Chris Fincham•27 Mar 2016

REVIEW

New Age Gecko

Compact, five-berth, ensuite model aimed squarely at first-time family vanners

Melbourne’s New Age was an early adopter of the glossy apartment-style look for caravan interiors, and the move seems to have paid off.

Six years after opening its doors as a fully-fledged manufacturer, it builds over 1000 vans a year at its shiny new Epping factory and shows no signs of slowing.

Not unlike market-leading Jayco, New Age recently moved to fibreglass walls for its top-spec caravans and like its Dandenong rival is rolling out a number of stand-alone dealerships across the country.

It's also about to move into the camper trailer market, while motorhomes and other RV variants are on the drawing board at the company’s busy R&D department.

More recently, New Age has been focussing on the booming entry-level and family caravan market with its new pop-top Wallaby, Glider and now Gecko models.

Replacing the previous entry-level Little Joey, the new Gecko as its name suggests offers a variety of mostly smaller and lighter caravans, all with separate shower and toilet and drop-down front double bed.

The ‘baby’ is the 11ft (body length) GE11S with rear door, plus there's a side door 14ft model and 19ft double bunk model which can accommodate up to six people.

Our 16ft review Gecko is another appealing family option, coming with a queen-sized, drop-down front bed as well as two or three rear bunk beds, cafe dinette and kitchen galley, and separate shower and toilet.

ENTRY LEVEL APPEAL

Despite Jayco now offering its entry-level Starcraft vans with fibreglass cladding, New Age has stuck with the traditional, stucco aluminium and timber frame design for its entry-level Gecko.

However, it does come with some snazzy ‘Gecko’ stickers, in line with the rest of the 2016 New Age range, and a sliver of polished checker plate along the lower body to brighten things up.

Up front are two 4.5kg gas bottles on the A-frame, along with an Al-ko jockey wheel, 50mm hitch and external tap.

The Gecko rides on traditional leaf spring suspension with 10in electric brakes and ‘Ezy’ drop down jacks, 15in alloy wheels with light truck tyres and 140 litres of gal-protected poly water tanks also residing underneath.

Interestingly, there's another gal-protected box underneath containing the water pump, designed to keep any annoying water pump noises out of the interior, although we couldn't test this.

The spare wheel is located on the rear bumper bar, while exterior storage is limited to a gal-lined front tunnel boot, which also holds the head unit for the breakaway system and jack.

While not fitted to our review van, a roll-out awning is standard on all Geckos sold.

BRIGHT AND COSY

Getting into this full-height, on-road van was easy, through the triple lock security door and via the manual pull-out step.

There are a range of décor options available, but the colour scheme in our van was predominantly white, which maximises any daylight filtering through the Dometic windows and two main skylights.

This was offset by dark grey cloth upholstery on the dinette cushions, bunk and main bed mattresses as well as two wall-mounted magazine holders, along with dark grey fascias on some of the cabinetry.

The queen-sized, fold-down bed at the front, is a similar system to that used on the New Age Glider as well as Jayco’s Expanda models. Suffice to say, it’s quick and simple to both set up and pack up, and appears solidly constructed.

There are straps and buckles to keep the folded mattress in place while travelling, but they can easily be left off without any drama, simplifying the process further.

While we can’t attest to its weatherproof qualities, it looked reasonably water tight thanks to a gas-strut assisted, top-hinged hardtop roof, sturdy canvas walls with mesh zip windows, and plastic protective lining at the top and along the base.

The folding double mattress was made from high density foam and isn’t as comfy as a coil-spring bed, and taller adults won’t be able to fully stretch out on the east-west bed. Nor will they be able to sit up in all parts of the bed comfortably, due to a sloping roofline.

There were two reading lamps but they're positioned on one side of the bed, which isn't ideal for dual, night time reading.

MUSICAL CHAIRS, ANYONE?

The main living area of the Gecko consisted of a four person dinette with a fixed table, although the top did swivel.

Given it’s a five berth caravan, it means at least one person has to perch on the edge of the main bed at meal times or possibly sit on a camp chair alongside the table.

There's limited bench space but keen cooks will still find plenty to like about the kitchen, which squeezes in a combination sink and three-burner cooktop, 12V rangehood with light, and microwave.

The kitchen area also included a good-sized, optional 164 litre fridge/freezer (a 93 litre fridge is standard) and small window above the benchtop but perhaps the highlight, like the rest of the interior, was the amount of storage options.

These included three large kitchen drawers and a spacious under-sink cabinet for pots and other larger items, as well as overhead lockers and a few, wine bottle sized 'nooks'.

There was also plenty of overhead storage areas above the dinette and front bed areas, some with doors and others with open shelving and retainers.

Surprisingly, considering it’s a fixed-roof model the Gecko doesn’t come with air-conditioning as standard (an Air Command Ibis costs $2500 extra). We can't imagine too many buyers wouldn't tick that box considering just about every caravan sold in Australia today has air-conditioning.

And while there were a sufficient number of 240V sockets (we counted eight) throughout the van, we didn’t notice any USB or 12V sockets for charging or powering electronic devices, which is something you increasingly find in mid-range caravans.

An extension arm and 24in TV, to be located near the entry door, along with a Winegard antenna are also optional, but the Gecko does come standard with an 'Explorer' plug for hooking up to caravan park reception.

MORE BEDS AND BATHROOM

Moving to the rear, New Age has squeezed three bunk beds along the offside wall (there’s also a roomier two bunk option), with ensuite including separate shower, toilet and vanity opposite, separated by a full length storage unit.

Like most three bunk arrangements, there’s little space between the beds for sitting up. Each bunk had its own reading light and window but missed out on any power points.

The bunks were really only suitable for kids or small teenagers and adults, with an 80kg maximum rating and length of around 180cm. They featured a slightly thicker, high density foam mattress than the front bed's.

There’s room to store clothes and other kids’ stuff in the half wardrobe and alcove along the rear wall, although I’d like to see more shelving and perhaps an extra door or two to keep items from falling out.

The Gecko doesn’t come standard with a washing machine but you could fit an optional wall-mounted unit on the rear wall.

Like all Geckos (including the tiny 11 footer), the 16ft family model had a well-equipped, albeit cosy ensuite, with separate toilet, shower and vanity including ceramic basin and storage cabinets.

The enclosed shower cubicle was spacious and incorporated a 12V fan and LED light but you'd have trouble opening the shower door with someone standing at the basin.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

You don’t become Australia’s fastest growing caravan manufacturer by chance, and it’s clear New Age is paying plenty of attention to what today’s caravan buyers want.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the little touches, like the wall-mounted soap dispenser, chrome toilet roll holder and coat rack with New Age logo.

The electrics, including fuse box, battery charger and switches, were neatly packaged in a locker above the dinette, as were the water heater and battery box under a bench seat. However, a 120Ah battery and battery display are further options.

The audio entertainment system in our review van was a slight mismatch of Clarion head unit and Fusion speakers. But overall fit and finish was hard to fault, with the only negative some bare ‘timber’ on the top and bottom of the solid, sliding ensuite door. Being a ‘wet’ area, this could result in some water damage over time.

We’d also like to see thicker, less see-through privacy curtains used around the main bed and rear bunk areas.

VERDICT

For families with young kids looking for a fuss-free holidaying experience, the 16ft Gecko bunk van ticks plenty of boxes. It sleeps five, has a separate shower and toilet, and has an appealing and functional layout.

Given the $50K starting price some buyers might criticise the long options list, including air-conditioner and house battery, and lack of elbow room inside.

But it’s hard not to be won over by the super-easy set-up, slick build and two tonne maximum weight, making it a safe towing option for first time family caravanners.

WE LIKED:

>> Excellent interior storage

>> Separate shower and toilet

>> Quality fit and finish

NOT SO MUCH:

>> Not enough power sockets

>> Dinette only seats four

>> Air-con and battery not standard

NEW AGE CARAVANS GECKO GE16BE

Travel length: 7200mm

Body length: 5400mm (with bed extended)

External body width: 2500mm

Travel height: 3000mm

Interior height: 2030mm

Tare: 1790kg

ATM: 2090kg

Ball weight (Tare): 120kg

Body: Aluminium sheet cladding, Meranti timber frame

Chassis: Preston 100mm x 50mm RHS Duragal steel

Suspension: Leaf springs, beam axle

Brakes: 10in electric

Stability control: Optional

Wheels: 15in alloy with 235/75R15LT tyres

Fresh water: 1 x 60L and 1 x 80L

Battery: 120Ah AGM optional

Solar: N/A

Air-conditioner: Air Command Ibis optional

Gas: 2 x 4.5kg

Hot water: 22.6L Suburban gas/electric

Cooking: Smev three-burner gas cooktop

Fridge: 93 litre fridge/freezer

Microwave: Samsung

Toilet: Thetford ceramic bowl

Shower: Separate

Lighting 12V LED

TV: 24in LCD, TV arm, Winegard antenna, all optional

Price: from $49,990

Options fitted: Thetford 164L three-way fridge/freezer,

Supplied by: Caravan on Cooper, 370 Cooper St, Epping, Vic

Website:

New Age Caravans

New Age Gecko

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