Caravan review: Sunfinder Caravans Coastline 17

Many couples like the simplicity and easy towing of a compact van and this 17-footer from Majestic has all the necessities and none of the big van dramas.

Compact vans like this Sunfinder Caravans from Majestic Caravans often seem like the poor cousins of the caravan scene. The big yards showcase the oversize offroad examples out the front where they encourage dreams of hitting the road for the great Aussie adventure. We tend to fall into the same trap here with larger vans taking up real estate on our covers and as reviews a lot of the time. Sure, lots of readers aspire to the offroad adventure scene, but as a recent survey uncovered, many readers are researching smaller caravans.

Although we might be tempted to call the little Sunfinder Coastline on review here an entry level van, that description seems somewhat elitist because lots of caravan owners want the easy living the van provides. Not everyone wants the wild remote adventure, and plenty of families and couples love the facilities that new style caravan parks offer.

Sunfinder was established in 2020 as an offshoot of Majestic Caravans and the brands coexist at Majestic dealerships across the country. Majestic itself has more than 20 years of experience building vans and the team takes pride in presenting contemporary vans for the ages. The range offers an affordable option for new owners looking for an Australian-made model. So, the Sunfinder brand of vans brings a simplified choice across a range, with the on-road offering (the Coastline), a semi-offroad (the All Terrain) and an offroader (the Outback). On review here is the single-axle Coastline, a 5.18m (17ft) couples van destined for mainly bitumen touring and stays in caravan parks.

A traditional build

The Sunfinder Coastline is traditionally built, so it has a meranti frame on a sturdy steel chassis and A-frame. Timber is chosen for its light weight and trusty flex that allows it to move without stress. A single join in the large composite sheets covering the exterior means a great weather seal on the sides, while up top, a single piece 40mm panel adds to the weatherproof construction. Foam core in the walls and the effective roof insulation help temperature control.

The van sits on a 3mm x 100mm x 50mm DuraGal chassis and A-frame with a simple AL-KO 50mm ball hitch connection. Suspension on the single-axle version is AL-KO’s Torflex without shock absorbers. The 2.7T Torflex system uses rubber blocks inside square tubes to create compressive resistance and I have long thought that it’s simple, reliable and effective, and is well suited to local conditions.

Twin 95L freshwater tanks sit high under the body and there’s an option for a greywater tank if you plan stays in caravan parks or national parks.

Compact design

All the Coastline versions come in a happy yellow-over-white colour scheme, and it manages a distinctive retro vibe with the modern lines of the van. These lighter colours work well against the black highlights, windows, doors and awning.

With an overall length of 7.32m (24ft) and without cumbersome toolboxes, the Coastline is compact and well balanced. The hitch and the black raptor coated A-frame makes a natural extension of the van’s low black protective covering. Two 4kg gas bottles sitting in the open air don’t add much to the aesthetics, so maybe a lightweight cover wouldn’t go astray.

Along the passenger side we find a neatly lined full-width tunnel boot which should accommodate most of the travelling essentials. To the rear of the central door is a fold-down picnic table with 12V/240V USB and TV outlets above. Wheels are black and chrome 16in alloys with mid-size 245/75 all-terrain tyres. At the back is a set of high/low rear lights and two-arm bumper bar with a single spare wheel. The manual fold-down step leads through a two-way security door to a very light and airy interior.

A couples retreat

The first thing I noticed when I stepped aboard were the oversized windows located to each side of the bed upfront. Two roof hatches add to the breezy feeling and create a welcome holiday atmosphere within the glossy two-tone grey and black interior. The queen bed is just ahead of the entry, and there’s excellent room at the sides for access and making the bed. A black upholstered bedhead set between the usual cupboards is a nice touch while nooks on each side have space for phones and books and include handy USB chargers. And open space under the bed provides a handy spot for storing spare bedding and clothes.

Heading rearward is the central living space with its driver-side kitchen and an L-shaped lounge at the dinette opposite. All the ingredients for comfortable living are here with a bench for food prep, an overhead 24L microwave and a Thetford four-burner cooktop/grill combination. A rangehood takes away cooking smells — or in my case, smoke from failed cooking attempts — and there’s a long window for fresh air and a view when cooking.

Further back a Slimline 150L fridge should be big enough for a couple’s needs for food and drink. Overhead cupboards, big drawers, a slide-out pantry and under-bench storage space won’t see you going short of supplies. I like how the fridge is mounted high above the floor for better access, especially to the bottom section freezer.

