iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 27 - June 22 2013

iMotorhome Esperance

27: June 22 2013

magazine

Issue

because getting there is half the fun...

Win!

$50 Caltex Fuel Card!

At Last

We finally get our hands on Avida’s ‘new’ Esperance C-class...

Brisbane Show

Lots to think about in Brisbane this year!

The Phantom!

Meet the ghost trailer that tows...

Trakkaway 700

On my mind

3

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

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hanks for your patience: It’s great to be with you again; especially as it means the return to health of our designer Agnes. Thanks also for your many messages of support – they were certainly well received and very encouraging!

Moving on, motorhomes are curios things. In Australia last year, fewer than 1000 new ones were produced. This is a small market and yet new players seem to enter regularly to see if they can grab a piece of the action.

In many ways it’s a good thing our market is so small, because if it were bigger it’s likely major international manufacturers

would have moved in long ago and sewn things up. It’s probably partly due to the maze of rules and regulations local manufacturers have to contend with and also the fact most of the major local players have been in the market for decades and have grown in line with the increasingly complex regulatory framework.

Despite all motorhomes requiring a base vehicle, commercial vehicle manufacturers seem to give little thought to their motorhome-suitable products; at least in terms of marketing or promotion. Fiat in Australia is a case in point.

In February I met Fiat’s man

on the ground for commercial vehicles and its motorhome market-dominating Ducato (and to a lesser extent the Iveco Daily). When Fiat bought Chrysler a year or two back it signalled the end of the private distribution of Fiat cars and commercials in Australia through Ateco: the company that still handles Ferrari, Maserati and Lotus (plus Great Wall, Cherry and Foton; oh how the mighty have fallen!).

Since February I’ve been keen to interview – let’s call him Mr Fiat – to find out about the ‘new’ Fiat’s plans for an expanded Australian dealer network, improved customer service and support, Continued...

awrvworld.com.au View today the new Sunliner Twist Limited Edition

5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690

Ph: 02 6024 4222

Follow us on Facebook

Onmy my mind... mind On

4

...Continued

new models and so on. Surely a new start like this deserves our support and promotion! But it’s now mid June and still there’s been no interview.

I’m sure Mr Fiat is a genuinely busy man. It could also be my reminder to him that we’d met before and I was still awaiting a response to my emails was less than tactful (who me?).

Or it could just be this whole

business is curious and the more things change the more they stay the same. For the sake of Fiat customers let’s hope it’s all a terrible case of miscommunication and the Company has great plans for Australia. Here’s hoping.

One thing Mr Fiat is busy with is the influx of fully imported Fiatbased motorhomes from the UK, like Swift and Auto Trail. A war

of words is already raging over warranty responsibility, while compliance is another thorny issue. See my thoughts in our Brisbane Show report for more details and see you next issue!

d r a h c Ri

The iMotorhome Team

Richard Robertson

Malcolm Street

Agnes Nielsen-Connolly

Publisher & Managing Editor

Consulting Editor

Design & Production Manager

A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer, Richard is a dedicated, longterm motorhome enthusiast.

Unquestionably Australia and New Zealand’s best known RV journalist, Malcolm is a fixture at CMCA rallies and RV shows and is now in his second decade as a specialist RV writer.

Agnes is an experienced and talented graphic designer with extensive experience across a wide range of disciplines, including travel and advertising.

richard@imotorhome.com.au

He has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia. Richard also has a passion for lifestyleenhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind the new iMotorhome eMagazine.

malcolm@imotorhome.com.au

If it’s available on either side of the Tasman, Malcolm has probably driven it, slept in it, reported on it, knows how it’s made and can tell you just how good it really is.

agnes@imotorhome.com.au

Designing and producing iMotorhome issues since June 2012, Agnes does much of the behind-the scenes work to ensure every issue looks great and is easy to read.

©2013 iMotorhome. All rights reserved. Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719.

PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: info@imotorhome.com.au

INSIDE EDISNI

3 ON MY MIND It’s great to be back!

7 ON YOUR MIND Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!

12 NEWS

News from the RV world and beyond

16 TESTED

Single Choice – Malcolm Street finally reviews Avida’s Esperance

32 SHOW FEATURE 43 17 CLASSIFIEDS 48 CMCA Last Drinks – Brisbane Show marks the end of the 2013 major show circuit

Featured ads from iMotorhome Classifieds

21

Rallying Call – Time to start thinking about Narrabri

52 MOBILE TECH

23 54 MOBILE TECH Looks Like Rain? – A handy app to check where it’s raining

In the Zone – Your must-have weather app!

60 NEXT ISSUE What’s coming up, plus our show calendar

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On your mind

Hi Team iMotorhome, I have been meaning to drop you an email for quite some time to say thanks for a great magazine! You really do the whole thing rather well and give usable info for making informed decisions, something some of your competitors do not do.

I drive a secondhand Sunliner Mirage myself, but since buying, my needs and circumstances have changed somewhat. I am now on the look out for something slightly larger as I live in my motorhome full time, albeit parked up in a friend’s driveway whilst working at present! I am finding your reviews very helpful.

Full timing has a different set of criteria than even quite long trips away and with a home to go back to, so maybe it would be worth an article or series at some time in the future?

7 It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too. If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to letters@imotorhome. com.au and we’ll share it with

our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with a $50 Caltex fuel card to help you on your way.

Like us or not, I think the local 'powers that be' are going to just have to get used to us as there are more and more of us 'out here' who have no alternative these days!

me a basis to work from and hopefully we could come up with some useful articles. It's certainly a good idea. Thanks for your support and all the best in your travels. Hope the $50 Caltex fuel card helps extend your travels just that little bit further!

Just put all those yummy food pics in a sealed section please, I think I put on kilos just looking at them!

Thanks, Annie via email Hi Annie, Thanks for your email, it's great getting such positive feed back, but sorry about the food pics. We'll try and use low-fat images in future to help keep you trim!

