 2600W inverter

Solar: 4x210W

Air-conditioner: Gree reverse-cycle

Gas: 2x9kg

Sway control: Yes

Cooking: Four-burner cooktop with griller; external barbecue

Refrigeration: 274L compressor

Microwave: Yes

Shower: Separate fibreglass cubicle; external shower included

Toilet: Cassette

Washing machine: Front loader

Lighting: 12V LED

Hot water/space heater: Gas-electric

Entertainment: 24in smart TV; Fusion sound system; NCE wi-fi hotspot

Reversing camera: Yes

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Source: https://www.gorv.com.au/caravan-review-royal-flair-ecomate-19ft-6in/