iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 5 - July 7 2012

iMotorhome

5: July 07 2012

.com.au

Issue

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iMotorhome 101

Buying your first campervan or motorhome

On my mind...

I

’ve been out talking with motorhome manufacturers in the last few weeks and it appears that established companies have strong orders going forward and generally have had a good sales year for the financial year just finished. This contrasts with the motorhome rental market, which is primarily dependent upon inbound tourism and has suffered badly at the hands of both the GFC and the high Australian dollar.

The shock demise of KEA Campers two weeks ago is a case in point. It seems the Australian operation of this New Zealand-based company simply wasn’t able to compete in the global market, although

the New Zealand business is still (apparently) doing fine. The NZ$ sits about 25% to 30% below the Aussie and this, coupled with shorter travel distances and times, makes New Zealand an appealing destination for international travellers, especially those with budget and time limitations.

Interestingly, KEA’s Australian operation has been taken over

by Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL), the highly-successful Kiwi company that already owns Britz Rentals and Maui, thus giving it a virtual stranglehold on the Australian motorhome rental business. Hang in there, Apollo!

Closer to home, Mrs Not-theStig continues to make her

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presence felt in the magazine’s overall design. This issue she’s added clever little icons beside the addresses of manufacturers at the end of our road tests, for example.

The addresses have always been active links that take you to Google Maps and allow you to plot a course directly there, now they’re just more obvious.

Be sure to try them out!

Moving on, a reader recently commented that iMotorhome is too Eastern-State centric.

Let me assure everyone this isn’t a conspiracy, it’s simple logistics: Most manufacturers are based over here, the largest population-base is on the Eastern Seaboard – and the iMotorhome Team

View the all new Sunliner Monte Carlo M74 today.

Available for immediate delivery!!

5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690 • Ph: 02 6024 4222 • awrvworld.com.au

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On my mind... all lives here. However, if you live elsewhere and would like to report on RV activities in your part of Australia, please drop me a line to richard@ imotorhome.com.au. It would be an honorary position only but I can offer you a free iMotorhome subscription (!), the satisfaction of helping develop and promote the Industry – and the pleasure

of seeing your name ‘up in lights.’

Finally, a fascinating slice of early Australian industrial and social history has just reopened – and it’s just down the road from me! Joadja Creek is the sight of the former Australian Kerosene Oil & Mineral Company Limited works; basically forgotten by

The iMotorhome Team

everyone and largely ignored by time. See the NEWS section for further details and when you visit, if you see a lone cyclist on Joadja Rd, it’s probably me. Toot as you pass and if I wave, stop for a chat (anything to get out of that blasted headwind).

d r a h c Ri

Richard Robertson

Malcolm Street

Allan Whiting

Publisher & Managing Editor

Consulting Editor

Technical Editor

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.

An experienced motoring writer when Japanese cars were a novelty, Allan’s career read’s like Australian motor writing royalty.

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.

allan@imotorhome.com.au

Highly experienced in or on everything from motorcycles to B-doubles, Allan also runs www.outbacktravelaustralia. com – an invaluable free resource for anyone into four-wheel driving or touring remote corners of Australia.

©2012 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

trakkabout wonders of australia

Jabiru Remote 4x4

visit www.trakka.com or call 1800 TRAKKA (872 552)

INSIDE EDISNI

2 ON MY MIND Ed’s latest musings...

7 NEWS

• KEA Campers Australia changes hands • Ghost town opens for business!

10 TESTED 20 MOTORHOME 101 Paradise Oasis Deluxe – When an ordinary Oasis isn’t enough

Tips on how to choose a campervan or motorhome

31 TESTED

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Under the Southern Cross – Suncamper’s Southern Cross finally reviewed!

40 PRODUCT

21 41 TECHNICAL By gum! Boots made just for sloshin...

The alternator might soon be a thing of the past...

23 45 CALENDAR July’s a busy month for RV shows!

46 NEXT ISSUE More road tests coming...

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News...

KEA CAMPERS’ AUSTRALIAN OPERATION SUDDENLY CHANGES HANDS

Despite the sudden upheavals in KEA’s Australian operations, KEA NZ is unaffected and it’s business as usual.

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he news flash simply read: Kea AU has new owners. From June 15th 2012 tourism holdings limited (THL) is operating the kea brand and product in Australia. THL is Australasia largest operator of rental Motorhomes and is pleased to be providing the KEA product and service.

Thus came the announcement that shocked (and saddened) much of the Australian motorhome industry, just after our last issue went to press. The word from new owners THL is: New Zealand’s premier tourism company Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the KEA Rentals

and Sales Motorhome brands in Australia from KEA New Zealand.

existing and future KEA Australia customers.

Subsequently we have been advised that the previous agents for KEA Australia have ceased trading and that its directors have appointed a Liquidator for the business.

thl Chief Executive Grant Webster said: “Our immediate focus is to ensure KEA Australia customers on the road and those with future bookings get to enjoy the holiday they are expecting: a great Australian motorhome experience.”

With thl entering into an agreement to take up the license of the brands in Australia there should be minimal disruption to existing and future KEA Australia customers. thl will endeavour to ensure the customers are seamlessly transitioned to thl branches in the four Australian cities in which KEA operates. thl has also leased sufficient KEA design fleet to deliver the same high-quality service to

“The KEA Australia leadership team have been very supportive in ensuring their customers are well catered for into the future given their difficult situation. We are pleased we have the financial strength, infrastructure and people in place to be able to assist.”

“KEA Australia customers can be assured their needs will be attended to. We have the full intention of Continued...

News... ...Continued

honouring the terms, conditions and pricing offered by KEA Australia in the market place today and will deal with any issues with customers on the road with care and respect.”

KEA Australia customers with queries on the changes can call 1800 705 174 for more information.

