AU2008202933B2

AU2008202933B2 - A caravan body and a caravan

Info

Publication number: AU2008202933B2
Application number: AU2008202933A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin Robert Maclean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-03
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2013-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-03
Also published as: AU2008202933A1

Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to recreational vehicles. In particular the invention relates to a caravan body (2) and to a caravan (1) including the caravan body. The caravan 5 body (2) comprises broadly a left side wall (3) and a right side wall (5) that extend broadly parallel to each other and each said wall (3) and (5) has a front end (7) and a rear end (9). The front and rear ends of the side walls (3) and (5) are longitudinally aligned with each other. The body (1) also includes a rear wall (8) opposite a front wall (11) extending between the front ends (7) of the side walls (3) 10 and (5). The front wall defines a frontward body portion that decreases laterally in width in a forward direction, for example, to form a wedge shaped front wall (11). In another embodiment, the forward body portion decreases in lateral width by curving inwardly in the forward direction. 15 Use Fig. 3 for publication 41 - 61 55 57 13 65

Description

1 A CARAVAN BODY AND A CARAVAN FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to a caravan body. It also extends to a caravan including the caravan body. This invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a caravan suitable for accommodating about 2 to 6 people. It will therefore be convenient to hereinafter 10 describe the invention with reference to this example application. However at the same time it must be recognized that the invention applies to caravan bodies and caravans of all types and sizes. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 15 A caravan is a vehicle that is mounted on wheels and is designed to be towed on the roads by a towing vehicle such as large car, sports utility, or a four wheel drive. Generally a caravan comprises broadly a rectangular caravan body that is mounted on a 20 chassis. The caravan body has substantially parallel and vertically extending side walls that join opposed transversely extending end walls and the caravan body thus has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in plan view. The body also includes a floor joining the side and end walls towards their lower edges and a roof joining the side and end walls towards their upper edges. Thus overall the body of the caravan broadly 25 resembles a rectangular box. The walls and the floor and roof together define an interior space that is closed off from the outside. The interior space is fitted out with the normal amenities of a living space within which people can live including a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom including 30 toilet. The caravan body typically has a number of windows defined in the sides and ends of the body that allow light into the interior space and enable the interior space to better serve as an attractive living space. The chassis may comprise a substantially rectangular chassis frame including side rails 35 and also end rails joining the ends of the side rails. The caravan body also includes a 2 draw bar mounted on the chassis and extending forwardly there from and having a tow coupling at the front end thereof. The tow coupling can be releasably hitched to a complementary tow hitch on a towing vehicle to facilitate towing of the caravan. 5 The draw bar extends forwardly from a forward end rail of the chassis which is broadly aligned with a forward end wall of the caravan body. The draw bar typically comprises left and right members extending diagonally forward from each of the left and right sides to a central point or apex at which a tow hitch coupling is located. It may also comprise a central longitudinal member extending forward from the forward end rail to the apex of the 10 tow hitch coupling, either alone or in combination with the diagonal members. Fig. 1 is a drawing of a caravan body that is known in the prior art. As will be clearly seen from the drawing the front wall extends broadly transversely to the side walls and it does not extend or encroach on the space above the draw bar to any appreciable extent. 15 Basically it terminates in line with the front of the chassis frame and short of the draw bar. The front wall of the caravan body may comprise two sections that extend outwardly in directions extending inwardly from the top and bottom of the caravan body to a line that extends horizontally across the front of the caravan body. However this does not appreciably increase the interior space that can be utilized within the caravan body. 20 The length and width of a caravan body is generally limited by a combination of regulation and practical considerations. For example the width of a road going caravan is limited to about 2.5m to meet road licensing regulations designed to fit the vehicle within a single lane on the road. Further the longer the length of a caravan, the more difficult it is to 25 drive. Thus the length of a caravan is limited by the practical considerations of having to drive it. A long caravan requires more knowledge and experience and even concentration to safely drive it. Further the longer the length of a caravan the more difficult it is to maneuver it. Many people who tow caravans are recreational drivers with car licenses as distinct from commercial truck drivers and therefore they want the exercise of towing the 30 caravan to be as simple and easy as possible. The nett effect of all of this is that the design of a caravan is effectively limited by size constraints and the challenge is to use the available space as effectively as possible. The challenge to designers of caravans is to design as comfortable a living space with as 3 many of the amenities and comforts of modern living as possible within a given caravan body length or as short a caravan body length as possible. Clearly therefore it would be advantageous if ways could be devised of increasing the 5 interior space within a caravan without increasing the length of the side walls of the caravan. It would also be advantageous if ways could be devised of better utilising the space within a caravan either to convey a feeling or sense of greater space or to pack more amenities into the space or a combination of both of the above features. 10 Further significant drag forces are generated when towing caravans at cruise speeds. Clearly it would be advantageous if these drag forces could be lowered at least to some extent. It would also be advantageous if the travel of the caravan could be stabilized at cruise speeds on the road. This would improve the safety of towing a caravan. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan body including: a left side wall and a right side wall having front and rear ends, the left and right side walls opposing each other and extending broadly parallel to each other; and 20 a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body and form a wedge shape with a 25 substantially vertically extending apex. The left front wall section and the right front wall section may extend at an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees to each other. 30 The apex formed at an intersection of the left and right front wall sections may be rounded. The left and right front wall sections may extend at an angle of between 80 and 100 degrees to each other, and the rounded apex, e.g. at the intersection of the left and right front wall sections may have a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm, e-g. a radius of between 50mm to 100mm.