Where are you from, where are you now and how long have you been full time (and why)?

So many questions...

It would be interesting to find out from you what sort of things 'full timers' need.

Perhaps you could write a list of essentials as well as a wish list? That would give

On your mind

8 are now forced to go camping!”

I wonder if we could get an Australian equivalent (or better) to this poor pensioner’s plight?

A photo competition comes to mind!

Best regards, Anton via email.

P.S. Wish I could go camping like this...

G’day! Keep up the great work with improvements, which appear good, economic and evolutionary.

Re the attached photo, the caption reads, “We pensioners cannot afford to stay in expensive hotels any more. We

Richard, nice article on Camera+ in the last issue. I’ve been using it for years! Another Camera App you might like is AutoStitch. For those of us who are addicted to panoramas I find it a better

app than the built in Panorama Camera on my iPhone.

See the attached examples.

Cheers, Michael, via email.

Thanks Anton, wish we were doing it that tough too. Anyone else have some funny photos to share with us?

G’day Michael, thanks for the insights and samples. I’ll check it out in a future issue, but in the mean time readers can check it out in iTunes. Any Android/Window phone users out there with a favourite app you’d like to share?

Relax in Paradise

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money, competitively priced from $158,000.

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rollover protection, auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems.

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• Models available with or without slide-outs.

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• Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes.

• Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet & shower.

• Market leading layouts & lifestyle features.

• Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space.

• Proven reliability of Paradise’s patented slide-outs.

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australia’s best quality motorhome Paradise Motor Homes

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ph (07) 5597 4400 - email info@paradisemotorhomes.com.au Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs, patents and copyrights ™ © 2013

On your mind / News

I downloaded the current issue (of iMotorhome) to my iPad, which gave me the usual options of opening it in iBooks and (one of my fave apps) Good Reader – AND the Kindle app this time. It looks the same in all three. Thought I'd let you know!

Cheers, Laurie, via email.

10

shop in Switzerland later this week and will send info thereafter.

Hi Laurie, Thanks for the feedback and good to know we work across various platforms. Looking forward to your Swiss RV shop report, too.

PS. Found a couple of more new European products.

Hoping to get a look in an RV

z COOL DESIGN z

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Design Collection of exclusive products, which already includes a sofa, a table and a console table (believe it or not).

The result of collaboration between Fiat and appliance manufacturer Smeg, the Smeg 500 fridge is the latest addition to the Fiat 500

Available in red, white or green (of course), the Smeg 500 fridge is a proper working refrigerator that would be a great addition to your bar, patio or man cave. No

f you’ve always wanted a cool Fiat 500 but really can’t justify the purchase price or adding another car to the garage, how about this: a Fiat 500 fridge?

word on price – if you have to ask you probably can’t afford it – but further details (in Italian!) are available at fiat500design.com.

Alternatively, try calling Karla Leach, Fiat’s Director of Corporate Affairs on (03) 8698 0269. Go on, you know you want one...

Just launched

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Australia’s new caravan and camping FREE print and online eMagazine.

February March 2013

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News

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v WINNEBAGO AUSTRALIA KEEPS NAME v

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n a decision that’s taken the RV Industry by surprise, the Federal Court has ruled in favour of Winnebago Australia and granted it the right to continue to use the Winnebago name in Australia. A press release dated June 14 stated: The Full Federal Court of Australia has handed down its decision on the appeal by Winnebago Australia for the rights to use the Winnebago name in Australia. The three judges were unanimous in their decision that Winnebago Australia can continue to use the Winnebago name.

Winnebago Industries of Iowa in the United States of America, a company not associated with Winnebago in Australia had, after a period of over three decades, decided to take action to prevent Winnebago Australia from using the name despite Winnebago Australia having launched the first Winnebago branded motorhome in 1978 and being a signatory to an agreement with the US company.

Legal action was commenced by the USA giant in 2010 to take possession of the Winnebago name in Australia and the Federal Court decision handed down in July 2012 decided in favour of the overseas manufacturer.

Winnebago Australia appealed the decision which was heard by the Full Federal Court of Australia on March 26 and the appeal judges decided that Winnebago Australia can continue to utilise the Winnebago name on its products and marketing activity.

“The court’s decision is very pleasing and vindicates our position in this matter,” said Mr Ben Binns, Director and CEO of Winnebago Australia. “The company has been in our family for 48 years and being Australian owned, our goal is to support manufacturing in Australia and of course our very loyal Australian workforce and customer base.”

Earlier this year, the company took appropriate steps to launch another brand, Avida.

“We wanted our own Australian identity and I believe that we have been very successful in launching the Avida brand in Australia and New Zealand”. “Avida is the brand which we intend to go forward with into the future” Mr Binns said.

Winnebago Australia will continue to promote the Avida brand on its products, and to assist in providing further credibility to Avida, the company will promote Avida as the makers of the Australian Winnebago, linking the company’s heritage since 1965 to the newest motorhome brand on the market.

News

13 k BIG MOOVAk

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he car and motorhome relocations website we used to find our USA/Route 66 motorhome deal – Standby Cars – has relocated to a new address: www. imoova.com.

Zealand and the United States.”

According to a press release, “You can still expect to receive the best products and service from the largest relocation agent in Australia. Each day, imoova.com has access to over 300 car, campervan, motorhome and commercial vehicles from over 30 suppliers throughout Australia, New

“imoova.com will continue to provide the same budget relocations that made Standby Cars famous.

For as little as $1 per day, you can hit the wide open road in a luxury imoova.com campervan. Book your relocations online, with all the information right at your finger tips and deals updated each morning, 7 days a week.” “imoova.com offers the facility to book a car with only a few hours notice. Get instant confirmation

from the car rental companies and payment is simply collected on pick up.”

“Of course for those customers who still like the good old fashioned service we offer by phone, please ring us and we will find a relocation deal or car rental to suit you.”