Mr Webster added thl was thrilled at the prospect of combining the KEA Australia brand within its stable of brands.

“The KEA brand in Australia nicely compliments thl’s existing Maui motorhome product in Australia, providing a different vehicle and experience that extends and enhances the thl product suite.”

KEA in Australia was, apparently, on a 10-year franchise/ management deal from New Zealand and the company, which had been doing very well, struggled under the double whammy of the GFC and high Australian dollar. Its rental arm bore the brunt of this as inbound tourists constitute the majority of

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motorhome rental customers.

Unfortunately, KEA’s new and exrental vehicle sales business folded in the changeover, but the KEA website does say vehicles are now available through a new dealer network. At present this is limited to Sydney RV Centre, Penrith / (02 4722-3444), John Hughes RV Centre in WA (08 9415-0265) and Redmond’s RV Centre in Exeter, Tasmania (03 6394-4307). Stay tuned for further developments.

GHOST TOWN

REOPENS A

ccording to Wikipedia, “Joadja, in the NSW Southern Highlands, was

a thriving mining town between 1870 and 1911. It was home to approximately 1100 people,

many of whom were skilled immigrants from Scotland, and was connected to the nearby town of Mittagong by a narrowgauge railway that terminated adjacent to the main Southern Railway line in Mittagong.”

“The town existed to mine shale from which kerosene was extracted by the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Co. The process was superseded by conventional kerosene production from oil and the shale mining technique became uneconomical.

By 1911, the town become deserted as inhabitants relocated in search of work. The property was auctioned off that year to Continued...

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News... ...Continued

a private buyer and the fruit orchard, which included 6700 trees, continued to operate until 1924, exporting fruit for local and interstate consumption.”

“Situated in a deep valley, the town had limited access by road, instead exporting shale via a steep railway out of the valley. The passage into Joadja has improved greatly since then (and) the township is still recognisable, despite the state of its ruins.

The sandstone school, the mine, houses, refinery and even the cemetery remain as a testament to the community that lived in the valley more than a century ago.”

Joadja Creek Heritage Tours has just reopened the old mining

town, after years of closure between owners. A fascinating insight into a moment of Australian history where we straddled the old and new worlds, the remains of the settlement – including houses, public buildings and the refinery complex – are literally frozen in time.

The site opens Saturdays and Sundays from 9 ‘til 4, although it’s suggested you check in case its closed for a private function, and admission is $15 for adults (kids free). Visit www.joadjatown. com.au for details or call (02) 4878-5129 for information and watch for a travel feature on this fascinating site soon.

A time for a weekend visit to Joadja Creek.

Click for Google Maps

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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PARADISE

OASIS Deluxe

When an ordinary Oasis simply isn’t enough...

Review and Images by Malcolm Street

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aradise Motor Homes is a well known boutique manufacturer of mostly-coachbuilt motorhomes on Mercedes Benz or Iveco Daily cabchassis vehicles. In particular, its speciality is motorhomes

with slide-outs. The exception in the Paradise line up is the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van-based Oasis range.

Designed for single or couples who prefer a small rig, the Oasis is a good sized vehicle for manoeuvring around

town without difficulty yet still comes with Paradise’s expected bells and whistles.

THE VEHICLE here are four models in the Paradise Oasis model range and one of them, the

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Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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Oasis Deluxe, comes with a small slide-out for the bedroom, on the offside.

Another standout feature on most of the Oasis range is a motorhome door that replaces the standard Sprinter whirrclunker sliding side door. It’s optional on some models but standard on the Deluxe and instead of fitting into the original sliding-door gap, actually sits directly behind it, thus giving more versatility with the layout.

From the rear, the door appears to stand out from the van side a fair bit, but it’s something of an illusion caused by the curve of the van body rather than anything else. To the rear of this door the window is smaller than usual; ensuring both it and door can be fully opened without coming into contact.

Above all of this, a curved Fiamma awning keeps a low profile.

One of the surprises of the Oasis is the number of external storage bins, which is good because the area often used – directly behind the rear barn doors – isn’t available. There are two bins along the driver’s side: one for the two 4 kg gas cylinders and the other for an optional 2 kVA generator. That bin is fan pressurised to limit dust

Pressurised generator compartment is a great feature, as is proper entry door.

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Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

entry, and ventilated for the generator when running, but can of course be used for other things if a generator is not fitted. Also fitted to our review vehicle was an optional kerb-side bin that seemed to me to be a good idea. Still on external features, I do like the LED strip light, which has a quite a low profile but provides good illumination in camp at night.

ON THE ROAD here’s no doubt the three-pointed star base vehicle is an attraction. On the road it’s a very smooth performer and the 2.2-litre 120 kW turbo-diesel is very well suited to the Oasis. Of course, those who prefer a little more response under

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The Mercedes Benz Sprinter makes the Oasis a really great motorhome to drive.

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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The Paradise Oasis Deluxe is a great back-roads tourer. Its compact dimensions and easy drivability adds considerable driving pleasure while the high driving position provides great sightseeing, too. the right foot can opt for the more powerful 3.0-litre 140 kW V6, but our 120 kW Sprinter seemed more than responsive enough. It also came with the five speed full-auto gearbox which, slid through the gears effortlessly.

Our test drive took us through the Southern Highlands of

NSW and there is certainly plenty of undulating terrain there for testing a vehicle out. From the rear, there were a few motorhome-type noises when underway, but nothing noticeable except for the entry door and TV mount. However, Paradise proprietor Colin MacLean

has advised that Camec (the manufacturer of the door) offers a mod to improve that particular problem and that his own engineers have already redesigned the TV mount.

One of the options fitted was a reversing camera, which is good for anyone, especially cautious drivers.

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

Bed lifts for easy bathroom access when slide-out closed and provides valuable extra storage.

