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AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
MARCH 2018
Taking The Fifth!
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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!
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Richard Robertson
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Publisher/Managing Editor
Manager/Lead Designer
(+61) 0414 604 368
agnes@imotorhome.com.au
richard@imotorhome.com.au Christopher O’Hare Malcolm Street
Designer
Road Test Editor
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(+61) 0418 256 126 malcolm@imotorhome.com.au
Published by iMotorhome PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW 2776. Australia.
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Trakkadu 400
A New Kind of Playground
4 | On My Mind
Truth and Consequences Last issue I asked if you’d be prepared to pay for issues of iMotorhome Magazine. I received more email on the subject than any previously and the first response came though just 20 minutes after pressing the Publish button. All bar one were in the affirmative and the only negative was a, “Probably not”. I’ve published a selection in this issue’s Letters section to illustrate the various reasons for the overwhelming Yes vote. All I can say is ‘thanks’. It’s both satisfying and humbling to know so many of you value what we do. Now that you’ve been truthful with me, there are consequences. iMotorhome Magazine – Australia & New Zealand will become a bysubscription publication later this year. You’re safe for now and I’ll give you plenty of notice. Making it available for laptops/desktops as well as by apps for Apple & Android devices is the issue, and it’s the former that presents the challenge (and adds expense). So, another question: If the magazine was only available for iPads and Android tablets (plus smartphones), would that be a deal breaker?
Truth Or Consequences I’m writing this from the dinette of a small rental motorhome in the Walmart carpark at Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. I flew out of Sydney on the Monday after last issue (5 Feb) and don’t get home until 7 March, making it not just my longest motorhoming trip in The USA but also my longest mostly-solo adventure. Sadly, Mrs iM had to stay home due to her real job, plus serious objections from our three rescue horses concerned they might again require rescuing. Why am I here and why so long? Well, if you follow iM on Facebook you’ll have been following our adventures (Mitch, guru of all things Digital, was with me for the first three weeks in his own rental camper).
You’ll also know we’ve been to the 2018 RV Entrepreneurs Summit in Fredericksburg, Texas. For a week we listened to keynote addresses, attended workshops and generally mixed with, chatted to and networked amongst some 250 like-minded RVers – including 2 other Australians! Some are full timers with mobile businesses, others aspire to be and still others just want to know how to escape the rat race while keeping money coming in. It was eye opening, intense and highly worthwhile as it mainly focused on online business opportunities. It was also the second time the event has been held: last year was the first and it attracted about 120. Next year looks like outgrowing the venue and selling out fast once announced, but barring catastrophes we’ll be there. Perhaps I should organise a tour? Interested? Let me know. However, even if you have been following us on Facebook, you’ll only have half the story….
#RV For five years – ever since our first motorhoming adventure down Route 66 – I’ve wanted to launch iMotorhome in America. It’s a numbers thing due to the population size and enormous popularity of recreational vehicles here. The free-PDF-funded-by-advertising business model wasn’t realistic, but a paid subscription is. So, last November Mitch and I travelled to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend the RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) huge annual trade-only show and run the idea past industry people. The thing was, we got distracted by days of talks from Industry people and outside specialists, all taking about the future of RVing in North America. The Industry is on fire here – witness the more the half million new RVs of continued...
On My Mind | 5 all persuasions built last year – as reported last issue. However, the talks were mainly focused on the up-and-coming generations – X, Y and Z (the Millennials!) – and where the industry is headed. Mitch and I came away with our heads spinning (although no green projectile vomit, fortunately). It had become apparent that while the Baby Boomer market is already huge – and more than 10,000 reach retirement age every day from now until the end of 2029 – the upcoming generations are more than twice that number. They’re also largely ignored. And so #RV Magazine was born (and hence our attendance at the Summit)! Launching in April, #RV Magazine will cover all vehicle types and all ages, but focus on younger, aspirational RVers. From van-lifers to solo women to full-timing families to custom builders to RV entrepreneurs, #RV Magazine will span the lot – and more. I’ve recruited some great local talent to cover a broad spectrum
of topics and, of course, vehicle reviews will be central. Published monthly and available globally via the App Store, Google Play and Amazon, #RV Magazine will be big, visual and engaging. Encouragingly, pre-release interest and support at the Summit was overwhelming. So there you have it: The dirty little secret I’ve been dying to tell you about for months is out. Until we launch you can follow us across our fledgling Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts, using @hashtagRVmag. It’s early days but we’re on our way… Apart from that, not much, how about you? Oh, if you’re wondering why specifically I’m in Truth Or Consequences, I’ll get back to you on that…
Richard
NORTHCOACH EQUIPMENT PTY LTD
6 | Contents
4
On my Mind
10
On Your Mind
30
Tested: Emerald Coast Sorrento Fifth-Wheeler
44
Tested: Bürstner Nexxo T685
58
Polly
64
Technical
68
Product
72
Real Life
82
Meals
88
MobileTech
Truth and Consequences
Share your thoughts for the chance to win $50!
