Caravan review: Bound for adventure with Gold Class Caravans AC16C

This new entry to the offroad caravan scene is loaded with features to attract buyers looking for a complete drive-away package.

Gold Class Caravans is a new brand from Market Direct Group, which has been importing campers, hybrids and caravans for nearly 20 years and has grown into one of our industry leaders. 

Their new range firmly establishes them in the local mainstream caravan market, offering vans in the most popular sizes between 16 and 19 feet. The limited lineup includes three couples' models and one family layout, available in either the offroad Adventure or the bitumen touring Luxe Class. Overall, there are eight new models: four layouts in either offroad or touring. 

The AC16C, reviewed here, is a single-axle, full-height caravan and is part of a lineup that includes tandem-axle 17ft and 19 ft couples vans and an 18ft family model. For many, a van this size is the perfect explorer, capable of accessing tighter tracks and with a lightweight design suitable for sandy and muddy terrain.

Although it might seem unusual at first, the vans don't have an options list. What you see is what you get, including the interior and exterior colours. For the Adventure line, these are matte mid-grey over black checkerplate on the outside and light grey against dark grey inside.

Standardising colours and inclusions allow the Gold Class team to streamline the buying experience whilst ensuring seamless customer handovers every time. As we shall see, the price is very competitive and the standard features are what you will expect in a fully-optioned van.

The AC16C is the perfect explorer and has the requirements for outside living

The build

Market Direct Group has a special relationship with its Chinese builder, which it has maintained throughout its over 10-year partnership. The factory produces only for Market Direct Group on two lines, targeted at the Australian and American markets. Their team of designers in Australia is directly connected to the factory via computer, and quality controllers from Australia rotate through to ensure everything meets standards.

The Adventure line shares the same sturdy underpinnings as the Luxe Class. The hot-dipped galvanised chassis is welded from Q460-grade rectangular hollow-section steel in 50x50x3mm, for both the main section and the A-frame. A mark of confidence for buyers is a lifetime warranty on the chassis and A-frame, backed by the experience of bringing over 40,000 trailers, hybrids and caravans to our market over the years. Brakes are 12" electric drums certified up to 3T, and the Timken parallel wheel bearings run on heavy-duty 45mm stub axles.

One of the main differences between the Adventure and its bitumen-bound Luxe cousin is its suspension: instead of coils, the trailing arms (with twin shock absorbers on each side) are supported by airbags, in line with current offroad trends. This premium system was developed with Air Bag Man for the Adventure range and features auto-height control, which can also be operated via a wireless remote control. A 12V onboard compressor feeds a 11.3L (3gallon) stainless steel air tank for quick adjustments. The tank also allows for fast tyre inflation, which is a real benefit after airing down for sandy and corrugated roads.

I was impressed with how neatly the plumbing and electrical wiring were installed underneath the van. Builders of offroad vans often neglect protecting water outlets and taps, but the team paid careful attention to these details with the Adventure Class, fitting guards in all the right spots including a convenient valve to drain the grey water tank quickly and without risking a trip to the chiropractor while crawling around underneath the van. I also noted several branding exercises with water tanks and various guards emblazoned with GCC badges. It was a cool touch.

Welded box-section 25mm aluminium-framed walls are clad with 3.2mm composite aluminium on the upper sides, over lower skirts of black aluminium checkerplate, to protect the body. Up top, the single section of fibreglass roof extends down to meet the front and back walls at a well-sealed H-Mould, and the floor is a single honeycomb sheet.

Interior walls are white vinyl-coated ply, which should be durable and easy to clean. The vans are built from the inside out, with furniture installed first and then fixed to the walls to ensure a strong build. Polystyrene insulation fills the gaps in the aluminium frame to maximise temperature control.

The twin shock absorbers at each wheel and the trailing-arm suspension setup, supported by airbags

A well-organised exterior

Styling of the Adventure is in line with mainstream offroad design, and it looks well-proportioned and modern. The van rides high on 16" black spoked alloy wheels and 265/75 Goodride Mud Terrain tyres, while external features such as toolboxes, the high-mounted rear spare and roof rails, black Maxtrax traction boards and a rear ladder confirm the rugged road intent.

Up front is a Cruisemaster DO35 hitch, the go-to choice for wide articulation over steep creek crossings and washouts. An ARK XO750 Series jockey wheel with two large wheels will make it easy to unhitch and move the van around on hard surfaces. The extended A-frame has room for a large toolbox divided into three front sections— one dedicated to twin 9Kg gas storage and a full-width rear section with access from either side. There's a vast amount of storage here, so owners will need to ensure proper weight distribution to maintain balance when towing.

Heading back along the passenger side are two sizable hatches, each with slide-outs for a portable fridge, and a tidy powder-coated aluminium external kitchen with Thetford triple gas burners, a sink and storage. I was impressed by the quality of the metalwork and by its design, which reduces weight while staying sturdy and practical. And I should point out the well-engineered hinges and triple-sealed doors on all the hatches, which are essential for tough outback travel and for keeping out that insidious fine red dust.

To the rear of the entry is an all-in-one Fusion Panel-Stereo, another hatch housing the airbag controls, a television mount and power outlets. Further back is a fold-down picnic table. Finally, at the rear is yet more storage in a combination rear bar/storage box. 