LIVING INSIDE any larger van conversions utilise the rear opening doors, which in some way restricts the layout, but with this instance the rear doors are blocked off by a fullwidth rear bathroom. Forward of the bathroom, an eastwest bed has its bedhead in the offside slide-out. That leaves room for the nearside kitchen and a lounge/dining area that is a combination of the swivelled cab seats and offside, sideways-facing lounge. I always like the Paradise dĂŠcor, which has a

M

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Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe Dining table stores neatly behind lounge and can also be used outdoors.

woman’s (i.e. Libby Maclean, wife of Colin) touch and looks deceptively simple yet has a real style about it. It is also quite easy to keep clean.

Although interior space is limited to the internal dimensions of the Sprinter van, a large window area and the rear slide-out keep things from being claustrophobic.

I mention that not as a criticism but I’ve met people who do suffer in confined

spaces and also couples who find it difficult to live in the same confined space. Trying before you buy is a good idea as van conversions definitely aren’t for everyone!

LOUNGING AROUND n a rig the size of the Oasis it’s important to use every bit if space, which is why the swivelling cab seats fit in well with the sideways-facing lounge. There is also a Lagun swivel-mounted table and, as

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you can see from our images, a little bit of experimentation will determine the optimum position for two people to sit.

Apart from anything else, it depends on who gets up and down for meals and who stays in situ. When not being used, the table top is stored behind the lounge seat-back, while the Lagun swivel-mechanism and a tripod mount for outdoors use are stored beneath the lounge seat.

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe TIME TO EAT ccupying the space where the sliding door used to be, the kitchen bench is certainly, by necessity, very compact. It has a stainless steel three-burner cooktop and sink combo, plus two multi-shelved cupboard and three drawers underneath.

Given the way the cooktop and sink are orientated, washing and drying up is going to be best done by utilising the swivelling table as well. Above the kitchen bench the overhead lockers offers plenty of storage space.

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Across the way, a Sharp carousel microwave sits atop a Waeco 150-litre fridge. It’s a bit swings and roundabouts here. With the fridge sitting at floor level (i.e. bending over required), the microwave is at a very user-friendly height,

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Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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A bed extension is available, fortunately!

AFTER HOURS itting neatly into the slideout as it does, the island double bed has small bedside shelves on either side plus goose neck reading lights.

One of the iMotorhome testers is taller than your average person, which meant his feet did dangle over the end of the bed, but both a 150 mm bed extension and a custom made bed-length are available.

These naturally reduce the walk-around space at the foot of the bed, when the slideout’s extended, but still leave enough room to get to the bathroom without difficulty.

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leaving space for a full sized overhead locker above that is partly occupied in the centre by 12 Vand 240V electrical control panels.

With the slide-out closed up it does appear that the bed blocks the walk-way

to the bathroom, but the bed base has been cleverly designed to lift easily to allow passing traffic. There is quite a substantial storage space under the bed, too.

Indeed, one of our height challenged testers was able to demonstrate without too much difficulty that you could hide a body under the bed if needed!

It should be mentioned that on the nearside-wall, between the door and rear window, a flat screen TV is mounted such that it can be seen from the bed or the seats at the front.

The swivel mount, a Paradise design, means the TV can be left in position when driving.

Under the TV are the 12V and

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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The full-width rear bathroom is surprisingly spacious and imbues the Oasis Deluxe with a much bigger motorhome feel.

antenna connections, a 240V power point and a bank of light switches.

Getting a full-width bathroom into the rear of a Mercedes Benz Sprinter is a bit of a challenge, but it’s interesting to see what can be achieved.

In this case it’s an offside shower cubicle, mid-station Thetford cassette toilet and a small corner wash basin. The latter sits in front of a small cabinet area with a wardrobe, overhead lockers and shelved

area. It’s all quite cleverly fitted in. Other features of note are the mirror along the high side of the rear wall and the hinged shelf above the loo. Out of sight on that same item is the Paradise-designed odour extraction system, which seems to work quite well.

WHAT WE THINK o motorhomers used to wider coachbuilt vehicles the Paradise Oasis Deluxe might appear to be a bit cramped, but it’s not really.

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Especially the Deluxe model, with the rear slide-out fitted.

Many RV travellers like the smaller dimensions of the Oasis van and single people find the size ideal; especially ladies who like the security of the self-containment.

Although some things might seem to be a bit fiddly or squashy, in reality they are not really and it quite surprising what has been fitted in and how well it all works together.

Tested: Paradise Oasis Deluxe

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Pros Specifications Manufacturer

Paradise Motor Homes

Model

Oasis Deluxe

Base Vehicle

Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316 CDI

Engine

2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power

120 kW @ 3800 rpm

Torque

360 Nm @ 1400-2400 rpm

Gearbox

5-speed full automatic

Brakes

Discs with ABS, ESP

Tare Weight

2980 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

3880 kg

Licence

Standard car

Passengers

2

External Length

6.95 m (22 ft 10 in)

External Width

1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height

3.04m (12 ft)

Internal Height

2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)

Berth

2

Cooktop

Domestic 3-burner/sink combo

Fridge

Waeco 150-litre 12V

Microwave

Sharp Carousel

Gas

2 x 4.0 kg

Lighting

12V LED

Batteries

2 x 100AH Gel

Solar panels

Optional

Air conditioner

Truma Aventa

Hot water

Dometic gas & 12V/240V electric

Toilet

Thetford cassette

Shower

Separate cubicle

Heater

Optional

Fresh water tank

110-litres

Grey water tank

55-litre

Price

$154,279 (drive away, Qld, inc. options)

• Innovative, contemporary design • Build quality • Easily manageable size • Good fuel economy • Mercedes Benz safety and reliability • Excellent storage space, inside and out • Multi-use front cab/lounge area • Electrical controls all centrally located

Cons • Front table and seating fiddly to get right • Under-bed battery/charger awkward to access • Standard bed only a double

Contact Paradise Motor Homes

Click for Google Maps

7 Demand Avenue Arundel, Qld 4214 Ph: (07) 5597 5500 Web: paradisemotorhomes.com.au Email: admin@paradisemotorhome. com.au

iMotorhome 101: The Basics

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Story and images by Malcolm Street

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE! There’s much to consider when shopping for your first recreational vehicle…

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t first glance there might appear to be a mind boggling array of campervans, motorhomes and something in between we might call ‘motorcampers’ on the market. The question for the newcomer is often, “Which one?”

