iMotorhome
7: August 04 2012
.com.au
Issue
because getting there is half the fun...
NEW HORIZON! Why less is more with Horizon’s new Banksia... Trakka Dakar
Custom Jabiru 4X4 set to take on the world
Business as Usual?
Winnebago battles Federal Court decision
On my mind...
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t used to be that blokes retired at 65 and were fondly remembered by 70. This meant retirement income and planning needs weren’t big and the State pension sufficed for most; topping up meagre life savings not already spent on the one big ‘trip of a lifetime’. Times changed, however, and these days there’s often far too much life left at the end of our finances! Increasing awareness of the importance of diet and exercise; the relentless push to prescribe a pill for every condition; remarkable advances in diagnostic medicine plus swift-response emergency services (in our big cities, at least) mean we’re
all living longer and (hopefully) healthier lives. We’re more mobile too, and more and more retirees are taking to the road, in search of the Grey Nomad dream (for want of a better cliché). This lengthening life span also means we’re able to be more selective about when we hit the road or take that, or those, big holidays. This is just as well because for many, the Global Financial Crisis has really stuffed things up. Falling super returns, share values and property prices have seen many people put expensive plans on hold, modify them to more modest levels or cancel them all together. Because no van (manufacturer)
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is an island, the effects of the GFC have been felt across all business sectors, including the RV industry. Australian manufacturers have come though/are coming through relatively unscathed and either every one of them is A: a hopeless optimist, B: delusional or C: a downright fibber, but I’m yet to come across a campervan or motorhome manufacture prepared to admit they’re doing it particularly tough. Tougher, for sure, but not would-the-last-person-toleave-the-factory-please-turnoff-the-lights tough. But America is a different story. Lights have been switched off in RV factories across the US over the last five years and Continued...
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On my mind... ...Continued
those big/lucky enough to survive are considering every option. Even Australia.
toe in the water, they’re ready to dive in head first – and one such company is Winnebago.
Previously too small to bother with, the Land Down Under is suddenly attracting a lot of attention from the Land Up Over, which is why companies like Airstream have appointed local distributors to test the waters. But some US companies want more than a
Winnebago is already here, I hear you say! Well yes. And no. Australian-made Winnebagos bear no relation to their American name sake and now the giant American wants in. The Federal Court recently ruled Winnebago in Australia has been passing its products
The iMotorhome Team
off at the expense of the US brand and that it must cease doing that and change its name very quickly (see NEWS). Expect a big fight and, perhaps, a seismic shift in the Australian motorhome scene. Stay tuned...
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
Rethink your lifestyle...
Horizon Motorhomes allow you to rethink your lifestyle. Boating, fishing, surfing, cycling and more. Horizon gives you the freedom with a range of tailorable designs in either Fiat, Mercedes Benz or Volkswagen. Visit our website or showroom to explore your lifestyle options today.
p. 02 6681 1555 299 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
www.ballinacampers.com.au
INSIDE EDISNI
2 ON MY MIND Ed’s latest musings...
7 NEWS
• Winnebago fights for its name • JAC Trucks arrive in Oz • Troopie dual-cab arrives • And more!
11 TESTED
Out Standing in its Field – Richard Robertson tests Horizon’s Banksia
26 CUSTOM RV
Trakka Dakar – Heavy metal destined for the world stage...
17 36 TECHNICAL What’s the diff? Allan Whiting explains
21 45 MOBILE TECH An app to help you navigate a different kind of course...
23 49 CUSTOM RV New home needed for an old friend...
51 NEXT ISSUE
What’s coming up next and what’s happening on the show circuit
trakkabout wonders of australia
Jabiru Remote 4x4
visit www.trakka.com or call 1800 TRAKKA (872 552)
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News...
Winnebago battles to keep its name
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conic Australian motorhome manufacturer Winnebago has lost at least the first round of a Federal Court battle to keep its name and logo. According to a report by Leonie Wood in the Sydney Morning Herald on 31 July: “In a decision that will have ramifications for a swath of dealers that sell Australian-made vehicles bearing the name Winnebago, the court has found that a Sydney businessman, Bruce Binns, "intentionally hijacked" the well-
YOU DON’T KNOW JAC!
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ollowing our report last issue of the first motorhomes in New
known US brand "in a bold attempt to pre-empt Winnebago's opening its doors here. Winnebago Industries, of Forest City, Iowa, has been making its distinctive recreational vehicles in the US since 1966.”
completely shocked at this finding. At this point in time our legal team are going through the detail of the findings where they will determine if an appeal will take place.”
The ruling has sent shockwaves through Australia’s RV industry, but in a press release issued the same day Winnebago Industries said:
“Nothing has changed with either our products or the services we offer, we have a reputable product a reliable dealer network and service centres located throughout Australia and New Zealand.”
