ISSUE 112: APRIL 2017
Remote
Habitat! Win!
$50 for the! best letter
Sunliner’s all-new rough terrain warrior… Feature
D-Box modular camper for old Land Rovers
My Town
A local tells all about Gunning, NSW…
Eats
ANZAC Biscuits – history and recipe!
Feature
4x4 motorohomes
2 | About iMotorhome
iMotorhome Magazine is published monthly and available by free subscription from www.imotorhome.com.au. Your letters and contributions are always welcome! Facebook “f ” Logo
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Contributors
Published by iMotorhome
Emily Barker, Sharon Hollamby, Collyn Rivers and Allan Whiting
PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW 2776. Australia. ABN: 34 142 547 719
Design and Production Design & Production Manager
T: +614 14 604 368
Agnes Nielsen
E: info@imotorhome.com.au
E: agnes@imotorhome.com.au
W: www.imotorhome.com.au Editorial Publisher/Managing Editor Richard Robertson T: 0414 604 368 E: richard@imotorhome.com.au Roadtest Editor Malcolm Street T: 0418 256 126 E: malcolm@imotorhome.com.au
Legal All content of iMotorhome Magazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content, however no responsibility is accepted for any inconvenience and/or loss arising from reading and/or acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website.
Jabiru
First class all the way
4 | On my mind
Paradise Lost?
T
o say news of the closure of Paradise Motor Homes came as a surprise is the understatement of the year (and last year too). I’ve known the MacLean family for the better part of 20 years, through my previous life writing for other RV publications, and have always held them and the business in high regard. From what I’ve been able to find online it appears the closure was brought on by a dispute over the ownership structure of the company and not due to financial pressures. Given the overall buoyant state of the RV industry and Paradise’s long-standing position as a manufacturer of innovative and high quality motorhomes, the news was even more difficult to comprehend. Whatever comes of the Receiver’s appointment, it is likely to be the only winner in this sorry situation. All of us feel for the MacLean family, Paradise staff and suppliers, but especially for buyers with deposits paid and/or vehicles in build. My hope is the Receiver will be able to sort out the ownership structure, or find a buyer that can carry on the business to the same high standards. Time will tell…
Exciting Times
M
alcolm and I attended the annual Covi Motorhome and Caravan Supershow in Auckland in mid March. It’s the biggest RV show in New Zealand and as the name implies, motorhomes are the dominant species. That’s because motorhomes make up around 80-85 percent of recreational vehicles across the Tasman, and for motorhome lovers the Show is heaven. The contrast between our markets is stark, with change here in terms of new models – never mind new makes – often seeming to happen at a glacial pace. Because NZ isn’t subject to the double-edged sword of Australian Design Rules (amongst other things) the brand and model choices are staggering. I’ve heard some Australian industry people refer to NZ as a dumping ground for excess/unwanted and second-rate European production, but the truth couldn’t be more different. Malcolm and I had a long chat with Bernhard Kibler, managing director of the
Hymer Group – Europe’s biggest RV manufacturer (35% market share), who along with export manager Andrea Kibler arrived on the opening day to launch the Hymer motorhome brand in partnership with SmartRV. Hymer motorhomes sit at the top of the Group’s multi-brand tree, and SmartRV has already established a booming business in NZ for the Group’s mid and entry-level brands of Bürstner and Carado. The Hymer Group also owns Canadian van-conversion specialist manufacturer Roadtrek, plus recently bought the UK-based Explorer Group, owners of Elddis (which has 11 percent of the UK motorhome market) amongst other brands. People like Bernard and Andrea don’t visit markets like New Zealand – especially for a couple of weeks – if they’re just a ‘dumping ground’… What’s fascinating about NZ is that local RV manufacturing was severely impacted by the tsunami of imports, and many jobs were lost and manufacturers did close down. However, other manufacturers took on their own lines of imports and were able to not only diversify, but reinvent, modernise and expand their own manufacturing and some now have order books full, 12 months out. Meanwhile, motorhome sales are booming because buyers have enormous choices at all price points and I’d wager there are now far more jobs than ever in the NZ RV Industry. It’s difficult to believe such a different market exists just two and a half hours flying time from here. What’s not difficult to believe is that in the next year or two, sales of motorhomes in New Zealand will surpass sales here. These are exciting times indeed, and especially because by the time you read this we’ll be in America on our Route 66 Tour! Watch our Facebook Page for updates as we travel, and next issue for at least a brief account of how it all went. Safe travels until then!