Making a choice might appear to be difficult but in reality it isn’t and with a few carefully planned steps, it won’t be long before you too are enjoying life on the road. For those with no previous experience and venturing into this exciting world, it’s worth giving some careful thought to exactly what

you want from of your new investment.

For first timers, buying a campervan or motorhome is quite different to buying a car and 12 months is not considered a long time to be looking around!

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Renting motorhomes to try out different sizes and styles is a great idea that also lets you try the lifestyle without the full financial commitment

Most reputable dealers know this and will expect you to visit their dealership several times before making a purchase.

If you want to spend the afternoon just sitting in the prospective campervan or motorhome of your choice, that’s not an unreasonable thing and any sensible dealer will be happy to let you do that.

A second reason why the campervan and motorhome market is different to the rest of the Recreational Vehicle industry is that quite a few manufacturers don’t have

dealers. In fact with most of the smaller and boutique campervan and motorhome companies you’ll be dealing directly with the manufacturer.

There are some differences between the Australian and New Zealand markets, too, which I’ll deal with separately.

In Australia, be prepared to travel (often interstate) because unlike the much more dominant caravan industry, which is heavily centered in Victoria, campervan and motorhome manufacturers and dealers are much more spread

out – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and various points in between.

In New Zealand, however, things are a little different. With the campervan/motorhome industry being much larger than the caravan industry, there are more dealers and manufacturers to choose from, with most being in the North Island, but still a scattering in the South Island. One of the advantages in New Zealand is that distances are considerably shorter, too.

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Specialised vehicles can cost a fortune to build new, but setting a second-hand price can be difficult as there’s nothing to benchmark them against.

A third reason why the campervan and motorhome mob are different to everyone else is that there are plenty of rental companies around especially, in New Zealand, making it very easy to get an idea of the motorhoming lifestyle before committing large sums of money.

Something else to keep in mind is that for the most part, unless you happen to buy

something off-the-lot, there is going to be a build-time involved of anything up to 12 months. We know of at least one manufacturer whose order books are filled for the next year (despite GFC 1, 2, 3 or whichever one this is), so if you are thinking about your retirement travels in a couple of years time, then start doing some initial thinking and planning – about now!

A quick look at the campervan and motorhome world reveals a huge variety of everything from small poptop campervans to 40-ft converted coaches. Prices vary enormously too – the starting price for a pre-loved latish-model campervan is about $15,000 and the finishing price for a top-line luxury motorhome is going to be well over $300,000. So the question is, which one is right for you?

Research and Plan or any prospective buyer there is plenty of choice around, both from a budget point of view and in terms of layout design. For beginners

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Use the Internet, read magazines and ask lots of questions before you buy.

iMotorhome 101: The Basics

23 A$70,000 but there are some light commercial vehicle-based motorhomes or pre-loved larger motorhomes around for not much more money, which have a considerably larger living area.

Look not only at the purchase price but also associated running costs. Fuel is the most obvious, but there are other items like registration, insurance, tyres, servicing, possible repairs and even storage costs, if you can’t park at home.

Be sure to test drive over a variety of road and traffic conditions. this can be confusing, so it’s worth devising some sort of purchasing plan.

Preliminary research is quite easily done by going no further than the Internet. It’s quite easy to sit at your computer reading something like this fine magazine, while most manufacturers have good websites with pictures and layout designs. At Australian newsagents there are several RV magazines available,

but none devoted totally to campervans and motorhomes.

Most have at least one motorhome feature each issue, whereas in NZ magazines the ratio is much higher.

Budget For most people the first thing to decide is a budget. It’s that word that often determines your choice of vehicle, but even so there are variables.

For instance, a new pop-top campervan might cost around

Try before you buy If you have never motorhomed before then an excellent way to find out if you really like the lifestyle is to hire before you buy (the hire cost will be a very small percentage of the final purchase price but the lessons learned might prove invaluable). Indeed, some dealers who also have rental motorhomes will refund the hire fee if you later buy from them.

There are plenty of rental campervan and motorhome companies around. Whilst none might have exactly what you’re intending to buy, it’s not a bad idea to get a feel for the motorhome lifestyle and decide on your likes and dislikes and what to look for in “your” vehicle.

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Buying form a dealer offers security of title, a warranty (usually) and back-up if something goes wrong.

A very cheap method is to do a few relocations for the rental companies. See www.standbycars.com for both Australia and NZ. This can be as low as $1.00 per day but there is always a time limitation (which you can usually add to at a discounted rate), so there is going to be more driving than sightseeing, but it’s a good way to get an idea of what it is all about.

Join the Club! nother way to be informed about your prospective purchase, especially if you’re a newcomer, is to join a club like the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) or the Winnebago (Australia) RV Club. To be a full member does require owning a campervan or motorhome, but it’s also possible to be an

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associate member, still get to meet club members and receive the club magazine. In the case of Winnebago, you don’t even have to own one of their motorhomes. Another benefit of being a club member and the reason many join, is access to cheaper insurance for your future purchase!

Just a footnote here with the NZMCA: motor caravan is an older, more British term for motorhome!

Driving Licences efore we go much further it’s probably worth mentioning driver’s licences, and I’ll have to separate Australia and New Zealand here.

