Among the best lift-up roof models

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 17

Among the best lift-up roof models

By

DAVID HALL

Caravans with lift-up roofs have been with us for a couple of years now and none of them are quite like the latest offering from the United Caravan Corporation. The Corporation has had its ups and downs with models over the 15 months it has been in existence, but this new model — known as the Go-Lo — is conceivably the best of its type yet. The shape is that of the Anglo Charger, a model which met with disappointing success in its original caravan form but which lends itself to the Go-Lo concept with elan. The lines, with lowered roof for transit and lifted roof for living, are among the most visually pleasing around Inside there is a pleasantly high degree of finish, practical layout and lots of room in the units’ 4 42m long by 2.37 m wide size The Go-Lo really has a lot going for it; even its price puts it comparably weli among its competitors. But the biggest advantage of the Go-Lo is its roof size — almost to the full width and length of the caravan In one fell swoop it eliminates the lift-roof stoop. Throughout all walkable areas of the Go-Lo there is 1.99 m headroom. What this does in practical terms is give a caravan feel to the interior. And, of course, for travelling there is the recognised advantage of lowered roof and reduced frontal area, easier towing and so on. The unit solo with three

finishes under the Anglo, Trailer Homes and Sunbird names. Each will cost (initially at least) the same amount of money and they will contain the same fitments with different colour schemes. Without gas bottle, refrigerator or cooker, the Go-Lo weighs 750 kg. At this weight it was towed with a 1200 cc Mitsubishi lancer, and the car mana -ed the job quite well on easy going. Hills were a different matter. With gear and family stowed aboard the car would be unsuitable and a vehicle in the region of at least 1600 cc would be needed. Behind a Hunter (1725 cc the weight was hardly noticeable and the low profile of the roadready Go-Lo made towing easy. The caravan roof lowers down to a travelling height of 2.26 m, too high for a car’s interior mirror to be of use and the width, at 2.37 m really requires an exterior mirror to be fitted to the car. The unit is well balanced and tows without any marked problems. A benefit is the fitting of hydraulic over-ride brakes which adds that extra safety factor for caravan and small car. Manoeuvrability is excellent. Backing is not difficult and shifting the caravan when it is off the car is easy work for two people. The standard four-berth layout comprises two singles and a front situated pull-out double. There is a large fold-out table between the two singles. It folds out over a four-drawer/two locker

lowboy. The kitchen, which is in a semi-L shape, faces the wardrobe and door. Neither cooker or refrigerator are standard items in the Go-Lo but provision is left for them both to the left of the kitchen. The angled bench facilitates use of the undersink storage of locker and cupboards. There is also

access to the under-sink storage from the front of the kitchen unit. The full bench surface is covered with Formica and the cooker top folds in half and hinges back to a latch on the wall. The cooker can be completely enclosed when the top and a front bottom-hinged door are shut, the front

door could also be used as a flat surface.

The sink is to the right of the unit and is served by a Whale foot pump. At present only cold water from a 36 litre underfloor tank is available. The bench area increases when the cooker is in use by a fold-up bench flap to the right of the sink.