Caravan review: Windsor Rapid 15B family hybrid

Tim van Duyl reviews the feature-packed Windsor Rapid 15B family hybrid caravan and gives it a thumbs up for its competitive price, off-grid capability and customer support from a trusted household brand.

In brief:

• Competitive nationwide price
• Comprehensive warranty
• Good after sales care and dealer network

Many of you will remember the original iteration of the Windsor Rapid — a pop-top caravan with beds that folded out at each end surrounded by canvas. Back in the day the Rapid, like its nemesis the Jayco Expanda, was popular with families.

The Windsor Rapid was a household name until around about 2018 when Windsor discontinued the model, so this newer version of the Rapid has a lot to live up to.

There are three models in the new Windsor Rapid range: the 13ft compact unit perfect for solo adventurers looking for a nimble, cost-conscious hybrid and the 15ft offroad ready hybrid for couples (15D) and a family layout (15B) for those wanting a bit of extra space.

One of the first things that stands out about the Windsor Rapid 15B is that it looks a lot like an imported hybrid … and it is. The overall shape, layout and a lot of the features in the new Rapid are common in this type of trailer but I’ll point out what stands out.

This caravan plays in a category that is exceptionally competitive and very price sensitive so I’m going to try and find out if this is the best value 15ft hybrid bunk van on the market today.

The new Rapid comes in three models — two for couples and one for families

Built for offroad adventures

Like many hybrids and caravans, the Rapid 15B falls into the familiar trap of confusing model names. The ‘15’ refers to the 15ft (4.57m) internal body length. With the fold-out closed the overall length is 22ft 9in (6.94m). Width comes in at 2.1m (6ft 11in) and travel height at 2.66m (8ft 9in), giving the Rapid a more compact footprint than most full-size vans while still offering a roomy interior, particularly once you fold out the rear to make space for the king bed.

It has a tare weight of 2401kg and an ATM of 2990kg providing a decent payload of about 589kg. With an unladen ball weight of around 179kg, you will need a tow vehicle with a higher towing capacity like a modern 4x4 ute or large SUV.

For refresher on towing weights and what they mean, check out our guide and diagram. 

Adjustable indpendent suspension

Built for durability and offroad capability, the Windsor Rapid 15B starts with a hot-dipped galvanised chassis that is reinforced around the drawbar and chassis rails. The undersides are protected by raptor coating.

A welded aluminium frame forms the backbone of the body with polystyrene insulation sandwiched between the external and internal cladding of fibreglass. Aluminium checkerplate provides stone protection on the exterior. Underfoot the 12mm honeycomb composite floor is not only lightweight but also completely rot free making it ideal for Australian conditions. And the dark exterior, punctuated by splashes of white and the bright orange scrub bars are sure to make an impression on and off the road.

The rear folds out to make room for the king-size bed inside and also features two spare wheels

Off-grid ready: Power and water setup

The Rapid 15B is built for time away from the grid. Six 100W solar panels feed into a pair of 135Ah lithium batteries, supported by a 2000W Renogy inverter fitted as standard. It’s a solid setup for running the basics — think device charging or a CPAP — but you’ll need mains or a generator to run the rooftop Dometic air-conditioner.

Water storage is equally sorted, with 240L of freshwater and a 70L grey water tank onboard. Between this and the power setup, there’s enough self-sufficiency for a family of four to get through about four days, give or take, off-grid depending on how sparing you are with the showers.

With the rooftop mounted air-conditioner, you can stay cool in the warmer months when connected to the grid and, if the nights get cold, there is a diesel heater fitted as standard on all models to quickly warm things up. The diesel heater even comes with a remote control, so you don’t have to get out of bed to warm the van.

Control panel inside

Simple and smart interior

Heading inside, up the front of the Rapid 15B are a set of massive bunks that can double as great storage spots if the kids aren’t travelling with you. The bunks are a standout with the bottom bunk at more than 2m (6ft 6in) long — so the full internal width of the trailer — while the upper bunk is 1.94m (6ft 4in) long. Both are quite deep as well, so there’s plenty of space for two children to hide out. Importantly for the kids there are also USB ports and 12V fans so you can circulate a bit of air.

The bunks are extra-long, perfect for growing kidsKing-size bed down the back and seating in the middle

Down the back, a proper king size bed with a foam mattress folds down with the rear extension that offers good light and ventilation all around.

The centre area includes the corner ensuite and living area. The ensuite includes a combination shower, vanity and cassette toilet and is a fully moulded fibreglass unit, so it’s easy to keep clean. The rest of the space is filled with the dining table and seating, plenty of storage, benchtop space and a locker designed for an upright fridge (there is not one supplied) complete with an Anderson plug ready to receive one which I think is quite clever. There’s no internal kitchen (bar the benchtop for prep space) in this layout, but it is available in the 15D couples version.

It’s a clean and simple layout and what I really think stands out is the clear, modern feel of the cabinetry and the internal palette colours which I think families will appreciate.

The combination ensuite is compact but has all the essentials

External setup and kitchen

With hybrids like this, it’s all about the outside living and the Rapid 15B has external features in spades.

Starting at the back there are a pair of spare wheels on gas strut-assisted arms that lower to allow you to open up the rear extension that folds out to make room for the king-size bed inside.

Gas struts on the pop-top roof makes setting up quick and simple

I’m familiar with this style of hybrid, so it wasn’t surprising to me that I was able to set the Rapid up in under two minutes. What did surprise me though, is that the gas struts on the pop-top roof and on the back wall of the extension made it a whole lot easier.

The awning is manual so if you’re tall it’s not too hard to use, otherwise there’s a wind-out arm which is pretty straightforward. I like the fact the awning has two tracks in it so you can put down extra shade cloth if you want to and it does have legs built in to support it on a slightly windy day.