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

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Choose carefully: While campervans are nimble and affordable, if you want living space for extended touring you’ll have to move up the size and price range.

Australia Whilst all campervans and many motorhomes can be driven on a normal ‘C’ class licence (nothing to do with a ‘C’ class motorhome!), anything with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 4.5-tonnes requires a Light Rigid (LR) truck licence and anything with a GVM exceeding 8-tonnes requires a Medium Rigid (MR) licence.

That covers everything, except some coach conversions which have a third axle and require a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence.

Some people get a bit scared off by this and restrict their motorhome size because of that. However, the reality is that getting a LR/MR licence is not that difficult, especially if the Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA) is

undertaken. That might sound a mouthful but HVCBA is a log book system where an RTA accredited driving instructor can assess your driving ability as you learn and there is no stressful test at the end of it!

It’s also worth mentioning that if you have only ever driven a car for most of your working life and are about to take the wheel of your retirement dream motorhome that weights nearly

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Trakka’s VW-based Trakkadu campervan is a far cry from early Kombis!

4.5-tonnes, then there might well be some value in driver training and getting your LR licence at the same time!

New Zealand In April 2012 the Land Transport department made some changes to the driver’s licence classes.

Many motorhomes can be driven on a Class 1L and 1R licence and I quote as follows: “a motorized home or self-propelled caravan that has a Gross Laden Weight (GLW) of not more than 6000 kg, provided that its on-road weight is no more than 4500 kg”. I do love that term “self-

propelled caravan”! If the GLW is greater than 6000 kg or the on-road weight is more than 4500 kg, a Class 2 and 2L licence is required.

Looking around fter having decided on a budget, it’s time to see the real thing. If buying new, it’s off to the dealers or manufacturers. If buying used then it’s either the dealer or looking through one of the trader magazines.

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All vehicles will come with a stove, fridge, sink, water tank and a bed, either collapsible or fixed. Up from the basic level things start

to change and be added in. Full ovens, microwaves, three-way (12V/240V/LPG) or compressor (electric only) fridges, showers and toilets, air conditioning, entertainment systems, solar panels, generators, washing machines – it’s almost an endless list, depending on your priorities and budget.

When looking through the vehicles, spend some time in each of your prospective purchases. Have a think about how you are going to live in it on your travels. Go through all the motions of living, like cooking, eating, making up the bed and keeping clean

iMotorhome 101: The Basics (if there is an onboard bathroom). Does the kitchen have all you need for your culinary style? Is there enough bench space and is everything more or less where you want it? That little campervan might look great to drive but is the small internal space going to drive you and your partner crazy?

It’s often items like the main bed that settles the decision on design. In most campervans, the bed has to be made up every night. In C-Class motorhomes the only double bed is often over the driver’s cab: out of the way but a clamber up every night and in some designs there is not much headroom. Small

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C-Class vehicles based on a Toyota Hilux often have a good roof height above the bed, which is also easier to climb into. If the double bed is in the main part of the motorhome, it is much easier to get into but does take up more space!

Are there enough lights for evening activities and where will the laptop or other must-

Having a toilet and shower makes a world of difference and frees you from always having to use caravan parks

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Be sure to try some open roads when you test drive. have electronic gadgets be plugged in? Is that funny shaped cupboard going to annoy you? Where will all your precious belongings be stored and are there enough storage compartments? Will everything you regularly need be easy enough to get at?

Most campervans are unlikely to have a shower or toilet cubicle, unless they are one of the Sprinter/Fiat Ducato sized units, and these are likely to be quite compact. However, that will not be a problem if

you mostly use the amenities blocks in caravan parks and just want to use the on board facilities occasionally.

A feature that has become much more common with the advent of Euro trucks, given their “flat floor” design, is the “walk-through” from driver’s cab to the interior of the motorhome. It’s a very convenient feature and many people like the security aspect of it. Some designs will allow the driver and passenger seats to swivel around so they

double as lounge chairs, which is a very effective use of space.

Slide-outs make a big difference to the internal space of a motorhome and in some cases are available in quite small vehicles.

Test Drive ith any purchase, even a new one, a test drive is important – especially if you’ve never driven one before. Quite a few buyers spend ages on the motorhome layout but forget to even sit in the driver

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iMotorhome 101: The Basics and passenger seats, where squeaks and rattles, which can considerable time will be spent. be a bit disconcerting at first.

Put the vehicle through its paces and be sure to try reversing, manoeuvring in tightish places and also some higher-speed ‘cruising’. Is the steering light enough for you?

Can you easily access the engine for routine fluid checks and in the event something goes amiss? Can you live with the ride, engine noise and gear change? Remember, the ride quality of some Japanese truck-based C-Class motorhomes can leave a lot to be desired, especially older units.

Also remember that whatever you’re test driving it will likely drive very differently to your usual car. And remember that even new campervans and motorhomes will have a few

Finally, make sure there are enough storage pockets for maps, mobile phone and all the little things you like to have with you when travelling.

There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Now the fun begins: Making your decision.

Decision Time on’t rush, sleep on it and be sure to compare a few vehicles before signing on the dotted line. At little extra time at this crucial stage can make a big difference and one of the best pieces of advice I can offer is this: Don’t make a decision in a highly emotional state.

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Finally, if you feel you’re being pressured by the dealer,

Ex-rental vehicles are in abundant supply, but choose carefully.

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manufacturer or your significant other just ask for time to go away and consider it all carefully. The sleep test is a good one here: if it still feels right after a few sleeps, go for it!

iMotorhome 101: The Basics

Ed’s Note If you’re buying new, consider the campervan or motorhome manufacturer’s warranty and the warranty of the vehicle manufacturer. Also look at how (and where) these are backedup when you’re out on the road.

Another point to consider is resale value.

