Colour Me Happy!

Appearance-wise, the motorhome world could be called the Land of the Long White Box. Decorwise, it could be the Land of the Woodgrain Panel (or the Land that Style Forgot, and possibly with a spin-off TV mini-series). Yes, white stays coolest in summer and oddly, shows dirt the least, but it’s also the colour of appliances and delivery vans. While white still largely rules the world of coachbuilt motorhomes, buyers of van conversions have more choice.

Horizon Motorhomes is a specialist manufacturer of van-conversion motorhomes and over the years, iMotorhome has reviewed most if not all its models. That specialisation has allowed Horizon to refine both its design and construction process, and an ever-growing band of happy, loyal and often repeat customers is testament to the company’s success. The hallmark of a Horizon motorhome is no-nonsense design and rock-solid construction; the result of evolution rather than revolution. That said, a small

revolution began a few years back when Horizon embraced the first of a new wave of brightly coloured Fiat Ducato vans. Red, blue, gold and Horizon’s iconic, orangey-bronze (my description!) motorhomes began brightening owners’ driveways, although inside woodgrain still ruled. Then, at the 2019 Let’s Go Queensland Caravan & Camping Supershow, the colour revolution moved inside…

Pride of place on the Horizon Motorhomes’ stand was an orangey-bronze Melaleuca, unmissable not only in colour, but also because HORIZON was emblazoned diagonally down the sides. Inside, bright orange and white – they call it ‘retro styling’ – transformed an otherwise conservative design into something fun and funky. Okay, bright orange might not be to everybody’s taste, but other colours were mentioned, including lime green, plus grey and white for the more conservative buyer still looking to escape woodgrain’s clutches.

I’ve reviewed the Melaleuca three times (issues 25, 102 and 114) and while the base Fiat Ducato has changed, the conversion largely remains the same – and with good reason: It works. The Melaleuca is Horizon’s entry level motorhome, starting at $119,000 drive-away in NSW, and measures just 5.99 m (19’ 8”) long, meaning it can legally park in a standard 6 m car space. Just. Being small but fully self-contained makes the Melaleuca a favourite amongst solo travellers, and to help keep things as affordable as possible Horizon also offers the Melaleuca Appeal, a slightly lower-specced version from $106,000 drive-away in NSW. The Appeal loses some cupboards and lights, has no entry step and some other detail bits, but the biggest difference is a manual gearbox. If changing gears doesn’t bother you it’s well worth a look, especially as some of the ‘missing’ features can later be added if desired. However, the subject of this review is the ‘full strength’ Melaleuca (full strength being no exaggeration given the vibrant colour scheme!). Just on the subject of price, it’s often what you don’t see in a motorhome that plays a big part in its suitability for purpose and long-term enjoyment. Take Horizon’s standard fitment of a 210 Ah deep-cycle house battery and 40-amp DC to DC 3-stage battery charger as an example: it’s serious capacity – 100 Ah is the norm for a house battery, while chargers are often significantly lower capacity – meaning much longer free camping that can even negate the need for solar. Also look at water capacities, insulation, plumbing fixtures and fittings, things like a standard drinking water filter, compressor fridge and so on. Quality is what makes for happy ownership long after the price is forgotten, but it’s not always apparent…

Melaleucas are built ‘in’ the latest iteration of the Fiat Ducato, which is now in its third generation. I say “latest iteration” because within this generation there has been a significant engine update across the range to comply with Euro 6 emissions requirements. While the Ducato range has lost its 3.0-litre turbodiesel in favour of a smaller but equally powerful 2.3-litre engine, the Melaleuca has always had this smaller motor. The good news is that while it puts out the same power – 109 kW – torque has increased from 350 Nm to 380 Nm, an 8.5% bonus. Also good news is that the Ducato doesn’t require AdBlue fuel additive to achieve it’s emissions targets.

While the front-versus-rear-wheel-drive argument still arises, in practice the fact that drive is via the Ducato’s front wheels is a non-issue: Traction control, a hillholder and all the usual safety systems, including stability control, are all standard. The Ducato’s ‘auto’ gearbox – Fiat calls it Comfort-matic – is better explained as an automated manual transmission or ATM. Later in 2020 we’ll see the arrival of a conventional automatic in the Ducato, and a 9-speed unit at that. Is it worth waiting? That depends on your time constraints and financial situation – the new gearbox will likely be dearer – but in reality there’s nothing wrong with the current shifter. Things that make the Ducato stand out as a vanconversion motorhome are 1: Its square body profile. 2: Extra 57 mm width compared to a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. 3: Higher gross vehicle mass (GVM) and 4: Factory swivelling cab seats. The square body provides maximum usable internal space, while the extra width makes sleeping across the vehicle realistic for taller people and also provides a little extra room to move. The 4250 kg GVM provides considerable additional payload, which in the case of the test vehicle was weigh bridge-certified at 1139 kg. That’s after filling the 125-litre fuel tank, 115-litre fresh water tank and the pair of 4kg LPG cylinders. Finally, the factory swivelling seats are the best in the business in terms of simplicity and ease of use, while the seats themselves are very very good.

