Hire a Goldstream in Sydney

[InnerCityBoy]

Hi there

The wife and I have been tossing up whether to make the move from our soft-floor to a pop-top for so long, we've decide to rent one for a weekend to try out the experience and help make a decision.

The camper of choice (if we buy) would likely be a Goldstream Storm or Wing off-road but they don't appear to be available for rent anywhere ... Tried Google: Goldstream themselves you referred me to the local dealer (Parravans) who don't hire them; also checked some caravan rental sites like Camplify; all without success.

Any tips from the Swag community would be appreciated

Plan B is to hire a Jayco Swan which are available to rent from a number of places and will give a fairly similar 'experience' I'm guessing.

Cheers - Sim


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wazza999]

I think you're correct in assuming that. From what I've seen comparing my Goldstream with Jaycos at shows, Goldstreams are more solidly built and a slightly higher standard of finish. Mine doesn't have bedslides so don't know how they compare in that regard.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[JSKM]

From what I've seen comparing my Goldstream with Jaycos at shows, Goldstreams are more solidly built and a slightly higher standard of finish.

What are the Goldstreams worth these days.

[Wazza999]

For the Crown, I've seen prices around 35-37K for the 4B depending I guess on exact configuration with EW queen and convertible double bed, and about 39K for the ST model in full off road configuration.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[areyonga]

There is a second hand (2012) goldstream storm with all the offroad kit and many extras including Truma heater down at Unanderra near Wollongong in Carlons yard if you are looking for a second hand one in good condition, they might be interested in hiring it for a short time.  It was my camper which I traded in a short time ago when I upgraded to a large van.  I think its selling for around 30,000, but its also loaded with many extras.

Happy to answer questions if your interested

Trevor

[FJCruzin]

We recently upgraded from a soft floor camper and purchased the Jayco Swan OB. 

Prior to seeing the Swan we were 95% sold on a Goldstream Storm.  We then saw the Swan and preferred the layout/features for our needs.  We got all the optional extras we wanted (extra water tank, aircon, gas bayonet, battery/water monitor, 12v shurflo pump, Fiamma awning, Anderson plug for the solar panels) $5k cheaper than the Storm with no options other than air-conditioning.

You will find them a very similar experience if you want to try before you buy and can't find a Goldstream to hire.

[InnerCityBoy]

Thanks for the comments all. Definitely want to hire one before buying and think a Swan will be fine for this purpose.

Have read quite a bit on this forum about pop-tops, people who 'upgrade' from soft-floors talk about the faster set-up and people who 'downgrade' to soft-floors talk about the size, weight and limitations off-road. I figure I'll get a good sense for all of these myself if I actually try one out, and I'll also see if it will fit us comfortably (2 adults, 3 kids under 10).

I'm looking 2nd hand and price-wise there is really only a couple of $K difference between a 5 yo Goldstream and Jayco, which is a testament to Jayco's brand recognition I guess. My preference for the Goldstream is the better build quality (especially important when you're buying a used one) and also the lower ride height ... I have to get it through a rather low garage entrance to store it ... !

[Trrrumping Beast]

My 2c, having owned a GS for over 5 years : consider how long you intend to own the trailer for. IMO Jayco hold their value far better and is the only choice for short term ownership. If however you are like me and are making a long term investment then Goldstream becomes an option.
They are built well and mine is virtually as good as the day i picked it up, with only some minor surface rust on the roof raiser bases to show its age. Overall for a family of 4 that camps in 1 spot for up to a week at a time i can think of no better option.

[InnerCityBoy]

Thanks, a very good comment. I've noticed a lot of people selling campers because their kids have grown up and they don't go out anymore. My kids are 10 and under so I'm hoping to have a good 5 yrs at least!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[InnerCityBoy]

Thought I'd drop an update on the experience after taking out a 1 yr old Swan OB for the long weekend.

Impressions of the pop-top experience:
- Wife and kids completely in love with it (sigh).
- Definitely easier (on me) to set up. Not hugely faster, but easier ... no pulling canvas and hauling stuff out of the trailer in to the tent.
- For overnighters, it's DEFINITELY a better option, just throw your bags and bedding on the lounge or floor and close the lid ... no hauling stuff in and out of the trailer / car
- To be honest, the biggest difference was not the speed of set-but rather the different experience, with the comfortable interior and features.