Vehicles from mainstream manufacturers are easier to sell privately or trade-in as they are

Not the end – just the beginning!

a known quantity. Their used values follow a fairly predictable depreciation path that’s well known throughout the industry.

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Finally, I once heard someone say a dedicated RVer has three such vehicles in their lifetime: the one they get hooked on, the one they move up to and Specialist or unusual vehicles, the one they aspire to. So don’t on the other hand, can present think your first vehicle will likely a real problem in the used be your last, or that what suits market, as can bus conversions you now will always do so.

– especially big ones. Tread Your likes, wants and needs are carefully with these and seek evolutionary and you’re allowed expert advice. Without an to have more than one RV over established price reference the years. Honest! point the ‘bigger fool’ theory can apply. Don’t let it be you.

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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Under the Southern Cross Suncamper’s star performer...

Review and Images by Malcolm Street

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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Neat, compact and manoeuvrable, the Southern Cross looks good, too.

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ydney-based Suncamper is a typical example of an Australian motorhome manufacturer: Been around for years, experienced in its products, large enough to build a good motorhome, but small enough to offer personal service.

Under the direction of Keith Harrison, Suncamper produces a variety of models from a two-berth campervan to its flagship Sydney model.

Many readers will have met Mike Rowe, the Company’s affable salesman who often seems more intent on a chat than a sale, but often ends up selling a motorhome anyway!

Mid-range in the Suncamper line-up is the aptly named Southern Cross: A comfortable and capable 6.27 m (20 ft 7 in) two-berth motorhome that offers a relatively spacious interior.

THE VEHICLE itting beneath the Southern Cross is the venerable Ford Transit cabchassis. In some ways the Transit is seen as the poor cousin amongst the European light-commercial manufacturers, but it does offer some budget advantages in the purchasing and servicing areas and there are plenty of Ford dealers around the country, too. Like

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all its Euro counterparts, the Transit is a flat -floor design, which making it very easy for converters.

To the Transit’s chassis, Suncamper mounts a steel floor frame and a welded aluminium body frame. The frame is filled with insulation and then covered with ply sheeting on the inside and fibreglass composite on the outside. Seitz hopper windows are used all round and the front-mounted door is a Hehr-style non-security fitting. There is just one external storage bin; under the bed at the offside rear corner. Two other bins at the rear are for gas cylinders and

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross the Thetford toilet cassette.

Both the entry-step and the Carefree awning are electrically operated.

ON THE ROAD owered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel that delivers a healthy 114 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque, the Transit isn’t a bad performer.

About the only disadvantage is its six-speed manual gearbox. This is fine for many drivers, but for some reason Ford has never developed an automatic gearbox, not

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even an automated manual (AMT) version. Being a midlength motorhome with a very short overhang, the Southern Cross isn’t particularly hard to manoeuvre or park and offers the usual good all-round view from the cab. The cab comes with all the useful features found in a light commercial cab these days: like power steering, power windows, power mirrors, and comes with all the usual essentials found in a car, including remote central locking and safety features like air bags

Ford’s Transit still packs a punch and is surprisingly refined, while the streamlined body will certainly assist fuel efficiency.

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for both driver and passenger.

Cruise control is an option that was fitted to the test vehicle and its steering-wheel mounted controls made it very easy to operate. It also works well with the Transit’s torquey motor. It’s part of an optional Professional Pack from Ford that includes the passenger airbag, electronic stability control, traction control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Front side airbags are also optionally available.

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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LIVING INSIDE or some years Suncamper motorhomes have had a relatively plain looking interior.

It’s surprising, then, just what a difference items like a gloss finish to the cabinetry work, curved overhead-locker doors and leather upholstery can make an interior’s look and feel: quite pleasing to the eye, one has to say.

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Touch-controlled mood lighting works well.

Although the mid-offside cupboard protrudes somewhat, the large window area and two large roof hatches compensate and gives the interior a nice open look. For night time use, LED technology has been used to good effect with both the overhead lights having multiple illumination settings and the ceiling panel above

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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Swivelling cab seats are great but dining table could be longer. having concealed LED strip lighting. It’s fun figuring out how to change the overhead LED settings: touch operated, they change when you take your hand off, not when you first touch them.

Mains-power points (240 V) are fitted to the rear-end of the kitchen bench and above the offside wardrobe, thus being able to be used when sitting at the dinette. In addition to the latter, there are also the necessary 12-volt switches, hot water switch and water tank gauges. 12-volt sockets aren’t fitted anywhere and there’s no house radio/CD player as a standard item – something I always think convenient to have.

Up front, both cab seats swivel, with the driver’s seat turning to face the dinette seat and fold-out table. This does give two people a seat each without both being squeezed into the forward facing seat but the protruding cab side does make it slightly awkward sitting in the driver’s seat. Perhaps a slightly longer table might be good? The passenger seat is great for simply resting and stretching your legs out. It, along with the driver’s seat, have to be used if watching the centrally offside-mounted TV, otherwise both watchers need to be lying on the bed at the rear.

General storage in this area is quite good, with the under-

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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Happy campers! There’s much to like in this compact motorhome and Suncamper is to be commended on its thoughtful design and quality finish. seat area partly taken by the house battery, plus overhead lockers above the table and around the driver’s cab area.

The latter are quite good for stashing small but oft-needed items.

TIME TO EAT or the chefs in the place, the kitchen bench comes

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with a three-burner cooktop, alongside a stainless steel sink without a fixed drainer (but with a detachable plastic one), and a stainless steel cutlery rack that fits to the smoked-glass lid. Given that the 90-litre three-way fridge fits under the cooktop, there isn’t room for a grill, but a microwave is fitted into the

rear of the overhead locker space. This locker space nicely complements the four drawers and single cupboard beneath the bench top.

