Windsor Royale 652S

Fit for a King

"They all start their lives as chassis numbers," explains Mark Chadwick, sales manager at Windsor Caravans. We're standing out the back of Windsor's immense Somerton, Vic, warehouse and factory complex. Before us is a row of bare chassis, freshly arrived from Preston Chassis in northern Melbourne, each uniquely marked by big, bold hand-numbered codes along the top surface of one side of the A-frame.

Mark then takes me through the factory, and I see how these shiny, silver bedrocks become bright, white caravans. And at the very end of the production line stands our review van - a Windsor Royale RC652s.

A NEW TAKE
Windsor's model-name nomenclature is logical: this is a Royale caravan (RC), at 6.5m (21ft 4in) with layout number two and a shower (the lower-case s). The same principle applies across the range. The main point of difference with the RC652s is the layout, tweaked to catch the ever-more-sophisticated eye of experienced caravanners, with an angled kitchen area that sets the tone for a fresh take on a comfortable long-term tourer.

It's clear from the outset how usable the layout is, and it looks lovely, too.White walls and warm wood-tone veneers are prominent. Curved, European-style handles on drawers and cupboards complement the finely-finished cabinetry and skilful assembly.

WANDER THROUGH
Walk in, and you're in the self-contained living area. To your left is the TV mounting bracket, above the drainer-side of the large, stainless steel sink. Further forward, built into an elegant corner cabinet, is the full Smev oven, grill and four-burner cooktop. In all its silver glory, crowned by a stainless rangehood, it's the dominant amidships feature. Above, you'll find a hatch, while further along the ceiling is the Dometic reverse-cycle air-conditioner, with the climate-control unit by the doorway, next to the TV mounting point.

Across from the door is the lengthy, 1.9m (6ft 2in) L-shaped dinette, with a sizable table supported by a single, strong strut. Tabletop area is necessary to augment the kitchen benchtop, which is dominated by the sink and cooktop. The plush coffee-coloured dinette is well lit by a long window, which, like all windows in the van, is fitted with a venetian blind. The TV is well positioned for viewing from the dinette.

The living area is separated from the bathroom by a sliding door. The Thetford cassette toilet is positioned on the offside of the spacious bathroom. The shower cubicle is opposite, with a domestic-size, adjustable-flow, detachable showerhead, with a thoughtfully integrated soap holder. Between the toilet and shower is one of the most intricate vanity units I've come across. A sunken oval sink, with flick-mixer, is backed by a wall-mounted mirror.

The black marble-look benchtop, as in the rest of the van (here with full-length splashback) is big enough for two to ready themselves in the morning, and sits atop two cupboards and two sets of three shelves. Above are two cupboards and a shelf. A hand-towel rack is attached to the wall beside the mirror, while a towel-ring hangs to the right.

Two double powerpoints feature too, as well as a hatch each in the toilet and shower areas and two downlights above the sink. On the other side of the toilet is a toilet-roll holder, and a huge, stylish towel rack, mounted on the back of the sliding door.

The bathroom is very airy, and would present stiff competition for even the loveliest of caravan park amenities blocks or ensuite sites.

SLEEP ASSURED
At the other end of the van is the permanent north-south double bed, with plenty of walk-around room, and a concertina partition to close off from the living area. The generous 150L Dometic fridge/freezer, below the Samsung microwave, also serves to divide the bedroom from the living room.

A huge Dometic Heki hatch above the bed (there's another in the living area) spills light through the space, along with one window on either side, as well as at the head. For night-time, two adjustable halogen reading lights, one in each corner above the head, as well as a series of downlights in the ceiling, make it easy to tuck into novels and newspapers. Fortunately, there's plenty of space to store reading material in the two compact bedside units, above each of which is a wardrobe, as well as the full-height cupboard in the nearside corner at the foot of the bed.

There's a dressing table and shelf in the other corner, and any extra items will fit under the bed and in the four overhead lockers.

Speaking of overhead lockers, there are many in the living area, with five above the dinette, some storage below, and a large cupboard above the sink and TV. There is also a pot drawer under the stove, seven cutlery and cooking-instrument drawers, a massive under-sink cupboard and a multi-shelved pantry built into the corner unit with the oven, in the middle of the van.

Once you've stored all your stuff in the many compartments around the van, there's a lot of room to lounge around and enjoy the integrated CD/DVD/AM/FM/MP3 system, hooked up to the TV, with the head unit fitted between the microwave and TV, by the water gauge. In terms of other controls, water pump and water heater controls are fitted above the rangehood, and the climate-control panel is, as previously mentioned, to the left of the door.

SKIRTING THE OUTSIDE
Finely detailed decals, which look conspicuously hand-finished, stand out against the tried-and-true white-painted aluminium-clad body, under which is a foam-insulated, flexible meranti timber frame. Mark Chadwick says that while Windsor has experimented with fibreglass and aluminium sheeting, the cladding and timber remains strong, durable and weight effective.

Everything sits atop a tandem-axle DuraGal chassis with 14in alloy wheels. The covered spare wheel is mounted on the rear of the van, while at the front, on the drawbar (equipped with a Brakesafe Breakaway switch), sit two 9kg gas cylinders.

A full-width galvanised-steel-lined boot with drainage is left free for other goods and chattels.

On the nearside is the full-length awning, something made all the more useful by the lockable built-in picnic table, which folds down from the side of the van. It's a $400 option, but it does free up the space you would otherwise need for a freestanding unit. The awning is made more attractive again by two waterproof outdoor speakers (a $225 option) and a TV mount.

Sharing the roof with the air-conditioner and the four hatches is the Winegard TV antenna, the winder for which is in the bedroom-area ceiling.

THE BOTTOM LINE
A lot of features have been smartly packed into the RC652s without making it overly large, and the separate toilet and shower, neatly sectioned off, are highly functional.

There's oodles of living space, a number of powerpoints, and everything you would need for a long time on the road. And then there's the price, an attractive $55,255 for the base model (minus the antenna pack, external speakers and picnic table fitted to the review unit).

The Windsor RC652s offers serious bang for your buck, with no compromise in finish.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED

Windsor Caravans
50 Stanley Drive, Somerton, Vic
(03) 9930 4900

For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.windsorcaravans.com.au