Richard
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6 | Contents
2
About Us
9
Resources
Who we are, where and other legal stuff
Find back issues and more on our website
4
On my Mind Paradise Lost…
10
On Your Mind
23
Marketplace
Share your thoughts for the chance to win $50!
14
News
26
Day Test: Sunliner Habitat
40
Feature: 4X4 Motorhomes Australia
46
Feature
54
Travel: RVFT x 3
64
Roadside Eats: ANZAC Salute!
68
MobileTech
89
Advertisers’ Index
What’s happening in the wider RV world and beyond
The latest Marketplace offers
Sunliner takes the rough terrain motorhome to a new level…
When the going gets tough the tough get one of these!
Hint of Musk!
Three more RV Friendly Towns
50
Feature
58
My Town
D-Box modular camper for Land Rover Defenders
A local view of Gunning, NSW
The history of ANZAC biscuits – and more…
Epicurean Pursuits!
An A to Z of who’s in this issue!
72
What’s On?
90
Next Issue
Australia-wide events over the next three months!
What’s coming up and which shows are on soon!
Resources | 9 resources
iMotorhome
Magazine Resources Just click any of the links below!
Issue
Win!
$50 for the best letter!
Dalgety Report! Project Polly
A little bit of spit ’n polish!
Travel
Three more RV Friendly Towns to consider…
Back Issues
Road Tests
User Guide
Marketplace
Subscription
106: NOV 05 2016
Deluxe Offering! Our reader weekend in Dalgety was a great success
Ask a Question
Suncamper’s Sovereign Deluxe offers comfort and some interesting features…
Reader Survey
Reader Review
10 | On your mind
Win $50 for the best letter!
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 $50 to help you on your way.
Oldie but a Goodie…
A
fter reading of people’s troubles with their Aussie built motorhomes with European based van platforms about getting parts, etc, I am glad I bought my 2002 Toyota Matilda. I often get a bit of light hearted stick from friends with late model motorhomes about the Matilda, which is okay, but recently one of them had problems with the wheel bearings on the front of their vehicle. The result was waiting for the right parts for two weeks and also being off the road for that time, and the final cost of supply and fit around $1900. I replaced the two front bearings last year before my trip with parts from Repco (in stock), and supply and fit in one morning was $352. Needless to say, they haven’t given me too much stick after that! The Matilda is built on a HiLux with still only 46,000 kms on it. We bought it from a lady who did the big lap when she got divorced and after that did short trips to Crescent Head in the main holidays. It had log books and was serviced vey 5000 kms. The interior colour and fabric in the living quarters we didn’t like, so my friend changed to Italian leather. We originally had a HiAce by Discoverer, but it was too small. As for engine costs, we
put a new Chinese copy of a Toyota engine in the old HiAce for $3000, with exchange, and had no dramas with it at all. I got it at Chullora in Sydney through a wrecker. I had the Discoverer about another 2 years and sold it to a guy not far from me who still has it, and he waves when I go past. The only downside of the motor is it’s not suitable for LPG, but still suitable for Unleaded Petrol. Cheers, Greg Thanks Greg, sounds like quite a rare beast you have there. Yes, prices and availability of some imported parts seem to be outrageous, and I have to say that’s why we bought Project Polly as a Ford Transit: Parts are generally much cheaper and there are many after-market suppliers. I’ve never heard of Chinese-copy Toyota engines, so thanks for the heads up on them. This information might help other readers so I’m awarding you this issue’s $50 prize, which you could set aside toward your next set of wheel bearings in another 15 years. It’s always good to plan ahead!
On your mind | 11
Fuel for Thought?
W
e are close to deciding on our motorhome and one of the choices we have is the diesel-fuelled package of heater, hot water and cooktop. I know that iMotorhome has reviewed the cooktop in the Trakka remote package and I’m wondering what your views are? If you were specifying a new motorhome, would you go for it? My reasons for considering it are partly to do with untethering from gas supplies, to free up a (small) amount of storage space by having no gas bottles, to (marginally) reduce weight, and to make remote camping a little better. I would be interested in your thoughts. Regards, Chris Hi Chris, that’s not an easy question to answer. The diesel cooker takes a long time to heat up and cool down (and an age to boil
a kettle), and puts quite a bit of heat into the kitchen area, which is good in winter but not in summer. It’s also difficult to accurately regulate and Mrs iMotorhome believes is better suited to reheating food than cooking from scratch. However, the attraction of an LPG-free vehicle is strong and you can always carry a ‘lunch box’ gas cooker to quickly boil a kettle and/ or cook up a one-pot wonder, poach eggs or whatever. And of course you can always barbecue outdoors. Mrs iMotorhome loves to cook and if it were her choice she’d choose gas, although she concedes you get used to diesel (which is quite a bit more expensive than LPG too). The bottom line is probably how much you enjoy cooking versus your desire for simplicity. Make your decision on that basis and it will be the right one!
