Option RV Summermile: Review

Sometimes you just want to get away to a quiet little spot, somewhere the rest of the world can just roll by, somewhere that, by a summer mile, the living is easy.

With that in mind, we picked up the new Option RV Summermile and took it to a spot within the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, just north of Brisbane. And when there we took a moment to discover if this Option RV has the right stuff for a caravan that is slated as a rig for the entire family.

OUTSIDE THE OPTION RV SUMMERMILE

The Option RV Summermile, a 22ft family caravan, was housed at the Caravan World dealership in Chevallum near Maroochydore, a seaside jewel of the Sunshine Coast. From there, we headed north until we found a beautiful little spot, wedged between Eumundi, the Sunshine Coast’s hub of artisan creativity, and Kenilworth, famous for superb dairy products.

That bucolic countryside provided a perfect backdrop to see if this rig was a worthwhile caravan for a family of five. Arguably, the key considerations with a family van are space, comfort, and storage. Around the outside, of note is the independent Level 3 Alpha Xtreme independent air-bag suspension, a great choice for a modern van. Then there’s the robust and ever-reliable DO45 couple to make hitching up easy. The chassis boasts Line-x coating, which is said to offer a combination of durability and armour-like protection.

The Option RV Summermile is built from a meranti timber frame, with one-piece fibreglass sandwich panel roof section. The floor, meanwhile, is a ‘honeycomb’ structure – no timber here.

Out the back, you’ll find a convenient wood box mounted to the four-stay rear bumper, and on the drawbar there’s a good-sized toolbox and convenient storage drawer adding to the storage options, which also include a tunnel boot and storage hatch. 

Two 9kg gas cylinders provide ample gas. The drawbar also includes a well-positioned water tap, diesel storage container for the diesel heater and a sizeable stone-guard. 

INNER GLOW

While the exterior shows that the Option RV Summermile is ready and able to handle the rough and tumble on any adventure from the blacktop highway to the corrugations of most outback roads, the interior should be all about comfort and convenience.

Style-wise, like the exterior, the interior has that X-factor. It has style, space, and comfort. 

Although the dinette upholstery was cloth fabric in the review van, the standard for this model is leather. For my money, leather is preferable anyway.

Storage-wise, there’s ample. Overhead lockers, under-bed storage, a small roll-out pantry, and quality kitchen drawers… it adds up to a lot of storage space for things such as spare blankets, shoes, magazines and more.

The 224L compressor fridge, cooktop and microwave, combined with a quality benchtop and deep kitchen sink, should make cooking a breeze.

This van excels on the small details. A magazine pocket by the door, and two in the bedhead, quality bedside lights, brushed copper taps and sink in the kitchen, an ensuite, and a shower that matches the brushed copper towel rack. There’s even a diesel heater.

The main bed is king size. The specifications list boasts 3.5 bunks offering space for up to four young children. While the bunks are stylish and well-built, for my money, there is ample room for two or three children, with the small space on the floor best suited for the slippers or the family pooch. However, if you would prefer a different layout, Option RV has a range of layouts to choose from.

When it comes to plumbing, our review van had plenty of fresh water capacity, with three rotomould 85L tanks and a rotomould grey water tank. It’s easy to throw your undies and socks into the wall-mounted washing machine just before you carry your bare bodkin into the shower to wash your locks under the stylish brushed copper showerhead. There’s even a Nature’s Head compositing toilet in the ensuite! We are seeing more of these units appear in new vans and by all accounts they work very well.

The 12V system in this van is all quality. It is comprised of a 300Ah lithium battery kept up to charge when off-grid by 800W worth of solar panels, all supported by a Victron battery management system and 3000W inverter.

GORV’S VERDICT

The key points for the Option RV Summermile include air-bag suspension, plenty of well-built storage inside and out, and an overall quality finish with admirable attention to detail. 

However, it is worth nothing that it has an ATM of 4500kg, so this rig will require a powerhouse 4WD along the lines of a Silverado in order to make full use of the very impressive 1760kg towing capacity. 

The van Tares at 2760kg so it is quite possible to tow it with 3500kg-rated vehicles while still having an excellent payload capacity. Nonetheless, this is a quality rig that the owners are likely to treasure for years to come. It is well worth considering.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

COMPLETE SPECS