“For more information, visit www.imoova.com or contact info@imoova.com. Alternatively, customers can call toll free 1300 789 059 (AUS), 0800 789059 (NZ) or 1877 5348054 (USA).”

The Wirraway 260 SL

With it’s Full Length Slideout Room & Apartment Styled Layout !

From WIRRAWAY, “Australia’s Most Innovative Motorhomes” Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellence.

Our Motorhomes are our passion! Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the road.

New to our Range is the brilliant ‘live like a movie star’ Wirraway 260 SL, the latest in our 260 series; our EuroStyle 260 with it’s European styled interior and “The Motorhome of the Year”, the Wirraway 260.

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence, style and all the legendary design, electrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways.

Each Wirraway Model is unique! - All are a Must See!

View Our New Website to view All Models, Download Brochures &Virtual RealityTours For details contact: Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes, 6 Hynes Court, Mildura Vic 3500

Phone / Fax: (03) 50 230 230 - New Email: info@wirraway.com.au & New Website: www.wirraway.com.au On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 © Rex Willmer

News

14 e help needed! e the need for an unscheduled front rider replacement has meant the journey has had to be postponed until April 2nd next year.

J

en Nickols is a woman on a mission: to become the first blind person to cycle around Australia (on the back of a tandem bike, in case you’re wondering) and to raise $300,000 for Lions Sight Projects in the process. Her project – Cycle For Sight – is aimed at helping prevent blindness. Given that nearly 600,000 Australians are

vision impaired in both eyes and that 75% of vision impairment is either preventable or treatable, it’s an important one.

Jen’s journey kicked off in Hobart on April 14 this year and she made it to Miriam Vale, just south of Gladstone in Queensland, on May 25th. All had gone well and Jen and her front rider Emma had set a cracking pace – Emma joined at Newcastle and was scheduled to stay until Adelaide – but a series of near misses dented Emma’s confidence

and by Miriam Vale she had to admit she couldn’t continue. By that stage Jen had covered nearly 3000 km and wasn’t about to give up, but

The journey will recommence in Gladstone and still sees some 15,000 km stretching ahead of Jen and her team. Through a strange twist of fate iMotorhome has become involved in this great endeavor, initially because a tandem bike previously owned by Mr & Mrs iMotorhome is being used as Jen’s ‘spare’ bike (that’s a long story in itself). Then, through Facebook, Jen recently got in touch with us to ask a favour – and we’re only too happy to help.

What Jen needs is a motorhoming couple who can go ahead of her on a daily basis, helping drum up interest and fund raising support in towns along the way. The plan is she’ll be escorted by a support vehicle and caravan that will follow along behind, but a bright, cheery and outgoing motorhoming couple who can go on ahead and help spread the word (in addition to a prearranged media schedule) would be fantastic.

Could this be you?

If you’re interested in doing all or part of the journey and donating your time and (presumably) costs to a truly worthwhile cause, drop us a line at info@imotorhome.com.au.

To find out more about Jen Nickols and her Cycle For Sight quest, visit www.cycleforsight.org.au.

News

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¨ VW GEARBOX GOOD NEWS ´ DSG transmission. The good news is the issues are not applicable to the transmission used in the VW T5 Transporter range (i.e. neither the 103 or 132kW engines).

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here is much negative press circulating at the moment regarding Volkswagen’s

The 7-speed DSG gearbox used in Transporter is quite different to the one used in the passenger car range in that it is designed for much great torque and is a wetclutch design (as apposed to the dry-clutch in the cars).

There is now a statement on the Volkswagen web site volkswagenaustralia.com.au/ DSGrecall/ stating the affected gearbox model is the DQ200, which is not used in the T5.

A hotline number (1800 504 076) is available for concerned owners, however, should they have any questions.

d DISCOUNTBACK d

D

iscover the Outback at a discount with Apollo campers this winter.

Travel between 15 July and 20 September and you’ll receive a 20% discount on Apollo’s normal rates, which means a 2-berth 2WD camper starts at $57 per day while a 2-berth 4WD starts at $189 per day. One way rentals are also available, but probably with the usual hefty surcharge.

Unlike many rental companies, however, Apollo lets you take its 4WD vehicles on unsealed roads and 4WD routes. How progressive...

The Apollo website also has four new touring routes to help you plan your winter escape: Brisbane to Boulia, Brisbane to Innamincka, Cairns to Burketown and Cairns to Cammooweal.

To find out more and view the new touring routes visit apollocamper.com/qldoutback.

You’ll need to use the promo code OUTBACK when making a booking to claim your 20% discount, though.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

Single Choice Avida’s single-bed Esperance should prove a popular choice for comfort as well as extra space...

Review and images by Malcolm Street

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Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Bold new colour schemes pitch Avida as a more contemporary and ‘out there’ brand than Winnebago.

I

f your name used to be Winnebago (Australia) and you are Australia’s largest motorhome manufacturer, then there is no doubt that 2012 was not a good year. When Winnebago US won their court case over the use of the Winnebago name in Australia, the former Winnebago (Australia) had to take the necessary decision to adopt a new name and market a whole new identity.

story short, the Avida name came into being and has been applied to anything coming out of the Emu Plains (NSW) factory since the beginning of 2013.

capital city RV show circuit, which has been in full swing.

The big day finally arrived when a new Avida Esperance with single beds came our way and it was time to check it out.

It wasn’t only a name change either. Although no new models have been produced, the existing line up has received new colour schemes inside and out, along with some upgrades and changes to existing layouts.

