Goldstream RV Wing 3 ST Off Road

As some-one who grew up in the 1970s and enjoyed regular summer holidays in the family’s pop-top Camperman, I recall camper trailers as being pretty basic affairs, with a fridge, gas stovetop and pump-action sink tap about the extent of creature comforts.

Fast forward to 2011 and Goldstream’s five-model range of camper trailers are available with a mind-boggling 60-plus options, from off-road couplings and airbag suspension to air-conditioners and solar panels.

While some things haven't changed, like the parents bed-at-one-end/kids’ bed-at-the-other design and canvas/aluminium exterior, the countless layouts and features now available make the humble camper trailer not always the entry-level RV option for young families it once was.

Take the Wing 3 ST Off Road from Melbourne camper trailer specialist Goldstream RV, for example. While the Wing 3 camper on which it’s based retails for $26,582, this model with its internal shower/toilet, ‘Off Road’ pack, plus a few other options fitted to our review rig, retails for around $38,000.

While relatively costly (it’s Goldstream’s most expensive camper), it does demonstrate how versatile the original camper design can be without impacting too much on its appealing, compact and lightweight attributes.

ONE (ALMOST) WITH THE LOT

The 'ST' is based on Goldstream’s familiar Wing 3 layout, with a few changes.  Occupying the space where the four-person dinette normally goes is the dedicated shower/toilet section, while the fridge has been moved to where the wardrobe usually is, creating some more kitchen bench space.

Taking up dining duties is a tri-fold table with fold-down stand fitted along one wall in the modified club lounge area. This set-up provides enough room around the table to comfortably seat two adults, or one adult and two children, with seating for another couple of people on the remaining lounge seating, although they’ll have to eat with their meal on their laps.

To allow for the extra bench seat, the kitchen area has been reconfigured slightly with the stainless sink with drainer and mixer tap angled into the central walk-way, which limits movement through the camper to one person at a time.

Also in the kitchen area is a Spinflo four-burner cooktop and griller and Dometic 90-litre fridge/freezer. The microwave (normally a standard feature) was missing, although if fitted would have reduced further already limited drawer and cupboard space.

The dedicated sleeping areas remain unchanged, with the slide-out queen size bed at one end and double at the other (this can be upgraded to queen size for an additional $500). Goldstream also offers a couple of innerspring mattress options (from $345) for those who, like me, find the standard foam mattress too firm and uncomfortable.

The beds lie under framed canvas, with mesh-protected zip windows on all three sides for letting in sunlight or a cool breeze. Our review camper was fitted with the optional ($695) bag flys with mesh sides that provide additional security against the elements at each end, although one of the flys was missing an eyelet for the pole so it couldn’t be erected properly.

SHOWER, SHAVE, ETC

What sets this camper apart from most others of this style, is its internal shower/toilet. Goldstream introduced the ‘ST’ option about 18 months ago on its Wing 3 and Crown models and, while a relatively costly $6076 option, it’s a great asset at night or during 'indoors' weather especially for families with young kids.

Like other aspects of setting up this style of camper, erecting the shower section is time consuming and a bit fiddly, with two solid walls on hinges raised vertically and affixed by latches, while a separate wrap-around vinyl screen is attached by a combination of press studs, velcro and zips to create a relatively water-tight and private bathroom cubicle.

Inside, there’s a flexible shower hose with hot/cold taps and a small sink with fold-down mixer tap, all serviced by a 65 litre water tank hooked up to the Truma gas hot water system and Flojet 12V pump (another 65 litre tank services the kitchen).

The toilet is the popular Thetford unit with electric flush and externally-removable cassette. There was also a skylight with extractor fan, and a shower ceiling light with broken (but still working) switch.

While the layout sounds cluttered, the interior has an inviting, light-filled ambience, no doubt helped by large, clear PVC windows with flyscreens and sliding curtains, which allow for plenty of light and ventilation into the camper if required.

There was also internal and external points for 12V, 240V and TV reception, two main ceiling lights and removable reading lights for each bed.

Aside from the aforementioned ‘fit and finish’ issues (the door lock barrel also came out at one point), we were impressed overall with the camper's solid construction, in particular the nicely-finished timber cabinetry.

Electrical items including fuse box, CTEK battery charger, etc, are neatly tucked away inside cupboards, and there’s a reasonable amount of storage compartments considering the layout.

DIRTY WORKER

The camper towed with a 50mm ball coupling and had a removable Al-Ko jockey wheel, Anderson plug and two, 9kg gas cylinders, mounted on the drawbar.  Other features included Al-Ko jacks at each corner, electric brakes, and aluminium checkerplate front and side protection.

The Off Road package costs $3695 and includes heavy-duty Duragal chassis, bumper bar, water tank protection, mud flaps, battery pack, pressure hatch, heavy-duty leaf spring suspension with shocks, Sunraysia 15-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres, and double-ply walls.

Walking around the camper there are numerous locks that access compartments including water tank inlets, the winding mechanism and the toilet cassette, as well as the main storage area also accessible from inside.  Annoyingly, though, all used separate keys.

The large front boot is the spot for loose odds and ends including the plastic Fiamma door step (no retractable step was fitted), winders, electrical leads and water hoses, awnings, poles, deep cycle battery and power ‘switcher’.

Lengthy set-up and pack-up times are a necessary evil of this style of camper, with plenty of winding, sliding, and fiddling involved. While a one-person job, two will speed up the process, especially with tasks like packing away the optional $990 zip-bag awning fitted.

Another consideration with this particular rig is its weight. The Off Road kit pushes Tare up by 200kg to a hefty (for this style of camper) 1290kg, while ATM is 1590kg. Apart from the necessity of a decent tow vehicle, it was too heavy for one person to manoeuvre using the grab handles, even on flat concrete.

VERDICT

Despite a few niggling issues we came away impressed by this rugged, self contained family camper. It got the thumbs up from the family during a week-end getaway, and apart from the extra set-up time required, it's nice to have all the conveniences at hand even when staying in a caravan park.

Potential buyers will have to weigh up whether the extra cost of the internal shower and toilet is worth it, also considering the loss of a dedicated dining area with its extra sleeping options as well as some storage space.

But for more adventurous families not wanting to be confined to the bitumen or caravan park, the Wing 3 ST Off Road is an enticing proposition.

WHAT WE LIKED:

• Convenience of inside bathroom facilities
• Overall build quality including solid timber cabinetry 
• Ability to venture off the tarmac

NOT SO MUCH:

• Uncomfortable foam mattress
• Minor 'fit and finish' issues 
• Many features available only as optional extras

GOLDSTREAM RV WING 3 ST OFF ROAD

Travel length: 5.7m (18ft 9in)
Travel height: 1.57m (5ft 2in)
Overall width: 2.13m (7ft)
Interior height (opened): 2.07m (6ft 9in)
Nameplate Tare: 1290kg
Nameplate ATM: 1590kg
Towball weight: 150kg
Frame: Timber
Body: Aluminium
Chassis: Duragal steel
Suspension: leaf springs with shocks
Cooktop: Spinflo Minigrill MkIII four-burner gas, grill
Fridge: Dometic 90 litre three-way
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 2 x 65 litre
Price as tested: $38,460 (tow-away, Vic)
Website: GoldstreamRV.com.au