Impressions of the Swan itself:
- Towed and braked beautifully. Had a Trigg hitch which was amazing, no feedback from the trailer at all vs. a bit of knocking from the softfloor which runs on a standard towball.
- Width was a bit unexpected. With the softfloor, if the Prado is in the lane, so is the softfloor ... that's not the case with the Swan which is considerably wider than the Prado.
- Surprised at the build quality. Plastic catch on the water filler cover kept popping off, main bed plywood base was noticeably starting to sag in the middle, several cupboard latches would stick shut, some of the screws on the outside of the unit had started to rust ... this on a 1 yr old unit!
- Water pumps and on-board hot water were VERY nice features
- Had a factory 100Ah battery with solar panel, yet we managed to drain the battery by night #2 just through lights, water pumps and iPad charging (fridge was on gas). Would want to upgrade the panels and / or the Setec battery management system if I got one.
- Managed to run out of water but I suspect I just didn't fill them properly, I stopped filling when the water started gurgling out but I must have been using too much water pressure. It was a dual tank unit so I can't believe we actually used two tanks in two days!

Conclusion:
- For touring I would choose the pop-top hands-down. It's also more comfortable if it's cold, and features like pumps and hot water are obviously nice.
- For 'destination' camping I would choose a soft-floor for the room and outdoor space, especially in summer.
- I would happily hire a Jayco again, but would be wary about buying one.

We've decided to stick with the soft-floor. But if a nice Goldstream came along at the right price, who knows ... !

Cheers

[n_green]

Who/where did you end up hiring one from? Looking at doing the same thing in the near future.

[chester ver2.0]

yeah i have the water tank thing happen on my goldstream

1. You have to shove the hose right in there then turn it on at a low flow rate and basically let it trickle in or it gets an air lock

2. You may have had a dud battery i get 5 days out of 120ah however i changed every thing over to LED that made a huge difference. i personally have not put solar on as we would move on every couple of days and then it would be charged by driving or we would stop at a powered site

[InnerCityBoy]

Who/where did you end up hiring one from? Looking at doing the same thing in the near future.

There were a few rental listings I found on Gumtree but we ended up hiring informally through a friend of a friend but


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[n_green]

There were a few rental listings I found on Gumtree but we ended up hiring informally through a friend of a friend but


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No worries cheers.

[areyonga]

Thought I'd drop an update on the experience after taking out a 1 yr old Swan OB for the long weekend.

Impressions of the pop-top experience:
- Wife and kids completely in love with it (sigh).
- Definitely easier (on me) to set up. Not hugely faster, but easier ... no pulling canvas and hauling stuff out of the trailer in to the tent.
- For overnighters, it's DEFINITELY a better option, just throw your bags and bedding on the lounge or floor and close the lid ... no hauling stuff in and out of the trailer / car
- To be honest, the biggest difference was not the speed of set-but rather the different experience, with the comfortable interior and features.

Impressions of the Swan itself:
- Towed and braked beautifully. Had a Trigg hitch which was amazing, no feedback from the trailer at all vs. a bit of knocking from the softfloor which runs on a standard towball.
- Width was a bit unexpected. With the softfloor, if the Prado is in the lane, so is the softfloor ... that's not the case with the Swan which is considerably wider than the Prado.
- Surprised at the build quality. Plastic catch on the water filler cover kept popping off, main bed plywood base was noticeably starting to sag in the middle, several cupboard latches would stick shut, some of the screws on the outside of the unit had started to rust ... this on a 1 yr old unit!
- Water pumps and on-board hot water were VERY nice features
- Had a factory 100Ah battery with solar panel, yet we managed to drain the battery by night #2 just through lights, water pumps and iPad charging (fridge was on gas). Would want to upgrade the panels and / or the Setec battery management system if I got one.
- Managed to run out of water but I suspect I just didn't fill them properly, I stopped filling when the water started gurgling out but I must have been using too much water pressure. It was a dual tank unit so I can't believe we actually used two tanks in two days!

Conclusion:
- For touring I would choose the pop-top hands-down. It's also more comfortable if it's cold, and features like pumps and hot water are obviously nice.
- For 'destination' camping I would choose a soft-floor for the room and outdoor space, especially in summer.
- I would happily hire a Jayco again, but would be wary about buying one.

We've decided to stick with the soft-floor. But if a nice Goldstream came along at the right price, who knows ... !

Cheers

Have a look at the goldstream in Carlons in Unanderra near Wollongong, it was mine till I upgraded to a large caravan.  It was a relectant sale but I needed to change.  It has solar, DO35 hitch, twin water tanks, compressor upright fridge, independent suspension, payload upgrade, innerspring mattresses, LPG ducted heating, full annex and a lot more.  if you want to know more message me.

Trevor

[InnerCityBoy]

Thanks, I did see that one advertised on CaravanCampingSales I think. Didn't realise it had  LPG ducted heating, that's very swish


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk