Roadstar Retreat
Roadstar’s Retreat is a innovative pop top that expands to offer all the space and security of a much larger caravan. It is available in three layouts starting with the RP 12’0 x 7’ 6” -1, RP 12’0 x 7’ 6” -2 (Bunk) and RP 14’6” x 7’6” -1 SH Ensuite version. This is a truly practical two person van with or without the Ensuite layout or for the young family with children a bunk combination layout is available.
At first glance the Retreat comes with a basic small single-axle, flat backed pop tops that have been around for years. These are liked by couples that’s easy to tow and doesn’t take up much room, and who don’t mind having the minimum of living kitchen and storage.
With the Retreat you’ll notice that instead of having a door at the back, its entrance is at the side. You might wonder how a kitchen, dinette and sleeping accommodation for two could possibly fit into such a floorplan. The answer of course is the bed end design – the caravan’s flat back is hinged, and it lifts up to allow a comfy double bed to pop out of the rear end. The Retreat’s bed end has solid walls and ceiling, with a conventional openable window in the rear wall, and the way it works is really clever.
Once the rear wall has been raised horizontally, the slatted base of the bed end can be seen in a vertical position behind it. When this is dropped down it appears, as a neatly packed tray, containing two sides and a rear wall all folded over on the top of the made up bed. The side walls are hinged – they lift up and outward to be attracted to the roof at the top, then the rear wall follows to complete the neat, safe and watertight bedroom extension.
The Roadstar Retreat RP 12’0 x 7’ 6” -1 and RP 12’0 x 7’ 6” -2 (Bunk) layouts have an external towing measurement of 14’ x 7’ 6” on the road, and is capable of expanding to the full 22’ 6”including the A Frame when on site. The Roadstar Retreat RP 14’6” x 7’6” -1 SH is a manoeuvrable single axle pop top, but on site it is capable of expanding to a full 25' including the A Frame.
In towing mode it contains a roomy seating and dining area, ample storage and a well equipped kitchen with plenty of bench space, all of which can be used without the bed end extended. When travelling you can stop for a coffee break without needing to set up.
Roadstar’s Retreat bed end folding wall sections are made from lightweight bonded sandwich layers of aluminium polystyrene and plywood and raised and held in place by gas struts. The drop down bed base is supported by two strong cables. The whole thing is quick and easy to erect and also to pack away.
The Roadstar Retreat is robust in its construction. Its foundation is a heavy duty boxed steel Supergal chassis on a single beam axle with leaf springs and a pair of TX1 white polished alloy wheels fitted with 14 inch light truck tyres.
The Roadstar Retreat body has a water resistance 12mm ply floor and a Meranti frame clad with white aluminium. Inside it is lined with ply panelling, and the wall and roof cavities are fully insulated.
Click below for some more images of the Retreat.
  
Also look at the Safari version of the Retreat
The Roadstar Retreat has a plain Supergal bumper at the rear and the spare wheel is carried in the 400mm – deep front boot, which also contains a single 9kg gas bottle. A 60 litre water tank with galvanised guard is mounted under the floor.
The Roadstar Retreat’s standard fittings include many items that are considered essential today but would have been regarded as luxuries as little as 10 years ago. On the outside these include an A&E rollout awning, quick release drop down corner stabilisers, main pressure connection and plumbing with a built –in water filter and a tap on the A Frame.
There’s a jacking point on either side, and Roadstar supplies a Trail – a –Mate jack and a four way wheel brace with every model.
Conveniences abound inside the Retreat, too. These include a microwave and a four burner stove with griller, a 90litre Dometic three – way RM 2350 fridge, two rollout pot drawers under the stove, an innerspring mattress with luxurious bedspread and pillowcases, matching curtains and Velcro – attached pelmets, a mains pressure tap and a hand pump, post formed roll – edged benchtops, a radio/CD player, a dressing table mirror, a wall clock, easy lift handles for the pop top roof, and many more – all of them standard.
This floorplan is well thought out, and the storage space it provides is very generous. In addition to the impressive array of kitchen cupboards, one half of what appears to be the double wardrobe is fitted either as a pantry or a storage cupboard for linen and clothing. There’s also dressing table with four drawers, easily – accessed storage under the dinette seats and a narrow but deep recess with a removable top behind one of the seats.
Lighting throughout the van is 12V, including round fluorescents in the ceiling, a fluorescent strip above the sink and reading lights for both the dinette and bed. Roadstar’s usual excellent standard of finish can be found throughout the van. All the cupboards are lined and have brass hinges and attractive brass knobs with gripper catches, while the overhead cupboards are supported by metal spring struts. |
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Retreat Pop Top
Retreat Interior
Retreat Pop Top with extended awning
Retreat Interior double bunk
Retreat Interior double bunk secured for travel |