AFTER HOURS ith a motorhome this length an island bed really isn’t going to happen, so a 1.98 m x 1.22 m

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Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

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Bedroom vanity unit frees up bathroom space and is a great idea.

(6 ft 6 in x 4 ft 8 in) bed is fitted into the rear offside corner. Unfortunately, the bed has a chamfered corner to allow easier bathroom access, but this means only a shorter person can sleep on the near side. While there isn’t room for bedside shelving, there are two contemporary-looking LED reading lights, plus overhead lockers all-round.

Fitted into the nearside corner is the bathroom cubicle, complete with bench-style cassette toilet and a fixedheight flexible-hose shower.

What it doesn’t have is a hand basin/vanity unit, because that is located outside the cubicle, between it and the kitchen bench. In many ways this is a good idea because it allows more than one person to use the facilities simultaneously.

It also means the vanity unit doesn’t have to be squashed into the bathroom, and features like the wall mirror can be used without stepping into the cubicle.

WHAT WE THINK aving looked at several Suncamper motorhomes in the past, this Southern Cross shows a number of worthwhile improvements

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Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross in general décor and fit-out.

The base price starts at $120,000, but our test model had several extras fitted, like air conditioning, an electric awning, television and chrome hubcaps.

The overall length of 6.27 m (20 ft 7 in) is in that happy compromise zone that means it’s not an overly large motorhome, yet it’s comfortable enough to live in without being squashy.

Not surprisingly, there are

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a few items that have been squeezed a bit to fit in, but overall the Suncamper Southern Cross is a very liveable motorhome for two people and well worth investigating.

Suncamper’s neat Southern Cross works well with Ford’s capable and reliable Transit. Together, they make a capable motorhome that’s well worth considering.

Tested: Suncamper Southern Cross

Specifications Manufacturer

Suncamper

Model

Southern Cross

Base Vehicle

Ford Transit

Engine

2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power

114 kW @ 3500 rpm

Torque

385 Nm @ 1600-2300 rpm

Gearbox

6-speed manual

Brakes

Discs with ABS

Tare Weight

2910 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

3550 kg

Licence

Standard car

Passengers

6

External Length

6.27 m (20 ft 7 in)

External Width

2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)

External Height

2.94 m (9 ft 8 in)

Internal Height

2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)

Berth

2

Cooktop

3 burner

Fridge

Thetford N304 90 litre 3-way

Microwave

LG

Gas

2 x 4.5 kg

Lighting

12V LED

Battery

1 x 120 amp hour

Solar Panels

Optional

Hot water

Truma 14-litre

Toilet

Thetford cassette

Shower

Fixed-height, flex-hose

Diesel heater

Optional

Fresh water tank

90-litres

Grey water tank

92-litre

Price

$129,000 (on road NSW)

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Pros

• Kitchen bench area • Bed length • Internal storage • LED lighting • Bright and breezy interior

Cons • No radio/CD player in the rear • Driver’s seat side of the table a bit awkward • No griller • Non-security entry door

Contact Click for Suncamper Google Maps Unit 3, 9 Sefton Road Thornleigh NSW 2120 Ph: (02) 9484 3952 Email: freedom@suncamper.com.au Web: www.suncamper.com.au

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Products...

THESE BOOTS

ARE MADE FOR

SLOSHIN’ We find ‘Wellie’ good boots for your RV adventures...

Article and images by Allan Whiting

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e’ve been testing Thomas Cook bush clothing for some months, with good success and the latest product we’ve come across – Amphibian boots – are brilliant.

Unusually last winter, we headed south, to Victoria and South Australia, before heading north to the Simpson, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

South in winter means wet and cold, so we popped into the Bowral Co-Op in the NSW Southern Highlands, for some new wellies. But what we discovered was the new Amphibian boot design from Thomas Cook, so we grabbed a couple of pairs for only $65 each (pair, not boot!).

Unlike traditional wellies the Amphibians are made from

shaped neoprene with nylon sheathing, so they’re insulating was well as waterproof. The lower section of the boot has a conventional rubber coating and ribbed sole, but the section above the ankle is flexible neoprene that’s cupshaped, to hold your trouser bottoms inside the top of the boot.

Our testing has been very successful; they’re the only boots we bother to take for camp use and they’re flexible enough for driving. The sole was initially slippery, until the shine wore off the ribs, but now they grip very well on all surfaces except slick floor tiles.

We like the fact that you can slip your feet into them without needing to pull the boot on by hand and they

come off also without the need hand assistance, thanks to prominent heel ridges on the back of each boot.

Pros • Waterproof • Warm • Comfortable • Brilliant!

Cons • Slippery soles at first • Not great grip on slick tiles

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Technical...

Thermoelectric Generators The future is almost here...

Image - BMW.

Article by Allan Whiting

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ithin three years it’s likely you’ll look under the bonnet of a new motor vehicle and discover there’s no alternator.

The electric power to run the vehicle’s ancillary systems will come from the exhaust system – or, rather, from a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that’s part of it.

A TEG consists of two dissimilar metals or metal alloys and, as the German physicist, Thomas Seebeck,

discovered in 1821, an electric current flows when there's a temperature difference between the sides. A few years later a French physicist, Jean Peltier, found that applying an electric current to the metals produced a temperature difference on each side.

This Peltier-Seebeck effect is employed in temperaturemeasuring thermocouples and solid-state food coolers and heaters. At the milliamp

level the difference between skin and ambient temperature is being used to provide the energy for low-powered electronics in ‘smart’ garments TEGs consists of pairs of p-type and n-type semiconductor materials that are sandwiched between thin ceramic wafers. These thermocouples are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, forming an array.

TEGs have been used as

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Technical... power sources in deep-space probes for about 30 years.

The heat source in these units is decaying radioactive material, providing a long-term heat source. Automotive TEGs currently under development use exhaust system heat to produce electricity.