Down the side of the trailer is a pull-out kitchen with a sink, light, dishrack, drawers and a four-burner gas stove. This is a common style of external kitchen, but it works really well. Beside it is a handy place for small pots and pans or some commonly used food items, and at the front is a massive pull-out fridge slide that I really like. Windsor had joined two slides together, and you have just one grab handle to pull it all the way out. The slide will fit a 95L or 110L fridge and has space left over for more pots and pans, which you can access when the fridge is out all the way.

As a hybrid, there’s a definite focus on external living

The front locker is well designed providing full-width storage and it’s great to see both the Anderson and 12V cigarette plugs here for your fridge.

Up front in the toolbox there is clear space for a generator and room to put some firewood. Just remember, even though you’ve got all this great storage space you don’t have to use it all — keep an eye on your payload.

Well-considered storage up front

How did the new Windsor Rapid 15B tow?

The Rapid 15B rides on aggressive mud terrain tyres and some smart looking alloy wheels, so let’s see how tows.

If you read our reviews you know that we’re massive fans of the Isuzu D-MAX and M-UX. They are reliable, they are proven and are super capable. We towed the Rapid 15B with D-MAX BLADE — a limited-edition version which retails a little under $73,000 driveway nationwide.

The Windsor Rapid 15B towed smoothly behind the Isuzu D-MAX BLADE

It still has the same ultra reliable 3L turbo diesel engine, six-speed automatic gearbox and lock in rear diff four-wheel drive. What’s different is the mud terrain tyres, slight lift and a really good upgrade to its looks.

For our YouTube video review of the Rapid 15B, I drove 250–300km all uphill for the cameras, so it was hard work and it burned more fuel than I expected — sitting at around 17–18L. The reason why this is a bit higher than I anticipated is down to the tyres and the fact that it has had a lift. With a normal D-MAX I’ve seen around 15L to 17L with trailer like this, so to see 18L is a little bit unusual.

I went into 4WD mode on the gravel roads on the hills for the tow test and that’s just for traction because the Rapid 15B is quite a weighty trailer. In 2WD I would find I lost a bit of traction in the rear end. But it felt safe, great, reliable and dependable just like every D-MAX.

Value for money

The competitive price of $64,995 includes offroad essentials like twin shock absorbers, 16-inch mud tyres and a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling. That price is the same nationwide. I think the price is competitive because even though there are other brands selling similar vans for as much as $5000 cheaper, they do not have the pedigree or network as Windsor and its parent company THL Group.

A smart interior design perfect for family adventures

Customer care

The Windsor Rapid 15B is supported by three-year warranty on the drawbar, chassis and suspension matched with a three-year structural warranty. The tent and canvas components are covered by a one-year warranty and the appliances by the respective manufacturer warranties.

There’s a lot of value in the support you get from Windsor, which is part of the THL Group — a publicly-listed powerhouse in tourism motorhomes and caravans with branches in the UK, New Zealand, parts of Asia and more. And as part of this group, all Windsor models are built out of the well-known and respected Apollo factory (also part of the THL Group).

The THL dealer network spans Australia and New Zealand ensuring reliable support no matter where you. It doesn’t matter where you bought your Rapid, you can get warranty and service from any dealer. The Rapid comes from a company that you can trust will be there for years to come.

The Windsor Rapid 15B is a gutsy-looking hybrid that will take you anywhere

Verdict: Is the Windsor Rapid 15B worth it?

So, after a deep dive, the question still stands — is this the best value family bunk hybrid on the market?

In my mind there are five things that stand out about the new Windsor Rapid 15B:

1. Competitive price
2. Dealer network support throughout Australia and New Zealand
3. Ample water and power reserves plus its standard 2000W inverter
4. Comprehensive warranty and after sales support
5. Comfort with massive bunks, king bed down the back, air-conditioner on the top and even a remote start diesel heater

Its price of $64,995 nationwide is a little more than some of its competitors, but none of those competitors are part of the THL Group and Windsor — a household brand that has been known around the country for decades.

Measuring up

Pros

• Packed with features
• Competitive price
• Good solar/battery/inverter

Cons

• No internal fridge as standard

Is this the best value family hybrid on the market?

WINDSOR RAPID 15B RATINGS

VALUE FOR MONEY

You’ll find cheaper, but you’re paying for a trusted household brand

TOWABILITY

Towed beautifully behind the Isuzu D-MAX BLADE

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

The Rapid 15B has everything a family will need to head off-grid

BUILD QUALITY

Good strong build for getting offroad — great storage and features

SELF-SUFFICIENCY

The 600W solar, 270Ah lithium batteries, 2000W inverter and plenty of freshwater will keep you going for days

CUSTOMER CARE

Three-year drawbar, chassis and suspension, three-year structural and one-year tent and canvas warranty, and backed by Australia and NZ-wide dealer network 

INNOVATION

Gas struts make setting up camp a breeze

X-FACTOR

Gutsy-looking family hybrid that will take you anywhere

WINDSOR RAPID 15B SPECS

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

EXTERNAL

INTERNAL

Windsor Rapid 15B price from $64,995

OPTIONS FITTED

N/A

Windsor Rapid 15B price as shown $64,995

MORE INFORMATION

Windsor RVs

THE NEXT STEP

If you want to learn the latest caravan news, find the most innovative new caravans and camping gear or get inspired to plan your next road trip to some of Australia's best destinations off the beaten track, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. We promise to send you only the best content.

Related articles:

The iconic Windsor RV Rapid hybrid caravan returns

Street Talk: Are things built to last these days?

Caravan review: Windsor Wild 196RD and 220MD