All that is some sort of challenge in anyone’s language, particularly as the term “Winnebago” is often taken as generic for “motorhome.” So to cut a long

One of our little challenges over the last few months has been getting our hands on a new Avida – and not just one with a decal change. It’s been complicated by the major

In the Avida range the Esperance is the model with the largest number of standard layouts. With the exception of a single non-slide-out model (with or without overcab bed) all the rest have the same kitchen and dinette setup, but with a considerable variation in the bedroom and bathroom arrangements. Just for reference, this model is a C7964SL and is coded as follows: C for C-class (with

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Not into brown and white? There are 12 colour schemes to choose from in Avida’s colour palette.

over-cab bed); 79 for a length of 7.9 m; SL for slide out and 64 designates this model.

Single beds are increasing popular for travellers looking to enjoy a good night’s sleep as many motorhome double/ queen sized beds are really too narrow – especially for our ‘growing’ population. The layout also provides more floor space: something you can never have too much of in a motorhome.

The Vehicle

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he cab chassis of the Esperance is an Iveco 50C17 Daily that comes with a 3.0-litre 125 kW/400 Nm turbo-diesel. Although difficult

to tell, it’s actually an updated model, but like most light commercial vehicles there are only a few obvious clues. One is the six-speed Agile (Ivecospeak for automated manual) gearbox, which compared to previous models can be a little more precise, especially in the lower ranges, but more about

that later. In the ‘yay team’ department, the radio/CD player is not the usual basic standard unit but a better class usually found in most sedan vehicles.

The Esperance is built using a fully welded metal frame for the walls, floor and roof. That

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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The (slide-out) is in the same position on all Esperance models, keeping body engineering similar for all models. frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida claims will both act as insulation and road noise reducer. For the wall construction, they’re laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin.

in the same position on all Esperance models, which has the advantage of keeping the body engineering similar for all models, not to mention making less work for Second Stage Compliance.

Part of the frame has to include the slide-out, which is built into the offside wall behind the driver’s cab. It’s

Down below, the floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below, for underfloor protection.

Additionally, the front overcab area, the cab surround and rear wall is fully moulded fibreglass. EPDM rubber is used as the outer covering for the roof.

For the external colour scheme Avida has opted for various pastel shades for the decals – this Esperance being in a brown/beige/grey scheme. In

Hehr hopper (louvered) windows are good in the rain and more secure than other window types.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

Slide-out lounge/dinette is standard on all but one models in the Esperance range.

Battery compartment is just aft of the side entry door.

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quite a contrast, the model name is white lettering on a red background, which looks a bit like an afterthought but does stand out! For windows and door, Avida has stayed with the usual Hehr items. The windows being of the glass multi-louvre variety, except for the bathroom and overcab bed, which are sliders.

Although the multi-louvres look a bit dated I quite like them for several reasons: they give plenty of ventilation; they can be left open in the rain and they are glass, which scratches less easily than acrylic. Also, they don’t stick out as far as full size hopper windows when open.

There are a variety of external bins around the Esperance, none particularly large but in many ways smaller bins tend to keep stored items more secure. There’s the usual battery compartment by the entry door – the batteries are bolted in rather than on a slide-out tray – and directly on the opposite side, the gas bin with two 4.0 kg cylinders.

Being under the slide-out, it along with the adjoining bin can be slightly awkward to get at. Behind the slide-out, the generator-sized bin has a slide-out tray for easy access to an optional generator. Not for storage but entertainment, the shallow compartment by the door contains a flat screen TV, speakers and power point, as well as acting as a picnic table.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Iveco’s cab is workman-like. Handbrake prevents driver’s seat from fully swivelling.

Being a motorhome, setting up the Esperance takes minimal time. Once level it’s just a matter of opening the slide-out and swivelling the driver’s cab seats. A slightly annoying feature of the Iveco cab is that the pedestalmounted handbrake restricts the driver’s seat from being fully swivelled, while making the motion awkward too. It would be good if Iveco and the motorhome manufacturers were able to sort that one out.

In the weight department, the 50C17 Daily has a GVM of 4495 kg, which given the tare weight of 3796 kg provides a load capacity of almost 700 kg. However, if anything greater is needed then the chassis can be upgraded to a GVM of 5200 kg, although a

There are no bed-head windows at the rear, just a small door for the boot.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Light Rigid truck licence would be needed.

On the Road n the road the Dailypowered Esperance rolled along readily enough without any dramas, except for the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

Certainly the 3.0-litre turbodiesel delivers the goods – once having remembered to put your foot on the brake and the gear leaver in the right position to get the engine started!

O

This was a very new engine and therefore not run in. But on the Old Bathurst Road from Emu Plains up to Blaxland in the Blue Mountains the gearbox was showing more than the usual hesitations on the uphill hairpin bends, when

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Note odd seating for passengers, with little legroom for one and the other needing their legs up on the lounge (is this legal - Ed?). trying to kick down through the gears. That’s somewhat in contrast to other Iveco Dailys I’ve driven recently, so perhaps I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Living Inside ith the entry door being right behind the cab the internal layout is quite simple. In the rear, the bedroom has two single beds. Forward of the nearside bed is a mid-sized bathroom, leaving the rest of the nearside to be filled with a kitchen bench. Opposite

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the entry door, the slide-out contains both an L-shaped dinette and a 150-litre fridge, with microwave oven above.

Above the driver’s cab the bed can be lifted up out of the way if not required and it does make getting in and out of the cab seats much easier.

described as curved European meets square American, which is not necessarily a derogatory comment, it’s just an interesting combo.

For keeping cool a Truma Aventa remote-controlled air conditioner is centrally fitted in the ceiling. Both 240 and 12 Mocha Mousse was the name volt electrics are reasonably of the colour scheme in our well set up and the two house review Esperance. There are a batteries are rated at 100 AH variety of other colour schemes each and are charged by either available, mostly named after the mains unit or the vehicle drinks and they can be viewed charger. Solar panels are an on the Avida website. The option and are something to cabinetry design might best be consider if planning remote

Mocha Mousse was the name of the colour scheme in our review Esperance.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

Lounge/dinette and fridge all slide out as a single unit. camping. Whilst mostly LED lights are used – and some very neatly concealed – there are fluorescent and halogen fittings as well.

