Windsor Rapid

Think ‘expander’ caravans – those often lighter, more compact vans that magically expand via pop-top roof and push-out bed ends to accommodate growing families – and Jayco and its popular Expanda range is usually the first to come to mind.

But there are a number of other good, Aussie-built options when it comes to ‘expanders’, like the Paramount Duet, Windsor Rapid and New Age’s recently introduced Glider.

In the case of the West Australian-built Rapid, which we last looked at in 2010, there’s currently a choice of three fixed-roof and four pop-top variants, with (closed) body lengths from 4.5m to 6.0m and Tare weights from 1400kg to 1870kg.

The four berth Rapid RA501S model reviewed here, is one of two pop-top layouts with a combination shower/toilet, increasing its appeal to families who like to occasionally free camp or stay in campgrounds with few facilities.

That said, with minimal ground clearance and plenty of exposed piping and hosing underneath, you wouldn’t want to venture too far off the bitumen with this particular example for fear of denting or damaging underbody parts.

But with a fully-loaded weight of just two tonnes and low-profile shape it makes up for it as a family van that's easy to store and tow, particularly when your tow tug is something like the Subaru Outback we used.

With a Tare weight of 1559kg, the Rapid 501S was well within the 3.6-litre petrol Outback’s 1800kg towing limit. And the single axle van proved a good match, behaving well over a range of speeds and surfaces, from smooth 60km/h dirt roads to 100km/h bitumen highways -- despite the presence of some strong cross-winds that might have had a taller, heavier van swaying all over the place.

While fiddlier than a fixed roof van, the pop-top Rapid is relatively easy to set up. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to drop the Al-Ko corner stabilisers, unclip the four roof latches and push the roof up from inside, and drop down the strut-assisted, canvas-walled bed ends.

The trickiest part is removing the pin holding the spare tyre holder on the rear bumper, so it can swing down out of the way.

Packing up takes a little bit more time and effort, partly because the folded-up bed base and mattress at each end are reluctant to stay in the upright position before the door can be closed. A hook or mechanism to hold it in place might be a good idea here.

Being a budget model, the Rapid features fairly traditional white aluminium cladding on aluminium framework and a galvanized chassis; the only extravagance some carbon fibre-look panels along the lower sides of the body.

Externally, there's also 15in alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, independent leaf spring suspension, Carefree roll-out awning and two, 4.5kg gas bottles on the A-frame, which also features a checker plate-protected tap. 

Shielding for the front of the van is limited to some padded vinyl along the bottom section, while galvanised sheeting for the two, 60 litre poly water tanks is about all the extra protection we could spot underneath.

The exterior also features an LED light under the awning, and various power connections for 12V, USB, and 240V plugs.

Given that most of any available storage space up front is taken up by the front bed, house battery, water heater and compressor for the Denso reverse-cycle ducted air-conditioner, it’s no surprise that external storage options are limited.

There's precious little room in the front boot (although it’s inaccessible when the front bed is out) and side locker for smaller items like the jockey wheel, extension cords and hoses.

While restricting off-road adventures, the low ride height does ensure hassle-free entry through the triple lock Camec door, with no need for a drop-down step.

Once inside, there's the familiar, Euro-style 'earthy' colour theme common to many of the latest Coromal and Windsor caravans, which are now built out of the same Perth factory.

While some mind find it a bit bland, in our eyes the ‘Driftwood/Spirit Jasper’ upholstery, ‘Maple’ timber doors, ‘Latte’ splashback,‘Wild Oates Matrix’ laminate benchtops, and ‘Odessa Pebble’ curtains are a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous ‘white gloss’ look found in many Aussie vans of late.

There are just two fixed windows – a sliding window with venetian blinds for the kitchen and wind-out window with lace curtains near the dinette -- so you really need to unzip some of the four, screened windows in the gusset or canvas bed-ends to let in some natural light.

All windows have fly screens, although those in the vinyl gusset are removable from the outside for cleaning.

