Olympic Caravans Javelin: Review
The Olympic Caravans' Javelin is a pop-top with a length of 5m (16ft 6in), no bathroom, and a price tag of just $35,500, which includes a full annexe.
Design & Construction
The Javelin is built in a very conventional style. Underpinning the van is a SupaGal chassis with 100x50mm (4x2in) main and drawbar rails with 50mm C-section (rather than RHS) cross and longitudinal members to help keep the weight down a bit. The suspension setup is a simple leaf-spring arrangement with 14in alloy wheels and 10in electric brakes.
The van’s framework is meranti timber covered by standard aluminium cladding with a simple padded stone protector across the lower front. Standard inclusions are the Camec security door, Galaxy tinted hopper windows and Dometic awning. There isn’t a great deal of external storage apart from the galvanised sheet-lined front boot and while that does house the battery and charger, there should still be enough room for all the essentials.
Simplicity is the buzzword on the drawbar. Apart from the essentials, such as a ball coupling, centre-mounted jockey wheel and handbrake, there is also a single 9kg gas cylinder. At the rear, the bumper bar sports the spare wheel and it’s worth noting that it’s mounted at a reasonable height for getting the wheel on and off.
THE WRAP UP
Although there are many travellers who like the convenience of an on-board bathroom, this little 5m (16ft 6in) van is an interesting demonstration of just how much living area can be achieved without one. There is plenty of room to move, without the feeling of being boxed in.
Sure, the Javelin isn’t going to score any points for not having a bathroom but if staying in caravan parks is your objective, along with having a caravan that’s light to tow and has a comfortable living interior, then the Javelin is the winner in that respect.
The specs
Weight and measures
- Overall length 6.9m (22ft 8in)
- External body length 5.03m (16ft 6in)
- External body width 2.26m (7ft 5in)
- Internal height 2m (6ft 6in)
- Travel height 1.85m (7ft 1in)
- Tare 1230kg
- ATM 1580kg
- Ball weight 160kg
External
- Frame Meranti timber
- Cladding Aluminium cladding
- Chassis SupaGal RHS
- Suspension Leaf spring
- Brakes 10in electric
- Wheels 14in alloy
- Fresh water 60L
- Battery 1x100Ah
- Solar No
- Air-conditioner No
- Gas 1x9kg
- ESC No
Internal
- Cooking Swift 500 Series four-burner
- cooktop and grill
- Fridge Dometic RM2350 90L
- Microwave Sharp Carousel
- Toilet No
- Shower No
- Lighting 12V LED
- Hot water No
Hits & Misses
I liked...
- Lightweight caravan
- Easy towing
- Open layout
- Well-appointed kitchen
I would have liked...
- Higher microwave (yes, I know, usually it’s the opposite)
- Better corner storage design
- A little more attention to detail
Read an extended version of this review on Caravan World. The full test appears in Caravan World #533, January 2015. Subscribe today for the latest caravan reviews and news every month!