3A The caravan body may include a roof extending between upper ends of the side and front walls. The roof may include a main roof section extending between the side walls, and a forward roof section extending between the left and right front wall sections forward of the main roof section. 5 The forward roof section may be substantially planar. In one form the forward roof section may be substantially planar and extend substantially horizontally between the left and right front wall sections in the same plane as the main roof section. In another form the forward roof section may be substantially planar and may incline downwardly in a forward 10 direction away from the main roof section at an angle of between 5 and 35 degrees to a horizontal axis, e.g. an imaginary horizontal plane. The left and right front wall sections may have a rounded intersection with the forward roof section having a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm. The left and right 15 front wall sections may have a rounded intersection with the left and right side walls having a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm. The caravan body may include a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls perpendicular to the left and right side walls. Each of the rear wall and the left and right 20 side walls may be substantially vertically extending and at least one of the left and right side walls may have an access door and/or a window defined therein. The left and right side walls may have a rounded intersection with the rear wall having a radius of curvature between 30mm and 120mm. 25 The rear wall may have a rounded intersection with the left and right side walls having a radius of curvature that is less than the rounded intersection of the left and right front wall portions with the forward roof portion, or the rounded intersection of the left and right front wall portions with the left and right side walls. 30 The caravan body may include a floor extending between the left and right side walls and the front and rear walls. The left and right side walls may form a square intersection with the floor. Instead the left and right side walls may form a rounded intersection with the floor having a radius of curvature of between 5mm and 30mm. Similarly the rear wall may form a square intersection with the floor or instead the rear wall may form a rounded 35 intersection with the floor having a radius of curvature of between 5mm and 30mm.

3B The side walls and the front and rear walls of the caravan body may be formed of a continuous sheet material that is formed from fibre glass or the walls may be formed of a composite material including carbon fibre. 5 The caravan body may define a main body living space defined between the left and right side walls, and a forward living space defined between the left and right front wall portions. The forward living space may define at least part of a bathroom space. Instead the forward living space may form at least part of a bedroom space, and the bedroom space may include an island double bed with a head positioned up against one of the left 10 and right front wall portions and a foot spaced from the head, and a passageway formed on each side of the double bed for enabling a user to access each side of the double bed. The caravan body may include a slide out mounted on one of the left and right front wall sections, the slide out being displaceable between a contracted position where it is 15 received broadly within the caravan body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left or right front wall section of the caravan body. The caravan body may include an island double bed mounted on the slide out having a head and a foot, wherein the double bed moves out with the slide out when it is moved 20 into the expanded position whereby to provide additional space around the foot of the double bed for a user to walk around the foot of the bed. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan, including: a draw bar having a tow hitch at a leading end thereof; and a caravan body defining an interior space, that is positioned above the draw bar, 25 the caravan body including: a left side wall and a right side wall have front and rear ends that oppose each other and extend broadly parallel to each other; and a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally 30 forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body and form a wedge shape with a substantially vertically extending apex, wherein the left and right front wall sections extend forward so as to substantially cover the 3C draw bar, excluding the tow hitch, so as to utilise the space above the draw bar to form a forward living space within an interior space of the caravan body. The caravan may include a chassis having a set of wheels mounted thereon, and the 5 caravan body may be mounted on the chassis and the draw pole may also be mounted on the chassis. Instead the caravan body may be a monocoque having a set of wheels mounted thereon and the draw bar may be mounted on the monocoque. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan body including: 10 a left side wall and a right side wall have front and rear ends that oppose each other and extend broadly parallel to each other; and a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally 15 forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body, and the left and right front wall sections intersect to form a wedge shape with a substantially vertically extending apex; a slide out mounted on one of the left and right front wall sections, the slide out having a slide out wall and being displaceable between a contracted position in which the 20 slide out wall is retracted and an expanded position in which the slide out wall projects out from the front wall; an island double bed with a head and a foot mounted on the slide out with the head of the bed against the slide out wall, and a passageway on each side of the double bed for enabling a user to access that side of the double bed, wherein the foot of the bed 25 is spaced from the adjacent wall of the caravan body when the slide out is in the expanded position to enable the user to walk around the foot of the bed. The caravan body may include any one or more of the features of the caravan body defined in the first aspect of the invention above. 30 According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a caravan body defining a caravan interior space for a caravan, the caravan body including: a rearward body portion defining a rearward interior space potion of the caravan interior 35 space; and 3D a forward body portion projecting forwardly from the rearward body portion, the forward body defining a forward interior space portion of the caravan interior space, which forward body portion decreases laterally in width from the rearward portion in a forward direction. 5 The forward body portion may taper laterally in the forward direction of the caravan body. Instead, the forward body portion may curve inwardly from either lateral side towards the forward direction of the caravan body 10 In one embodiment of the invention, one part the forward body portion may taper laterally and another part of the forward body portion may curve inwardly from either lateral side toward the forward direction of the caravan.

4 The forward body portion may include a vertically extending transversely flat front end or the forward body portion may include a vertically extending outwardly curved front end. The forward body portion may have a consistent height from the rearward portion towards 5 the frontward direction of the caravan body. The forward body portion may have a height that decreases from the rearward portion towards the frontward direction of the caravan body. An upper edge profile of the forward body portion, when viewed from a lateral side, may slope downwardly from the rearward portion towards the frontward direction of the caravan body. Also, an upper edge profile of the forward body portion, when viewed from 10 a lateral side, may curve downwardly from the rearward portion toward the frontward direction of the caravan. According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan body for a caravan, comprising: 15 a left side wall and a right side wall, wherein the left and right side walls are broadly parallel to each other and each have front and rear ends; a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls towards the rear ends of 20 the left and right side walls; and a front wall having one end joining the left side wall and another end joining the right side wall and extending forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls intermediate its ends. 25 The front wall may extend forward from its points of joining the left and right walls in a direction towards a central region of the vehicle body when viewed across the width of the vehicle body. The front wall may have a leading or forward most point that is positioned in the central region. In fact the leading point may be positioned broadly midway across the 30 width of the vehicle body, e.g. approximately midway between the left and right side walls. The front wall may comprise a left front wall section that extends diagonally inwardly from the left side wall in a forward direction, e.g. the front of the left side wall, and a right front wall section that extends diagonally in from the right side wall in a forward direction, e.g. 35 the front of the right side wall.

