Caravan Review:
Goldstream RV Explorer pop-top
Retail price: $40,000
Posted: 1 April 2009
The plan was straightforward. I’d meet the guys at Goldstream RV in Pakenham, Vic, and we’d head out to the photo location I’d chosen the day before. The views from the Serendipity Lavender Farm in Nar Nar Goon east of Melbourne are worthy of any painter’s brush, but it wasn’t for the views alone that I chose it. It’s close to several kilometres worth of corrugated, gravel roads – the near-perfect scenario for discovering if the Offroad Pack with which our review Goldstream RV Explorer pop-top was fitted would be worth the extra outlay.
The 14ft 2in (4.35m, body length) Explorer range of pop-tops are available in three different layouts, one of which is a shower/toilet model. Our shower/toilet Explorer, however, was based on the design preference of a previous customer. The result is a floorplan with a forward bed, mid offside kitchen with the bathroom tucked neatly in the corner behind, and a much roomier dinette opposite.
The east-west bed is 6ft 4in x 4ft 6in (1.9x1.35m); however, if you’d like more length, the nearside bedhead cabinet can be adjusted accordingly. My use of the word “bedhead” here is not strictly correct, as the designer of this floorplan apparently intended for the owners to sleep with their head up the other end – the two multidirectional halogen lights, one either side, are mounted here.
Storage beneath the bed can be accessed either by lifting the innerspring mattress or via a hatch set in the base. Underneath is where the 14L Truma hot water service and 12V/15A CTEK battery charger are kept. The deep-cycle battery, in an offside locker, is also charged via an Anderson plug when the tow vehicle is running.
The offside kitchen has the essentials covered: Smev three-burner cooktop and sink with smoked glass covers which, when in the “closed” position, provide additional food-prep space; NCE rangehood mounted into the woodwork above the benchtop; and a 90L Dometic fridge.
Kitchen storage is comprised of a three-shelf pantry, one general purpose drawer, one pot drawer, and one soapbox. The bottom cupboard is home to a 12V Flojet water pump.
The bathroom, behind the kitchen, is a neat package and surprisingly roomy. Fully moulded, it would be easy to clean. There’s a variable-height shower rose with a curtain separating the “shower” part of the cubicle from the Thetford cassette toilet. The vanity, positioned behind the toilet, has a flick-mixer tap. There’s also a 12V fan hatch in the bathroom. The vinyl bathroom wall extension, which extends for complete privacy when the roof is lifted, appears well stitched together. The zips on the bathroom door extension appear strong, and the doorway extension can be rolled up and secured in place with Velcro.
In terms of internal layout, that leaves the dinette, where four people could comfortably dine. The table lowers to form the base of another bed (infill included). There’s storage space beneath the seat nearest the door, while the cavity beneath the rear seat forms part of the external tunnel storage. Two deep wardrobes are behind the rear seat. Access is via two square doors set into the wall above. It’s a good use of space.
Our review Explorer was also fitted with the optional JVC CD/DVD player with four internal speakers. A TV is also an option, and would likely be fitted to the bedhead.
The Explorer’s exterior is unfussy. The aluminium sides have 300mm-high checkerplate skirting (the checkerplate at the front runs higher). Keeping the body length as compact as possible, and in lieu of a conventional front boot, Goldstream RV has bolted a separate metal tunnel storage unit to the drawbar (it’s also fixed to the main body), underneath the front overhang.
Also on the drawbar are two 4.5kg gas cylinders, and an offset jockey wheel. Our Explorer was fitted with a Treg hitch, which is a separate option not included in the Offroad Pack. The spare wheel is mounted to the rear bumper, forward of which are two enclosed jerry can holders (included in the Offroad Pack).
The Offroad Pack costs about $3500, and will buy you a 4in drawbar with 6in chassis members; 15in wheels/tyres (14in standard); independent coil suspension; galvanised floor beneath the standard ply; the two aforementioned enclosed jerry can holders; and double ply walls for extra structural strength.
The Explorer’s offroad axle is rated at 1900kg. Considering the pop-top’s ATM of 1550kg, there’s no problem in that department. The two 63L water tanks, on separate fillers, are protected by a stoneguard. To balance the load, one is positioned forward of the axle, and the other behind.
As mentioned, our Explorer pop-top was fitted with the Offroad Pack, and I’m happy to say it handled our “test track” with aplomb. Yes, the Goldstream RV Explorer pop-top is a solid, sturdy, straightforward unit with enough comforts to keep you away longer.
Goldstream RV, Factory 2/75 Bald Hill Road, Pakenham, Vic 3810, (03) 5941 5571.
For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.goldstreamrv.com.au
Independently reviewed by Max Taylor, Caravan World
Watch the Goldstream RV Explorer pop-top in action at www.caravanworld.com.au
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