On the road the Melaleuca is comfortable and relaxed, with excellent visibility and an easy driving style. Its compact length means you can nose or reverse into many more parking spots than bigger vehicles, although if you fit a nudge or bullbar you’ll be just a bit too long for that standard car space. That extra width can make itself felt, however, when parking between cars, but exercise a little common sense and you’ll avoid problems.

As mentioned and colours aside, the Melaleuca really hasn’t changed inside because the layout is enduringly practical and liveable.

Despite its length Horizon’s designers have packed a lot in: Lounge/dining areas front and rear, a decent sized kitchen, a basic-but-acceptable bathroom and a versatile U-shaped sleeping area at the rear that can be single beds, a double or king. On top of that is excellent cupboard and drawer space, a large boot and a high level of standard equipment.

Of course, every design has its compromises and in the Melaleuca they are most obvious around the front dinette and bathroom. While the cab seats swivel the driver’s is constrained by the wardrobe and fridge cabinet immediately behind it. The seat does swivel most of the way around, but not totally, unlike the passenger’s seat. Fit the small pole-mounted table between the seats and space is pretty tight, and works best when both seats directly face each other. That said, it’s still a comfortable and practical space, and one that can keep a second occupant well out of the chef’s way at meal times.

The wet bathroom is compact and minimalist, occupying as little floor space as possible but while still remaining practical. It features a cassette toilet, mirrored medicine cabinet and a corner basin with mixer tap that doubles as an extendable shower. Really, what more do you need?

The main kitchen unit sits between the sliding side entry door and U-shaped lounge/bed area. It features a combined three-burner gas cooker and sink unit, the latter with folding tap, while both sections have glass lids to maximise working space. There’s also a flip-up bench extension, which is essential in a small space like this. An under-bench microwave is fitted, along with six drawers of varying sizes that should accommodate all your cooking needs. That’s just as well as there are no overhead cupboards (and therefore no range hood) because of the side door.

The TV, on a swivel mount, nestles above the cooker and against the end wall of a U-shaped set of cupboards above the bed. In days gone by Horizon positioned all electric switches and gauges on the wall above the cooker, where they were easily and instantly readable and accessible. Now, however, they’re in the first overhead cupboard across the aisle and you have to lift the door to see and access them. It’s certainly neater, but not as practical.

Directly across the aisle as you enter the Melaleuca is the 136-litre compressor fridge. It sits in a cabinet beneath a double cupboard that provides shelves on the left and a small hanging wardrobe on the right, and also houses the table and pole for the front dinette. Beneath the fridge is a shallow drawer ideal for thongs and outdoor shoes.

At the rear, the lounge/sleeping space is U-shaped and can be had as a pair of lengthways single beds or a widthways single, or double. You need to decide on bed design when ordering, because when built as lengthways singles you get two neat cupboards with padded lids between the beds, by the back doors. One lid opens to the left and the other to the right, and they double as ‘his-and-hers’ bedside tables/drawers. Order a widthways single or double bed set-up, however, and you lose them.

Whichever bed arrangement you order the whole rear area is still U-shaped, with the ends closest to the kitchen and bathroom doubling as inwards-facing seats. Complete with a Lagun-mounted dining table, these are the most spacious and convenient seats at meal times.

There are reading lights in each corner beneath the overhead cupboards, windows on each side and a roof hatch, plus openable windows in the rear barn doors – an excellent point of difference to most competitors. Order the optional airconditioner and it goes where the over-bed roof hatch is, but there’s still plenty of fresh air and light thanks to all the windows.

While there are no external storage lockers, which is the norm in a van-conversion, the rear barn doors open to reveal an impressive amount of space beneath the bed/lounge and it’s more than enough for chairs, an outdoor table, hoses, leads, tools and the like. You can also access this space from inside via a small hatch, plus there is a long-but-shallow drawer beneath the slightly raised floor in the main dining area.