8 18
Street View Haera Mai!
News What’s happening in the wider RV world and beyond
Taking The Fifth – an impressive newcomer arrives Down Under
Value Proposition – how does an ex-rental Euro motorhome stack up?
Big Day Out – well, not really big or a full day, but out!
Galileo! Galileo! Explaining Europe’s new GPS satellite network
LED Headlight Upgrade
Outback Emergency!
Garlic Prawn Cheese Pies!
Voxer App
70
Feature
78
Feature
84
RVFT
92
Next Issue
Farmer Needs a Hand
Wandering with Wanda
Three more RV Friendly Towns
What’s coming up!
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8 | Street View
Haera Mai!
A
s I write this I’m sitting in the Qantas Lounge at Auckland airport, having spent the last four days travelling around the Auckland area visiting a few manufacturers/importers and having a play with their latest and greatest. There’s no doubt even from my brief visit that the RV industry in Kiwi Land – well the motorhome side of things at least – is booming along. You can expect to see the results of my efforts over the next few months, but here’s a few sidelines. On day one of my arrival I heard a few locals complaining about the traffic and how bad it was. Taking the superior attitude of one who lives in a major capital city in the Western Isle, I thought, “You have no idea what you are complaining about”. That thought lasted about as long as my efforts in getting out of the RV Super Centre at Albany and on to the Northern Motorway at around 4.30 pm on a weekday afternoon. So much so in fact that I abandoned my intention to stay somewhere near TrailLite at Pukekohe; instead opting for a North Auckland overnight and a relaxing evening followed by a very early start the next day. You Aucklanders sure have a traffic problem! You might also be interested to know that the traffic flows very well – at 5.30 am! Something else that threw me was that I had not realised the campervan park near Auckland airport has closed. I’d stayed there before and although very basic, it was sort of handy for a last night stop to clean up and pack up (and for me the ease of getting to nearby Smart RV to look over their vehicles and also return my borrowed Wilderness motorhome). As a consequence of the lack of the airport RV park, I stayed further south at Ramarama and was highly amused by a number of hire campervans and motorhomes that turned up, with the passengers clearly intent on cleaning up and packing up before heading to the airport in the morning. I should have
been doing that too at a leisurely pace, except I had photos to download and back-up. For my travels, Wilderness was kind enough to lend me one of its Alpine 2 models, aka the Bürstner Lyseo IT7286G. You can get my impressions in a later issue, but one of the characteristics of all Bürstner motorhomes is that the habitation door is on the driver’s side. It hasn’t bothered me in the past and I realised that it had not on this occasion either. Indeed, one gets very used to German-built motorhomes with ease. What any of us are used to was clearly an issue for an American couple who happened to be at Wilderness at the same time I was. Their problem was that they had not coped with the lack of interior space in their motorhome. Which, given they had rented one of the largest motorhomes, was something the staff member was having trouble understanding. I had less so, having been to the USA in recent times and noticing that ‘small’ is a relative term, and that by our understanding a 26’ x 8’ 6” (8 m x 2,6 m) Minnie Winnie wasn’t mini at all. I was with the staff member. A little bit of research by the US couple prior to hiring anything would have told them all they needed to know about relative sizes, both length and width, which in NZ and Australia are often shorter and narrower. We often talk about length but it is surprising how much difference the 150 mm (6 in) of extra width makes. That’s the long and short for now. See you at the Covi Show!
Haere ra!
Malcolm
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. letters@imotorhome.com.au and we’ll If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to 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.
Bargain Covers In the article by Shirley on page 11 of your Feb 2018 issue called “Ducato Seats Covered”, we had a similar frustration in trying to source a ready-made solution that would fit our Fiat Ducato 2015 model. Eventually I chanced upon a set of covers in K-Mart selling for about $15 and they actually fitted without alteration. So you can get lucky sometimes and save on big dollars too! Shirley’s solution does have other advantages though and was quite unique.