5 The left and right front wall sections may each be substantially linear, and the left and right front wall sections may each be substantially vertically extending. 5 The left front wall section and the right front wall section may extend transverse to each other, e.g. when viewed in plan view, at an angle of 70-110 degrees to each other. In particular the left side section and the right side section of the front wall may extend at an angle of 80-100 degrees to each other. 10 Thus the forward extension of the front wall forms a bulbous or wedge shaped front wall as distinct from a flat planar wall. The leading or forwardmost line of the wedge shape is vertically extending as distinct from being horizontally extending. The forward extending wedge shaped front wall creates additional space within the interior space in the vehicle body that would not exist if the front wall was linear and extended perpendicularly to the 15 side walls across the front of the side walls. The front wall may further include a central front wall section intermediate the left and right front wall sections. The central front wall section may be curved. Further the central front wall section may also be substantially vertically extending. 20 Instead the left front wall section may join with the right front wall section, e.g. via a rounded edge or via a sharp edge in which case it will not have a central front wall section. 25 The curved central section of the front wall may have a radius of curvature of 30mm to 900mm, e.g. 80-160mm, such as about 100mm or 150mm. In this form the curved central front wall section is dominated by the left and right front wall sections and has a relatively small length. In this form the front wall is primarily made up of linearly extending left and right front wall sections. 30 In another form the curved central section has a radius of curvature of 300mm to 800mm. In this other form the curved front wall section has a significant length that may be broadly of the same order of magnitude as the length of each of the left and right front wall sections. 35 6 The body may also include a roof extending between the side walls and the front and rear walls. The roof may be vertically positioned towards upper ends of the side walls. The roof may comprise a main roof section extending over the space defined between the 5 side walls between the front and rear ends of the side walls, and also a forward roof section extending across and above the space defined between the left and right front wall sections, forward of the main roof section. Thus the forward roof section may extend from the front ends of the side walls to the leading point or forwardmost point of the front wall. 10 The main roof section may be substantially horizontally extending. In one form the forward roof section may incline downwardly in a forward direction from the main roof section towards its forward most point, e.g. the leading point of the front wall. In particular the forward roof section may incline downwardly with a linear slope or 15 constant slope or inclination from its rear to its front, at an angle of 5-35 degrees. In one form the forward roof section inclines downwardly at an angle of about 8-12 degrees. In another form the forward roof section inclines downwardly at an angle of 25-35 degrees. In another form the forward roof section may be horizontally extending and may continue 20 in the same plane as the main roof section. The edges formed by the intersection of the left and right front sections and the associated left or right side wall may be rounded or radiused. The rounded edge may have a radius of 30mm to 120mm, e.g. 50 to 100mm. 25 The edges formed by the intersection of the left and right front wall sections with the forward roof section may be rounded or radiused. The rounded edges may have a radius of 30mm to 120mm, e.g. 50 to 100mm. Where the front wall includes a curved central front wall section the intersection of the curved front wall section with the roof may also be 30 radiused to a similar extent. The edges formed by the intersection of the left and right side walls with the main roof section may be rounded or radiused. The rounded edges may have a radius of 30mm to 120mm, e.g. 50 to 100mm. 35 7 The rear wall may extend perpendicularly to the left and right side walls between said side walls. The rear wall and the left and right side walls may also be substantially vertically 5 extending. The edges formed by the intersection of the left and right side walls and the rear wall, and also the main roof section and the rear wall may also be rounded or radiused. The rounded edges may have a radius of 30mm to 120mm, e.g. 30 to 50 mm. Typically the 10 radiusing of these edges is less than that for the edges between the side walls and the front wall sections, and between the left and right side walls and the roof. The body may include a floor extending between the left and right side walls and the front and rear walls. 15 The edges between the side walls and the floor and the rear wall and the floor may be square or they may be rounded. If they are rounded the edge may only have a small radius of curvature, namely 5mm to 30mm. Similarly the edges between the front wall sections and the floor may be square or they may be radiused or rounded with an edge of 20 small radius, e.g. 5mm to 30mm. This rounding of the intersection between different surfaces of the body can enhance the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle body, i.e. by reducing the drag coefficient. It may also enhance styling of the vehicle body. It may also assist manufacturing of the vehicle 25 body. In several forms of the invention the radius of curvature is different for the intersection of different surfaces. The radius of curvature of the intersection of the rear wall with the other surfaces is generally less than that for the edge formed by the intersection of the 30 front wall with the other surfaces. Further the radius of curvature of the intersection of the floor with the various wall surfaces is generally less than that for the edges formed by the intersection of the roof with the various wall surfaces or these edges may not be radiused at all.