“As you may well know by now, a finding has been made against us regarding our brand name Winnebago, we are and always have been an Australian owned and operated family business that has been manufacturing Motorhomes in Australia since 1965, we bought the business name in 1978 and we are
No doubt this battle will play out in the weeks and months to come and we’ll keep you posted on developments as they come to hand. Read the SMH’s full story here http://www.smh.com.au/ business/court-rules-winnebagobrand-was-hijacked-2012073023agh.html.
Zealand being built on Chinesemade JAC trucks, the Brand has now launched its cab-chassis trucks into the highly competitive Australian marketplace.
driving through 5 or 6-speed ZF transmissions. ABS and an exhaust brake, airconditioning, power windows and remote central locking are standard across the range, while the company claims its trucks are backed by the industry’s best warranty, too.
Ranging from 4.5 to 7.5-tonnes GVM and with a starting price of just $36,389 the three-model range has real potential as base vehicles for budget B or C-Class motorhomes. Power is provided by Euro-5 compliant Cummins ISF turbodiesels of 2.8 or 3.8-litres capacity,
JAC produces more than 400,000 trucks annually and sales and service in Australia is through an initial network of 20 dealers. Visit www.jactrucks.com.au for details.
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News...
The new double cab also benefits from production upgrades to the range, including anti-skid brakes on all grades, air-inlet snorkel mounted on the A pillar, improved seats, in-dash multi-function clock and audio/CD system with Bluetooth hands-free, audio streaming and voice-recognition phone/audio.
TOYOTA LAUNCHES TROOPIE DUAL-CAB
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n good news for lovers of slideons with a penchant for out-ofthe-way travel, Toyota has just announced a double-cab version for its venerable 70-Series LandCruiser range. Toyota said Australia will be the first market in the world to get the new LC79 double cab, which builds on the vehicle's tough, practical design. On sale in late
September, the Troopie double cab will carry five adults as well as providing a one-tonne payload. The new variant comes in two grades, Workmate and GXL, both with a 130-litre fuel-tank capacity, 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine, five-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD with two-speed transfer case.
Double-cab Workmate comes with 16-inch steel split rims, aluminium side steps, vinyl seat facings and floor coverings, black bumpers and the extra-cost option of diff locks. The GXL version gains 16-inch alloy wheels, over-fender flares, remote central locking, differential locks, fog lamps, power windows, carpet and cloth seats. The Euro IV-compliant V8 engine delivers 151 kW of power at 3400 rpm while peak torque of 430 Nm is reached at 1200rpm and held to 3200rpm – the flattest torque curve among all of Toyota's engines.
STORMIN’ NORMAN
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or more year than he’d care to remember, Norman Roe was the smiling face of KEA Australia’s new and used vehicle sales. The Company’s
sudden demise in Australia on 15 June and immediate acquisition by former competitor THL (owners of Britz and Maui) shocked everyone – including KEA Australia staff like Norman who believed the business to be travelling well. The good news is Norman is once again – or should we say ‘still’
– the face of used KEA rental vehicles, only now he’s at Sydney RV Centre’s Penrith branch. Used KEA vehicles are a popular choice and Norman knows them insideout, so call him on 02 4722 3444 or call out to the Click for Google Maps dealership, at 13-15 Lemko Place, Castlereagh Rd, Penrith. 2750
9 STATE OF ORIGIN News...
KEA New Zealand says it is proud to introduce its new Origin motorhome – the KEA 3ST – which it says is the perfect vehicle for experiencing the freedom of scenic New Zealand.
versatile layout that sleeps up to 4 people. The passenger seating is located directly behind the driver’s cabin, so it is ideal for parents that want to keep their child close while they are on the road.”
“This brand new 6.2- metre motorhome features all the stylish, modern comforts of home, with a
“The Origin’s compact size means it can be driven on a car licence. Its powerful 6-speed Ford engine (!)
offers a very comfortable driving experience while still being easy to manoeuvre and park. KEA’s trademark huge panoramic tinted windows give an amazing sense of space in the rear living and sleeping area while a very functional kitchen features a new slide-out pantry as well as gas hob, grill, extractor fan, fridge/freezer and filtered water from the tap. The Origin is certified fully self-contained, with environmentally responsible features including solar panels, cabinetry constructed from renewable plantation grown timber and fully insulated walls, ceiling and floor. Meanwhile, a diesel heater keeps everyone warm and cosy – even while on the road.”
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
OUT STANDING IN ITS FIELD! Horizon’s latest Banksia raises the bar while lowering the price... Review and images by Richard Robertson and Horizon Motorhomes
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Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
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n an age when more is more it’s refreshing to find a company progressive enough to consider taking a seemingly backwards step. Horizon Motorhomes in Ballina has released a new version of its popular Banksia two-berth motorhome, but perhaps a little explanation about the company’s offerings is needed at this point. Horizon blurs the boundaries between campervans and motorhomes by building all its ‘motorhomes’ as vanconversions, which would otherwise be classified as campervans.