Lounging Around ith the slide-out open and the cab seats swivelled around, there is plenty of space in the front area. In some ways the cab seats are more relaxing to sit in than the L-shaped lounge. Although the latter does look okay to use, it is a tad awkward to sit at for two people, especially given the position of the table leg. What saves the day is that the table has a Zwaardvis multi-position fitting that makes it very easy to move the table around.

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TV mounting position is biased towards bedtime viewing.

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Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Kitchen work space is the sink drainer and cooker lid. A flip-up bench extension would be a great idea.

Under-seat power points could prove awkward.

I do ponder if just a sideways facing lounge might be better.

The compromise there of course is that the forward facing seats with their seat belts are lost. On that note, although there are two seat belts fitted to the rear seat back, given the layout, the inner person is going to have their feet up – that might not be

Driver’s seat only partially swivels.

a problem of course – or else it might be good for a baby seat.

Locating a TV is sometimes a compromise in a motorhome.

This one was mounted on Under the rear seat are both a the bathroom wall on a swivel 240-volt mains outlet and an arm, which meant bed time inverter 240-volt outlet. They TV viewing was quite easy. It are easy enough to get at did swing out to be seen from but their position means legs the front of the motorhome, getting easily entangle in power but only one person can really cords. sit on the sideways lounge, probably facing backwards

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Cooks will welcome a full cooktop, grill and oven. with their feet up. Any other viewers are going to be sitting in the swivelled cab seats.

Time to Eat long the nearside wall, the kitchen bench looks surprisingly small – there’s just enough room for a full cooktop/grill/oven and a stainless steel sink with drainer, but no real bench top working area. I wonder here about the benefits of an L-shaped kitchen using a bit of the space created by the slide-out? Under the sink are three decent size drawers with a fourth being at floor level.

Under the bench top the front panel mounts various control

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Vanity unit sits in the open between the kitchen and bedroom.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Fixed length single beds will suit shorter travellers. Note good ventilation and storage.

Over-cab bed is generous and best for taller travellers. switches for the Webasto space heater, Truma hot water heater, slide-out and light switches, with large rocker switches that are easy to find.

After Hours s noted earlier this model Esperance has single beds in the rear, with one on each sides.

Measuring 1.83 m x 0.86 m

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(6 ft x 2 ft 10 in), they have a window and overhead lockers each and a good sized shared wardrobe in between. I did like the little cut outs in the lower area of the wardrobes that double as bed side cabinets.

A little surprisingly, the beds are only 1.83 m/6 ft long and there’s no way of easily extending them.

The bathroom is split in

a slightly unusual but not impractical way. Both the shower (in a separate cubicle) and the Dometic cassette toilet share the main bathroom area on the nearside, whilst a wash basin and accompanying vanity cabinet are located opposite.

The vanity is well fitted out, with the cabinet below, mirror in between and overhead locker above.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

28

Bathroom houses toilet and separate shower cubicle.

What We Think ne of the benefits of the Avida Esperance is that as long as you are happy with the front area layout then there are a multiple of choices for the rear area in both single and double bed

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layouts. Slide-outs are often perceived as a benefit, but occasionally they do bring a problem and I wonder whether the space created by the slideout has been used effectively.

An asset of this design is that the motorhome can be used

quite easily with the slide-out closed, which is good for short stops. One thing is for sure though, there are plenty of features packed into this 7.9 m/26 ft motorhome, which offers a very spacious interior.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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An asset of this design is that the motorhome can be used quite easily with the slide-out closed, which is good for short stops.

Day Test: Avida Esperance C7964SL

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Specifications Manufacturer

Avida

Model

Esperance C7964SL

Base Vehicle

Iveco Daily 50C17

Engine

3.0-litre turbo-diesel

Power

125 kW @ 3000-3500 rpm

Torque

400 Nm@ 1250-300 rpm

Gearbox

6-speed Automated Manual

Brakes

ABS Disc

Tare Weight

3796 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

4495 kg

Towing

3500 kg

Licence

Car

Approved Seating

4

External Length

7.94 m (26 ft)

External Width

2.50 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height

3.18 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height

2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size

1.83 m x 0.86 m (6 ft x 2 ft 10 in)

Cooktop

Dometic 4 burner & grill

Fridge

Dometic RM 2555 150-litre 3-way

Microwave

LG

Lighting

12V LED

Batteries

2 x 100 AH

Gas

2 x 4.0 kg

Heater

Webasto diesel

Solar Panels

Optional

Air Conditioner

Truma Aventa

Hot Water Heater

Truma 14-litre

Toilet

Dometic cassette

Shower

Separate cubicle

Fresh Water Tank

100-litre

Grey Water Tank

100-litre

Price (on-road, NSW)

$173,600

Pros • New look inside and out • Decent external storage • Improved interior lighting on previous years • Split bathroom layout • Cab access from inside • Decent Iveco cab radio

Cons • Iveco gearbox operation and handbrake position • Lounge layout • Single bed length • Seat power points location • Smallish kitchen

Contact Avida 32 David Road Emu Plains NSW 2750 Australia

Click for Google Maps

Ph: 1800 102 201 E: email contact form on website W: www.avidarv.com.au

Feature: Brisbane Show

32

The main Australian 2013 RV show season might be over, but for some companies the battle is just hotting up...

Feature: Brisbane Show

33

What’s hot! Crazy/wonderful colours from Horizon Motorhomes.

What’s not! Dodgy cowpeople with exposed underwear...

The Ballina Campers’ team (plus Peter from Frontline) were all smiles.

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surprising absence of Brisbanebased motorhome and caravan manufacturer Talvor, it seemed pretty much business as usual.

Some 60,000 people attended the week-long show and despite the high profile and

A stand-out first time attendee was All Terrain Warriors (ATW), from the Sunshine Coast, with an impressive range of fearsome looking 4WD truckbased pop-top motorhomes.