8 It should be noted that in some forms of the invention none of the edges formed by the intersections between the various sides and surfaces are radiused to any appreciable extent. 5 The various walls or surfaces of the vehicle body may be formed of a continuous sheet material. The surfaces of the body may be made of a sheet material having some stiffness. In particular the body may be made of a sheet material that is fibre glass. The sheet material may be a composite material including carbon fibre. 10 The side walls and the front and rear walls of the vehicle body together with the floor and roof may define an interior living space within the body. The interior living space may comprise a main body living space portion beneath the main roof section and a forward living space portion beneath the forward roof section. 15 One of the left and right side walls may have an access door and at least one window defined therein. The other of the left and right sides of the vehicle body may have at least one window, e.g. two windows defined therein. Each of the left and right front wall sections may have a window defined therein. The 20 windows may be large, e.g. to form a bedroom window, or the windows may be of elongate form with an elongate axis extending transversely to form bathroom windows. The caravan body may include at least part of a bathroom located within the forward living space portion. 25 In another form the vehicle body may include at least part of a bedroom within the forward living space portion. The bedroom may extend into the main body living space portion as well as occupying the forward living space portion. 30 The bedroom may include an island bed with a passageway on each of left and right sides of the bed located in the forward living space portion. Further the island bed may have a passage or walk space around the foot of the bed. The caravan body may include a slide out mounted on one of the left and right front wall 35 sections, and the slide out may be displaceable between a contracted position where it is 9 received broadly within the caravan body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the associated wall of the caravan body. The vehicle body may further include a kitchen/ kitchenette within the main body living 5 space portion. The vehicle body may also include lounge and/or dining facilities within the main body living space portion. Instead the vehicle body may further include a kitchen/kitchenette within the forward living space portion or a lounge and/or dining facilities within the forward living space portion. 10 In this form the bathroom region and the bedroom region may be located within the main body living space portion. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan, comprising: 15 a body mounted directly or indirectly on a wheel assembly for traveling on a support surface, the body including: a left side wall and a right side wall, wherein the left and right side walls are broadly 20 parallel to each other and have front and rear ends; a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls at the rear ends of the left and right side walls; and 25 a front wall having one end joining the left side wall and another end joining the right side wall and extending forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls intermediate its ends. The body may include any one or more of the optional features of the body described 30 above according to the preceding aspect of the invention. In some forms the caravan may include a chassis and the body may be mounted on the chassis. The chassis may comprise a chassis frame and the chassis frame may in turn be mounted on the wheel assembly. 35 10 The caravan may further include a draw bar. The draw bar may optionally include a diagonal left side member and a diagonal right side member and the left side diagonal member may extend diagonally inwardly from the left 5 side in a forward direction and the right side diagonal member may extend diagonally in from the right side in a forward direction. The draw bar may include a central member, either alone or in combination with the diagonal left and right side members above, extending in the direction of travel of the 10 vehicle body, e.g. parallel to the sides of the body. The diagonal left and right side members of the draw bar may broadly follow and extend parallel to the diagonally extending left and right front wall portions of the body. Instead the left and right side members of the draw bar may be laterally spaced inside the front 15 wall sections. In other forms the body may be in the form of a monocoque and the wheel assembly may be mounted directly on the monocoque body. 20 The caravan may also include a draw bar and the draw bar may be mounted on the monocoque body. The body may have left and right front wall sections and the tow hitch may be mounted directly on the monocoque body towards the leading end of the front wall sections. 25 The draw bar may include any one or more of the features of the draw bar mounted to the chassis described above. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan body for a 30 caravan, comprising: a left side wall and a right side wall extending broadly parallel to each other and having front and rear ends, a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls at the rear ends of the left and right side walls, and a front wall having one end joining the 35 left side wall and another end joining the right side wall and extending forward of the front 11 ends of the left and right side walls intermediate its ends, the left and right walls and the front and rear walls collectively defining an interior space, comprising a main body interior space portion defined between the front and rear ends of the left and right side walls and a forward interior space portion defined by the front wall forward of the front ends of the 5 left and right side walls, wherein the forward interior space portion forms at least part of a bathroom region within the vehicle body. The front wall may comprise a left side section that extends diagonally inwardly in from the left side in a forward direction and a right side section that extends diagonally in from 10 the right side in a forward direction. The front wall may further include a short radiused central front wall section between the left and right front wall sections. The body may include an internal wall extending across the width of the body for closing off the bathroom region from the rest of the interior space to form a bathroom that can be 15 closed off to confer privacy. The bathroom may include a shower, a separate toilet, and a vanity, each of which is mounted against the front wall of the body at different positions along the length of the front wall. 20 The internal wall may include a closable door defined in a door opening in said wall. The body may include any one or more of the other features of the caravan body described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. 25 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan body for a caravan, comprising: a left side wall and a right side wall extending broadly parallel to each other and 30 having front and rear ends, a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls at the rear ends of the left and right side walls, and a front wall having one end joining the left side wall and another end joining the right side wall and extending forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls intermediate its ends, the left and right walls and the front and rear walls collectively defining an interior space, comprising a main body interior 35 space portion defined between the front and rear ends of the left and right side walls and 12 a forward interior space portion defined by the front wall forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls, wherein the forward interior space portion forms at least part of a bedroom region within the interior space. 5 The front wall may comprise a left side section that extends diagonally inwardly in from the left side in a forward direction and a right side section that extends diagonally in from the right side in a forward direction. The front wall may further include a short radiused central front wall section between the left and right front wall sections. 10 The caravan body may include a floor and a double bed may be mounted on the floor in the bedroom region with the head of the bed mounted against the front wall. The double bed may be a queen, or king sized double bed or a regular sized double bed. The caravan body may include a slide out member defined in one of the left and right front 15 wall sections, and the slide out may be movable between a contracted position in which it is broadly received within the outline of the vehicle body and an expanded configuration in which it is displaced laterally out of the associated front wall section. Thus the slide out when in the expanded configuration expands the forward interior space 20 portion and this further increases the interior space within the caravan body. The double bed may be mounted on the slide out so as to be displaced out with the slide out when it is moved to the expanded configuration. This moves the head of the bed outwardly together with a wall section of the slide out. It also moves the foot of the bed 25 away from an opposing side of the body and opens up more space around the foot of the body. The body may include any one or more of the other features of the caravan body described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. 30 According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a caravan, comprising: a chassis mounted on a wheel assembly for traveling along a support surface; 13 a draw bar extending forward from the chassis having a tow hitch coupling towards its free end for coupling to a tow bar on a towing vehicle; and a body mounted on the chassis, the body comprising: 5 a left side wall and a right side wall, wherein the left and right side walls are broadly parallel to each other and have front and rear ends; a rear wall extending perpendicularly to the left and right side walls between the left 10 and right side walls at the rear ends of the left and right side walls; and a front wall extending forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls and being positioned above the draw bar, wherein the front wall includes a left side section that extends diagonally inwardly in from the left side in a forward direction and a right 15 side section that extends diagonally in from the right side in a forward direction, wherein each of the left and right side sections of the front wall is substantially vertically extending. The front wall may optionally further include a central front wall section intermediate the 20 left and right front wall sections having a radius of 30-100mm. In particular the central front wall section may conveniently have a radius of 30-60mm. The draw bar may be triangular and may be as described above in the second aspect of the invention described above. 25 The caravan body may include any one or more of the other features of the caravan body described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. Similarly the chassis may include any one or more of the other features of the chassis described above with respect to the preceding aspects of the invention. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A recreational vehicle that is a caravan in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe several 35 embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The 14 purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. However it is to be clearly understood that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: 5 Fig. 1 is a front three dimensional view of a caravan which is known in the prior art; Fig. 2 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 10 Fig. 3 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 15 Fig. 5 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 20 Fig. 7 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 8 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 25 Fig. 9 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 30 Fig. 11 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a lower three dimensional view of a caravan in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 35 15 Fig. 13 is an upper three dimensional view of the caravan of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view of an example layout for any one of the caravans shown in Figs. 2 to 13; 5 Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view of another example layout for any one of the caravans shown in Figs. 2 to 13; Fig. 16 is a schematic plan view of a layout for a caravan shown in Figs. 2 to 9, the 10 caravan having a slide out on a section of the front wall in a contracted configuration; and Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view of the caravan in Fig. 16 showing the slide out in the expanded configuration. 15 Fig. 1 is an upper front three dimensional view of a caravan body in accordance with the prior art. This known type of caravan body is discussed in detail in the background to the invention set out in the earlier part of the specification. Accordingly it will not be described again in the following detailed description. 20 In Figs. 2 and 3 reference numeral 1 refers generally to a recreational vehicle that is a caravan in accordance with the invention. The caravan 1 comprises a caravan body 2 that is mounted on a chassis 4. The caravan body 2 and the chassis 4 will be discussed in turn below. 25 The caravan body 2 comprises broadly a left side wall 3 and a right side wall 5. The left wall 3 and the right wall 5 extend broadly parallel to each other and each said wall 3 and 5 has a front end 7 and a rear end 9. The front and rear ends of the side walls 3 and 5 are longitudinally aligned with each other. The body 1 also includes a rear wall 8 extending 30 perpendicular to the side walls 3 and 5 between the aligned rear ends 9. The caravan body 2 also includes a front wall shown generally by numeral 11 extending between the front ends 7 of the side walls 3 and 5. The wedge shaped front wall 11 comprises a left front wall section 13 that extends diagonally inward from the left side wall 35 3, a curved central section 14, and a right side section 15 that extends diagonally inward 16 from the right side wall 5 to the curved central section 14. The curved central section 14 forms a leading end of the front wall 11. In the embodiment in Figs 2 and 3 the curved central section 14 is of very short and limited extent and the front wall 11 is dominated by the left and right front wall sections 13, 15. The curved front wall section 14 has a radius 5 of curvature of about 100 mm. Thus the front wall 11 could broadly be described as being wedge shaped. Further the left and right front wall sections 13, 15 and the curved front wall section 14 are all vertically extending. That is the front wall 11 tapers in from the left and right sides 3, 5 10 but does extend diagonally inwardly or outwardly from top to bottom. Each of the wall sections 13, 14 and 15 making up the front wall 11 is substantially vertically extending as are side walls 3, 5. The caravan body 2 also includes a floor 17 extending across the enclosed space defined 15 by the parallel extending side walls 3, 5 and bounded by the front and rear walls 11 and 9. The floor 17 is substantially horizontally extending and is vertically positioned at or towards lower ends of the side walls 3, 5 and the front and the rear walls 11 and 9. The caravan body 2 also includes a roof 21 that basically covers the same surface area 20 as the floor 17 but is spaced above the floor 17 towards upper edges of the side walls 3, 5 and the front and rear walls 11 and 9. The roof 21 comprises a main body section 23 extending across the space defined between the side walls 3, 5 and terminating in line with the front ends 7 of the side walls 3, 5 and a forward portion 25 extending across the space defined between the diagonally extending left and right front wall sections 13, 15. 25 The side walls 3, 5 and the front and rear walls 11 and 9 together with the floor and roof together define an interior space 27 (shown only in Figs 14 and 15) within the caravan body 2. The interior space comprises a main body interior space portion that is defined in the space between the side walls 3 and 5 within the longitudinal extent of the side walls 3, 30 5. The front wall 11 also defines a forward interior space portion between the left and right front wall sections 13, 15. That is the forward interior space portion is positioned in front of the main body interior space portion and is effectively the additional space obtained by extending the front wall 11 forward of the front ends of the side walls 3, 5.