Give it to me Straight…
I
was wondering if any of your subscribers have advice regarding wheel alignments on motorhomes? I got four new tyres for my (now Avida) Winnebago Eyre from a local tyre dealer and it wasn’t until he’d finished that he told me they didn’t have the equipment to do wheel alignments on motorhomes. I’ve rung around but so far haven’t been able to lock in a place that can do it. I’m wondering if your readers have advice or whether this has been covered in iMotorhomes and I missed it? I live in the Liverpool NSW area? Regards, Chris
That’s an easy one Steve. Narellan Truck Align at 2/3 Campbell St, Narellan (believe it of not) is just down the road from you and specialises in heavy vehicle wheel alignments. They worked on Polly and you can read about that in Issue 105 (15 October 2016). Call them on (02) 4647 1811 and tell ‘em iMotorhome sent you!
12 | On your mind
Swagman?
I
have been looking at your magazine over the last couple of months and I have not seen anything on Swagman motorhomes. Why is this? I have a 28 ft Swagman 2010 (2810), bought 18months ago with 14,500 km on the clock. I was reading the article in the March issue about the A-class Tiffin and Concorde, and the Swagman seems to have similar features (not as optional extras, (electric awning, solar panels, but no garage!) but not the German quality of build. It is a bit of a mixture of Chinese truck, Japanese controls, American motor and is all electric but was built with no spare wheel! I’ve had to do some mods, like put on tyre inflation from the air bag system (6 new tyres now as I had a blowout) and I added another solar panel (405 watts now). It is built for two and we both love it! I am retiring in about 18 months to be on the road full time for a few years, and we tow a 4x4 ute.
Kind regards, Neil. Sadly Neil, Swagman hasn't been in production for some time (as I’m sure you’re aware). However, they were the ultimate motorhomes in their day and the top of many people’s wish list – mine included. I think the ‘little’ Australis is still one of the best looking motorhomes ever made and I would still love to own a good one. The trouble is there is such a rarefied market for new vehicles in their class that local manufacture doesn’t make economic sense these days. All the best with your ‘project’ and if you’d like to send some photos and an overview of what you’ve done I’d be pleased to run it in the magazine. I know there are plenty of Swagman lovers and owners out here and it would be good to share the love!
NORTHCOACH EQUIPMENT PTY LTD
14 | News
PARADISE MOTOR HOMES IN RECEIVERSHIP
G
old Coast-based luxury motorhome manufacturer Paradise Motor Homes closed its doors on Friday 10 March.
This followed the appointment of a Receiver due to a company ownership structure dispute. No further information has been forthcoming and Paradise’s website is still operational, but carries no news of the closure. Calls go straight to a full answering machine. In late-breaking news it appears some staff have been able to stay on and work with the Receiver to complete and deliver customer orders. Watch for an update next issue
FIAT DUCATO CAMSHAFT RECALL
O
n 8 march Fiat Chrysler Australia issued a recall notice for Fiat Ducatos with the 2.3-litre engine, manufactured between 19 December 2016 and 10 January 2017. The notice says the camshaft could potentially crack while the vehicle is in use, due to a non-compliance of the material during the production process. If that happens during use the vehicle could stop suddenly, posing a safety risk for the occupants and other road users.
Owners will be contacted by direct mail and should take their vehicles to an authorised Fiat dealer for an inspection and replacement of the camshaft. iMotorhome believes the affected vehicles are likely to be the new Euro 6-compliant Multijet 2 engines. To read the recall notice and for a list of affected VIN numbers click HERE.
News | 15
APOLLO EXPANDS
I
n February the publicly listed company Apollo Tourism & Leisure became the biggest shareholder in Camplify, which uses a similar business model to online accommodation specialist Airbnb to enable people to hire out a motorhome or a caravan from private owners anywhere in Australia. Apollo has spent $1.75 million acquiring a 25 per cent stake in Camplify, set up in 2014 with original backers including the NRMA road motorists organisation and Artesian Capital. Apollo chief executive Luke Trouchet said the deal gave the company a serious position in an emerging growth area that may in the future be a disrupter of its own business model. “We’ve got a seat at the table. There is potential
for disruption but we’re not seeing any of it at the moment,” he said. Apollo also announced the complete acquisition of Sydney RV Group, in Sydney’s West, for which it also paid $1.75 million. Sydney RV, which is one of the biggest RV dealers in Australia, sold some 900 caravans and motorhomes during 2015-16. “It was a nice fit,” Mr Trouchet said. It will be managed as a stand-alone operation by current general manager Norman Roe, who sold his 25 per cent stake for a mixture of cash and Apollo shares. The other main shareholder was paid cash and is heading home to the United Kingdom.
