Composite Caravans Built to last
Floor - ALOPEX Sandwich Panel Construction
Considerable research and expertise have been invested into the design and in-house production of Snowy River’s lightweight but immensely durable ALOPEX floor and body panel construction.Â
The floor is a critical element in the construction of any recreational vehicle. The floor not only supports the walls, but all of the internal elements of the vehicle. Strength is paramount to ensure rigidity, long life and durability.
Our ALOPEX floors are constructed by means of single piece 42mm thick sandwich panel. A fully welded aluminum frame provides the backbone of the floor. A durable layer of vinyl is bonded to a 3mm thick fiberglass skin, followed by 30mm thick XPS high density foam, lastly the bottom layer is another 3mm fiberglass chequer plate finish to provide protection against road debris.
The XPS foam core provides a strong, lightweight insulation which is resistant to water absorption.
Chassis Construction
All of our chassis are manufactured inhouse under strict quality control procedures to ensure all welds are of the highest standard. Our chassis are constructed using Duragal rectangular hollow sections, which together with our ALOPEX floors provide a lightweight, high strength and rigid solution.
All Snowy River chassis are then coated in a durable, water-resistant protective coating. This urethane coating provides the chassis surfaces with a protective
barrier that can withstand the toughest situations. Its heavy-duty formulation gives a tough, abrasion-resistant finish which acts as a barrier against stone damage and corrosion.
Walls & Roof - ALOPEX Sandwich Panel Construction
The walls and roof form the remaining components of the external structure, providing a lightweight, fully insulated and aesthetically pleasing vehicle.
Our walls and roof are constructed by means of single piece 32mm thick sandwich panel, ensuring no gaps for potential water ingress. A fully welded aluminum frame provides the backbone of the structure. The internal layer is 3mm thick fiberglass skin offering a bright interior which is easily cleaned, followed by 25mm thick XPS high density foam, lastly the external layer is another 3mm fiberglass which provides a smooth easily washable great looking exterior. Strong, lightweight and flexible enough to greatly reduce the chance of hail damage this design will protect your investment long into the future.
Suspension Systems
As standard equipment on all Snowy River vehicles, we fit an Independent Rubber Suspension (IRS), otherwise known as torsion suspension.
The IRS has been proven in tough Australian conditions – from dirt tracks to bitumen freeways, from desert highways to off the path tracks over 100’s of thousands of kilometers.
The IRS axle uses simple and effective engineering to provide a smooth, stable and safe towing experience. Unique to the IRS axle is the hexagonal outer axle tube, which houses three rubber elements held in place by a triple-fluted inner tube axle. Road shocks are dampened through compression of these rubber elements via suspension movement between full bump and rebound. The unique self-dampening characteristics of the rubber element slow down the suspension rebound, thereby safeguarding ancillary components of the suspension system, such as the shock absorbers.
Furniture
Our cabinets and furniture are manufactured from high quality solid plywood, not MDF. Each panel and cupboard door are glued and screwed together and is laminated with acrylic material chosen from a wide range of colours and styles.
Rounded edges on all doors add a touch of class and feel, complimented with soft closing gas struts and heavy duty handles and latches.
Heavy duty steel drawer runners and drawer sides provide durability, functionality, and long life.
Electrical
The life source of any RV is the 12V and 240V electrical system. These systems are critical in providing the power needs on any holiday. Safety of the occupants is paramount, so the system must be safeguarded against overload events.
Many of our models are now fitted with a state of the art 12V Lithium power source. Some of the benefits include;Â
- a much slower rate of self-discharge when not in use compared to other rechargeable batteries, which means they retain their charge longer.
- they can store a significant amount of energy in a small lightweight package.
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All Snowy River vehicles are fitted with a Battery Management System which includes fuse box, solar controller, battery charger, water pump switch, hot water cut-off switch and primary load. The majority of the electrical system is grouped together in a single overhead cupboard for ease of access.
All of our vehicles are rigorously inspected by a qualified electrician prior to dispatch and provided with an electrical certificate for your piece of mind.
Standard Safety Inclusions
Your RV is your home away from home, and as such you such have the same expectation of safety. Fitted as standard equipment in all Snowy River vehicles is a fire extinguisher, smoke alarm and critical equipment fuses, circuit breakers (RCD’s) etc..
All Snowy River vehicles are designed to perform in a wide range of road conditions, and weight distribution is a critical factor in towing performance.
If the worst were to occur and your caravan detaches from your tow vehicle, an emergency breakaway system will immediately apply the caravan brakes and bring it to a standstill.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a popular optional accessory on all Snowy River vehicles, providing additional towing stability and road handling.
Research and Development
With all our chassis, ALOPEX sandwich panels, fiberglass moulds, furniture and upholstery all manufactured inhouse, strict manufacturing controls are in place to ensure quality and consistency.
To enable this, Snowy River has an inhouse design, research and development center. All our vehicles are designed using the last in 3D modelling CAD software, also using finite element analysis (FEA) which is a computerized method for predicting how a product reacts to real world forces, vibration, heat and other physical elements.
Our R&D team is continuously researching and testing new manufacturing methods and the latest products on the market to ensure that Snowy River offers the best possible package to our caravanners.