Seating in a compact van can sometimes be compromised but the lounge here should be comfortable for a couple even if poor weather keeps you inside for a while. The padding and upholstery are well finished and the timber table looks smart, and it has slide points to allow easy access. Wall lights give subtle lighting and the TV point at the kitchen moves for viewing from the dinette or the bed.

A full width ensuite at the rear adds some flexibility for camping options away from caravan parks and the luxury of your own bathroom anywhere. The space is roomy enough to move about and the timber vanity includes an oversized mirror and bright LED light strips under a set of high storage cupboards. The white floating sink leaves space to the side for personal items. To the offside is a 17L Thetford cassette toilet and some open linen cupboards at floor level. The shower is a moulded one-piece unit with an overhead extractor fan with a light, and it includes a footrest and a nifty shower caddy for soaps and shampoo.

Self-sufficiency

Although I suggested the Sunfinder Coastline 17 is primarily intended for owners who will holiday in caravan parks, a basic solar and battery pack will allow off-grid camping for a few days as well. The roof houses a 170W solar panel feeding a 110Ah AGM battery which is chassis mounted to meet the latest regulations. A BMPRO BatteryPlus35-II-HA battery monitor and charger sits in an overhead cupboard in the kitchen where you can keep an eye on charge. It’s a reliable system and is lithium ready if you decide to upgrade your power options.

As it sits, the 100Ah battery isn’t going to be overstressed. The gas stove and gas heater will do most of the work off-grid, with the battery running just the lights and TV. And the 240V power takes over when hooked up. If some easy-access national parks are calling, I’m imagining you could spend a week or so there when the weather suits before needing to worry about power. And if you want to keep going, there’s an inbuilt connection to plug in a roving solar panel to top up the battery.

The tow test

A big reason people choose a smaller van is the easy towing. The smallest Coastline weighs 1920kg at tare and maxes out in the review version at 2700kg. So, judiciously packed, you can stay under the 2500kg limit for many mid-size tow vehicles and stay legal and safe. Older LandCruiser Prados come to mind, but the list is long where the combined weights of the van and vehicle are moderate.

We towed the Sunfinder Coastline 17 with the Queensland Majestic dealer’s V6 Ford Ranger, and it behaved perfectly on the Bruce Highway and the rural roads to our photo location. The Ranger handled the load easily and I noticed no sway or pitch over the rougher surfaces. The torsion bar suspension gave a smooth ride and the 12in drum brakes worked well.

The bottom line

I’m a big fan of compact vans. We would move to a smaller van next time we trade because they are cheaper to run and better to get into tricky locations. You won’t be taking the Coastline 17 down Western Australia’s Gibb River Road of course, but every park has some challenges manoeuvring into place. The main driver for buyers opting for a smaller van is the lower fuel use and on a long trip this can be significant.

The price of the Sunfinder Coastline 17 is $63,990 and that’s at the best value end of today’s market. The warranty is also impressive with five years’ third-party cover from Integrity Warranty.

The 5.18m (17ft) Coastline will suit couples or single travellers who like the breezy, happy vibe and the simplicity of setup. Owners could happily cruise the coast and miss very little a big van can offer because all the necessities are there or available as an option in things such as battery and solar add-ons.

Measuring up

Pros

• Compact size
• Includes a full width ensuite
• Well priced Australian-made van

Cons

• A cover over the gas bottles would improve the looks

SUNFINDER COASTLINE 17 RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY

Good value traditionally built van

TOWABILITY

Light and well balanced

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

A couples tourer with all the basics

BUILD QUALITY

Traditional timber construction with a neat finish

LIVEABILITY

It’s compact but a couple can live comfortably

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Limited off-grid capability that can be upgraded

CUSTOMER CARE

Third-party warranty looks generous

INNOVATION

Combines all you need into a compact package

X-FACTOR

I love the yellow colour scheme

SUNFINDER COASTLINE 17 SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Sunfinder Coastline 17 price from $63,990

OPTIONS FITTED

Nil

Sunfinder Coastline 17 price as shown $63,990

FURTHER INFORMATION

Sunfinder Caravans
61 Lear Jet Drive

Caboolture Qld 4510

P: 1300 873 510

E: sales@majsteiccaravans.com.au

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