Thanks Jeff, well spotted. Now I think there will be a run on K-Marts across the country! For sharing your find please accept this issues $50 prize, which covers the covers (so to speak) with change. Enjoy!
Regards, Jeff.
The Ayes Have it! A BIG thank you for the literally overwhelming and positive response to the question on subscriptions last issue. Honestly, it was humbling. Here’s a small selection of replies and the many and varied reasons for your support.
I believe your idea of paid membership, to receive a good quality informative publication, has merit. My answer is yes I would be prepared to pay. John
continued..
On your mind | 11 Taking into account your time, experience, and the very demanding task of putting together a varied and fantastic newsletter packed with information, I would be more than happy to pay an annual subscription fee. More to the point, I have saved hundreds of dollars in money saving tips highlighted in iMotorhome, and potentially thousands by implementing ideas/warnings that the experts have been kind enough to share with readers. I urge people to consider just how much you save them when asked to part with a (by comparison) very tiny fee. Regards, Bea
Just reading the article about a subscription for the magazine. I find it very informative and covers a wide range of areas that are of interest. I wouldn’t have any concerns with an annual fee of $25$40. My NRMA subscription is about $40 per year and not nearly as interesting as your product. Thanks for a great read. Mick
In answer to your question about ‘would we pay’ for your magazine: Absolutely! It is a great publication and I’m surprised that ‘some’ readers expect this great mag to be free. We would definitely be one of your ‘paid’ subscribers should that be the direction you’ll need to go. Love your mag. Steve P.S. A standard ‘long black’ coffee here at Main Beach is $4.50. We each have a coffee out every day, so more than happy to pay for a mag as well. Just saying….
Just reading the Feb issue and see your question on financial support. I would be happy to pay $1/issue or $20/yr towards costs. I enjoy the read and look forward to receiving it and realise that everything has to be paid for no matter that we all like a “free magazine” Kerry
Thank you for a great Magazine, we always look forward to the email that it is “Now ready to download”. We would have no worries paying $20 or $30 per year for your Magazine and think it would be cheap at that. A lot of your readers have been there done that, and realise the cost of things. We all look at value for money and your Mag is definitely the best around. Kind regards, Kieron continued..
12 | On your mind continued.. I am moved to write to you as a result of Allan Whiting’s (Outback Travel Australia) suggestion of sponsorship in exchange for access to his organisation’s resources and knowledge. I am not averse to the idea but as 4WD off-roading is not my thing I would be unlikely to take up his suggestion. However, I do see where he is coming from. iMotorhome is an entirely different matter. I think your publication is excellent and my wife and I get a lot of enjoyment and useful information from it. I do not support the idea it should be free because it is online. Of course you enjoy a major saving in not having to print and post but you still have publication expenses which exist regardless of mode of delivery. Our motorhome activities constitute our major retirement hobby. The magazine hits the sweet spot for us in what it delivers. No other RV publication does it quite as well, although we still enjoy reading other RV publications. Would we be willing to be a subscriber? Well we are retired and we do have a limited income but it’s all about value for money and enjoyment in retirement. So the answer is a resounding YES. Would we be willing to pay $1.99 per download. No because I hate those little one cent pieces in my pocket but I would pay $2.00! Hey I might even agree to $24 pa! Keep up the good work. Bevan
The Only Nay… Charging for reading an online magazine is an interesting topic. My immediate reaction was well it is only $20-$25 so why not. Then I started to think about it a little more: • Do I pay for any of the motorhome sites/forums I read regularly? No. • Do I pay for any of the motoring magazine sites from AU or OS? No. • Do I pay for music online? No. In fact I realise I do not pay for anything I read online except for the daily paper and the only reason we buy that is so my wife can do the crossword page. So the short answer to your question is probably not. Gary
14 | On your mind
Ducato Details I read the letter in the latest iMotorhome magazine with interest. Our Ducato has the same engine and is similarly 7 metres long (a 2009 Winnebago Birdsville). We bought it at 36,000 kms and on original tyres, which we replaced as they were 6 years old even though they still had legal tread. We bought the same tyres, Vancamper by Continental. Our odometer now reads 56,000 kms and we have just had the tyres rotated front and rear. There is still plenty of tread at the 20,000 km stage.
