We took the beautiful River Diamantina 20’ Side Club Aussie-made caravan to the river for a full evaluation, and boy was it worth it!

Our fast-flowing Goulburn River campsite in Victoria’s central highlands seemed like the Garden of Eden compared to the rugged outback conditions of the Diamantina basin, the namesake of this range. Yet we concluded that the 20’ Side Club would be up to both tasks equally with a caravan package built from experience.

Built On Strong Foundations

River Caravans is a second-generation manufacturer whose DNA started the famous G&S Chassis some 44 years ago. They began manufacturing the beautiful River Caravans in 2010, utilising their long experience. Now, after the sale of G&S, they not only concentrate on full van manufacturing, but also introduced their own premium chassis construction under the name C & R Chassis in 2019.

The foundations are strong. The Diamantina is a touring caravan with a dual axle trailer with 3.2 tonne rated eye-to-eye leaf suspension. She has a superbly manufactured Supagal 4” (50 x 100mm) main frame with a 2” (50 x 50mm) riser and a 4” (50 x 100mm) A-frame drawbar. The A-frame is quite long, allowing for all of the standard equipment, including 50mm ball coupling, handbrake, removable jockey wheel, twin 9kg gas bottles, standard electricals including 12 pin plug, Dexter stability control and TrailSafe breakaway for the 12” electric brakes. There’s a large twin segmented tool box with a generator slide made from black powder-coated/painted checker plate, as is the high-wear surface in front of the main shell.

RV Eye Candy

The external features looked very stylish in my eyes with high rib Stucco style alloy sheeting on either side, smooth composite alloy panel to the front and rear, combined with attractive decals, and black features including the scrub panels, security door with mesh screen, plus Ranger double-glazed windows with internal blinds and awnings. Overhead is a single-section contoured fibreglass roof for longevity and run-off drainage, and the whole box is fully insulated. There’s a Winegard TV antenna for the portable 24” Smart TV, a 3.5kW air conditioner with Wi Fi control, two 3-way Ranger hatches with internal LED, plus a couple of smaller units for the shower and ensuite. Our demonstrator had a 150-watt solar panel.

Up in front is a full-width tunnel boot with lighting. There’s a host of features on the living side, including an entertainment unit, picnic table, external speakers for the premium Fusion sound system, plenty of lighting options, a full-length pull-out awning, illuminated entry handle and pull-out steps, and finally a handy pair of hatches at the rear that work superbly for instant access to your folding camp chairs. A strong three-arm bumper to the rear supports the spare wheel with a reversing camera and highly visible trailer lighting.

The driver’s side has a very handy external hot/cold shower, plus lockable water fillers and more lighting options. Speaking of water, the undersides are really very neatly presented, with a pair of 95-litre fully shrouded poly water tanks and a further 95-litre grey water tank to the rear.

Step Inside

Step into the Diamantina through the rear door and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This is a true home away from home for a touring couple with its inner spring, pillow top queen bed up in front, kitchen immediately to the left, a hugely inviting club lounge opposite, and leading back to a fully equipped and very spacious ensuite complete with ceramic toilet, large well-lit mirror, a deep vanity bowel with mixer tap and a moulded full height shower.

The internal colour palette is inviting, warm, and quite chic, but not tizzy or gaudy. White fibreglass walls are offset with ebony and ivory stone laminates, softened grey upholstery, bright chrome fixtures, and black-framed windows, accessories, and door features.

There’s plenty of storage in the Diamantina, some of it quite innovative, especially the pantry next to the doorway with dual access doors so you can reach in from outside if you forgot the condiments for the BBQ. Up in front, the Queen bed is surrounded by drawers, wardrobes and overheads, plus the lift-up cavity beneath and handy corner cabinets. The kitchen follows suit with drawers, pantry, and utensil storage, although I reckon I’d fit an optional oven beneath the 4-burner recessed cooktop and grill – I like roasts!

Comfy Club Lounge

The storage continues beneath the club lounge, with pull-out footrests for added comfort. The ensuite has a large linen press, vanity cabinet, and even a recess for the top-loading washing machine. All cabinetry is laminated plywood with a hardwood frame for longevity and strength.

When it comes time to prepare a meal, the kitchen has a stove with grill, range hood, microwave, stainless steel sink with hot/cold mixer and filtered freshwater, plus the Thetford 185 litre fridge/freezer opposite. There’s a reasonable amount of bench space backed by the table top from the club lou, which is mounted on an adjustable leg so it can be lowered and used with the cushion infill to make an extra berth.

Smart Kitchen with Bench Space

There’s a tonne of natural light throughout the house, including the kitchen with its long window in the splashback area, but when the night sets in, there’s a terrific array of mood lighting options. River Caravans have a good array of 240/12-volt and USB outlets inside and outside the Diamantina. When off-grid, the unit is powered by a single 120-amp AGM battery as standard, but I reckon I’d also opt for the second battery.

Life’s essential power and water are managed by a BMPro Trek disp. The BMPro 35 Plus BMS combines all of your power level/charging and water monitoring into one efficient and easy-to-use unit. Ours had an NCE 4GX Mobile Router WiFi modem offering a 40-meter range from your RV or caravan that enables connectivity to the front tow vehicle or other mobile devices.

The wide range of sensible features make this mobile house a home, including external gas bayonet and water tap, Sirocco fans, piano hinges, gas struts and soft touch fittings throughout; stainless steel ball race drawer slides, rolled bench top edges and much more. Plus, there’s the general layout with its easy living flow, standard fittings and accessories, and an appealing blend of colours and textures that makes me want to spend plenty of time in the river – River Diamantina that is!

Specifications

Ball Weight: 140Kg

Tare Weight: 2300Kg

ATM: minimum 2800 Kg* (up to 3200, depending on options)

Exterior Dimensions: 8600mm overall length x 2450mm width and 2.92mm height

Body: Meranti frame with ribbed and smooth insulated panel cladding & black aluminium checker plate skirting

Chassis: 100x50x3mm SupaGal steel tube chassis and drawbar with 50 x 50 riser

Suspension: 7 Leaf eye-to-eye rocker springs rated to tonne

Tyres: 15 x 235 all-terrain tyres on alloy mag wheels

Sleeps: 2 plus convertible lounge

Water Capacity: 2 x 95 litres with an electric water pump

Battery & Charger: 120Ah deep cycle AGM battery, BMPro Trek with BMPro Battery Plus 35 BMS

Fridge: Thetford 185 litre fridge/freezer

Cooktop: 4 burner cooktop (3 x gas, 1 x electric) including grill and range hood

 

Hits

  • Complete range of accessories

  • Ensuite

  • Adventurous family tourer

  • Flow and aesthetics

Misses

  • No Jerry can holders or oven, but all are optional.

 

Are You Still Shopping for the Perfect Camper or Van?

If you enjoyed this review, please check out our current selection River Caravans for sale at OnlyVans.com.au.

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