WORDS AND IMAGES GARY TISCHER

A 14-foot 6-inch van that can sleep two adults and a couple of kids plus has a separate shower and toilet and a comfortable lounge area sounds like a bit of a pipe dream, doesn’t it? It would be if the latest Razor XT didn’t have the clever electric drop-down bed design incorporated into the well-constructed 14-footer. 

Royal Flair has been using the electric drop-down bed for a couple of years and it is now available in the smallest of the Razor XTs. It is a simple idea and one that provides a lot more usable space than would seem possible in a van of this length. The downside is that you are either in ‘bed’ mode or ‘sitting around the table’ mode. This situation seems to be worth it, though. 

The Razor XT packs a lot of punch into its small size and looks pretty sharp at the same time.

Just how many features can you pack into a 14-foot van? 

BELOW Perfect window placement. Just need the view each day

ROYAL FLAIR
OFFERS A SHARP SET-UP

with the Razor XT
Got one like it? Insure it here

REVIEW Royal Flair Razor XT

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OUTSIDE
The body of the van sits on a SupaGal chassis and AL-KO Enduro Outback independent suspension built tough to handle those outback roads and tracks. Connecting it to the tow vehicle is the Cruisemaster DO35 hitch. The Cooper ST MAXX tyres and 12-inch electric brakes will ensure it stops predictably when needed. 

The CNC-cut marine ply structural wall provides stiffness to the van with the honeycomb composite floor ensuring a solid base. Checker plate at the front and on the sides protects the Razor XT from stone chips, with the Alucobond outside panels adding colour and flair. The van is fully insulated to keep out the chill of outback nights or the heat of a summer’s day at the beach.

The Thule awning covers the doors and windows on the offside although it doesn’t cover the outside kitchen, which includes a three-burner stove, sink and cutlery drawer. There is a large full tunnel boot to store fishing rods and the camping chairs/table that you would have when living outside. On the driver’s side there is another storage area and a large storage box on the drawbar. 

BELOW The near side with all the hatches open

ABOVE Solar panels, air conditioner and TV antenna on the roof  // BELOW AL-KO independent suspension

ABOVE Room for two jerry cans and a wood box complement the spare wheel

On the roof are two 150W solar panels along with a Dometic air conditioner and omni-directional antenna. The entry door is by Camec with a pull-out step and the two large windows (one on either side) are 1200mm wide. Two smaller windows are further forward, one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.

There is room for four jerry cans, two at the front and two at the back. The rear bar also has a wood box and spare wheel. The front and back panels provide some added colour.

Got one like it? Insure it here

“In terms of safety, vision and looks, it’s hard to go past Clearview Powerfold Mirrors.”
Pat Callinan

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INSIDE
The inside is where the Razor XT really shines through its innovative use of the drop-down bed. I found there was plenty of room while sitting at the table while the queen-size bed was stored above. The raising and lowering of the bed are done with electric motors and seatbelt webbing providing a quiet and reliable mechanism. The switch to do this is two-part so it can’t be done by mistake or by small children playing with buttons. It is located away from small fingers next to the entry. A key is needed to turn the switch on and then it is simply a matter of up or down.  

The other surprising feature is the separate shower and toilet in the internal ensuite. The first door gives you access to the toilet and vanity basin with another door next to the basin giving access to the shower. There is a window above the toilet and a skylight/fan above the shower. While space is tight, it is nice to have the facilities separate.

ABOVE Indoor kitchen location is different to the usual // BELOW Plenty of head height when sitting at the table

ABOVE LEFT The toilet and sink with door to the shower // RIGHT The Thetford fridge is tall

The internal kitchen mirrors the external pull-out kitchen. There is a small sink and a three-burner stove. The two kitchens give the option of cooking outside when the weather is fine and inside when cold or wet. The bench space inside for food preparation is adequate. There is a microwave above the window in the kitchen.

The tall Thetford 184-litre three-way fridge provides plenty of storage for cold goods. Gas for the kitchen and hot water is supplied from the two nine-litre gas bottles mounted on the drawbar. Water is sourced from the two 95-litre water tanks mounted under the van and protected by stone guards. The electrical needs of the Razor XT are supplied from two 105Ah batteries stored under the lounge.

There are numerous drawers and cupboards around the van for storage of kitchen, clothes and travelling items. The finish of both the interior and exterior is excellent, and the fittings seem to be up to the task of rigorous travel.

ABOVE The main bed stowed for travel

Got one like it? Insure it here

“The Razor XT packs a lot of punch into its small size and looks pretty sharp at the same time”

VERDICT
The Royal Flair Razor XT 14’6” is small in stature but the design makes the best, and clever use of available space. It's well put together and looks able to handle the rigours of a big lap or regular visits to a favourite campsite. Although short in length it does come in heavy so you will need something able to tow the 2750kg ATM.

PROS
• Great use of space with the drop-down bed
• Plenty of features for a van of this size
• Quality components

CONS
• On the heavy side
• Awning doesn’t cover external kitchen

SPECS
External body length: 4395mm
External body width: 2285mm
Travel height: 2870mm
Tare: 2233kg
ATM: 2733kg
Ball weight: 234kg
Price: $79,990 as reviewed

For more info: royalflair.com.au

Got one like it? Insure it here

WORDS AND IMAGES GARY TISCHER

REVIEW Royal Flair Razor XT

A 14-foot 6-inch van that can sleep two adults and a couple of kids plus has a separate shower and toilet and a comfortable lounge area sounds like a bit of a pipe dream, doesn’t it? It would be if the latest Razor XT didn’t have the clever electric drop-down bed design incorporated into the well-constructed 14-footer. 