In even the most efficient internal combustion engine, only about a third of the total energy from combustion actually gets to the wheels, while the other two-thirds is lost in driveline friction, in alternator load, in cooling the engine and in exhaust heat.

To reduce cooling system losses, some engine makers experimented with so-called ‘hot’ engines, without cooling

Thank Thomas Seebeck (L) and Jean Peltier for discovering the properties that make TEGs possible. systems, during the 1980s and 1990s, but these engines were high polluters and some of the ceramic parts had a propensity to return to their parent material – sand.

Attention then focussed on reducing exhaust heat losses or employing exhaust heat to do work. Several major vehicle makers – notably BMW, Ford and General

An artist’s rendering of a Chevrolet Suburban shows the muffler-like thermoelectric generator inserted into the exhaust system.

Image - General Motors

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Technical...

2% LOST

12.6% USED

in accessories operation

to actually move the vehicle down the road

17% LOST by idling

5.6% LOST

in the drive train due to friction and slippage

100%

62% LOST

energy in a gallon of gas goes into the engine

to friction, engine-pumping losses and to waste heat

This diagram illustrates the path of energy through a typical vehicle in city driving.

Motors – are investing heavily in TEG R&D, with the aim of having production systems in place within three years.

would add to the price of a vehicle, the whole point of the research is to make it costeffective, Yang said.

is the voltage produced in a material per degree. ZT is inversely proportional to thermal conductivity.

BMW recently picked up an award for its efforts in TEG R&D. The Ökoglobe Award is presented by the DEVK insurance group, the Automobil-Club Verkehr and the Center Automotive Research, Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences.

BSST, a subsidiary of thermoelectrics supplier Amerigon Inc, is working with Ford to develop climate control systems based on thermoelectrics. Ford wants a system that would target a person's extremities when it's cold or the back of the neck in summer heat, rather than blow out a lot of air to change the temperature of the entire vehicle.

Engineers in the United States and Japan have found a new technique to improve the efficiency of a thermoelectric energy converter. Instead of decreasing the thermal conductivity, which is normally how efficiency is improved, they increased electrical conductivity by doping the material with the toxin thallium. The scientists involved in the research, from Ohio State University, Caltech and Osaka University admit that the major problem with this route is that the materials used are toxic: lead telluride, the standard compound for high-temperature thermoelectrics, doped with the

General Motors’ researcher Jihui Yang said that a TEG fitted to a Chevrolet Suburban, eliminating the alternator, should reduce fuel consumption by at least five percent, but the target reduction in fuel consumption is 10 percent. While it's not clear how much the device

The development of TEG materials is progressing at a frantic pace. Thermoelectric efficiency (ZT) is proportional to electrical conductivity, temperature and thermoelectric power, which

Technical... famously poisonous thallium.

So researchers are working on applying the same technique, using less-toxic materials.

Aside from the toxicity factor, thermoelectric efficiency has to be increased even further for it to be viable ancillary power source in a vehicle.

Until recently, ZT figures below 1 were typical. The most efficient material used commercially in thermoelectric power generators is an alloy called sodiumdoped lead telluride, which has a ZT rating of 0.71. The new material, thallium-doped lead telluride, has a rating of 1.5, but other experimental materials are approaching a ZT greater than 2.

The most likely applications of thermo-electrics in vehicles will be air conditioners and cogenerators, in power ranges of 100 watts to 5 kW, with ZT

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ratings of 1 to 3. They should be commercially available from 2010-2015.

The futuristic generation of thermo-electrics, with ZT ratings above 3, may be significant boosters of efficiency for vehicles and, with ZTs predicted up to 20, may even become replacements for internal combustion engines. These higher-ZT TEGs are expected to be commercially available from 2015.

The TEG (L) is set to revolutionise in-car electrics in the next few years and bigger versions could eventually replace the internal combustion engine altogether.

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Show Calendar...

JULY 20-22 Gold Coast Home, Caravan & Camping Expo Parklands Southport. QLD • Open 9:00-5:00 daily (4:00 Sunday) • Parking is limited – take public transport if possible • Adults $8 Pensioners $6 • Website: http://www.australianevents.com.au/index.php?option=com_co ntent&view=article&id=66 &Itemid=108 Click for Google Maps

JULY 27-29 Sydney Retirement & Lifestyle Expo Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. NSW • • • •

Open 10:00-4:00 daily Free parking Adults $ Not stated Pensioners $ Not stated

• Website: http://www. emsaust.com.au/SydneyRetirement-Lifestyle-Expo.html

Click for Google Maps

JULY 27-29 Queensland Outdoor Adventure & Motoring Expo Toowoomba Showgrounds Toowoomba. NSW. • Open 9:00-5:00 daily (4:00 Sunday) • Free Parking • Adults $8 Pensioners $6 • Website: http://australianevents.com.au/index. php?option=com_conten t&view=article&id=69&Ite mid=159

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.

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Next Issue...

testing times continue!

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change of pace next issue: Malcolm Street reviews a compact Frontline HiAce campervan while Allan Whiting bringing us the lowdown on the majestic Trakka Trakkaway 790.

The Trakkaway 790, on the other hand, sits at the other end of the motorhome spectrum. It provides luxurious, long-term touring capabilities that truly make it a home-away-from-home.

Frontline’s HiAce continues the great Australian campervan tradition of budget-priced escapes in a vehicle that can easily double as your daily driver.

Our Motorhome 101 series continues, as do our technical articles with Allan Whiting, and if you have any comments on what we’re doing, something you’ve read or would like to

know about, please drop info@ us an email to imotorhome.com.au.

That’s it for now, see you in two weeks on Saturday, July 21st. In the mean time don’t forget to follow all the fun on Facebook (www.facebook. and com/iMotorhome) Twitter (@iMotorhomeMag) – and drive safely!