17 The main body section 23 of the roof 21 is generally horizontally extending. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the forward roof section 25 extending across the space defined between the left and right front wall sections 13, 15 is also horizontally extending and extends generally in the same plane as the main roof section 23. Thus in 5 this embodiment the roof 21 has broadly the same height along its full length from the rear wall 9 to the intersection point at the front of the front wall 11. A couple of longitudinally spaced windows 31 are defined on the right side 5 of the caravan body 2. As shown these windows 31 can be fairly large to let light into the interior 10 space 27 of the caravan body 2. Each of the left and right front wall sections 13 and 15 have a window defined therein indicated generally by numeral 33. In the illustrated embodiment these windows 33 are reasonably large and form bedroom windows. In another form not shown the windows may be smaller and form bathroom windows. 15 The caravan body 2 has at least one access door defined in a side door. In the illustrated embodiment the access door is defined in the left side wall of the body and is thus not shown in Figs. 2 to 13. A window is also defined in the left side wall of the body. .This corresponds to a caravan that is driven on roads where drivers drive on the left side of the road. It would be the other way around for caravans that are designed to be driven on the 20 right hand side of roads such as occurs in continental Europe. The caravan body 2 also includes an air vent 35 defined in the roof 21 of the body 2. The body 2 also includes a tank 37 mounted under the floor 17 of the caravan body 2. 25 The intersection of the various walls 3, 5, 9 and 11 with each other and with the roof 21 may be rounded as shown in the drawings. Generally the radius of curvature of these intersections is about 100mm. The purpose of these rounded edges is to enhance the aesthetics of the caravan body 2. As shown in the drawings the intersection of the side walls 3, 5 and the front and rear walls 11, 9 with the floor 17 of the caravan body 2 may 30 not be as rounded as the other intersections and may in fact be a square edge. As described above the caravan body 2 is mounted on a said chassis 4 which is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The chassis 4 comprises a substantially rectangular chassis frame 40 including left and right chassis frame members 41, 43 running broadly down left and 35 right sides of the body 2 spaced in from the actual side walls 3 and 5 of the body 2. The 18 chassis frame 40 also includes front and rear cross members 45, 47 extending transversely between the left and right chassis frame members 41, 43 towards the ends thereof. 5 The caravan 1 also includes at least one axle 49 and left and right ground engaging wheels 51 mounted on the axle 49. In the illustrated embodiment the caravan 1 includes a single axle 49 and there is only a single wheel 51 on each of left and right sides of the vehicle. However it will be readily appreciated that a double axle could equally be used in which case two wheels will be located on each of left and right sides of the vehicle. 10 The chassis 4 also includes a draw bar 55 extending forward from the chassis frame 40 for enabling the caravan 1 to be towed on a road by a tow vehicle. The draw bar 55 comprises left and right draw bar members 57, 59 that extend diagonally in from the left and right chassis frame members 41, 43 to a draw bar intersection point where they 15 converge. The draw bar 55 also includes a central draw bar member 61 extending forward at least to the draw bar intersection point. In the illustrated embodiment it extends past the intersection point to form additionally a central chassis frame member. The draw bar also includes a tow hitch coupling 65 mounted on the draw bar 55 proximate 20 to the intersection point. In the illustrated embodiment it is mounted on the front end of the central draw bar member 61 forward of the intersection point. The tow hitch 65 can engage with a tow bar on a towing vehicle to facilitate towing of the caravan 1. The body can be manufactured by being moulded using known moulding techniques. In 25 particular the body can be moulded in two pieces, e.g. a floor piece and a wall and roof piece using conventional fibre glass moulding techniques. The body can be moulded of a composite material, e.g. including carbon fibre and KEVLARWM. In use the caravan body can be hitched up to a towing vehicle and towed to a location 30 where it is required in the usual way. The wedge shaped front wall 11 defined by the left and right front wall sections 13, 15 located above the draw bar 55 provides additional interior space within the caravan body 2 without increasing the structural footprint or size of the caravan 1 in plan view. The wedge shaped forward section of the caravan body 2 does not interfere with the turning of the caravan. The angled front wall sections 13, 15 35 provide sufficient clearance to enable a towing vehicle to turn relative to the caravan as 19 would be required while driving the towing vehicle on a road. The front wall sections broadly follow the outline of the draw bar and do not project out laterally much beyond the sides of the diagonal draw bar members. 5 A characterising feature of this invention is that the left and right side sections of the front wall extend over the space above the draw bar and thus utilise this space. The forward portion of the interior space obviously increases the interior space within the caravan body and this space can be fruitfully used in the design of the interior layout of 10 the interior space of the caravan. It will readily be appreciated that the length of a caravan body is limited by practical considerations and it will always be an objective of caravan design to design a certain level of amenity within the shortest side wall length possible. The forward interior space portion can for example be used to form part of a bedroom region, or part of a bathroom region of part of a living region of a caravan. 15 Figs. 4 and 5 show a caravan that is a minor variation on the caravan shown in Figs 2 and 3. Accordingly unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. 20 The main difference between the Fig. 4 caravan and the Fig. 2 caravan is that the forward roof section tilts downwardly from the rear to the front thereof. Specifically the forward roof section 25 slopes downwardly in a straight line at an angle of 5 degrees to 20 degrees to the horizontal main roof section 25. The downward slope of the forward roof section 25 reduces the drag coefficient of the caravan body 2 and thereby the frictional drag losses in 25 use. The chassis and draw bar in the Fig. 4 embodiment is different to that in Fig. 2. The draw bar 55 comprises a single central member extending longitudinally forward from the front of the chassis to the tow hitch coupling. This draw bar works as efficaciously as the draw 30 bar in Fig. 2. However the single longitudinal member is required to be stronger than if it was braced by the diagonal members in the draw bar of Fig. 2. Figs. 6 and 7 show a caravan that is a further variation on the caravan shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Accordingly unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used 35 to refer to the same components.