Built on a range of Mitsubishi and Isuzu brand single and

he Brisbane Show signaled the end of the Australian capital city RV show circuit for 2013, but despite a relatively lackluster show year to date, in overall crowd terms at least, attendees in the Queensland Capital seemed upbeat and positive.

dual-cab 4WD trucks, the ATW Global Warrior motorhome conversion range is the first serious challenger we’ve seen to the EarthCruiser brand – and what a challenge they’ve mounted. ATW is a mining truck specialist backed by years of real world off-road experience in brutal conditions and its stand was inundated with inquisitive and excited/ impressed visitors. We couldn’t

Feature: Brisbane Show

Team Sunliner was all smiles and reported good show sales even by day two.

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Feature: Brisbane Show

35

get a word in edgeways with Sales Manager John Marano, but will be following things up with the hope of bringing you the first review soon.

Buyer Beware! t the other end of the spectrum, Swift Motorhomes displayed a range of UK-built Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes, which like AutoTrail from the UK are causing quite a stink with Fiat Australia. It seems Fiat Australia will not provide warranty support and also says the vehicles don’t comply to Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Fiat also says enough Australian manufacturers make great Fiat-based motorhomes so why support imports

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Custom 5-link rear suspension on this ATW 4WD Canter truck conversion was impressive.

(an argument that sounds somewhat protectionist)?

Swift Australia claims the vehicles are/will be fully Australian compliant and will be warranted, but in the FAQ section of its website Swift says, “The Fiat element

of the motorhome has an independent warranty and any questions regarding this should be directed to Fiat.” Caveat emptor: Buyer beware...

It should be noted that all prices quoted on the Swift website exclude on-road costs,

UK-sourced Swift Motorhomes caused quite a stir with their apparently non-complying Fiat-based motorhomes that Fiat Australia is refusing to cover with warranty.

Feature: Brisbane Show

36

Jayco’s stand proved as popular as ever and included models like this Iveco-based Optimum. while it seems the standard specs are for the least powerful versions of the Fiat engine that no manufacturer in Australia uses, driving through a manual transmission. Vehicle gross weights also seem lower

than locally sourced Fiat’s (Swift quotes weights using confusing UK terminologies), with resultant marginal payload figures (according to the brochures) and limited towing capacities. The website does

A rare quiet moment on the Paradise Motorhomes’ stand.

note, however, that for 2013 all vehicles will receive a payload increase.

Given the uncertainties surrounding warranty and Australian compliance,

Feature: Brisbane Show

37

CMCA volunteers do stirling work promoting the Club at every major RV show. iMotorhome urges potential buyers to exercise extreme caution and to be sure to compare oranges with oranges; not – perhaps – lemons with oranges.

Other official ‘whispers’ from the show are that Avida is branching into caravans (Australia surely needs another caravan manufacturer!) and that an unnamed upmarket motorhome manufacturer

is planning a range of Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes to blow everyone away on price and quality. Bring it on, we say and look out 2014 – it’s going to be a biggie!

How Fiat Ducato cab-chassis arrive: sans rear cab wall for easy conversion.

Feature: Brisbane Show

This A’van Applause 600 has a staggered single bed layout. Interesting...

Avida’s stand attracted many as the company continues to explain its rebranding.

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Feature: Brisbane Show

Now you see it

Cameron and Mike flying the Suncamper flag.

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Now you don’t: Trailblazers RV’s innovative foldaway kitchen bathroom!

Feature: Brisbane Show

Watch for a review of this Trailblazer's slide-on with its foldaway bathroom soon.

Paradise’s enormous slide-outs are a major selling feature, as are fully sealed external storage bins.

40

Feature: Brisbane Show

Demonstrating the new iMotorhome website to Trakka’s Martin Poate before the day-two crowds arrived. . .

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42 magazine

iMotorhome

because getting there is half the fun...

iMotorhome Classifieds are for private sellers and dealers alike, with a great introductory offer until the end of July...

• Motorhomes & Campervans only • Unlimited words • Up to 12 photos per ad • Unlimited edits and updates • Latest ads featured in iMotorhome Magazine • Advertise until sold • Introductory offer for June and July: $25 – that’s 50% off!

Visit www.imotorhome.com.au today

Classifieds: Snapshots

iMotorhome Featured Classifieds

43

Reader Rigs: The Phantom

44

the Phantom The ghost trailer that tows...

Reader Rigs: The Phantom

45

Access all areas: Alan’s design makes equipment access a breeze. Doors provide rain protection, too.

S

ome time back reader Alan Price sent photos of his immaculate Horizon Grevillea towing an equally immaculate alloy trailer.

Alan and his wife are keen bike riders and kayakers, so the trailer provides invaluable extra storage for all their travelling ‘necessities.’ Alan writes:

One of the challenges for many motorhomers is deciding on the size of their first motorhome and balancing what you can actually take with you.

We purchased our Horizon Grevillea on an extra-long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter chassis in December 2012

The Phantom sits nicely behind the Price’s Horizon Grevillea.

from Ballina Campervans and have been singing their praises ever since. We love the size of the Grevillea as it is easy to park and drives as well as our 4WD on the open road.

However, we knew it was only part of the solution for us.

Reader Rigs: The Phantom At the time we bought it we commissioned the building of a lightweight alloy trailer to carry two Viking kayaks, our folding full-size mountain bikes and lots of other gear. Lift-up doors on gas struts open up on both

sides and at the rear, making access easy.

We easily fit in: • 60 litre EvaKool fridge/freezer with 100 AH Thumper battery pack and a 80 W solar panel (we already have two 80 watt panels on the Grevillea) • Honda generator • Lemair washing machine • Satellite dish • 40 litres of fresh water stored in front boot • 2 Maxtrax – stored inside so no one steals them!