Back in 2013, Mrs iM and I escaped for a couple of nights in a Melaleuca and it made us rethink just how much motorhome we/you really need. Despite its diminutive dimensions it’s surprisingly practical and comfortable for two – even for extended touring – and a perfect motorhome for a solo. Additionally, there’s no fear of overloading. It’s fuel efficient, only requires a car licence and is backed by a five year Fiat warranty and three year Horizon warranty. You can also chose from a comprehensive options list and really customise it, but in standard form it’s got all the essentials, and then some.

If you’re after a compact and affordable vanconversion that’s quality built, backed by one of the best manufacturers and one you know will hold its value and be sought after as a second-hand buy, best you check out Horizon’s Melaleuca. Whichever decor you choose it will colour you happy, simply because it’s a great little van…

GENERAL Make Horizon Motorhomes Model Melaleuca Type Van Conversion Berths 2 Approved Seating 2 Licence Car VEHICLE Make/Model Fiat Ducato 2.3 150 Engine 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power 109 kW @ 2900-3500 Torque 380 Nm @ 1500-2600 rpm Transmission/Drive 6-speed automated manual (ATM)/FWD Safety ABS, ESP, Tracction Control, air bags & more Fuel 125 L WEIGHTS Tare Weight 3111 kg - certified as tested, wet Gross Vehicle Mass 4250 kg Braked Towing Capacity 2500 kg DIMENSIONS Overall Length 5.99 m (19’ 8”) Overall Width 2.50 m (8' 2") Overall Height 2.62 m (8’ 7”) Internal Height 1.91 m (6’ 3”) Bed – 2 x Singles 1.87m x 0.66 m (6’ 2” x 2’) EQUIPMENT Slide-Out No Awning Fiama F65 3.7 m Entry Step Electric Cooker 3 x gas, glass lid Rangehood No Sink Round with folding tap and glass lid Fridge 136 L Waeco 12/240-volt compressor Microwave Yes Lighting 12 V LED 12 V Sockets/USB Outlets Yes/Yes Air Conditioner Optional Space Heater Optional Hot Water System Truma LPG Toilet SOG cassette Shower Wet bathroom, flexible hose CAPACITIES Batteries 1 x 210 Ah Solar Optional LPG 2 x 4 kg Fresh Water 115 L Grey Water 55 L Hot Water 10 L Toilet 17 L (cassette) PRICE New – Driveaway NSW A$119,000 As Tested – Driveaway NSW A$126,700 Warranty – Fiat 5 Years/200,000 km Warranty – Horizon/Appliances 3 Years/As per manufacturers

Manufacturer Horizon Motorhomes E: info@horizonmotorhomes.com.au W: horizonmotorhomes.com.au

Sales BCMC 299 River St, Cnr Tweed St Ballina. NSW. 2478. T: (02) 6681-1155 E: info@ballinacampers.com.au W: bcmc.com.au

Next year – 2020 – marks Horizon Motorhomes’ 25th anniversary, an impressive milestone for any company. During my time in Ballina reviewing the Melaleuca I had the chance to visit Horizon’s expanded manufacturing operations and have to say I came away impressed.

From literally humble beginnings, Horizon’s factory is now a best-practice, purpose-built manufacturing facility that’s spacious, clean and modern. From 3D computer aided design software to computer controlled milling equipment, it’s a highly organised and professional set-up.

One thing that stood out is how every ‘build’ is individual, with all components from cabinetry to accessories and everything in between selected from the store, checked-off and placed on a large trolley beside the vehicle. That way construction can’t be held up by the sudden discovery that some part isn’t in stock, and everyone involved in the construction process knows exactly where to find every part. Also, wiring is now supplied by a specialist manufacturer as a model-specific, plug-and-play loom. That means every electrical item, from lights to appliances, can simply be unplugged if servicing or replacement is required.

Speaking of servicing and replacement parts, as Horizon Motorhomes are only available through its sister company, Ballina Caravan & Motorhome Company (BCMC), owner and managing director Clayton Kearney understands the absolute necessity of providing the best service and parts support. To that end the company always has something like a dozen vehicle builds worth of parts and appliances in stock, meaning regardless of the original manufacturer’s stock, a specific part is always on-hand and can be dispatched as quickly as possible.

The other standout is the meticulous attention to detail at every point where a van body is cut: The metal surfaces are carefully treated to prevent rust before a window, hatch or whatever is fitted. Given how many Horizon Motorhomes spend their time close to the ocean, such care is vital.

If you’d like to have a look at Horizon’s manufacturing facility for yourself, just call the team at BCMC on (02) 6681-1555. They’ll be only too happy to arrange a factory tour and explain every step of the process, plus why it’s the things you often don’t see that make the difference between hand crafted quality construction and mass produced, bargain priced trouble.