Thanks Cliff. Good to hear things are going well with your Ducato; it will be interesting to hear how much tyre life you get on your new Contis. I’m not sure why, but there seems to be a wide variation in people’s experiences. Please keep us updated!
Regards, Cliff.
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16 | On your mind
More Ducato Thoughts I enjoyed reading all the comments about the vagaries of the Fiat Ducato. We will certainly try Chris’s suggestion about the Digihub App, as we too have found it very difficult to read our actual speed. Another annoying feature with the inbuilt GPS is the fact that it seems to take you round the truck routes. You come to a strange town and think its time for coffee and before you know where you are you have avoided all the coffee shops and have come out on the open road on the other side of town. I suppose this is probably good for our health if not our tempers!
and overall find the experience very enjoyable. However, we don’t find the tyres wearing out as fast as he does. The ones we have on our C-Class motorhome run at 69 psi. This is annoying because most garage’s tyre pressure gauges only go up to 45 psi. We therefore have to find a truck garage, or more often than not go to one of the tyre dealers and rely on their good will to check the pressure. By the way I am enjoying the cooking segment. Keep up the good work. Regards, Stevie
Regarding seat covers, Shirley might find that if she takes off the seat covers provided with the motorhome there may be standard Fiat seats underneath. We did just that and found a great quantity of foam had been added to the existing seats making it appear that they had built in headrests. We bought standard sheepskin covers which fit perfectly and have pockets in the back for whatever you want to store.
Thanks for your email Stevie and thoughts/ comments on your Ducato. Very interesting. Regarding tyre pressures, I use a compressor at home, but suggest people carry a small but capable one with them – especially in a Ducato where there might be the chance of needing to lower tyre pressures to exit a soft/slippery campsite. Also good to hear you’re enjoying the cooking segment – I’ll let Jess know!
I generally agree with Gary’s comments about his likes and dislikes with driving a Fiat Ducato
Speed Reading I read in the latest iMotorhome about readers using phone apps so they could read speed in their Fiat Ducato’s. But I just changed the speedo face in my 2016 Benimar (ex UK) to a European-type km/h face. It is so much better and cost me about $NZ120. The only problem is it shows 90 and 110 as big numbers whereas the speed limit in NZ is usually 100. Regards, Cliff
That’s an interesting fix, Cliff, but I’m not sure it’s that easy with the current X295-series Fiat Ducato. I think your model still has the larger dials from the previous model – I’ve seen a few of them in Australia and they’re excellent. The problem stems from the latest instruments being smaller and more deeply recessed. While that is no problem for a 25 year old designer wanting to make the thing look sexy, it’s pretty useless for the rest of us. Fingers crossed Fiat get it right next time around…
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18 | On your mind /News
GMT? My thoughts on Malcolm’s editorial, on time speeding up as we get older, is unfortunately something we all have to live with. Anyway, my take on this is that it is all relative - thank you Einstein. For example, say you are 5 years old and someone says you will get the best present ever on your next birthday – well that is 20% of your life time away. At age 70 a year in the future is only 1.42% of your existence. Keep up the excellent work on the mag.
Mel, you’re right of course, but I have my own theory: despite what we’re told, GMT actually stands for genetically modified time. The Powers That Be have been speeding us up all along to make more money from us, while they stay younger and reap the rewards. Of course I could be wrong – only time will tell!
Mel
JAYCO RECALL
A
ccording to the ACCC, Jayco Ivecobased motorhomes fitted with a Cummins Onan generator may have a condition that allows the fuel line from the petrol tank in the storage locker to the generator to sag into proximity with the vehicle’s exhaust. This leads to the potential for melting of the petrol fuel line when the sagging fuel line touches the exhaust pipe, which could cause a fire hazard.
Consumers will be notified by mail and asked to contact their local Jayco Dealer or Jayco authorised service agent to book their motorhome in for inspection and possible rectification. For a list of affected chassis click HERE and to find a Jayco dealer or service agent click HERE
20 | News
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT
T
he Australian Motorhoming Lions Club (AMLC) is organising a Guinness World Record Attempt for the, “Greatest number of camper vans and caravans and the longest continuous line of LED rope lights”.
set-up branch of the Lions Club that caters to the mobile lifestyle of Grey Nomads.