16 | News
DOMETIC EXTENDS FRIDGE WARRANTY
D
ometic has extended the warranty period on a range of upright RV refrigerators. Head of marketing, Justine Schuller, revealed an additional two years is now available under the Dometic Care program. “This takes the total warranty period to five years, which has never been available before, and gives owners the peace of mind they deserve,” she said. The free offer is available until April 30.
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News | 17
WICKED CAMPERS BAN
T
he Queensland Government has officially outlawed Wicked campervans portraying sexist, obscene and other offensive slogans. State Parliament passed new regulations to rid the Sunshine State’s roads of the offensive vehicles. The new regulations were expected to come into effect at the end of March. Other states have applauded the move and are considering similar action. The new laws will allow the Department of Transport and Main Roads to cancel a vehicle’s registration if the owners do not remove the offending slogans within 14 days of being advised to do so by the Advertising Standards Board. Some caravan parks in Queensland and the Blue Mountains Council in NSW have already banned offending campervans after complaints from families.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the Government had acted on community concerns. “Many people across the community have been concerned for some time about the derogatory, sexist and outright offensive slogans and cartoons on the side of some commercial Queensland vehicles,” she said. In the latest hearing, the Advertising Standards Board has ruled that a Wicked campervan’s slogan proclaiming, “If sex is a pain in the a... you are doing it wrong” used strong and obscene language that was inappropriate. A parent had contacted the board, saying “I do not want my children reading such disgusting comments.”
18 | News
QUEENSLAND RV INDUSTRY AGAINST SUNDAY TRADING “As it is, there is no evidence of any caravan dealer in Queensland trading after 5pm Monday to Friday, despite the ability to open until 9pm, due to no consumer demand at this time,” he said. But the 23,000-member Australian Caravan Club has welcomed the Sunshine State’s biggest shake-up of trading rules in 20 years.
M
ajor changes to Queensland’s retail regulations will allow RV dealers to open seven days a week. However, Caravanning Queensland, the Industry’s peak body, has warned the new hours could severely affect smaller businesses.
“It was ludicrous that in a modern world where we have been able to buy groceries and even a boat on a Sunday, that people wanting to buy an RV in Queensland on the weekend have been restricted to Saturday only,” chairman Craig Humphrey said. “The extra time will come in handy for potential RV buyers to take a good look and satisfy themselves that they are getting a good deal and a good RV.”
“Ninety-two percent of our members are Mr Humphrey thought seven-day trading against the decision, with increased trading hours severely impacting smaller dealerships,” could benefit rural buyers and create more jobs. chief executive Ron Chapman said. He believed the current trading hours already “effectively” serviced the demand for recreational vehicles.
“So our club sees this as a win for RVers, a win for the dealers and a boost to employment,” he said.
“Extending trading hours would increase consumer costs due to increased overheads, negatively affecting the potential sales to be made,” he said.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the State’s existing “complex and costly” trading hours were holding back job opportunities and the economy.
Queensland sold more RVs than any other state in 2015, despite competing against others with larger populations and seven-day trading. Mr Chapman thought this proved there was no need to extend hours.
“No workers will be made to work any additional hours which could result from increased trading hours unless they have voluntarily agreed to do so,” she added.
Hitting the great outdoors this year? Book a check-up appointment at motorhomedoctor.com.au All makes all models
20 | News
ACCOMMODATION STAR RATINGS ABANDONED mine of information on accommodation reviews. “While star rating was polarising, it is disappointing to see the end of what is a valuable part of the marketing and business improvement mechanism for some,” association chief executive Stuart Lamont said.
T
he Caravan Industry Association of Australia has expressed dismay that Australia’s motoring organisations, including NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT, will abandon the accommodation Star Ratings scheme on June 30. A report in Caravanning News said it seems the programme has been overtaken by the digital age, where the click of a button delivers a
At the height of its success, there were 15,000 Star Rated properties, including many caravan parks. Australian Motoring Services chief executive Michael Reed commented, saying, “Being Star Rated meant that consumers would always know what to expect from the accommodation they booked. We were always true to our message – the accommodation you expect should be the accommodation you get.”
TIARO REVAMP around seven weeks to complete and finish in mid-April, weather permitting.”