20 The main difference between the Fig. 6 caravan and the Fig. 4 caravan is that the forward roof section 25 tilts down more steeply from front to rear than the Fig. 4 caravan. Specifically the forward roof section 25 slopes downwardly in a straight line at an angle of 5 20 degrees to 35 degrees to the main roof section 23. The downward slope of the forward roof section 25 reduces the drag coefficient of the caravan body 2 over the Fig. 2 embodiment and thereby the frictional drag losses in use. 10 The chassis frame is different to that in the Fig. 2 embodiment. However the differences are merely differences in engineering design. The overall function of the chassis frame remains the same. Figs. 8 and 9 show a caravan that is a minor variation on the caravan shown in Figs. 2 15 and 3. Accordingly unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. One main difference between the Fig. 8 caravan and the Fig. 2 caravan is that the curved front wall section 14 between the left and right front wall sections 13 and 15 has a greater 20 radius of curvature and also a substantially greater length and extent than the curved front wall section 14 in Fig. 2. Correspondingly the left and right front wall sections 13, 15 have a lesser length or extent than the sections 13 and 15 in the Fig. 2 embodiment. The curved front wall section 14 may have a radius of curvature of 600 to 900mm. That is it has much more of a rounded nose look than the Fig. 2 embodiment. 25 Another major difference between the Fig. 8 caravan and the Fig. 2 caravan is that the body is made of a monocoque construction. That is the body has an engineering strength and as such does not require to be supported by a chassis in the form of a chassis frame. As a result the drawpole comprises a length of member that projects forward from a 30 central forward region of the floor 17. Further the axle of the wheel assembly is rotatably mounted directly on the body and not a chassis. The monocoque body may be made of a composite material such as carbon fibre that is light and also has exceptional strength. 35 21 Figs. 10 and 11 show a caravan that is a yet further variation on the caravan shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Accordingly unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. 5 The main difference between the Fig. 10 caravan and the Fig. 2 caravan is that the front wall 11 curves forward from the front ends 9 of the side walls 3, 5 and extends with a semi-circular path from the left side wall 3 to the right side wall 5. That is it arcs forward from the wall 3 to a central forward most point 69 and then curves back to the other side wall 5. 10 Thus this embodiment has a continuously curving front wall 1 from one side wall 3 to the other 5. It does not have the linearly extending left and right front wall portions extending diagonally in from each side wall. 15 Further the Fig. 10 embodiment like the Fig. 8 embodiment has a body 2 that is made of a monocoque construction and it does not have a separate chassis frame. The drawpole 55 comprises a central longitudinally extending member that is mounted directly onto the floor 17 of the body 2. 20 Figs. 12 and 13 show a caravan that is broadly similar to the caravan shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Accordingly unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. The main difference between the Fig. 4 caravan and the Fig. 2 caravan is that the front 25 wall 11 comprises left and right front wall portions 13, 15 meeting at a central intersection point where it forms a leading end 71. The front wall 11 does not have a curved front wall section like the Fig. 2 and Fig. 8 embodiments. The leading end may have a round edge of small radius or it may have a sharp edge. 30 Further the intersections on the side walls 3, 5 and the front wall sections 13, 15 form edges with each other and the other surfaces that are not as rounded as those in the earlier embodiments. The intersection of the upper edges of the side walls 3, 5 and the front wall 11 and the rear wall 9 with the roof 21 also form square corners and not round corners like in the earlier embodiments. While the edges are line edges they may be 35 slightly rounded along the line edge as distinct from forming a sharp edge.

