Kitchens tend to be simpler and more compact; bathrooms are visually attractive with innovations that create more space – or at least the illusion of more space; and beds are bigger, have top quality mattresses, often with mechanisms to raise the head of the bed into a sitting position.
The bed at the front of the Averso does not have this feature, but it is large (1.92m long and 1.42m wide) and it has a superbly comfortable memory foam mattress over a slat base. For storing personal items and clothing there are a pair of lockers above the bed, full-height lockers either side, or a 'cavern' under the bed accessed by lifting the mattress – gas assisted of course.
Bold red/white bed linen contrasted perfectly with the plain brown chocolate tones of the Euro-modern style cabinetry with tile-patterned vinyl floor covering to match.
Upholstered in brown leather and set off with silky silver/gold cushions, the U-shaped lounge at the rear of the 'van is shorter than its UK contemporaries. That said, it still seats four easily and forms a useful 1.92m by 1.15m overnight double bed. There is no cabinet between the side settees or under the seat that joins the side settees across the back.
The Averso kitchen is the exception to the rule, being well equipped with a twin-door 190-litre fridge/freezer and three in-line LPG hobs with an extractor fan above. The bench has a useful square sink with three well-proportioned cupboards overhead. Below, a small oven shares the space with a pullout pantry and four other cupboards and drawers.
It's a compact kitchen but has plenty of room for crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and supermarket shopping. More power points would be useful as there are only two in the 'van; one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.
The bathroom located opposite the kitchen is a gem and a perfect example of how less can be more. The handbasin swivels, the toilet swivels so that no matter what ablution function you are performing there is sufficient room to do it. There is even a shower curtain to keep the toilet dry while the spray is flying.
The exterior cladding is different too, distinctively patterned with a fine hammered finish in silver-grey. The front boot has a very wide lid easing the way for long items like fishing rods and tent poles. Smaller items can go under the settee through the hatch beside the main door.
The Burstner Averso 485TS has a distinctly no nonsense masculine air about it that is different from the other caravans reviewed. It has a GVW of 1700kgs and a payload of 385kgs – ample payload for most Kiwi users. Priced competitively as it is it should attract a devoted following.
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