Golf Offers Luxury, Toughness
The Age
Friday September 17, 1993
IN THE past three columns we've had a look at what was involved in the recent trip by `4x4 Australia' magazine in a 12-day circuit of Australia using two LandCruisers and two Golf caravans. This is the final column on this successful tour and examines the caravans involved in the 12,000 kilometre trip.
Brisbane's Golf Caravans have been in the industry for close to 20 years and they have a well deserved reputation for building luxurious but tough vans.
The smaller of the two vans was a 4.57-metre (15-foot) Bushman, which is considered to be the ``offroad" unit of this company. However, this does not mean that the manufacturer has dispensed with the luxuries.
This particular unit came with a toilet, shower and hot water system.
It was also fitted with the ``optional extra" solar panel that charges an 85-amp/hour battery to power lighting, pressurised water pump, refrigerator and stereo system. The power can also be directed through an inverter to supply 240-volt current if required.
A control panel provides information on the condition of the van's battery and also keeps track of water levels in the twin tanks.
Pressurised water is available via a 12-volt pump but there is a manual over-ride in the event of a flat battery. Hot water is supplied to both the shower and sink from a gas heating unit.
Care has been taken to keep the underside of the van clear of protrusions that may get caught up when travelling offroad, while the narrower than usual 195 centimetre (six feet six inches) wheeltrack permits good manoeuvrability on bush tracks. It has Golf's own Posi- Track independent suspension and rides on Dunlop Adventurer tyres.
The other unit was a big, dual-axle 6.1 metre (20 foot) Challenger, the official model name being the C191-76 En Suite Hard Top. This is the ``top-shelf" Challenger model.
Among other things it has separate shower and toilet facilities, a large double bed, a superb finish both inside and out and is, generally, the sort of van you would like to take touring.
One of the main problems associated with towing caravans on unsealed roads is the amount of dust that manages to find its way inside, despite the careful closing of windows and roof vents. Golf, however, have largely solved this, and even when towing in the talcum-like dust of the Northern Territory and far north Queensland, there was virtually no dust inside.
The floorplan uses every available space, be it for storage, kitchen or whatever, and yet the interior is sufficiently spacious to allow five people to move around without falling over each other.
Unlike low-cost vans that use chipboard for much of their interior, these vans use solid timber, which is firmly screwed to the aluminium wall frames and floor. All electrical wiring runs through rubber grommets in the wall frames and is also glued into position to avoid electrical problems due to rubbing and vibration.
Both caravans were towed at the legal speed limit for day after day, including quite some time cruising at 120 kmh, and on occasions 130 kmh, and this says a great deal for their overall balance, lack of movement due to side winds, and independent suspension.
In short, if you are looking for an outstanding van to go touring with, you could do worse than check out the Golf range.
© 1993 The Age
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