The only issue we had was with one of the window zippers in the front bed section, which wouldn't open. With the van having just arrived from the factory at Windsor’s newest dealer, the Melbourne Caravan Centre, we were assured by the dealer this would be promptly fixed.

While the 100mm thick bed mattresses are of solid foam and not coil spring construction, they felt reasonably comfortable during a brief lie-down.

More importantly, they’re big enough to accommodate four, average sized adults or lanky teenagers at 1.8m long and 1.5m wide (or 1.35m wide at the front), and both bed ends feature block-out curtains.

Each bed has just the one reading light which, like the solitary light in the dinette, seems a bit stingy compared to the dual lights in many other vans.

Despite a compact interior measuring 4.24m long (excluding the bed ends) Windsor has fitted a decent-sized cafe dinette for four people, although I would have liked a little more legroom under the table.

But in the quest to squeeze in an ensuite and handy storage areas like a half robe, bench space in the kitchen galley has been compromised. Apart from that it's well equipped with a stainless steel sink with dryer and mixer tap, four burner cooktop with glass lid ‘splashback’ and grille, rangehood, 150 litre Dometic fridge and a microwave set at a good working height.

There's also decent storage options including a range of cupboards, cutlery drawer, pot drawers and slide-out pantry, although none are overly big.

A small, separate benchtop on the other side of the entry door could double as a food prep area, although with TV/aerial points close by it’s really reserved for a TV (not included as standard).

Otherwise, there are numerous small overhead lockers and other storage nooks and crannies throughout the van, and plenty of open shelves once the roof is raised.

The Bluethooth radio-CD unit with two internal speakers, Projector battery charger and digital water guage are all conveniently located above the dinette, close to the fuse box in a nearby cupboard.

Main lighting is taken care of with two LED roof lights and there appeares to be sufficient 240V/12V/USB sockets to keep various appliances, computers and mobile phones on the go.

Like the kitchen, the shower/toilet cubicle is tight on elbow space (although not on headroom) but it’s all there including a Thetford cassette toilet, variable height shower hose, small basin, shelving, roof fan hatch and LED light, while an all-important mirror is located outside the door.

VERDICT

With its handy shower/toilet combo, well-equipped kitchen, ducted air-conditioning, comfy dinette and two double beds, the Rapid 501S has pretty much everything a family of four needs for shorter trips or extended travel.

Its lighter weight and aerodynamic shape make it a good option for smaller tow vehicles, although you won’t want to take it too far off the blacktop with its low ground clearance and limited off-road protection.

Fit and finish is hard to fault for a sub-$50,000 van although there’s evidence of penny pinching in the limited number of reading lights, for example.

WE LIKED:
>> Easy set-up
>> Easy towing
>> Family-friendly layout

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Limited external storage space
>> Limited kitchen benchspace
>> Too few reading lights

WINDSOR RA501S

Travel length: 6670mm (22ft 3in)
External body length: 5000mm (16ft 8in)
External body width: 2495mm (8ft 4in)
Height (erected): 2745mm (9ft 2in)
Interior height: 2115mm(7ft 1in)
Tare weight: 1559kg
ATM: 2000kg
Ball weight: 200kg
Frame: Aluminium
Body: Aluminium/Dynaproofed canvas
Chassis: Galvanised steel
Suspension: Leaf spring, independent
Brakes: 12-inch electric drum
ESC: Optional
Wheels/tyres: 15in alloy with 235/75-15 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 60L
Battery: 105Ah
Air-conditioner: Denso underbed reverse cycle
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water: Truma 14L gas/electric
Cooking: Smev four-burner cooktop, plus grill
Fridge:  Dometic RM 2555 150-litre 3-way
Microwave: Camec 900W
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Combined shower and toilet ensuite
Lighting: 12V LED
Price: (drive-away Vic): $46,660
Supplied by: Melbourne Caravan Centre, Epping, Victoria
More info: Windsor Caravans