Leader Gold LE 2020 Review

Big family caravans are all the rage right now, as more families hit the road with young children on ‘gap’ years, and opt for comfier, more luxurious camping options than the traditional, budget-friendly camper trailer or humble tent.

With an increasing number of appealing 3500kg tow-rated vehicles available to haul these heavier vans, many caravan manufacturers now offer at least a few bunk bed layouts in their range to cater for growing demand.

Here we're looking at one of the more popular fixed height, large family vans on the market, the 21ft 6in Leader Gold LE 2160. As the third biggest family caravan (there are also 23ft and 25ft models) in the Leader range, it comfortably sleeps up to five people and delivers a long list of interior and exterior features for its $68,990 starting price.

One with the lot

Leader vans are built by Supreme Caravans, which have been in business for more than 30 years and are one of Australia’s biggest caravan manufacturers with upwards of 1000 caravans produced annually.

While built in the same Melbourne factory using similar construction methods and materials, the Leader vans have a few subtle differences including a less aerodynamic wedge-shaped roofline than their Supreme stablemates, increased interior height and a stylish radius corner security door.

The result, in the case of the 21ft 6in Leader Gold LE, is a roomy and well-packaged caravan that includes plenty of generous-sized features and good storage options inside and out, to make the most of the standard 600kg payload (without any options fitted).

Externally, there's a large front tunnel locker to store the jack, hoses, electrical cords and other 'outside' items, with another decent storage locker accessible on the offside rear wall (as well as from inside). There's also a 20kg-rated firewood rack nestled behind two 9kg gas bottles on the drawbar.

Also impressive is the three-arm, 18ft (5.4m) wide Dometic awning, which when rolled out forms a large undercover area for the three awning lights (there’s another light on the offside, near the external shower), external TV-entertainment locker, picnic table, gas bayonet, outside speakers and USB/12V sockets.

The fillers for the two freshwater tanks are located on the offside wall, and the spare wheel mounted on a sturdy four-arm galvanised rear bar, under the reverse camera.

On the road

We towed the 2576kg (Tare) Leader Gold LE with the latest Isuzu D-MAX SR crew cab-chassis ute. While more than capable of towing a heavy van with its 3500kg tow rating, the tradies' ute did struggle at times. It didn't feel particularly settled at highway speeds, while strong winds on the day blunted the performance of the Isuzu's torquey 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

A heavier, more powerful tow vehicle like a Toyota LandCruiser or Ford Ranger might have been a better match for the big, boxy van in these conditions. Alternatively, putting a bigger load over the rear axle of the heavy-duty leaf-sprung Isuzu ute (it has a maximum payload of 921kg) might have improved the ride (the tray was empty and there was only 186kg on the towball).

Given the size and weight of the van, buyers should also consider fitting an optional electronic stability control (ESC) unit as a safety back-up, particularly if choosing the option of an uprated 3200kg ATM for increased payload (which also includes bigger 12in brakes).

Navigating low-hanging tree branches in bushy campgrounds is another potential issue for the 2.8m high by 2.5m wide van, as is squeezing into tight campsites with the 9m long (overall) tandem axle van requiring a large turning circle.

Semi off-road tourer

With its tandem roller rocker leaf suspension and 50mm ball coupling, the Leader Gold LE is not designed for extensive off-road travel but can easily handle smoother dirt tracks with its chunky all terrain tyres, decent ground clearance, checker plate body protection and gal protected, underbody water tanks.

The drawbar-mounted tap and mains water connector are also protected by checker plate, while the heavy-duty rear bar will double as a skid plate to prevent damage to the long rear overhang if you get too adventurous.

Most of the underbody piping and wiring is tucked up out of harm’s way, although the low-hanging entry step, chassis-mounted battery boxes and grey water tank plastic outlet are vulnerable in off-road conditions.

While stylish, the dark exterior colour scheme isn't ideal on hot sunny days. However, most of the roof is white reflective aluminium and it only took a minute to open a few windows and get a nice refreshing cross-breeze through the van during our 30 degrees-plus photo-shoot.

Room to move

If you’re tall like me (about 190cm) and tired of stooping and banging your head inside caravans, you’ll appreciate the room to move and almost 2.0m, front-to-back interior height in the Leader Gold LE 2160.

