Golf X265 2019 Review

With their low-slung curvy styling, old-school teardrop campers are one of the most appealing type of RV. Light and easy to tow, they hark back to more simple times when you didn’t need much to go away camping.

However, times have changed and today’s teardrops are often bigger, squarer, more comfortable as well as practical than those from the past, not to mention more capable off-road.

While many of the new ‘box campers’ are premium products with price tags to match, some of Australia’s top-selling mainstream manufacturers are getting in on the ‘mini-van’ act with models more affordable but just as appealing.

One of the first was Jayco with their now off-road capable J-Pod, and now there’s the Golf X265 from Avan, aimed at those who like to travel small but want something rugged and reasonably comfortable.

Mainstream appeal

Built at Avan’s busy Pakenham, Victoria factory, the Golf X265 is not unlike Avan’s super-light and compact Weekender teardrop camper of a few years ago in both design and features. However, the Golf’s taller, boxier body together with off-road underpinnings make it more of a practical proposition for those who want to go away for more than a night or two.

The Golf X265 is still tiny (the 265 refers to the 2650mm/8ft 8in long body); measuring 2200m high and 4600mm long (overall) and tipping the scales at 985kg (tare), with an ATM of 1285kg.

Construction is similar to Avan’s bigger vans: aluminium composite panels for the walls and roof and a plywood floor. There’s also a solid-looking gal chassis with Al-Ko 50mm off-road ball hitch and Enduro independent trailing arm coil suspension with a single shock for each wheel.

Completing the off-road package is some black checker plate around the front and sides, gal sheet protection for the 80 litre water tank, a front mesh stone guard, and 15in all-terrain tyres, with an underslung spare wheel at the rear.

With a fully loaded (ATM) weight of 1285kg making it easily towable by most SUVs, combined with compact dimensions (it's about 35cm taller and 20cm wider than our Holden Trailblazer tow vehicle), short overhangs and good ground clearance, the Golf X265 confidently handled some bumpy, overgrown tracks during our photo-shoot.

Caravan-like features

For external storage the Gold X265 offers two black checker plate toolboxes on the drawbar: the onside box has a slide-out for a generator, while the offside locker is suitable for outside gear like hoses and electrical cords.

Taking up almost all the space in the front tunnel boot (except for a jack and some winders), the stainless kitchen when pulled out reveals a sink with mixer tap, two-burner gas cooktop with glass lid, and a 30 litre compressor drawer fridge at the end. A separate leg attaches to provide support and there's a 12V pump for the water, but you'll need to pay extra for a hot water unit.

The slide-out kitchen delivers some decent benchspace as well as a small cutlery drawer, and a gas bayonet is close by if you want to run a portable BBQ. Two external lights mounted to the side of the camper help with the cooking at night, and about the only thing missing is an external 12V or 240V powerpoint, to plug in a frypan or extra lights.

All the 12V/240V outlets (four 240V and two USB in total) are located inside the camper, so you’ll need to run an extension if you want some electrical power outside.

There’s also a mains pressure inlet near the kitchen, while on the other side of the camper is the water tank filler, 240V inlet and a locker for the external shower.

Simple set-up

Setting up is simple. Simply swing down the jockey wheel, and drop down the four caravan-like stabilizer legs at each corner to stop the camper from tipping over during the night.

The top-hinged rear door has two locks at the base raises easily on gas struts, with a handle inside to help pull it shut (which you’ll probably want to do at night as there’s no screen or mesh protection for the opening).

Our X265 came with the optional side and rear awning (the canvas sections were stored in the under-bed slide-out drawer), which attach to side rails and can be used to provide some extra shade and rain protection on longer stays.

There’s some shelter under the rear door, although taller types will need to stoop a little. Getting up into the camper will also require a portable step, for shorter or less athletic types.

Step inside

Inside the X265, the layout is quite small but workable. The innerspring queen mattress occupies most of the interior, with some floorspace at the front so you can sit at the base of the bed in the morning to get changed.

There’s a small corner table on the right as you enter, where the solar controller, water gauges and switches for outside lights are located, as well as ceiling lights and an LED strip along the inside of the door.

Free camping potential

The Golf X265 electrics are quite simple – the camper comes wired for both 240V and 12V, has 12V LED lighting and a 100Ah deep-cycle battery and charger located under the bed.

Combined with two 80W roof-top solar panels, a 9kg gas bottle on the drawbar and the underslung 60L water tank, it's enough to stay off a grid for a few days depending on your consumption.

For a teardrop-style camper it feels quite airy inside, with the 1335mm internal height allowing shorter types to sit up in bed, or sit on the edge of the bed without stopping too much.

Even with the door shut it shouldn’t feel too claustrophobic, with two large opening side windows (with internal blinds/screens) and a large roof hatch, while interior lighting includes two reading lights. There’s also a couple of 12V fans facing the bed for an extra breeze..

Internal storage is surprisingly good, including some large spaces under the bed. There’s also some open overhead shelving and a storage ledge on both sides of the camper. The space on top and in front of the bed could also be used to carry larger items like camp chairs and tables.

Summing up

Probably the biggest issue buyers will have with the X265 is the price, with teardrop-style campers traditionally seen as cheap, bare-boned models around half the price of the Golf.

However, for an off-roader it's relatively well equipped at its starting price of $28,990, although many buyers will want to add a hot water unit, toilet, radio and a decent-sized fridge to the set-up.

Specs: Golf X265 2019

Overall length: 4600mm
Body width: 2140mm
Body length: 2650mm
Internal height: 1335mm
Travel height: 2200mm
Tare: 985kg
ATM: 1285kg
Ball weight (Tare): 110kg
Chassis: 120 x 50 x 3mm (drawbar), 100 x 50 x 3mm (chassis), galvanized steel
Body: Aluminium composite roof and sides, marine ply floor
Suspension: AL-KO Enduro independent trailing arm, coils/single shocks
Wheels/tyres: 15x7in Primal alloys with 235/75 Goodride Radial AT
Brakes: 10in electric drum
Battery: 100Ah AGM with charger
Solar: 2 x 80W roof-mounted with regulator
Kitchen: Dometic gas two-burner cooktop, sink and 30 litre compressor drawer fridge
TV: Optional
Radio: Optional
Hot water: Optional
Fresh water: 60L with 12V pump
Gas: 1 x 9kg
Lighting: LED
Shower: External
Price: $28,990 ($32,820 drive-away, as reviewed)
Supplied by: Avan Super Centre, Campbellfield, Victoria
More info: Golf Caravans, Pakenham, Victoria