GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #30 | Page 27

RV FEATURE Hilltop Caravans has been manufacturing caravans for about five years. Though it is a relatively small outfit, building about four vans a week out of its factory in Campbellfield, Vic, it seems to have developed a loyal base of customers. A breath of fresh air. Loads of wow factor. Choose your cliche. The bottom line: the Macedon is a beauty. The bathroom, incidentally, is one of the best that I’ve seen in a long time. The kitchen is not only visually appealing – especially the strikingly colourful and patterned acrylic splashback – it is highly functional. Hilltop Caravans has fitted an electric induction cooktop rather than a standard four-burner gas stove. But how will I use this when free-camping? you ask. Well, the Macedon is also equipped with three 120Ah lithium batteries, which should allow the cooktop to run at full heat for more than an hour. The bathroom, with its offside corner shower, rear linen cupboard above three drawers, offside vanity unit and washing machine, instantly won my favour. The layout is, in my opinion, a cut above. Throughout the Macedon, the facings of all furniture are done in acrylic rather than laminated plywood, resulting in a consistently smooth finish. Crawling beneath the van, I was pleased to see a sheet of aluminium protecting the floor, as well as neat cabling and plumbing. Nothing was hanging loose or low, and the electric brake wiring was in a protective sleeve running directly to the brake drum. WHAT WE SAID The 21ft Macedon is well set-up for free-camping. It will require a substantial tow vehicle. At Tare, it weighs 2940kg. Its ATM of 3500kg gives it a reasonable payload capacity of 560kg. But if you want comforts at your fingertips in a well-built rig, and your budget allows, the Macedon is worth a long look. HITS check • Use of technology throughout, from the wireless chargers to the lithium batteries and electric cooktop • Excellent bathroom MISSES times • No protection for dump valves on fresh water tanks • Nitpicking: unsightly silicone on one water line ORIGINAL REVIEW HIGH ROLLER / 27