Caravan Review: Crusader Musketeer Aramis

There are seven models in the Crusader Musketeer range. It appears to be a thoughtful and detailed line-up of caravans. From the single-axle, centre-door Musketeer Porthos, through to a suite of tandem-axle Musketeers that includes the 21ft 10 Musketeer Palace, the Melbourne manufacturer seems to have covered all needs and wants with this one range alone.

The tandem-axle Treville is one of Crusader Caravans’ most popular model, but the Musketeer Aramis is up there too. This rear-door, tandem-axle rig is built in the same way as the other vans in the line-up and appeared to have everything we needed for a shakedown run to my favourite getaway on Victoria’s Ninety Mile Beach.

INSIDE THE CRUSADER MUSKETEER ARAMIS

The layout of the Musketeer Aramis doesn’t break new ground but it is very thoughtfully executed. Not a rough edge to be found. Here and there, you’ll find elegant, curved mouldings that act as trim to finish off joins in the internal fitout.

The layout features a north-south, queen-size bed in the nose of the van. It is surrounded by overhead lockers and wardrobes. The CNC-cut cabinetry here is next to perfect. No traditional bedside tables are provided. Instead, there are a couple of niches complete with 240V and 12V powerpoints. Underneath those, Crusader has fitted bedside drawers. There’s also a padded vinyl headboard and ‘his and hers’ 12V Sirocco fans.

The 12V electrics are kept in the space beneath the mattress, and it’s very neatly laid out. A 105Ah deep-cycle battery is provided as standard, as is the new BMPRO ASPower. This is a combined power management system and information that also charges the battery and provides live information about your battery status and water tank levels. It will charge the battery automatically from the best power source: mains, from the tow vehicle, or from the supplied 170W solar panel.

An Eberspächer diesel heater had been fitted beneath the bed, too; however, this is not on the list of standard equipment. A great bit of kit to have, though.

I think anyone would agree that the offside kitchen is classy, The black sink and tapware look great and there’s even a decent amount of bench space, thanks to the fact the cooktop, griller and oven have been recessed below bench height. I appreciated that Crusader Caravans had positioned the stereo system and switches for the gas-electric hot water service in the lockers above the kitchen – visually, it is much better to have items such as these ‘hidden’ in a locker.

Naturally, the kitchen comes with a microwave, while the fridge, which is located between the kitchen and rear bathroom, is a sizeable 188L three-way unit.

The Musketeer Aramis comes with a cafe-style dinette with tri-fold table, and of course there are overhead lockers, reading lights with in-built USB charging points, and a hatch below to access the storage space beneath each lounge.

The bathroom incorporates an offside cassette toilet, a central vanity complete with a top-loader washing machine hidden beneath the benchtop, and an offside, fully-moulded fibreglass shower. It’s not overly spacious but nor is it too squeezy – given the space constraints, Crusader has done well.

In terms of storage, all bases are covered. There are overhead lockers, drawers and cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom, but the cupboard (with shelves) in the entry way really adds to the overall functionality.

Other features found throughout the Crusader Musketeer Aramis include a reverse-cycle air-conditioner, a pressure hatch, and a 24in LCD flatscreen TV with digital aerial. It adds up to a neat, attractive package in line with this manufacturer’s reputation.

EXTERNAL STRUCTURE

As attractive as the the interior is, it’s the ‘EcoLite’ construction of the van that appeals most to me. Frameless one-piece fibreglass sandwich panels, complete with closed cell structural foam, form the walls and roof, while the floor is also a sandwich panel that uses ‘woven’ fibreglass for the upper and lower skins. Everything is locked together and neatly finished off with black moulds.

These Ecolite panels not only make the van quieter inside, their foam cores offer excellent thermal efficiency and are hail-resistant – there is a good reason they are used for vehicles such as trucks and motorhomes. As I negotiated the tight entrance to my property, branches scraped the sides and roof, and I winced, expecting damage… When I got out to look, there was not a scratch to be seen. Had it been made of ribbed aluminium, I’d have been up for an expensive repair.

The nearside is fitted with a full-length roll-out awning as well as an ‘entertainment box’ with relevant TV connections.

The van rides on a ‘Duratech’ 6in chassis fitted with roller-rocker leaf-spring suspension rated to 3200kg. The underside of the van is quite ‘clean’ – very few components or cables to snag or break. Having said that, yes, there is some grey water plumbing to be mindful of, but I did like that the outlet of the 95L grey water tank had been wrapped in some aggy pipe.

The Crusader Musketeer Aramis has two 95L fresh water tanks as standard – each tank is protected by galvanised sheeting, though the dump valve is unprotected. The are placed either side of the axle set.

Now, the Crusader Musketeer Aramis is not an offroad caravan. It is therefore fitted with a 50mm ball coupling. The A-frame is also equipped with a couple of 9kg gas cylinders and a fresh water tap. Storage-wise, there is a decent tunnel boot. Another feature that I particularly liked: the gas bayonet, which allows you to plumb your portable barbecue directly to the onboard gas supply, is recessed into the wall of the van, rather than mounted precariously to the chassis rail where it might be damaged.

Another pleasing aspect: the weight. It tips the scales at only 2238kg Tare – not bad at all. The ATM of 3200kg gives the van a generous payload capacity of 962kg. 

GORV’S VERDICT

The Crusader Musketeer Aramis genuinely comes together well. It is fitted with all the mod-cons that you could possibly want, while the fibreglass sandwich panel construction is top-tier stuff. Further, it comes with a two-year factory warranty and a five-year structural warranty.

To be honest, I see no reason why this rig wouldn’t be a very faithful companion on your big lap or weekend jaunt to the beach. Nice job, Crusader.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

COMPLETE SPECS