My first recollection of caravanning goes way back to my childhood when Windsor Caravans became Aussie icons to a world enjoying new found freedoms. The youngsters will be saying “OK boomer”, and maybe I am showing my age yet the memories are sweet and such product history certainly adds to buyer confidence in this world of turmoil.

Windsor Caravans are now produced by industry giant and manufacturing leader Apollo Manufacturing from their 20,000 sqm facility in Brisbane. Their “Genesis” range is aptly named evolving from the early basics of the caravan industry to now incorporating modern hi-tech construction and design.

There’s nothing old hat in the Genesis range of models from 17’6” to 22’, in fact one could almost say that their latest Phoenix is putting the “sexy” to boxes on wheels. Their style is confident yet graceful, their aesthetics smooth and stunning and their creature comforts are superbly inviting. Our tested Windsor Genesis 196RD (rear door) also combines a very complete, yet entirely sensible array of features, fixtures, and appliances all presented at a very realistic price ensuring they will retain strong market share and high resale for many years of service to adventurous Aussie travelers.

As a part of the Apollo manufacturing strategy, all new Windsor’s are built on impressive foundations with their 6” galvanized RHS steel chassis and A-frame drawbar. Our demonstration Genesis 196RD rode on a chariot formed by dual AL-KO Independent Rubber Suspension (IRS) with 10-inch electric drum brakes. I first fitted this suspension to trailers over 25 years ago and have never experienced any problems plus I like their simplicity and ride. It’s basically a touring van but I reckon you will be surprised by its capabilities once you leave the blacktop.

With a body shell length of around 19’6” (5.8 m) and a tare weight just a smidge under 2050 kg, this 196RD Genesis is a sensible size to tow. Larger vans are terrific but sometimes the bigger the van the more the stress to man and machinery. This is a convenient size and layout for a touring couple especially with its Queen bed, full en-suite, complete kitchen, dinette, and range of accessories and facilities. It has an ATM of 2500 kg which is adequate with loaded gas bottles, water tanks, and fridge, but you will have to take care of the extras.

Apollo introduced a strong yet lightweight frame with a single-piece structural composite panel floor and I was very pleased to see foam insulated single section composite panels to the roof and sidewalls. They feature smooth gel-coat surfaces inside and out combined with striking, yet tasteful external graphics enhanced by a colour matched R15 all-terrain tyres on steel mags, premium double glazed Euro-style windows (with sliding awnings and flyscreen’s) plus very attractive black ABS molding’s to all corners, bumpers and trim and scratch-resistant wear surfaces. This one didn’t have a separate rear bumper but I guess it’s an option hence the spare wheel was fitted windup style under the van. It may reduce the clearance a little but ads some added protection to the undersides that also feature twin 82 litre shrouded water tanks, this one without the optional greywater.

Windsor says, “The Genesis 196RD has been designed for adventuring in style!” Its attractions include a wide variety of power-efficient mood lighting inside and out including my favourite, the strip lights under the benches. The colour palette is soft and enticing with an appealing set of finishes, textures, appliances, and fixtures. High internal headroom (2035mm) ads to terrific flow throughout creating a feeling of spaciousness. 

At the of a day, or perhaps just for a nanny nap, the bedroom is ultra-inviting with a lift up Queen size island bed with innerspring mattress with storage underneath, wardrobes both sides with powered nick-knack nooks, upholstered bedhead with stitched paneling and a 24” (60cm) HD LED DVD/TV on swivel also serving the dinette. When it’s time to relax there’s a luxurious grey leatherette dinette with tri-fold table including plenty of tummy space for we larger heifers.

Who doesn’t love a full en-suite and this-uns a beaut! There’s plenty of room in the molded shower plus a wonderful vanity with plenty of drawers and cupboards and a very large and well-lit dressing mirror. I like the amount of elbow room on the ceramic cassette-style toilet plus there’s a front loading washing machine combining with the 20 litre gas/electric hot water service to clean up the road grime.

The Windsor Gemini 196RD includes a fully-equipped kitchen. There’s soft-close cupboards, plenty of bench space, (laminated plywood), splashbacks, a microwave oven, 12-volt range hood, 12-volt grill, 3+1 gas electric cooktop & a 190L Dometic 3-way absorption fridge to keep you travelling for ages. Plus there’s a deep sink with H/C flick mixer and draining board, freshwater filter, and soft-close drawers for utensils and accessories.

You will be comfortable in all climates with the reverse cycle air conditioner and will never feel stuffy with overhead vents plus the variety of three-way windows and security door.

To keep you powered up the standard Genesis 196 RD includes a 120Ah deep cycle battery, 25amp battery charger, 150-watt solar panel, water level monitor, stereo/CD Player with Bluetooth connectivity, 12/240V volt & USB inlets and outlets plus illuminated entry rail, LED trailer lights and electric breakaway system.

Other external features include a roll-out awning, folding picnic table, directional HDTV and radio aerials, 2 x 9kg gas bottles on the drawbar, a range of LED lighting, spring-loaded folding step with an easy loading height and a full with tunnel boot offering plenty of storage.

Apollo is offering a unique 5-3-3 Warranty giving owners peace of mind with a 5-years structural guarantee on all parts of walls, windows fitments, floor, and roof plus 3-years body and interior guarantee including cabinets, furniture, framing, and wet area fittings as well as 3-years of roadside assistance. That’s mighty good peace of mind and terrific back up for a model that starts around $60,000!

Get ready to start planning your lap year, grand adventure, or maybe just a series of weekend excursions as you explore our wonderful Aussie delights in a Windsor Genesis command module from Apollo. Here goes the old “boomer” in me reminiscing a song from Peter Pan that somehow seems fitting. It goes, “Set your eyes on the stars, the second star to the right, shines in the night for you. To tell you that the dreams you plan really can come true!”

ENDS

SPECIFICATIONS 

Body Length (mm) 5,810

Overall Length (mm) 7,290

Overall Height (mm) 2,710

Overall Width (mm) 2,500

Interior Height (mm) 2,035

Tare Weight (kg) 2,031

ATM Weight (kg) 2,500

PRICE (STARTING):  $60,000.00 $59,990

PRICE (AS REVIEWED) $???? $59,990