Horizon converts Fiat Ducato, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and VW Crafter vans into motorhomes, but the quirky, non-conformist Fiat makes up about 75% of its business. The thing is, I can kind of understand the logic; given Horizon does a very good job and the interiors of its ‘campervans’ rival most upmarket motorhomes in terms of design innovation, quality and appearance. So back to the story... A Tale of Two CCs lways looking for a sales edge, Horizon is now offering the Fiat Ducato Banksia with the ‘small’
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2.3-litre turbo-diesel as an alternative to the full-fat 3.0-litre engine that’s the norm across Ducato Land. Some might consider this a gamble, but given the ‘little’ Fiat engine pumps out 9 kW and 50 Nm more than VW’s 2.5-litre Crafter engine, Horizon is hardly gambling its future on the move. What it does do, though, is provide a very attractive $2950 price reduction on the standard Banksia. That would cover the optional reversecycle airconditioner or solar power, or even a diesel-fired heater – with change. Makes you think...
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia From memory, when the current-look Ducato first wowed us it came with both engine options, but only a manual transmission. Somewhere along the line the 2.3-litre donk disappeared, a six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) known as Comfortmatic arrived and we’ve all lived happily ever since. Well, the 2.3 is available again now (at least to special order) and gives little away to its 120 kW/400 Nm bigger brother. Both engines are Euro-5 emissions compliant, employ variable-geometry
Ducato looks good and the driving environment is a treat, too.
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Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
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From any angle, Fiat’s Ducato is one good looking unit. Horizon’s uniform window fitment, discreet striping and colour-coded awning simply add to the appeal... turbochargers and commonrail injection systems and both are excellent examples of the latest generation of economical-yet-powerful Euro diesels – something the Japanese have never really mastered.
Engines aside, all Ducatos are front-wheel drive and share the same raft of safety, comfort and convenience features. These include dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), ninth-generation electronic stability control
(ESP), traction control (ASR) and other electronic loadsensing aids to keep you on the straight, level and narrow. Climate control, a leatherwrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise, electric windows and even
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia a refrigerated 1.5-litre bottle holder are part of the package, too. And what a stylish package it is! Whereas a Sprinter or Crafter will likely elicit a yawn from the unknowing, Ducato’s futuristic front-end and appealing interior are still a breath of fresh air in light commercial vehicle design. The Ducato is also wider than its German rivals by about an inch, making a transverse bed practical; has about a 500 kg higher gross vehicle mass (GVM) and comes with a 125-litre fuel tank as standard, compared to just 75 litres. It’s also rated for 2.5-tonnes towing, up half a ton on the Germans, and is designed for motorhome use from the ground up. This includes routing the wiring and even the handbrake cable out-ofthe-way and supplying tyres specially suited to prolonged periods in one place without developing flat spots. Less is More. More or Less... orizon admits to being uncertain about the appeal of a smaller engine in a fully laden motorhome, but remains upbeat about initial feedback. I second that feedback. Sure, there’s no substitute for power when
H
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Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
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Not at all like a delivery van, Fiat’s dash treatment of the Ducato is inviting and involving. Small, leather-wrapped steering wheel is a beauty, as is the stubby gear lever. Dual airbags are standard, too. you’re climbing the mountains or in an absolute hurry, but in general driving there’s not a lot between them.
to the left, but overall the Ducato’s cab and driving experience is highly enjoyable. It’s also a lot of fun.
smooth and reasonably quick. It also has a very tall top gear, turning 2000 rpm at 100 km/h.
You sit tall in the Ducato, looking out through the upper part of the windscreen, while the small, leather-wrapped steering wheel and designerdash and console imbue a real sporting feel. As ever, the pedals are a little close together and the steering wheel seems a tad offset
The ‘small’ engine mates very well to the sixspeed Comfortmatic transmission and the two feel more integrated than the Volkswagen equivalent. There’s little, if any, dithering off-idle or when you suddenly put your foot down and in general driving all shifts are
Noise and vibration levels are suitably low while the steering has good feel and is nicely weighted, with no noticeable torque-steer during my brief drive despite 320 Nm powering the front wheels. Ride is also good, with wellsorted suspension damping and spring rates, aided in no
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
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small part by the Ducato’s box-with-a-wheel-in-eachcorner design.
Living Thing iving with the Banksia is easy but make no mistake, this is a compact machine. Built for two, the van’s floorplan features swivelling front seats with a single dinette seat behind the driver; a kerb-side kitchen with bathroom opposite and a rear, transverse double bed. It’s nothing revolutionary, but in its simplicity it works quite nicely.