22 The Fig. 12 embodiment has a monocoque body like that shown in Figs. 8 and 10. Fig. 14 shows one example layout of an interior space of a caravan body like that in 5 accordance with any one of Figs. 2 to 13. The interior space comprises main body interior space portion 73 and also a forward interior space portion 75 positioned in the space between the left and right side front wall sections 13, 15. 10 As shown in the drawing the forward interior space portion 75 forms at least part of a bathroom 81. In the illustrated embodiment the bathroom 81 also extends a small distance into the main body interior space portion 73. 15 The bathroom 81 includes an internal wall 83 closing it off from the rest of the interior space with a door 85 in the wall 83 providing access into and out of the bathroom 81. The bathroom 81 comprises a shower 87 mounted up against the front wall 11 in a central and forward most region of the forward interior space portion 75. The bathroom 81 also 20 includes a toilet 89 up against the front wall 11 on one side of the shower 87 and a vanity 91 including a basin up against the front wall 11 on the other side of the shower 87. The bathroom 81 may also include a wardrobe 93 up against a part of the wall 11 not covered by the other units. 25 Fig. 15 shows another example layout of an interior space of a caravan body like that in accordance with any one of Figs. 2 to 13. As shown in the drawing the forward interior space portion 75 has a bed 95 having a head 97 and a foot 98 mounted therein. 30 The bed 95 is a double bed and has the head 97 of the bed 95 mounted up against the left or right front wall section 13, 15. The bed 95 extends perpendicularly to the associated left or right front wall section 13, 15 away therefrom. The foot 98 of the bed 95 is spaced away from the side wall 3 of the body 2 proximate to the foot 98 of the bed 95 35 thereby to enable a person to walk around the foot 98 of the bed 95. Further the side of 23 the bed 95 nearest to the forward end of the caravan body 2 is spaced away from the adjacent left or right front wall section 13, 15. This enables a person to walk up the side of the bed 95 and to climb onto the bed 95 from adjacent the head 97 of the bed 95. 5 Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate a caravan having a layout of fittings within the interior space similar to that shown in Fig. 15. The main difference is that the left or right front wall section against which the bed is mounted may include a slide out 101 that can be moved out relative to the rest of the front 10 wall section 15 moving the bed 95 out with the slide out 101. The slide out 101 can be moved between a contracted position (shown in Fig. 16) and an expanded position (shown in Fig. 17). The slide out may have the structure and functionality described in Australian patent 15 application 2005202366 filed in the name of Paradise Motor Homes Pty Ltd. The slide out 101 is supported on the caravan body by means of snug fitting complementary male and female members. The slide outs may conveniently be driven between the contracted and expanded positions by means of a linear actuator. The entire contents of this earlier published patent application are hereby incorporated into this specification by direct cross 20 reference. As shown in the drawing moving the slide out to the expanded configuration has the effect of moving the foot 98 of the bed 95 away from the adjacent side wall 3, 5 increasing the space there between. This can increase the width of the passage around the foot 98 of 25 the bed 95 or create space for an additional wardrobe or cupboard fitting. An advantage of the caravan described above with reference to Figs. 2 to 17 is that the wedge shaped front wall fills in and makes use of the space above the draw bar and incorporates this space into the interior space defined by the caravan body. It thus 30 increases the space within the caravan body without increasing the outline dimensions when viewed in plan view of the caravan. That is the increased body is positioned within the space defined by the outline of the draw bar and does not increase the overall length of the caravan. This is important because the length of caravans for various purposes is effectively limited by licensing regulations and also by practical considerations. 35 24 An advantage of the caravans described above with reference to the drawings is that the wedge shape has a vertically extending wedge point or wedge line and this splits the air and deflects it down left and right sides of the towed vehicle. This helps to keep the drag coefficient and overall drag forces down. It also balances the forces due to flowing air on 5 each side of the caravan and tends to keep it more stable. A further advantage of those forms of the invention that have a downward sloping forward roof section is that this helps to divert and direct some air over the roof of the caravan. This also assists in keeping the drag coefficient and overall drag forces down. 10 An operational advantage of the caravans described above flowing from the features described above is that they will be less inclined to buffet around or sway from side to side when traveling on a road at cruising speeds. In essence the caravans will be more stable on the roads at cruising speeds and therefore overall they will be much safer to tow. 15 Consequently there is less likelihood that the driver will lose control of the vehicles when towing these caravans than with many prior art caravans and in particular those with square front walls. Yet further towing these caravans will require less effort and concentration to drive than many prior art trailers. 20 A yet further advantage consequent on the lower drag forces is that it requires less energy for a towing vehicle to tow the caravan on the road and this translates to lower fuel consumption and better performance from the towing vehicle. Further the caravans described above with reference to the drawings are aesthetically 25 pleasing to look at. They have a sleek and an attractive styling that will be likely to find appeal with purchasers of these vehicles. Yet further the caravans shown in the drawings can be made by moulding the body using conventional moulding techniques, e.g. fibre glass moulding techniques. The body may be 30 moulded from a material having engineering strength forming a monocoque construction that does not require a chassis frame. Further as shown in Fig. 14 the forward portion of the interior space of the caravan body can conveniently be utilized to form a bathroom within the caravan body. This is useful 25 because the bathroom is positioned at an end of the interior space and it does not intrude in on and decrease the lateral width of the caravan body. Further as shown in Fig. 15, the forward portion of the interior space of the caravan can 5 be utilized to form a part of a bedroom region. This enables a double bed to be mounted against one of the left or right front wall sections and have space along each side of the bed and also around the foot of the bed to provide user access along these sides. It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative 10 example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