There's enough floorspace so four people won’t be constantly knocking into each other, including walking space around the bed, between the kitchen galley and L-shape dinette and around the bunks and ensuite area.

Seven double glazed windows and two big Ranger roof hatches add to the light and airy feel, as does the pleasant light/dark grey colour scheme for the leatherette upholstery and gloss ply cabinetry in the review van.

There's plenty of stretching out room on the comfy coil spring queen bed, in direct line of the swivel TV arm (all TV fittings are supplied but the TV is optional).

The L-shape dinette/lounge also presents as very family-friendly, with cushioned leatherette seating and a sturdy Nuova adjustable table that could also drop down and double as base for a fifth bed.

Cooking up a storm

The central kitchen is well equipped with an 184 litre three-way fridge/freezer, four-burner cooktop, grille and oven, microwave, rangehood and large stainless sink and drainer. One potential issue here is the high position of the microwave if you're of short stature, and benchspace for food prep is limited unless the lid on the stove is closed.

The kids won’t have much to complain about the 195cm long bunk beds with their 120mm thick foam bases and charging points, and there's enough room in the ensuite opposite to have more than one person in there at the one time, if necessary.

The shower cubicle with shower rose and soap dish is also generous in size, with change-room space around the Thetford swivel toilet, large sink, vanity and mirror located outside. There are nice solid doors to close off both the ensuite and shower areas, with a privacy curtain for the bunks to block out the light at night (not fitted on the review van).

Interior storage is another highlight, with 11 generous-sized drawers and cupboards alone in the kitchen; more overhead cupboards above the bed, dinette and ensuite and dinette, and some storage space under the lower bunk, where the water heater also resides.

There are the usual 'his' and 'hers' robes on each side of the queen bed, along with handy drawers and cubby holes for books, tablets, phones, wallets and keys, plus a huge empty space under the bed.

Keeping clean

Our review van was fitted with an optional 4kg front load washing machine, which is a handy item for keeping a holidaying family in clean clothes but adds at least 50kg to the Tare weight, and cuts into rear wardrobe space.

There's no lack of LED lighting or 240V/USB/12V sockets throughout the van, including four reading lights and various sockets for charging electronic devices around each bed.

As well as roof hatches with 12V fans in both sleeping areas, there are smaller 12V fan hatches in the shower and toilet, along with a large rooftop air conditioner.

With two 97Ah batteries fed by 300W rooftop solar, and 190 litres' fresh and 110 litres' grey water capacity, the Gold LE is also set up for a few days free camping outside of caravan parks.

Summing up

The Leader 21ft 6in Gold LE is hard to beat for those looking for a spacious, solidly-built and well-equipped family caravan for summer holidays or extended touring, priced around $70K.

What's more, it's big enough and the bunks are long enough you won't have to upgrade when they grow into lanky teenagers – that's if they still want to travel with you!

What does the Leader Gold LE 2160 cost?

Price: $71,240 (as reviewed)
Travel length: 9055mm
Body length (internal): 6650mm
Body width (internal): 2250mm
Travel height: 2810mm
Interior height: 1980mm
Tare weight: 2576kg
ATM: 3076kg (upgradeable to 3200kg)
Ball weight (Tare): 186kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, aluminium stucco and aluminium composite cladding
Chassis: Road King box-section Permagal chassis with 150mm A-frame and main rails
Suspension: Leaf spring roller-roller
Brakes: 10-inch electric drums
Wheels: 16-inch alloy wheels with 265/75-16 all-terrain tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 95L
Grey water: 1 x 110L
Battery: 2 x 97Ah
Solar: 2 x 150W roof-top glass panel
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Swift gas/electric
Cooking: Swift 500 3 + 1 cooktop with grill and oven
Fridge:  184L Thetford fridge/freezer three-way
Microwave: dLuxx
TV: Winegard aerial and internal/external fittings (TV optional)
Audio: NCE, with internal/external speakers
Air-conditioner: Houghton Belaire HB3400 roof-mounted
Shower: Internal in separate cabinet
Toilet: Separate cassette
Lighting: LED throughout
Options fitted: Camec 4kg front load washing machine ($2250)
Supplied by: Supreme Caravans Melbourne, Craigieburn, Victoria
More info: Leader Caravans