Royal Flair has been using the electric drop-down bed for a couple of years and it is now available in the smallest of the Razor XTs. It is a simple idea and one that provides a lot more usable space than would seem possible in a van of this length. The downside is that you are either in ‘bed’ mode or ‘sitting around the table’ mode. This situation seems to be worth it, though. 

The Razor XT packs a lot of punch into its small size and looks pretty sharp at the same time.

BELOW Perfect window placement. Just need the view each day

ROYAL FLAIR
OFFERS A SHARP SET-UP

with the Razor XT

Just how many features can you pack into a 14-foot van? 

Got one like it? Insure it here
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

On the roof are two 150W solar panels along with a Dometic air conditioner and omni-directional antenna. The entry door is by Camec with a pull-out step and the two large windows (one on either side) are 1200mm wide. Two smaller windows are further forward, one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.

There is room for four jerry cans, two at the front and two at the back. The rear bar also has a wood box and spare wheel. The front and back panels provide some added colour.

ABOVE Solar panels, air conditioner and TV antenna on the roof  // BELOW AL-KO independent suspension

OUTSIDE
The body of the van sits on a SupaGal chassis and AL-KO Enduro Outback independent suspension built tough to handle those outback roads and tracks. Connecting it to the tow vehicle is the Cruisemaster DO35 hitch. The Cooper ST MAXX tyres and 12-inch electric brakes will ensure it stops predictably when needed. 

The CNC-cut marine ply structural wall provides stiffness to the van with the honeycomb composite floor ensuring a solid base. Checker plate at the front and on the sides protects the Razor XT from stone chips, with the Alucobond outside panels adding colour and flair. The van is fully insulated to keep out the chill of outback nights or the heat of a summer’s day at the beach.

The Thule awning covers the doors and windows on the offside although it doesn’t cover the outside kitchen, which includes a three-burner stove, sink and cutlery drawer. There is a large full tunnel boot to store fishing rods and the camping chairs/table that you would have when living outside. On the driver’s side there is another storage area and a large storage box on the drawbar. 

BELOW The near side with all the hatches open

ABOVE Room for two jerry cans and a wood box complement the spare wheel

Got one like it? Insure it here

“In terms of safety, vision and looks, it’s hard to go past Clearview Powerfold Mirrors.”
Pat Callinan

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

The internal kitchen mirrors the external pull-out kitchen. There is a small sink and a three-burner stove. The two kitchens give the option of cooking outside when the weather is fine and inside when cold or wet. The bench space inside for food preparation is adequate. There is a microwave above the window in the kitchen.

The tall Thetford 184-litre three-way fridge provides plenty of storage for cold goods. Gas for the kitchen and hot water is supplied from the two nine-litre gas bottles mounted on the drawbar. Water is sourced from the two 95-litre water tanks mounted under the van and protected by stone guards. The electrical needs of the Razor XT are supplied from two 105Ah batteries stored under the lounge.

There are numerous drawers and cupboards around the van for storage of kitchen, clothes and travelling items. The finish of both the interior and exterior is excellent, and the fittings seem to be up to the task of rigorous travel.

ABOVE Indoor kitchen location is different to the usual // BELOW Plenty of head height when sitting at the table

INSIDE
The inside is where the Razor XT really shines through its innovative use of the drop-down bed. I found there was plenty of room while sitting at the table while the queen-size bed was stored above. The raising and lowering of the bed are done with electric motors and seatbelt webbing providing a quiet and reliable mechanism. The switch to do this is two-part so it can’t be done by mistake or by small children playing with buttons. It is located away from small fingers next to the entry. A key is needed to turn the switch on and then it is simply a matter of up or down.  

The other surprising feature is the separate shower and toilet in the internal ensuite. The first door gives you access to the toilet and vanity basin with another door next to the basin giving access to the shower. There is a window above the toilet and a skylight/fan above the shower. While space is tight, it is nice to have the facilities separate.

ABOVE LEFT The toilet and sink with door to the shower // RIGHT The Thetford fridge is tall

ABOVE The main bed stowed for travel

Got one like it? Insure it here

“The Razor XT packs a lot of punch into its small size and looks pretty sharp at the same time”

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

VERDICT
The Royal Flair Razor XT 14’6” is small in stature but the design makes the best, and clever use of available space. It's well put together and looks able to handle the rigours of a big lap or regular visits to a favourite campsite. Although short in length it does come in heavy so you will need something able to tow the 2750kg ATM.

PROS
• Great use of space with the drop-down bed
• Plenty of features for a van of this size
• Quality components

CONS
• On the heavy side
• Awning doesn’t cover external kitchen

SPECS
External body length: 4395mm
External body width: 2285mm
Travel height: 2870mm
Tare: 2233kg
ATM: 2733kg
Ball weight: 234kg
Price: $79,990 as reviewed

For more info: royalflair.com.au

Got one like it? Insure it here

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