New Age Wayfinder 2022 Review

A breath of fresh air swept through the wind-up camper trailer market back in 2018, with the arrival of the first New Age Wayfinder.

With significant design and engineering input from New Age owner and automotive specialist Walkinshaw, the Wayfinder's modern design and construction including a unique bed slider, sandwich panel roof and recessed rear-mounted spare wheel, offered something new and different to entry-level camper buyers.

Available with a choice of two smart layouts for couples or families, in touring or off-road trim, the Wayfinder also provided a genuine alternative to Jayco's big-selling wind-up camper range.

We tested one extensively in Western Australia, with our main gripe at the time the amount of effort required to raise the roof via a lengthy 90-odd cranks of its manual handle.

However, that's all changed for 2022 with New Age now fitting a new electric-operated rooftop as standard across the Wayfinder range, along with a few other improvements (click here for our News story on all the changes).

The first of the 2022-model Wayfinder production models should roll out of the Melbourne factory later this year, but in the meantime we had the chance to preview and test out the new power-lift roof on a pre-production prototype of the latest two-berth 13ft Wayfinder camper.

One-touch roof raising

Powered pop-tops are not uncommon on the Australian RV market, but they're not always a popular option at the budget end of the camper trailer market, due to the added technology costs compared to the old-school winch and pulley system still fitted to most wind-up campers sold by popular brands including Jayco, Goldstream and Avan/Golf.

As a result you usually find them on more expensive Aussie-built campers and hybrid caravans, from more upmarket brands including Track Trailer, Rhimomax, Vision, Northcoast and Queensland's Lifestyle Campers.

The New Age electric roof system has helped boost the starting price for the 2022 Wayfinder by around $3000, with the cheapest Wayfinder Comfort (touring) version now priced from $30,990 for the 13ft couples' camper, or from $34,990 for the 12ft family version.

Is it worth it?

On first impressions, yes. After unclipping the four over-centre latches, it takes just a couple of taps on the small touchscreen controller located in the front boot for the roof to start slowly raising, and stop at its maximum height around two minutes later.

While waiting, it also reduces overall set-up time by freeing up your hands to wind down the corner stabilisers if required, set up the jockey wheel and pull out the entry step.

For windy weather New Age supplies custom aluminium strips that provide extra support for the four telescopic legs holding up the roof, and are slotted in before applying the velcroed canvas flaps for additional weather sealing.

With no bed ends to manually slide out unlike the 12ft family version, the powered roof makes setting up the 13ft couple's camper with its fixed double bed, almost effortless.

Lowering the roof takes about the same time -- two minutes -- which allows plenty of time to walk around and ensure all canvas sides are neatly tucked in before the lid fully closes.

The one-touch roof raiser used by New Age was developed in conjunction with NSW-based Jacka Industries, which initially developed its 'JackaJay' 12V rooflift system as a retro-fit option for older Jayco campers.

Extensively tested by both New Age and Jacka Industries, the clever system comprises four motorised linear actuators in each corner, that work independently of each other and are backed up by 'foolproof' override features including in-built fault/obstruction detection that can be monitored via the touchscreen display.

Outside equipment

Externally, the updated 2022 Wayfinder models also benefit from bright new external decals and fresh 15inch black alloy wheels borrowed from New Age's caravan range.

On the Comfort Plus equipped prototype, exterior features included twin 9kg gas bottles located up front of the Walkinshaw design galvanised steel chassis, along with a 50mm ball hitch, removable jockey wheel, leaf spring suspension, BMPro Sway Control, 150W rooftop solar panel, external picnic table and twin 80 litre water tanks.

Add in other Comfort Plus extras like the 24in Smart TV/DVD and microwave, plus other options fitted including a gas/electric hot water unit, under-bed air-conditioner and an external LED-lit shower hatch, and the price of the review camper comes to just over $40,000.

The camper also came with a drawbar tap, outside light, external speakers and outside connections for the 24in TV, but you'll pay more for other desirable features like a wind-out awning and gas bayonet, which you might expect to be included as standard on a camper in this price range.

However, the 150W solar panel feeding the single 100Ah battery, and the generous 160L water capacity and 18kg gas storage, should help reduce the stress levels if you do decide to camp off-grid for a few days.

While electronic stability control is part of the Comfort Plus option pack, we'd question if it's really necessary on such an inherently stable, aerodynamic and relatively lightweight trailer, particularly when being towed by a large tow vehicle like the Isuzu D-MAX dual-cab ute.