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Boxes are great for packing things in and the Ducato’s boxy body is a walk-up start as a motorhome (or campervan!) conversion. Horizon buys all its vans as cargo bodies, allowing the company to position windows
Open and bright, the Banksia’s interior is 100 % practical.
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
Dining table slides along wall bracket for individual adjustment. where it wants. The company also has a long-standing and special relationship with Fiat, giving it access to special features like unique colours – such as the Profondo red of the test vehicle and a truly out-there orangey-bronze. Across all its motorhomes Horizon uses the same finish, componentry and inclusions, which helps keep costs down and the options list short. It’s a clever strategy that appears to work well. A big advantage of a vanbased campervan/motorhome is that for a vehicle that spends its life outdoors, there are precious few body seams susceptible to deterioration and water leakage. Only
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Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia
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Over-sink roof hatch has an exhaust fan that works in place of a dedicated rangehood.
The kitchen works well but the swivel-mounted TV is literally in your face while washing-up! where roof hatches and windows are installed is this possible, unlike coach-built motorhome bodies that have ‘miles’ of joining panels. The Banksia has two main roof hatches for light and ventilation, plus seven Dometic Seitz double-glazed single-hopper windows with integrated insect screens and blinds. They provide masses of light and fresh air, but the kitchen window is in the way of the sliding side door and you only forget it’s open once (sorry guys). I think a sliding window or even fixed glass
panel would be better there, although it would detract from the Banksia’s appearance. A colour-coded wind-out Fiama awning is also part of the standard fit-out. A disadvantage of a delivery van as a motorhome basevehicle is the retention of the big, sliding side door – also known as a whizz-bang (for reasons patently obvious if you’ve ever been woken by one during the night at a campsite). They can also be heavy for smaller people to operate (especially on inclines), are difficult to screen
from insects (although Horizon has excellent side and reardoor screens as options) and provide no security when open. Still, it’s a compromise you learn to live with and it certainly wouldn’t deter me from this style of vehicle. Cooking with Gas ompact but capable, the Banksia’s kitchen is an ideal place for those practiced in the black art of one-pot wonders. That’s not to say you can’t cook with more pots, of course, there’s just not all that much room.
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Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia Bench space is limited, but into the small space Horizon packs a glass-lidded Dometic three-burner gas cooktop with Sharp Carousel microwave below (a gas oven and grill is optional); a matching glasslidded single-bowl sink and drainer with flick-mixer tap; a Waeco 12-volt 110-litre fridge and enough drawer and cupboard space to satisfy most people. There’s also a sizeable flip-up bench extension, a separate drinking water tap and you could always use the dining table for
extra bench space, if required. While there’s no dedicated range hood there is the opening window right behind the cooker, plus a smaller over-bench roof hatch with extractor fan. Also above the kitchen bench is the Banksia’s electronic nerve centre, with all electrical switches, battery indicators, tank gauges and hot water controls arranged neatly in a line at eye level. Interestingly, the swivel TV is right above the sink, so you can watch from bed or the
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dinette, but if you’re washing up it’s literally in your face! Speaking of electrics, lighting is LED inside and out, which is fantastic for battery life and longevity but lacks the warm and inviting ambience of good old fashioned globes. Still, give me a charged battery over ambience any day (or night). And speaking of charged batteries, like all Horizon’s the Banksia has a single 200-amp AGM house battery, charged by an Australian-made Redarc system. The advantage of this
Despite its compact dimensions the Banksia’s kitchen is well thought out and equipped.
Tested: Horizon Motorhome Banksia is that most car alternators aren’t designed to fully charge house batteries and aren’t really designed for extra batteries at all. The Redarc system takes care of this, however, and is also designed to get the most from solar panels, too, even if they’re fitted later. Eat in or Take Away eal times are strictly for two, unless a third diner is okay eating on their lap. The driver’s seat swivels 180 degrees aft to form a cafe dinette opposite the fixed, forward-facing single dinette seat, with an adjustable dining table in between. It’s a neat, functional and comfortable set-
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up that affords diners plenty of light, visibility and fresh air during the day, plus good relaxing space out of Chef’s hair at night. The dinette also feature two 240-volt power outlets plus a 12-volt socket, beneath the dining table, to keep your goodies charged. The fixed dinette seat sits on a raised false-floor section that keeps all three front seats at the same level. Leaving no space unused, Horizon’s designers have cleverly
Swivelling front seats provide dining and ‘after work’ relaxation space, making the most of the compact van’s interior.
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incorporated three handy drawers in this small space, two of which are within easy reach when standing outside by the sliding side door and would be ideal for thongs, sunscreen, small tools and the like. Scrub-a-Dub-Dub ou won’t get three men in the Banksia’s bathroom tub because there isn’t one: As you’d expect the bathroom has a shower only. It’s also not built for three, but for one it’s fine and comes with a corner
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