Golf Maxxie 390 Pop-Top Tested

The mark of innovation, of lateral thinking, in caravan design can be found in small rigs with spacious layouts. I’m referring to vans that, origami-like, fold into something entirely different once at camp. Vans that, if you saw them under tow, you’d think were all bed and no bathroom.

The Maxxie 390 by Golf, which debuted at this year’s Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow, isn’t quite the fold-out wonder I’ve described; however, its small stature belies its big heart.

LITTLE MARVEL

With a rear door and forward fold-out bed-end, the Maxxie 390 takes full advantage of the space between. The split bathroom is this rig’s biggest surprise. Step inside and you’ll find a moulded fibreglass shower cubicle on the right, the offside, and a cubicle containing the Thetford cassette toilet and a separate washbasin on the left. Both cubicles, as per pop-top tradition, have a vinyl gusset that lifts automatically into position when the roof is raised to provide complete privacy.

The dinette, located forward of the bathroom, is reasonably comfortable. The best bit: by gently removing the table from its mounting point and adjusting the height of the leg, and then positioning it on a couple pieces of protruding timber, the dinette converts into an extra bed. Beneath the dinette seats, you’ll find the 12V water pump, and 95Ah deep-cycle battery and charger.

The kitchen, meanwhile, features a Swift 500 Series cooktop and griller, along with an 800W Panasonic microwave. The storage space beneath the sink is compromised somewhat by the Swift gas-electric hot water service but, let’s be honest, such a bulky unit has to go somewhere and this is probably the logical place for it. Besides, the two large wardrobes behind both the dinette and kitchen go some way towards making up for the space ‘stolen’ by the water heater.

Is it a fancy kitchen? Well, fancy isn’t the word I’d use. Functional, yes, with the essentials covered, including a three-way fridge. Bench space isn’t a highlight but nor would I say it’s lacking, considering the pop-top’s overall length and attendant bathroom. Increasing the bench space would involve increasing the rig’s length (and subsequently its weight), or moving the shower into the toilet cubicle, thereby turning the bathroom into a combo unit. This would, of course, defeat the purpose of the Maxxie 390’s layout.

Other internal features include LED lighting, internal access to the gal-lined tunnel boot (just lift the foam mattress of the bed) and a roof-mounted reverse-cycle air-conditioner. That air-conditioner, by the way, obviously adds to the weight of the roof, making popping it up a slight challenge. Vanners with limited mobility might have some difficulty here.

Otherwise, full points for a well-considered layout that utilises its small confines in a clever way.

OPENING THE BED

The Maxxie 390 has one of the easiest fold-out beds available, in my opinion. It’s a matter of lifting the front fibreglass lid and lowering the bed base. The canvas walls and roof will position themselves. Then, just secure the four ‘bungee’ clips, flatten out the mattress inside, and it’s a job well done. There are no internal tensioning poles to think about. It just doesn’t get any easier.

QUICK LOOK OUTSIDE

Built with composite aluminium panels on a hot-dipped-galvanised chassis, this pop-top is an otherwise traditional construction. It runs on beam-axle leaf-spring suspension, 10in electric brakes and 14in alloy wheels. Two 95L water tanks are fitted as standard, along with dual 4kg gas cylinders.

To think about: assuming you filled both tanks and gas cylinders, that’s instantly 194kg of payload. Considering the 300kg overall payload capacity of the Maxxie 390 (the single-axle industry standard), there’s 106kg left to work with. Is that enough? You be the judge but I’d estimate, for two people who mostly stayed at holiday parks, it is.

Thanks to the rear entrance, this pop-top gets two awnings: one across the back and one across the nearside, while the aforementioned tunnel boot can be accessed either side.

The A-frame of the Maxxie 390 has been lengthened so as to provide room for the spare wheel behind the gas cylinders. I think Golf has made the right decision here; the only alternative location would be beneath the van.

GO RV’S VERDICT

First impressions: the Golf Maxxie 390 represents decent value and an enticing layout. The living space on offer is good and generous, especially in light of the pop-top’s weight. With a Tare of 1290kg, ATM of 1590kg, and 120kg on the ball, it’s suitable for a very wide range of tow vehicles, family sedans and station wagons alike.

THE SCORE

FIT AND FINISH –

LAYOUT –

INNOVATION –

HITS & MISSES

COMPLETE SPECS