• Internal LED light and undertrailer LED strip lights • Battery charger

•E xtra groceries and wine in plastic storage boxes

Weighing 250 kg and measuring 7 x 5 feet – with a long drawbar for easy reversing – it is half the weight

We think it is a great combination despite well meaning friends who refer to it as a pie cart or a mobile drugs lab!

46 of a steel trailer and this allows us to readily push it on to a site, which is often the easiest approach.

If you’d like to share your trailer, bike rack, kayak or boat attachment, or any other modifications with your fellow iMotorhome readers, please send details and photos to richard@imotorhome.com. au.

Thanks Alan!

Reader Rigs: The Phantom

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Alan and his lifestyle ‘toys.’ The long drawbar makes reversing easier.

Lightweight construction permits considerable drawbar storage without exceeding the permitted ball weight.

CMCA: Narrabri Rally

48

RALLYING CALL!

With the Maryborough rally over it’s time to look towards Narrabri in October.....

Picture by Belinda Symons, Narrabri Shire Tourism Promotions Officer

By Michelle Hogan, CMCA, Communications and Marketing Team

CMCA: Narrabri Rally

49

A bird’s eye view of Maryborough.

Major CMCA rallies attract huge crowds and require precision planning and organisation.

T

he CMCA’s 27th Anniversary Rally in Maryborough saw 916 RVs registered for the event, with 254 first-timer members amongst the attendees.

The Rally was a terrific success and the beautiful, sunny afternoons were most enjoyable, particularly after the drenching Maryborough received from two floods in late January.

With only four days, including the Anzac Day public holiday, to set up the rally site before the first fleet of RVs were to arrive, the Club extends its sincerest thanks to the 280 rally volunteers for their tireless efforts.

There were approximately 65 traders onsite and it was great to see both old and new businesses support the CMCA. Without them the Rally would not have been such

a success. Food stalls were very well patronised and the Vietnam Vets raised $7000 from their food stall, which was a terrific effort!

night a trivia competition was held and approximately 200 members joined in for fun and games.

The Ball, which had a ghosts and goblins theme, was held on the Saturday night and saw attendees having a great time, partying until midnight.

On the Thursday the Heritage Markets were held in town and approximately 750 CMCA members were driven there by bus in the morning and back again in time for the disc bowls Next Stop ow the Maryborough competition.

Rally is over we’re all The Open Day on Saturday looking forward to the was an outstanding success Narrabri Rally. From October with some 1600 people, 21 more than 1100 vehicles mainly locals, visiting. A total of will converge on the Narrabri $4800 was taken at the gate Showground for the week-long and donated to BlazeAid. 28th National Rally.

N

Everyone seemed to enjoy the entertainment, which had a different theme each night.

The Wide Bay Wanderers, directed by Alan and Lesley Baxter Q8195, organised a casino night that was very well patronised. On the same

Narrabri is located some 226 km south of the Queensland border or 521 km north-west of Sydney, on the Newell Highway. The location for the Rally is approximately two kilometres from the town centre and there will be a bus

CMCA: Narrabri Rally

50

Field of dreamers... service to and from town for the duration.

CMCA Members will be travelling from all over Australia to attend and many are planning to be in the area for the weeks before and after the event to enjoy the many other activities that will be taking place in the region.

Narrabri and surrounding districts will be providing visitors with many opportunities to explore or simply sit back and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Artesian bores are located in a number of small towns and provide a wonderful opportunity to relax.

The Club works with a number of local community groups and businesses when hosting a rally and the success of these events relies heavily on the support of the host region. This support is repaid by repeat visitation from Club members and positive word of mouth, which spreads rapidly

throughout the RV community.

For more information on the 28th National Rally Narrabri The overall planning for the visit www.cmca.net.au/ Rally is well and truly underway narrabrirally and you can and local council are gearing also take a little time to search up for what they consider to the Narrabri Council website be one of the most important narrabri.nsw.gov.au. dates on their event calendar this year.

For more information about CMCA, please contact us in Rally gates will open to the one of the following ways: general public for one day only on Saturday October Campervan and Motorhome 26. The Open Day is a great Club of Australia Limited opportunity to get an insight PO Box 254, HRMC into the fun and adventurous Warabrook, NSW 2310 lifestyle of recreational vehicle travellers.

Tel: 02 4978 8788 Fax: 02 4978 8799 “The Open Day will give everyone an up-close look at RVs and the lifestyle you can enjoy,” said Mr Don Mackrill, Narrabri Rally Manager.

“Visitors will have the chance to look at a range of new and second hand vehicles for sale, ask lots of questions and get an idea of whether the lifestyle is for them.”

Email: enquiries@cmca.net.au Web: www.cmca.net.au

CMCA: Narrabri Rally

This is what it’s all about: making new friends and rekindling old friendships.

51

Mobile Tech: Looks like Rain?

Looks like Rain?

A simple and quick way to see if it’s raining...

52

Mobile Tech: Looks like Rain?

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The full page radar image provides maximum detail and can be quickly set for a number of distances as well as to any BOM radar site in Australia.

T

raditionally the quickest way to find out if it’s raining is to look or stick your hand out the window, but what if you want to know about the area around you – or some other part of Australia?

Rain? cuts to the chase and doesn’t provide temperature information or forecasts, phases of the Moon or five minute noodle recipes. Its only variable apart from location is range: 64, 128, 256 or 512 km.

Rain? is a free app for Apple or Android products and all it does is show you the Australian Bureau of Meteorology radar images for your chosen area.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The beauty of its simplicity is it occupies the whole of an iPad’s screen so you get the picture, the whole picture and nothing but the picture. Get the picture?

The only feature that would be particularly handy would be to pinpoint your location by GPS, but hey it’s a freebie and weather watchers can’t be choosers.

Of course you need WiFi or an Internet connection to see if it’s raining, unless you look through the window or stick your hand outside, but where would the fun in that be?

