CAOS TOUGH TESTED New Age MY21 Wayfinder
New Age’s MY21 Wayfinder brings a traditional touring concept right up to date
In between the simplicity of an old-school touring tent and the ‘indoorsiness’ of a caravan exists the ‘wind-up’ camper–with a modern rendition gracing our CAOS Tough Tested 2022 Time Trial Track. The concept has its origins in the 1960s when light and nimble wind-ups were an ideal match for the Holdens, Vauxhalls, Falcons–even VWs of the era.
Today, these old ones remain popular with the classic car crowd and now, as then, this type of camper is great for an easy, relaxing weekend away. For many people there’s something alluring about sleeping under canvas and the generally more compact ready-to-tow size of a camper makes sense for longer treks on more rugged terrain, too.
The New Age MY21 Wayfinder 12ft Adventurer Pack fitted with is a perfect example of today’s camper. Tech has moved on a bit from Grandpop’s Kanga Kampa but the Wayfinder continues the compact camper ethos, realigning it to today’s customer expectations and the present crop of 4WD wagon or dual-cab tourer tow vehicles.
Electric ‘wind-up’
Out on the track and with New Age’s Terry Way driving it, the big Chev hardly felt the Wayfinder, which highlights the fact a camper of this size will be easily towed by most of the present crop of 4WD wagons/dual cabs. In fact, Terry was ummm a little exuberant.
The Wayfinder’s Walkinshaw-supplied chassis benefits from what is arguably Australia’s best R&D and construction processes. Robotically welded and hot-dip galvanised, this Adventure Pack Plus-spec Wayfinder rides on Cruisemaster trailing arm independent suspension. The body is with good looking caps front and rear, protected by tough rock-resistant Raptor poly coating. But the real crowd pleaser here is the electric roof system that takes the hard work out of raising and lowering the roof. That’s a terrific benefit as it allows quick access to the camper kitchen for easy bush lunches without too much pushing and shoving.
Two seating areas
Once you’re inside, of course, with most of the hardware below table height there’s a terrific feeling of spaciousness. Sure, without a caravan’s cupboards, there’s less formal storage but people who are ‘stepping up’ from a smaller camper–or tent-type on-the-ground camping–will know a thing or two about packing light ’n tight.
The basics are covered well. Quite logically, with push-outs at both ends, the kitchen is mid-ships; it offers a three-gas/one electric cooktop, an upright fridge, a scattering of cupboards
and–in our test rig–a microwave. The layout includes two seating areas so it will cater for cooking and kids at the same time.
ON THE TRACK
From the sidelines you could see Terry assessing the situation as the New Age MY21 Wayfinder 12ft obediently tracked the Silverado LTZ Premium through two hairpin corners at good speeds. Indeed, from the gate, Terry leveraged the Wayfinder’s weight advantage under the controlled conditions–putting Jamie, Balfour Track veteran, on double duty! Although fast to hit the water and the wombat holes, Terry guided the 12 fter riding on 16in ATs comfortably with the Silverado LT Trail Boss barely sniffing; that bravado backfired on a hidden obstacle in the sand. Was the risk worth it in the end?
Dimensions
Full length: 5047mm
Body length: 3658mm
Travel height: 1940mm
Tare 1530kg
ATM 2200kg
Ball weight ?
Off-road
Body construction electric roof
Chassis: Galvanised Walkinshaw chassis
Suspension: Cruisemaster XT
Coupling: DO35
Brakes:
Wheels/tyres 16in AT
Stone protection Raptor spray
A-frame accessories Tap, toolbox
Comforts
Cooking 3 gas burner cooktop w/ sink
Refrigeration 96L three-way
Ablutions external shower
Bedding 2x queen
Dining (lounge) U-shape lounge
Hot water
Climate control (include fans, air-con heating)
Reversing camera
Off-the-grid
Water 2x 80L
Battery/BMS 100Ah/ BatteryPlus35-II
Solar 150W
Gas bottle/holders x2 gas cylinders
Jerry can/holders
Price (as shown)
Challenge Penalties TIME (tot)
TIME TRIAL 1:18
TEST TRACK +00:15s 7:13
Terry Way
A long-time partner to New Age’s logistics team, Terry knows how to tow in tricky conditions–and as a New Age vanner himself, he regularly hits Fraser (K’gari) sands. Let’s see what he brings to the tracks!