The tidy powder-coated aluminium external kitchen with Thetford triple gas burners, a sink and storage

What's inside?

With more GCC branding on the step and the entry mat, there's no mistaking where we're headed. The van sits relatively high, so a double step and a grab handle with two-tone lighting are handy for climbing aboard.

The universally chosen colour for the Adventure Range will appeal to most buyers. It's modern and attractive, with enough quality timber joinery and matte finishes to create a soft, stylish impression. The layout is the current standard for a compact couple's off-roader, and I wonder if we've reached the peak of design for a van this size. However, I had a similar thought as a boating journalist about mid-sized day boats a decade ago, and suddenly everything changed. Transoms and sides hinged out, almost doubling the cockpit space when anchored, so there could be more innovations coming for caravans.

For now, this is the most popular and sensible way to use space, with a bed at the front, an ensuite at the back and a functional central living area, even if some of us prefer a bed away from the entry. Many of us who have been around vans long enough know it's impressive what fits into a modern 16-foot van because everything is there for comfortable camping. A van that’s five feet longer has more lounge space, a larger kitchen bench and a roomier ensuite, but it's also heavier to tow and might struggle to reach some campsites without extra trouble.

While the layout is familiar, the Gold Class Caravans designers have presented the little 16-footer with thoughtful touches that make a big difference. Seeing the limited bench space, they included an extension near the built-in Dometic induction cooktop and managed to fit both a microwave and a full oven. Deep floor cupboards alongside the bed create valuable storage space while still allowing easy access to the north-south layout. Between the dining table and the ensuite, they have sneaked in a floor-to-ceiling pantry that will handle lots of supplies. Opposite is a 221L Thetford fridge-freezer, which is pretty generous for a van of this size. Eberspächer diesel heating, a Gusto Dust Reduction System (DRS) and Cowfish VanTenna TV aerial, which also offers Starlink Provision, round out the list of quality appliances.

Adding to the spacious, breezy feel is minimalist three-level strip lighting that keeps the ceiling clear.

You will find more attentive touches in the ensuite, starting with a larger-than-expected single-piece fibreglass shower cubicle with a lightweight aluminium-honeycomb door, soap dispensers and a heated mirror for foggy morning showers. The NCE washer is also a dryer, and you get folding hooks on the wall for towels.

I noted this in the review we did recently for the 17' Luxe series GCC, and it applies equally in the Adventure. There is nothing in the van that gives it away as an import. All the appliances are quality brands, and the fit and finish are top-shelf. 

Living off-grid

The AC16C is equipped with a high-quality electronics package to ensure dependable operation when away from mains power. It has a 600Ah Enerdrive lithium battery system charged by 700W of roof-mounted solar panels through an Enerdrive 40A MPPT charger. An Enerdrive 3000W/100A inverter/charger provides 240V for onboard appliances such as the Dometic air conditioner and cookers. A 40A DC-DC charger also tops up the batteries from the tow vehicle while driving. This standalone off-grid power setup covers the entire Adventure range and is especially appealing to those who want to run the air con in hot weather.

Two 80L water tanks and an 80L greywater tank are as big as you can expect in a van of this size and should be enough with judicious use, although long showers might not be on the cards if camping for more than a few days. 

Plenty of towing options

A Tare Weight of 2590kg might seem high for the size of the van until you consider it's loaded to the hilt with every accessory in the offroad catalogue. An ATM at 3000kg means many mid-range 4WDs will suit the smallest Adventure. The payload is 410kg, which might not leave much spare with full water tanks, so learn to pack light and enjoy being able to get into the secluded destinations a compact van can access without damaging the paint and the ego.

Enjoy being able to get into secluded destinations 

The wrap

Gold Class Caravans has delivered complete offroad packages with the new Adventure range of vans, leaving potential customers to choose only the size van they need. Everything else is included in the price. This smallest version (the van we reviewed – the AC16C) sells for $114,990, which we rate highly, given its high-class finish and quality inclusions.

The bottom line

• Compact couples' van
• Well-equipped off-grid van.
• New full-height caravan range from Market Direct Group

Measuring up

Pros

• Great standard equipment level
• Well-equipped for an off-grid lifestyle
• Robust build with air bag suspension

Cons

• Limited payload in the AC16C

GOLD CLASS CARAVANS AC16C RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY — 9/10

A fully optioned offroad van for $114,990 is a good buy.

TOWABILITY — 9/10

With an ATM of 3000kg, it suits most mid-range vehicles and tows smoothly.

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING — 8/10

A compact couples’ off-roader.

BUILD QUALITY — 8/10

The 20-year experience of Market Direct Group shows in the construction and finish.

LIVEABILITY — 7/10

It's compact but well designed.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY — 8/10

Great off-grid ability for this size van.

CUSTOMER CARE — 9/10

The Market Direct Group has great backup and customer support.

INNOVATION — 8/10

Packing all the equipment into the range makes a simplified buying choice.

X-FACTOR — 7/10

Looks the part and has all the right equipment.

GOLD CLASS CARAVANS AC16C SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Gold Class Caravans AC16C price from $114,990

OPTIONS FITTED

NIL

MORE INFORMATION

Gold Class Caravans
P: 1800 425 277

THE NEXT STEP

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