T
he popular Tiaro overnight rest area on Queensland’s Bruce Highway, south of Maryborough, has closed for a $150,000 revamp. “It will greatly improve the site which is already popular,” Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Anne Maddern said. “The project should take
Council introduced overnight fees at the facility last year but they were abandoned after the local pub refused to collect the money. All mention of charges have now been blanked out on the site’s noticeboards. Improvements will include better drainage, a new concrete driveway to make entering and leaving the site easier, planting grassed areas around trees, fencing and footpaths linking to existing footpaths through the Tiaro Memorial Park. Meanwhile, Council hopes travellers will continue to stop in Tiaro and use Petrie Park or nearby sites at Bauple or Rossendale Park, just outside Bauple.
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iMotorhome Marketplace | 23
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24 | iMotorhome Marketplace
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We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes. Easy to install they let you ‘level up’ for stability and safety.
Batteries, solar panels, inverters, alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome! We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V power specialists.
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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25
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26 | Day Test: Sunliner Habitat
REMOTE. CONTROL.
Sunliner’s new Habitat is made for remote living and total control… by Richard Robertson
Day Test | 27
Despite it’s rough-road and remote-living aspirations the Sunliner Habitat is quite a big vehicle. It sits at the top of its new class in terms of execution and ability, and I believe it will be a winner. Unfortunately, bad weather scuttled our photo shoot so we’ve had to rely on supplied images.
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hen it comes to trying new things Sunliner isn’t afraid of thinking outside the square. Witness the new Habitat: Not a true off-roader, Sunliner describes it as a long-range rough-terrain touring motorhome designed for the serious RV traveller. If that’s you, read on… “We are incredibly excited about this new Motorhome,” said Nick Hunter, Sunliner’s managing director. “We spent 12 months in research and design, talking to our customers and to our dealers, and carefully studying how RV travellers want to travel. We listened to what the frustrations are in terms of motorhome design and worked to overcome them. The end result is our new Habitat, a motorhome for the serious RV traveller who wants to go further and stay longer.”
“Regarding design, there were four major considerations for the Habitat: the ability to get ‘off the grid’ for as long as possible; the types of terrain to be negotiated; storage capacity, and security while free camping,” Nick explained.
Fresh Thinking
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he Habitat’s new approach to motorhome utility and design is obvious the moment you look at it. Its military grade appearance includes chequer plate lower body panelling, a black steel bullbar and heavy-duty rear bumper with highmounted spare wheel carrier, tubular steel side steps, BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tyres, roof-mounted LED light bars on both sides and at the rear (plus one on the bull bar), and
28 | Day Test bright orange stencil-style decals. There’s also a bullbar-mounted aerial for the UHF CB and a dash-cam, and all this is standard equipment. Measuring 8.2 metres (26’ 11”) long, 2.5 m (8’ 2”) wide and 3.3. m (10’ 10”) tall, this is no shrinking violet. If you’re familiar with Sunliner’s model line-up the Habitat is in the same size league as the Switch, but with (as close as I can tell) a Pinto 443 floor plan, which I’ll get to later. Despite its size it lacks a slide-out, which is a good move given the potentially rough terrain it will encounter and the stresses that could place on the body structure. That’s quite apart from the potential for one to malfunction in an ‘inconvenient’ location.
Right: The high-mounted spare wheel sits safely atop the steel rear bumper and is accessed via a wind-down carrier. Below: Close-up the Habitat cuts an imposing figure and looks even ‘tougher’ in the metal. Standard equipment level is impressive and well thought out.
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The Habitat rides on the latest Iveco Daily 70C170 cab-chassis and has a 7000 kg GVM derated to 6500 kg. Fortunately that still leaves a generous 1500 kg payload capacity. Just be aware you’ll need a Light Rigid (LR) licence to drive it! Contrary to appearances there is no suspension lift; any increase in the Iveco’s already good ground clearance comes from the all-terrain tyres. This model Daily comes with the singleturbo version of Iveco’s signature 3.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel, producing 125 kW and 430 Nm. Although Iveco offers a 150 kW/470 Nm twin-turbo option it really would be overkill. The reason is ZF’s Hi-Matic 8-speed fully automatic gearbox, which seems to have a ratio for every occasion and operates with silken efficiency. Given the Habitat’s all-road/rough-road ambitions this transmission choice is perfect, as an
Top: The latest Iveco Daily has a modern and comfortable cab, while the standard 8-speed auto gearbox is a beauty. Above: The bull-bar, lights and CB are all standard, as is a dash-cam.