Winning Laughter

$125,000 - 135,000 AUD
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Now, don’t get me wrong. When you’re sitting up in a Chevrolet Silverado towing a fifth-wheeler, as I was, it’s a sense of satisfaction that makes you laugh. The experience is akin to mining for, and striking, gold. It is that overwhelming joy found when you’ve worked hard and come out on top with a win.

 

As for the tow vehicle, there are no two ways about it – with a muscular 6.6L V8 engine producing 365hp, the Silverado had all the chutzpah I needed to tow the luxury Crossroads Cruiser.

 

The combination of a lavish fifth-wheeler and a tow vehicle that blended strong performance with a refined and quiet ride, meant I couldn’t help looking good and feeling good as I toured near Queensland’s gold mining town of Gympie around 170km north of Brisbane.

 

The feeling was so agreeable that I took the Cruiser out one day with a white Silverado, and then the next day hitched up the Crossroads RV with a rich-blue Chevy. Let me tell you, it didn’t matter whether the Chevy was dark or light, the combo looked just fine.

 

However, reviewing a substantial RV the size of the 10m-long Cruiser means more than feeling good towing it down the highway. Remember, when combined with the Chevrolet tow vehicle, you’re almost as long as a cricket pitch. For something that size, the real test is finding how functional and liveable it is, inside and out.

 

EXTERNAL

 

The striking exterior of the Crossroads RV Cruiser really only serves to remind us that staying in a fifth-wheeler is not really about what is happening outside. As for the aerodynamics, RV Crossroads has tried to reduce wind resistance and consequently fuel consumption.

 

The Crossroads RV Cruiser is nothing short of prominent on the road, and I am sure anyone would be proud to be seen owning this unit.

 

Aluminium tubing underpins the exterior skin and helps make the whole vehicle strong and sturdy. I liked the way the underbelly area was fully sealed for added protection when touring.

 

Perhaps the one concession to outdoor living was the Fiamma F65 roof-mount awning. Given its travelling width of almost 2.5m, the roof-mounted awning allows the Crossroads Cruiser to comply with Australian standards. The awning is mounted with the outer edge of the closed awning flush with the wall.

 

With a height of almost 4m, the awning mounted on the roof seemed out of reach. Just the same, to me the truth is the exterior is the face of what is a large cocoon into which travellers retreat. It is hard to imagine why you would need an awning with so much comfort inside.

 

EXTERNAL FEATURES

 

Chassis: 200mm steel I-beam (now 250mm)
Frame construction: Aluminium tube 400mm OC studs
Windows: Tinted glass windows
Insulation: Side wall R-7 fibreglass, roof R-14 fibreglass
Corner jacks: 2 x scissor jack
Waste water outlet: Yes – 4in bayonet fitting
Water tanks: Fresh water 220L
Water tank covers: Underbelly fully sealed
Coupling: Trailair
Suspension: Dobinsons seven-leaf spring – load sharing
Clearance: Standard
Brakes: Electric 12in brakes
Wheels: 15in alloy rims
Tyres: Trail Express – Power Touring ST225/75R15
Awning: Fiamma F65
Boot(s): Yes – extra large with front and side access
Stone guard: N/A
Gas cylinder size/s: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Atwood MPD 93754 – 22.7L
Battery: 2 x Rocket 100Ah
Battery charger: IUOU Smart Charger CBC12-45
Solar panels: (Optional) 2 x BP 125W
Entrance door: Two-piece with flyscreen

 

INTERNAL

 

Like any fifth-wheeler, the Crossroads Cruiser needs to push out its walls and open up completely to show what it’s all about. Quite simply, for those that are not familiar with this type of RV, find the right place to stop, and the pushbutton-controlled motors that drive the three slideouts open the Cruiser to its full width in no more than perhaps three minutes. Then you’re right to step inside and put the kettle on in the well-appointed kitchen.

 

Even as you watch the kitchen, lounge and bedroom expand for the first time, the word cosy comes to mind. Beyond cosy, this RV has a sense of style that is old world, familiar, and conservative.