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

In the Zone

The must-have International Weather App...

54

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

55

Detail forecasts including temperature and rainfall graphs for the next 24 hours are a great feature.

W

eatherzone Plus – the paid version of the free Weatherzone app for Apple and Android – is a musthave weather app for Australia and the World. Costing around $2 the upgrade delivers a range of benefits that make it well worthwhile. But first, back to the beginning!

Weatherzone Plus for Apple users is made for iPhone but

also runs on the iPad. It covers more than 2000 Australian and 1000 international locations and provides a detailed range of current and forecast weather information. Amongst its powerful features are 3-hourly temperature and rain probability graphs for the next 24 hours, plus a detailed 48 hour forecast (again in 3 hour intervals) that includes temp, rainfall, humidity,

chance of rain and wind speed/ direction.

It’s easy to set a large number of favourite places that form a drop-down list. For whatever place you’re looking at, across the top of the display is the name of the place and the time of the last weather update.

There’s a large button that takes you directly to a selection of national maps (radar, satellite,

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

56

Current conditions (top) plus a monthto-date graph of temp and rainfall, and a weather almanac are all valuable and/or interesting features.

synoptic and video forecast) and for getting the Big Weather Picture they are superb.

Back on the main page are five categories: Today/7 days, Observation History, Local Radar, Marine and Warnings.

Today/7 days: Covers current conditions including temp, dew

point, ‘feels like’ temp, humidity, wind (direction/strength), gusts, barometric pressure (inc trending direction) and rain since 9am.

Depending on your location, this information is also listed for two other nearby weather stations.

A detailed forecast is provided for the next 24 hours, plus lesser detailed but still comprehensive

forecasts for the following week.

A temperature/chance of rainfall graph for the next 24 hours is also included, which expands to a detailed 48 hour forecast if required Observation History: Featuring a graph of temperature and rainfall for the preceding 24

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

57

A national weather radar map, plus cloud cover, synoptic and major city forecast temps are included.

hours, it also provides max and min temps plus the strongest recorded wind gust. You also have the option of expanding it into a detailed hourly history of the last 24 hours, with time/date/ temp/dew point/humidity/rainfall and wind details. But wait there’s more! A Month to Date graph of temp and rainfall that also

breaks down to daily reports, plus an Almanac of historical data for minimum/maximum temperatures and rainfall is also provided Local Radar: A 128 km timelapse radar image of rainfall based on your locality is the default display, with options

for 64 km, 256 km and State.

Several layering options are offered and if your device is GPS enabled it will place a blue pin at your location (on an Apple device at least you can zoom in and out with your fingers for a better look). You can also add place names, rainfall observations, lighting and wind

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

58

Marine forecasts for coastal areas plus local or State weather warnings are provided.

You can also have Weathezone Plus deliver morning and afternoon forecasts to your phone and/or tablet device.

streamlines, although the latter only work for subscribers with a Weatherzone Pro account Marine: This provides a detailed three-day Marine Outlook forecast if your selected location is near water (but surprisingly not a tide chart), plus a week

of Moon phases that includes rise and setting times. If you’re nowhere near water then only the Moon phases are displayed Warnings: Choose from State or District in the Settings menu and Weatherzone Plus provides warnings on things like

thunderstorm activity, coastal winds, flooding, bushfires and so on. Very handy. If you keep it on District but activate the alert option in Settings then you’ll be kept notified of what’s happening locally – as long as you have internet connection, of course.

Mobile Tech: Weatherzone Plus

A rolling 48 hour forecast in 3 hour increments is a powerful and valuable feature.

The Settings menu contains quite a number of options and a simple one is for the Weatherzone Plus app to display the current local temperature as a number in a red circle on the app itself when it’s not being used (although it can be a bit slow to update at times).

Weatherzone Plus is a great app with a wealth of historical, current and forecast weather information to help make your travels safer and more enjoyable.

Try the free version first by all means, but it probably won’t be long before you find yourself upgrading and ‘in the zone.’

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Next Issue

60

INDEPENDENCE STAY!

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o celebrate the 4th of July and our recent travels across the USA, next issue will have a big American focus. There’ll be a

July 5-7

JUL

26-28

JUL

5-7

review of the Queen Mary – the big C-class motorhome Mr & Mrs iMotorhome travelled Route 66 in; a howto on rental relocations so you can grab your own US bargain before the Aussie dollar falls too far and some inside tips for touring in the land of the red, white and blue. There’ll also be a big Travel Diary special on Route 66, to help you get your kicks on arguably the World’s most famous road.

AUG

9-11July

26-28

JUL

26-28

So crank up the Webber, throw on the corn dogs and ice the Budweisers: It’s going to be a big one!

Until then please follow us on and Twitter Facebook for breaking news, comments and a bit of fun.

Keep safe!

JUL

5-7

AUG

JUL

9-11 9-11 August 26-28

JUL

5-7

AUG

9-11

Lismore Caravan, Camping & Marine Show

Gold Coast Midyear Caravan, Camping, Boating & Fishing Expo

Mid North Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish & Fishing Show

Lismore Showground, Alexandra Parade, Lismore, NSW. • Open 09:00-4:00 daily • Free parking • Adults $12 • Seniors $11 • Kids U14 Free with adult

Parklands, Southport, Gold Coast. QLD. 4215.

• Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking free • Adults $10 • Seniors $8 • Kids free with adult

Wauchope Showground, Beechwood Rd, Wauchope. NSW. • Open daily 9:00-5:00 (closes Sunday 4:00) • Parking free • Adults $15 • Seniors $11 • Kids U16 free

http://www.lismore4wdshow.com.au/index.php Click for Google Maps

http://australianevents.com.au/index.php/ midyear-caravan-camping-boating-fishing-expo Click for Google Maps

http://www.campingshow.com.au/cmsms/index.php Click for Google Maps

Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes, campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general?

Drop us a line at info@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar.