When my friend, and caravan industry identity, Max Taylor, had his last camper stolen, the search was on for a suitable replacement for his growing family. He examined a wide range of innovations and designs within the Australian RV market for his replacement, and with a young family to please, he eventually decided on the versatile Goldstream Wing 3 Off Road.

Max's Search for the Perfect Family Camper

With young kids come added needs, not only for space but also for some creature comforts and accessories. His checklist grew, and grew with an elongated bucket list. Max's towing vehicle affectionately named "Ruby" is an old 80 Series Land Cruiser, and not exactly a modern powerhouse, hence weight became a very critical factor. He also knew camper should be capable of off-road adventures as well as being comfortable to tow over the many thousands of corrugated miles that traverse our country and test its travellers. Kids, whether large or small, need plenty of toys, and young families carry a plethora of daily needs; hence, the new camper must also provide a good payload capacity and storage compartments.

Of course, bedding is a major consideration. You certainly don’t need to be assembling enclosed annexes and bunks on every overnight stop, so the ability to sleep the entire family within the camper was paramount.

The ease of overall assembly is also a significant factor. No one wants to spend extended periods with an angry wife, three hungry kids, and a difficult camper at the end of a long day on the road. When you arrive, you want easy access to clothes, food, cooking facilities, and cleaning supplies as soon as possible. Then there’s a roll-out shade annexe to keep the elements at bay whilst you sit and relax with an afternoon aperitif.

Cooking is another important consideration, and it’s always nice to have a readily available outside barbecue. However, not every day is perfect, and often it's nice to simply boil the billy for that early morning cuppa from the privacy of an internal gas stove. A microwave is ideal when 240-watt power is available; so too is an air conditioner for when the mercury rises. Hot water is a welcome creature comfort on the road, but almost a necessity for an extended stay, especially when the grubby little mites need their daily rinse – the wife and kids often need it to! Renewable and generated 12-volt power is essential, especially in today’s world of gadgets and gizmos.

In reality, the Wing 3 could be rated as a small camper for catering to a family of five when compared to a family caravan. However, the layout and flow cater well to the constant barrage of kids' demands - big and small.

Goldstream are very well respected in the RV industry, with this one showing off its independent suspension.

The Goldstream Wing 3 Off-Road

Both Max and I have enjoyed a good relationship with Melbourne’s Goldstream RV, and their immense range finds a mobile home to suit every traveller. However, there’s more to a large purchase than just the price, suitability, and quality; it’s also the overall relationship with the suppliers and the long-term support they provide. Secondary, but still important, is the resale value to ensure a reasonable return on such a significant investment, especially with a growing family. With a few additions and optional extras, the Goldstream Wing 3 Off-Road ticked every box for the Taylors.

The Goldstream Wing is the original model in the range. It was first produced over twenty years ago and isremains perennial favourite i,n great demand, both new and eagerly sought after on the second-hand market. They provide the flexibility of three optional layouts to suit differing tastes and needs.

I can personally attest to the quality of Goldstream RV campers, having travelled extensively with them previously. I did an extended seven-week trip taking in 14,500 km from Melbourne to both Gulfs of South Australia, north to Lorella Springs in the Northern Territory and back home via the east coast and over the Great Divide from Canberra to East Gippsland. More recently, we took another Goldstream to Nundooka Station, 100 km north of Broken Hill, and survived some off-road extremes, as well as a sudden heatwave with three days of temperatures reaching 45 degrees.

I actually had to eat my words about how efficient an air conditioner would be in a canvas-sided pop-top camper. Still, I am pleased to say that the Goldstream became the most popular camper at the event due to its climate control. It also showed the flaws in some competitors' campers when a massive swarm of locusts descended, infesting every gap, corner and cranny - but none infiltrated the Goldstream!

The Off-Road Undercarriage

With its low tare weight you could tow the wing 3 behind the average family car for functional camping.

There were no shortcuts in this camper, and Goldstream upgraded the undercarriage to Cruisemaster XT Coil independent trailing arm suspension. The standard Goldstream RV Off-Road pack has proven itself over the years as most suitable for the rough stuff; however, Cruisemaster is a favourite with true off-road enthusiasts. It is undoubtedly strong and provides a smooth, stable ride, regardless of the terrain, with easily replaceable components, including polyurethane bump stops, twin gas shockers on each side, and a coil spring combination.

It’s no good having a tough suspension if the chassis won’t cope, but the Goldstream chassis is proven tough and dependable. It is a fully hot-dipped galvanised and Duragal box construction with 150 x 50 mm main chassis rails extending right through to the drawbar, featuring a DO35 off-road coupling. She rides on 15” alloy mags with Goodride 31/10.5 R15 Medium Terrain (MT) radials and features 12” electric brakes with a handbrake.

Max’s Wing 3 has a twin 60-litre water tank capacity, and both units are well-shrouded with checkerplate alloy. Families certainly need a lot of water, especially when the Truma gas hot water service supplies an external shower. There isn’t a shower tent with the unit, so the Taylor family simply carries a pop-up, stand-alone unit that doubles as a privacy awning for a porta-potty. The cheapie they brought elsewhere was certainly made by Bastards Incorporated, and neither Max nor I had the intelligence or patience to cope with its Rubik's Cube-like pack up.

The extended shroud acts like a tropical rood over the queen size bed for terrific sleeping arrangements.

Back to the Goldstream! Out in front, you'll find a heap of features, including an Anderson plug connection, removable jockey wheel, full-width mesh stone guard, twin 9kg gas bottles in lockable mounts, side handles, aluminium checker plate protection liner, and a spacious storage boot.

Inside the lockable boot, s a virtual treasure trove of essentials, including poles, steps, tools, a 100 amp-hour (100Ah) deep-cycle battery, electrical isolators, a Projecta battery charger, and a solar regulator. Max, as added clips to hold the poles in place, but I reckon they're a bit of a hassle. The poles come in handy when you need to roll out extra fly protection over the bedding areas, which is extremely useful during those intense rain events. Plus, they provide extra insulation similar to a tropical roof – clever eh?

Goldstream RV have always provided excellent build quality from the A-frame to the bed ends.

As we travel around the unit, we find checker plate panels protecting the base of all the side sheets. Underneath are four drop-down stabilisers, and to the driver’s side is the pull-out shower, hot water venting and lockable water filler. The rear of the trailer has a moulded ABS outer liner, waterproof LED tail lights, and a strong bumper bar with twin jerry can housings. The spare wheel is mounted on the extreme back.

On the kerbside, we have the lockable access door, a handy fold-out shelf, 240 volt inlet, 12 volt outlet, external lighting and a hatch housing an optional stainless steel barbecue on sliding tracks.

Easy Set Up!

I recall shooting a video a few years ago in which I set up a Goldstream pop-up from scratch. It took just over seven minutes, go to whoa! Add another couple of minutes to set up a full-length Fiamma awning, and you'll be settling in in around 10 minutes, complete with a full shade awning. The Dometic air conditioner is mounted to an insulated single-section roof that opens easily, and a 120-watt flexible solar panel feeds the battery. I once ran my Goldstream for seven weeks without recharging the battery; however, you'll need an external 240-volt source for the optional air conditioner.

Step Inside

There is a reasonable amount of cabinetry, facility and storage under the lifting roof including a tunnel boot up in front.

As you step into the spacious interior, you will be visually pleased with the combination of hard and soft finishes, as well as the fittings, fixtures, and appliances. Comfortable seating is an absolute must, and you will really look forward to relaxing on the front club lounge at the end of an action-filled day. They also had a table added to the front club lounge, which can be lowered to form yet another full-width bed.

Immediately to the right of the door is a counter, commonly referred to as the breakfast nook. It features a handy flat surface with plenty of storage space underneath. One side of the brekkie nook serves as the backrest for the dinette, which doubles as a bed for one of the kids when the table is lowered. It is actually large enough for an adult to sleep very comfortably, or maybe two adults who really like each other.  A dinette is an absolute must in any camper, particularly when you are trying to feed three kids, plus a hungry Max.

Pop top campers offer low travel height for overhanging bush and storage.

The opposite side is the kitchen area with plenty of laminate bench space, a stainless sink, four-burner stove and grill, 93L 3-Way Fridge, microwave and tonnes of cabinetry including drawers and a slide-out pantry. The roof features an air conditioner outlet, a vented relief, and ample lighting options. Canvas and fly wire surrounds are excellent, and most have internal clears. The driver’s side can open right up to become an al fresco entertainer, and the block-out blinds lock out all of the harsh sun and insulate the interior from heat and cold.

I simply love the slide-out beds at either end. They are so easy to assemble and keep the unit very compact for both on and off-road. The standard specification sees a queen at the front and a large double at the rear; however, Max opted for two queens for added room. There are privacy screens at both ends that are essential when it comes to bedtime for the big and littleuns.

With the Goldstream RV brand your generally on a good thing! Most people love them!

The Wrap

There is a particular air of premium demeanour to all Goldstream RV products, and the Taylor family’s Wing 3 Off-Road has all of the bells and whistles. I am pleased to say publicly that, based on my extensive experience and opinion, they are a cut above the rest.

Your purchase of a Goldstream RV will mean that your entire family can travel in comfort, cleanliness and confidence wherever your heart’s desire. But be warned, your kids will be the lively ones after a good night's sleep, whilst the others will be wiping the bugs out of their ears and scratching their insect bites.

Good choice Max! Can I borrow it next weekend?

Specifications - Goldstream Wing 3 Off-road Pop Top Camper Trailer

Overall Length: 6 metres

Body Length: 4.6 metres

Width: 2130 mm

Tare: 1525kg

ATM: 2000kg

Suspension: Cruisemaster XT Coil independent trailing arm

Brakes: 12” electric

Coupling: DO35

Chassis: Duragal box section

Drawbar: 150 x 50 x 3.2mm Duragal

Body: Aluminium Composite Panel

Wheel/tyre: Goodride 31/10.5R15 Medium Terrain (MT) radials

Style: Alloy mag

Tent Size:       6850 x 2130 mm

Annexe: Full-length Fiamma F45 wind-out

Gas Cylinders: 2 x 9kg       

Water: 2 x 60 litre

Cooktop: Thetford four-burner gas with grill

Kitchen: laminate top bench space, stainless steel sink with mixer, 93L 3-way fridge, microwave, cabinetry including drawers and a slide-out pantry.

Battery: 100 AMP AGM deep cycle

Options Fitted: Cruisemaster suspension, queen slide-out bed, breakfast nook, Anderson plug for external solar panel provision, 120W flexible solar panel, Dometic air-conditioner, Sovereign slide-out barbecue with gas bayonet fitting, Radio/CD/DVD, Change over gas regulator, Stone guard mesh protector, 2 x Extra 12 volt points, Water tank gauges, Picnic table, External shower & HWS with gas and electric upgrade, Jerry can holders and the extra table in the club lounge converting to a bed. 

Hits

  • Easy set-up

  • comfortable seating

  • Comfortable bedding

  • Flowing layout

  • Fiamma awning

  • Outside barbeque

  • Suspension and chassis

  • Complete array of sensible accessories

Misses

  • Club lounge cushions slide out of position when being used as a mattress

Are You Still Shopping for the Perfect Camper or Van?

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