AL-KO Tough Tested – Roadstar Daintree Sirius

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The stars aligned when Roadstar Caravans produced the Daintree Sirius 23’. Named after one of Australia’s jewels in the crown you know you’ve reached a pinnacle in life by owning one.
The Sirius 23 has the style of a chic apartment portraying a truly entertaining demeanor with wonderful off-road credentials. Roadstar’s Ken Nizam is mighty proud of his Daintree Range confidently entering his largest 23’ x 7’6” unit in the 2019 AL-KO Tough Tested Challenge.

It’s solid foundations are the basis for the integrity of the entire construction. Roadstar begin with a fully welded hot-dipped galvanised chassis made from dependable BHP steel and team it with the AL-KO Enduro Outback Independent trailing arm suspension. It easily stood the demands of extreme acceleration, high speed corrugations, radical moguls, thick sand drifts and a cranky mountain climb at breakneck speeds to truly “Tough Test” this worthy competitor.

The Sirius barely blinked an eyeball. It sat as though it was proverbially “on rails” behind the immense power of the big Hemi V8 RAM and never felt insecure for a single second. It revealed impressive towing sophistication with a highly predictable attitude that tracked straight and true. We fully expected to see some grounding issues with the obvious size of the Daintree but we were wrong – there was none!

Yet the real surprise came at the deep water crossing with its very steep entry and departure. The Daintree stemmed the flow like Moses parting the Red Sea! The final test was the thick clouds of red dust that shrouded the caravan in scenes reminiscent of the hordes of desert sands but even the black cabinetry, leather and gloss appliances were totally unscathed in a terrific display of sealed construction.

Back on the black top the rig towed perfectly. The power of the RAM 1500, plus its wheel track and weight urged us on with total confidence.

TIME TO TAKE IT EASY

The standard layout is attuned to a touring couple who demand space, comfort and appreciate the finer things in life like the big, bold and beautiful club lounge at the rear of the van.

Roadstar say, “It’s the fit and finish that Roadstar is most proud of. The result of CAD-designed and CNC-cut furniture that integrates seamlessly into the caravan.” Roadstar are emphatic that 100% of their cabinetry is made from ply with no MDF or chipboard. The inviting internal layouts, fittings and textures can be selected to individual taste, ours a beautiful blend of black dual density genuine leather upholstery, laminate bench tops, commercial grade acrylic splash backs, acrylic matt black doors offset by white cabinetry, gloss black appliances, smooth white internal linings and tough faux timber flooring.

It has a spacious open plan layout that flows easily between the club lounge, a fully kitted kitchen, walk thru ensuite, and all leading to the light-drenched bedroom with its 6’4” x 5′ pillow top mattress and posture adjustable slatted frames.

The range of accessories is immense. Just some of the features include 12/240 power with solar, 2 x 95 litre water tanks, 95 litre grey water tank, gas/electric HWS, washing machine, Dometic compressor fridge, microwave plus 24” TV/DVD and entertainment systems, and climate control with remote air conditioning. There’s a pull out pantry and a sensible combination of internal lighting.

The ensuite will tickle all of your senses with a full height mirror and vanity, large enclosed shower, Thetford toilet and a disclosed washing machine plus an external hot/cold shower.
Off-grid exploration is made easy with 2 x 120 amp AGM batteries and 2 x 150w solar panels plus the Anderson Plug from the towing vehicle. You can sooth the soul with vibes from the Fusion sound system.

RV EYE CANDY

The Roadstar Daintree Sirius offers striking aesthetics from the glossy external walls with their sporty decals and designer colour schemes, plus premium windows, hatches, lights and fittings.

Make no mistake this is a very complex design incorporating space age technologies and precision engineering in the body shell. It features fibreglass sandwich panel construction, including 45mm floor and 29mm on the sides. These insulated panels are incredibly strong and lightweight with a very high energy insulation coefficient due to expanded foam between panels, and not just polystyrene. They allow single piece construction for the front, roof and back ensuring long-term strength, reliability and safety. All bonded surfaces utilize Novatio MS22, a hi-tech flexible polymer sealant with class leading adherence and the massive strength is also more hygienic as the synthetic panels will not allow mould or fungal growth.

Ken said, “True off road quality is beyond basic traditions – excellence demands skill and innovation blended with willpower and imagination, and delivered with pride!”

Outside there’s aluminium checkerplate front and side protection, a drawbar mounted tool box with gas bottles and generator storage plus a full width front tunnel boot. Out back is a rear bumper bar and 2 lockable jerry cans holders.

The Dometic awning creates a classy alfresco complete with LED lighting, Super Sound speakers, entertainment box, digital boosted antenna, TV bracket and power outlet. There are marine hatches to all compartments, a reversing camera plus double glazed Euro style windows, Dometic side door and premium overhead hatches.

Roadstar caravans combine over 30 years of touring development, experience and expertise in every unit. Premium componentry and construction supplies greater confidence for the long road ahead, and you’ll be sure to arrive in comfort and style with a Daintree Sirius.

MEET THE AUTHOR

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John Willis

We call him Bear, and no it’s not just because he’s so cute and cuddly. Bear was the sort of kid that had a model fishing boat in the bath and a Jeep in the sandpit dreaming of great adventures both at sea and on land. He has been lucky enough to follow those dreams and now shares his stories of success and failure, what works and what doesn’t, how to and how not to, and of course where to go in our great country. Bears philosophy is about the joy we get from the journey – not just the destination.

Whilst originally trained as a boat builder Bear’s life has led down many paths but always drawing back on those primary skills. He has experience in irrigation, agriculture, engineering, landscaping and even once owned a playground equipment manufacturing company along with many years in wholesale and retail boat sales and fishing charters before turning his hand to outdoor media. Bear is a skilled writer and photographer, hosted successful radio shows, and nowadays spends a good deal of time in front of the camera creating reviews and features for print, on-line, TV and custom media.

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