Regal Pathfinder

WE LIKED

• Dinette with wall cushions and seat rests
• Decent sized kitchen with good benchtop space
• Well rated solar panels and large capacity water tanks

NOT SO MUCH

• electric controls not in the one place
• needs a decent sized tow vehicle

Given the often rough and tumble geographical nature of the Sunshine state, it's no surprise that Queensland is mostly associated with rough-road/offroad caravans and camper trailers. The last few years have seen something of a niche van market develop in the state’s south-east corner, and it’s not just the manufacturers, either. Quite a few of the dealers have their own specialist line of offroad rigs.

Queensland Regal Caravans is one such dealer, and while its new Pathfinder may appear like a standard Regal, the extras list is almost as long as the original specifications, so it’s definitely something different.

When I arrived at the Nambour dealership, Regal’s Ryan Hodges wanted to know whether I was interested in doing a little crabbing while I was checking out the van. As I pondered the location Ryan had in mind, as well as the undulating access roads required to get there, he tried to put me at ease.

"There will be no worries whatsoever," he said. "Regal builds all of its vans the same way and backs them with an ‘anywhere in Australia’ two-year factory warranty."

He went on to mention items like the meranti timber frame, Pink Batt insulation, stainless screws, triple rib cladding, Tyros side-armour plating and Gabriel shock absorbers.

So we hitched up and headed off, crab nets at the ready.

ROUGH AND READY

Given the Pathfinder’s hefty ATM of 3200kg, something like a Toyota LandCruiser makes a good tow vehicle, especially on a road that could be considered less than smooth. 

Like many offroad caravans, the Pathfinder rides on a tandem rail 100 x 50mm DuraGal chassis, with the alloy wheels attached to Cruisemaster coil spring/trailing arm independent suspension. A look under the van reveals most items neatly strapped up out and of the way. The three 80 litre water tanks are set between the chassis rails and protected by gal sheeting.

Up front, the 150 x 50mm drawbar rails have a Hyland hitch at the pointy end, as well as two 9kg gas cylinders and a mesh rack. Two jerry can holders are fixed above the drawbar rails and two spare wheels and a generator box are mounted on the rear bumper. 

In addition to the usual features, including the front boot and awning, there are a surprising number of exterior extras: front offside slide-out barbecue, tunnel boot, two full-height external bins, Saturn antenna and reversing camera – something not often seen on caravans.

On top of all that, there are eight external LED lights, plus several more in the storage bins. There should be no trouble seeing anything around the van at night.

COMFORTABLE SURROUNDS

Once inside, the van's timber look, specifically a lighter stain, creates a warm and comfortable feel.

It may have been an accident of design, but the first thing that catches the eye when you step through the front door is the cafe-style dinette on the opposite side. It has been done with a certain panache and immediately invites you to sit back on the leather seats that come complete with wall cushions and hinged footrests.

And the perennial problem of accessing under seat-storage has been solved by fitting drawers that open at floor level.

Under the glossy black laminate bench tops, the kitchen is well-sized and well-equipped. There are drawers and cupboards everywhere and the Swift four-burner cooktop/grill/oven, microwave and stainless steel sink provide everything the travelling gourmet needs.

The sink is set at an angle, creating more space under the bench. I should also point out that the microwave, although set in the overhead lockers, handily sits at eye level.

The Pathfinder’s fridge could be considered something a little different. Located between the dinette and bathroom, the Novakool unit is set upside down – fridge above, freezer below – which is something the guys at Queensland Regal told me they’re trying out. I certainly found having the more frequented fridge section on top an asset.

Powerpoints are fitted at either end of the kitchen bench and a swivelling TV bracket, along with the associated connections, is centrally mounted to allow for easy viewing from the dinette. The solar panel regulator and an AM/FM radio/CD player are also centrally mounted in the overhead lockers. 

Given it’s designed to stay away from the bitumen for long periods of time, the Pathfinder does come with a large rear bathroom with all of the necessary items: separate shower cubicle, china bowl Thetford cassette toilet and vanity with wash basin, mirrors and multiple cupboards. A front-loading washing machine is hiding in one of the lower cupboards.

Up front, it’s hard to get away from a standard bedroom design with a queen island bed, surrounding wardrobes, cabinets and foot-of-bed corner cupboards. However, there are a few little extras, including a shelf behind the bed, larger-than-usual bedside cabinets and split corner cupboards. There’s also a TV mounting bracket in the nearside corner.

The Pathfinder’s electrics are quite sophisticated, with LED lighting throughout. Two 100Ah batteries supply the 12V load and are charged with a 50A mains charger and two 135W solar panels. The 12V fuse panel is located near the battery and charger in the front boot.

VERDICT

So the question remains: did we catch any crabs? Well, as a matter of fact, we did. And if you look carefully in some of the pictures, you can see the evidence. They went down quite a treat with a nice sauvignon blanc.

But I digress. The Regal Pathfinder was especially well suited to our little expedition and certainly gave all indications that it can travel to all kinds of places in a comfort and style. And isn’t that what most travellers want these days?

REGAL CARAVANS PATHFINDER

Length (overall): 8.86m (29ft 1in)
Length (external): 7m (22ft 11in)
Width (external): 2.49m (8ft 2in)
Height (interior): 1.98m (6ft 6in)
Height (travel): 3.05m (10ft)
Tare: 2545kg
ATM: 3200kg
Ball weight (advised): 240kg
Frame: Timber
Chassis: DuraGal
Suspension: Cruisemaster Independent
Cooktop: Swift four-burner/grill/oven
Fridge: Novakool 210 litre fridge/freezer
Microwave: NEC
Shower: Separate cubicle
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Lighting: 12V LED
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Fresh water: 3 x 80 litre
Price: $116,600 (on road, Qld) 
Supplied by: Queensland Regal Caravans, Nambour, Qld
More info: Regal Caravans