1. A caravan body including: a left side wall and a right side wall having front and rear ends, the left and right walls opposing each other and extending broadly parallel to each other; and a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body and form a wedge shape with a substantially vertically extending apex.

2. A caravan body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left front wall section and the right front wall section extend at an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees to each other.

3. A caravan body as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apex formed at an intersection of the left and right front wall sections is rounded.

4. A caravan body as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left and right front wall sections extend at an angle of between 80 and 100 degrees to each other, and the rounded apex has a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm.

5. A caravan body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the caravan body includes a roof extending across upper ends of the side and front walls, and the roof includes a main roof section extending between the side walls, and a forward roof section extending between the left and right front wall sections forward of the main roof section.

6. A caravan body as claimed in claim 5, wherein the forward roof section is substantially planar and extends substantially horizontally between the left and right front wall sections in the same plane as the main roof section. 27

7 A caravan body as claimed in claim 5, wherein the forward roof section is substantially planar and inclines downwardly in a forward direction away from the main roof section at an angle of between 5 and 35 degrees to a horizontal axis.

8. A caravan body as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the left and right front wall sections have a rounded intersection with the forward roof section having a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm, and the left and right front wall sections have a rounded intersection with the left and right side walls having a radius of curvature of between 30mm and 120mm.

9. A caravan body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the caravan body includes a rear wall extending between the left and right side walls perpendicular to the left and right side walls, and the left and right side walls have a rounded intersection with the rear wall having a radius of curvature between 30mm and 120mm.

10. A caravan body as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rear wall has a rounded intersection with the left and right side walls having a radius of curvature that is less than, the rounded intersection of the left and right front wall portions with the left and right side walls and the rounded intersection of the left and right front wall portions with the forward roof portion.

11. A caravan body as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the side walls and the front and rear walls are formed of a continuous sheet material that is formed from fibre glass or the walls are formed of a composite material including carbon fibre.

12. A caravan body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the caravan body defines a main body living space defined between the left and right side walls, and a forward living space defined between the left and right front wall portions.

13. A caravan body as claimed in claim 12, wherein the forward living space defines at least part of a bathroom space or at least part of a bedroom space. 28

14. A caravan body as claimed in claim 12, wherein the forward living space defines at least part of a bedroom space, and the bedroom space includes an island double bed with a head positioned up against one of the left and right front wall portions and a foot spaced from the head, and a passageway formed on each side of the double bed for enabling a user to access each side of the double bed.

15. A caravan body as claimed in any one of claims I to 13, including a slide out mounted on one of the left and right front wall sections, the slide out being displaceable between a contracted position where it is received broadly within the caravan body and an expanded position in which it projects out beyond the left or right front wall section of the caravan body.

16. A caravan body as claimed in claim 15, including an island double bed mounted on the slide out having a head and a foot, wherein the double bed moves out with the slide out when it is moved into the expanded position whereby to provide additional space around the foot of the double bed for a user to walk around the foot of the bed.

17. A caravan including: a draw bar having a tow hitch at a leading end thereof; and a caravan body defining an interior space, that is positioned above the draw bar, the caravan body including: a left side wall and a right side wall have front and rear ends that oppose each other and extend broadly parallel to each other; and a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body and form a wedge shape with a substantially vertically extending apex, wherein the left and right front wall sections extend forward so as to substantially cover the draw bar, excluding the tow hitch, so as to utilise the space above the draw bar to form a forward living space within an interior space of the caravan body. 29

18. A caravan according to claim 17, including a chassis having a set of wheels mounted thereon, and wherein the caravan body is mounted on the chassis and the draw pole is also mounted on the chassis.

19. A caravan according to claim 17, wherein the caravan body is a monocoque having a set of wheels mounted thereon and the draw bar is mounted on the monocoque.

20. A caravan body including: a left side wall and a right side wall have front and rear ends that oppose each other and extend broadly parallel to each other; and a front wall extending from the left side wall to the right side wall, the front wall including a vertically extending left front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the left side wall and a vertically extending right front wall section that extends diagonally forward from the right side wall, wherein the left and right front wall sections are linear and extend substantially the full height of the caravan body, and the left and right front wall sections intersect to form a wedge shape with a substantially vertically extending apex; a slide out mounted on one of the left and right front wall sections, the slide out having a slide out wall and being displaceable between a contracted position in which the slide out wall is retracted and an expanded position in which the slide out wall projects out from the front wall; and an island double bed with a head and a foot mounted on the slide out with the head of the bed against the slide out wall, and a passageway on each side of the double bed for enabling a user to access that side of the double bed, wherein the foot of the bed is spaced from the adjacent wall of the caravan body when the slide out is in the expanded position.

21. A caravan body substantially as herein described in the detailed description of the invention and illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, 12, and 13 to 17 of the drawings of the specification.