This means it has about it that intangible something that takes you dreamily back to those comfortable days safe at home.

 

The review RV had a large 183L Dometic fridge to keep the milk or perhaps the beer cold and lots more to boot, with a Swift gas oven, stove and grill and a Panasonic microwave with which to whiz up a nice lunch.

 

There was a double-bowl sink for the clean-up afterwards. The kitchen, like the rest of the interior, was superbly finished, with no sharp edges or rough drawer interiors to cause injury.

 

Beyond the kitchen, with approximately a 4m-wide living space incorporating a The kitchen, like the rest of the interior, was superbly finished Jensen entertainment system, Panasonic Viera 66cm flat-screen television, a plush two-seater sofa and two recliner rockers, this fifth-wheeler had its share of comfort.

 

Although some may not like the walnut maple and beige tones, they certainly helped make what was a large living area seem more intimate and snug, especially when the translucent-white blinds soothed the harsh midday light.

 

The sofa turned into a bed at night providing extra space for kids or friends to travel together. The main bedroom was tasteful and conservative with solid-looking furniture and a wide expansive built-in cupboard with mirrored sliding doors. At the foot of the bed was a large three-drawer dresser, which is ideal storage rarely seen in an RV. As the bedroom is located in the section over the gooseneck, the head height in here is a bit short but certainly liveable.

 

The bathroom was simple with a corner shower that has a glass door, and separate toilet and hand basin. It wasn’t cramped, it wasn’t overly flash, but it was very practical.

 

INTERNAL FEATURES

 

Fridge: Dometic RM4805 - 224L
Television: Panasonic Viera 66cm (optional)
Antenna: Winegard
Music system: Jensen AM/FM/CD/DVD
Cooking equipment: Swift 502DSP – gas oven, stove and grill
Microwave: Panasonic NN-ST6575, 32L silver
Heating/cooling: Air Command Ibis reverse cycle
Rangehood: Heng Industries
Lighting: Globe 12V
Smoke alarms: Yes
Cupboard finsihes: Walnut maple timber
Latches: Bronzed alloy handles with gripper catches
Lounge configuration: Two-seater sofa and two recliner/rocker
Seating capacity: Eight
Upholstery: Fabric
Sink: Double bowl
Sleeping configuration: Queen bed plus sofa
Berths: Four
Bed size(s): Queen 6ft 8in x 5ft
Mattress: Queen – innerspring, sofa – self-inflating air
Under bed storage: Yes
Privacy screens: Yes
Bathroom configuration: Full ensuite
Privacy door: Yes
Toilet: Thetford Aqua-Magic II
Toilet roll holder: Yes – chrome
Shower head: Flexible head
Washing machine: (Optional) Dometic 3kg – front loader
Clothes dryer: (Optional) Fisher Paykel 3.5kg
Towel racks: Yes – double chrome

 

RATINGS

 

Exterior: 4/5
Interior: 4/5
Layout: 4/5
Kitchen: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

 

WORTH BUYING?

 

There is no doubt the Crossroads Cruiser will make you chuckle with pride as you tour along the highways and byways. More importantly, its conservative styling and certain sense of safety and security will appeal to those that have decided they deserve to travel in comfort and content in the knowledge that a lifetime of work has paid dividends.

 

TECHNICAL SPECS

 

Make/model: Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK-AU
Chassis number: 4V0FC3026AE004732
External body length: 10m (32ft 9in)
External Width: 2.495m (8ft 2in)
Vin Tare Weight: 3950kg
NB: length and width are external measurements of the vehicle shell (and awning) only

 

CONTACT/THANKS

 

Contact person: Michael Doyle
Name: Crossroads RV Australia P/L
Address: 10–11 Railway Court, Gympie QLD 4570
Ph: (07) 5483 7744
Fax: (07) 5483 9929
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.crossroadsrv.com.au

 

Please Note: Prices were correct at time of review.

 

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID GILCHRIST