Otherwise, the 13ft Wayfinder still offers a couple of decent external storage options. including a deep front boot with drain holes and LED light that also contains the winder and jack. There's more space for camp chairs and a fold-up table in the onside locker, with this under-bed area also accessible from inside.

While there's some front and rear black protective coating and gal protection for the two underbody water tanks, the Wayfinder Comfort model isn't really designed for extensive dirt road travel. For trips up the Oodnadatta Track, better to go for the pricier Adventurer and Adventurer Plus option packs, which come with Cruisemaster coil suspension and a D0-35 coupling.

Bringing the outside in

New Age has also made some improvements to the Wayfinder's two-part entry door, including adding new internal and external fasteners to make it a little bit easier than before to connect the two door halves.

However, you still need some muscle to man-handle the top-half of the door from its ceiling-mounted straps and, depending on your age and stature, it may be more than a one person job.

Other minor updates inside, as a result of customer feedback, include new kicker panels to stop the cabinetry doors from 'snagging' on the vinyl-covered floor, redesigned seat cushions and a new surround for the larger 23L flatbed microwave.

They all serve to enhance an already well presented layout which in the case of the 13ft Wayfinder, includes a front east-west double bed, kitchen with extra long benchtop and a 2-3 seater dinette.

Along with the sink/stove combo cooktop and 93L three-way fridge, the Comfort Plus option also includes a 100Ah AGM battery and BMPro management system, which are both easy to find under one of the bench seats.

While we're fans of the extra-large gas burner hob, the sink and mixer tap are on the small side for handling larger pots and dishes and, being a wind-up camper, the benchtop is on the low side for taller people.

There's some nice leg stretching room on the far dinette seat though, and some decent storage space under both the seats and bed, although some of that space is taken up by the ducted air conditioner. The optional hot water unit is located inside a cabinet in the far offside corner of the camper.

There are also a few decent drawers and cupboards under the kitchen bench, as well as another cupboard with benchtop on the right as you enter, which is also where you'll find other electrical items like the digital battery and water monitor, Clarion audio unit with two internal speakers, various switches and more connections for the 24in TV.

We counted a further six 240V sockets spread throughout the living area, for plugging in various electrical appliances and gadgets.

But while the 1370mm x 2030mm foam mattress looks sufficiently large for two adults, the east-west bed orientation won't please fussier campers who don't appreciate having to crawl over their partner when getting up for the toilet at night.

There's a full length LED ceiling strip-light and a ventilation hatch above the cooktop, but you won't be lacking for natural light or ventilation during the day, with zippable clear vinyl plastic windows on all sides, protected by flyscreens and with cloth curtains all-round for privacy.

Summing up

With more than 500 Wayfinders sold over the past three years, it's clear the camper's stylish good looks and user-friendly design has struck a chord with many buyers, and the electric roof upgrade should make it even more appealing despite the price increase.

The power-lift feature also provides another point of difference to the more popular and largely cheaper Jayco wind-up camper range, and is especially suited to older or lazier travellers seeking the towing and storage advantages of a canvas-side camper trailer, but without the strenuous set-up.

How much is the 2022 New Age Wayfinder WF13 Comfort Plus?

Price (as reviewed): $40,390 (includes optional Comfort Plus pack, hot water unit, external shower, air-conditioner)
Travel length: 6036mm
External width: 2350mm
Travel height: 1840mm
Internal height: 2080mm
Tare: 1320kg
ATM: 1720kg
Ball weight (Tare): 150kg
Body: Alucobond aluminium exterior cladding over timber-framing. Aluminium roof
Chassis: Hot dipped galvanised steel
Suspension: AL-KO leaf spring
Brakes: 12in electric drum
Wheels: 15 x 6in alloy with 205/70 LT tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 80L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah AGM plus BMPro BatteryPlus35-II-SI charger
Solar: 150W roof-top panel with regulator
Gas: 2 x 9kg bottle
ESC: BMPro Sway Control
Cooking: Thetford three-burner gas internal cooktop and sink
Fridge/freezer: Thetford 93L 3-way
Microwave: NCE 23 litre
Bathroom: None (external shower option)
Audio: Clarion head unit with internal/external speakers
TV: NCE 24in Smart TV/DVD with wind-up antenna
Lighting: LED throughout
Hot water: Gas/electric (option)
Air-conditioner: Truma Saphir floor-mounted air-conditioner (option)
Supplied by: New Age Caravans, Epping, Victoria