The event will take place in Barcaldine, Qld, from 25-26 May 2019 and all motorhomes, campervans, caravans and fifth-wheelers are invited. To register, email amlc201q4@gmail. com, call 0418 902 004 or visit the AMLC website to find out more about this specially
NEW MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER
T
he third generation Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz has broken cover in Europe. Externally the design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary but the most noticeable changes will be inside, including the integration of technology. Mechanically, Sprinter Mk3 will introduce frontwheel drive (FWD) for the first time, in addition to traditional rear-wheel drive and a 4x4 option. The FWD Sprinter will be the only model available with a new nine-speed automatic and it will carry 50 kg more than its RWD equivalent, plus have an 80 mm lower floor height. Super-single tyres in place of dual rear wheels for models up to 5 tonnes GVM appear to be an option, too. No word yet on when the new Sprinter will make it Down Under, but it’s due in the UK in June. Expect later 2018 or early 2019 as a likely launch date.
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22 | News
SMART SHOW LINE-UP
I
nnovative new motorhome designs will be on display in New Zealand for the first time as part of SmartRV’s display pavilion at the Covi SuperShow in Auckland from March 16-18. The event is New Zealand’s largest annual motorhome expo and a must-visit for motorhome enthusiasts. SmartRV is planning its biggest ever display pavilion to showcase more than 25 RVs from its exclusive portfolio of European motorhomes, which includes valuebrand Carado, popular Bürstner and premium
HYMER motorhomes, imported directly from German manufacturer Erwin Hymer Group. A special feature this year will be the HYMER Duomobil integrated motorhome. Newly arrived in New Zealand, it’s tailor-made for couples who want to be flexible on their travels without compromising comfort. It features a dual function cab/bedroom to save space, a living area with a U-shaped seating group with panoramic window at the rear, and a kitchen with plenty of worktop space. It has found continued..
News | 23 continued.. countless fans since launching in 2014 and is expected to wow the Kiwi crowds too. The Covi Supershow is also a chance to see Bürstner’s revolutionary ‘Wohnfühlen’ interior design up close, in the new Lyseo Harmony Line models that arrived in NZ late last year. Wohnfühlen translates as ‘well-being’ or ‘comfortable living’ and offers more spacious designs and relaxed-yet-stylish interiors in response to motorhomers seeking a truly homely experience on the road. SmartRV’s After Sales and Service team will also have a dedicated counter within the pavilion. They’ll be on hand to assist RV owners with any accessory enquiries or
help those who would like to book a service or water tightness test. European-trained mechanics at SmartRV’s specialist service centres in Auckland and Christchurch offer a full range of services for all European-made RVs. SmartRV Sales Manager, Samantha Kidson, says there will also be a range of show specials including used premium rental vehicles from sister company Wilderness, on display. Find out more at smartrv.co.nz or for more information call SmartRV on 0800 005 312.
24 | News
NZMCA BAN EXTENSION of being true members and our reputation was being tarnished.”
B
ruce Lochore, CEO of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, has asked the Board to, “Consider making the temporary ban (on non-resident NZ members) permanent”. The move is supported by President Bruce Stanger, who said the restriction was put in place because the Board’s decision late last year to stop providing certified self-contained (CSC) checks to nonmembers had resulted in significantly more overseas visitors looking to join the Association to get around the ban. “They were joining just so they could get CSC – they had no intention
Lochore also highlighted the impact on members’ reputations. “We need to ask ourselves, who are we here to service? I believe the decision needs to be about our memberships’ needs.” Given the complexity of the issue, the Board decided to give itself more time to consider the wider issues of CSC, freedom camping and membership and accepted Board member Brian Stanley’s suggestion that the temporary ban on non-NZ residents be replaced and extended by a moratorium for up to two years. As previously, the moratorium does not apply to existing members; nor to genuine members of sister organisations like the CMCA in Australia.
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News | 25
NSW CUSTOM PLATES
C
olourful Wanderlust and Australiana number plate ranges have been added by myplates.com.au, the custom numberplate arm of the NSW Government. Actually designed for caravans and trailers, they’re equally at home on motorhomes and cars. The Wanderlust series comprises, “Six photographic plates that have been designed to capture the spirit of adventure and call of the open road. Using inspiring travel quotes and imagery, the Wanderlust range allows you to evoke great road trip memories and inspire new adventures”.
Alternatively, the Australiana series, “Evokes a sense of Australian patriotism with fourteen plates that include such iconic images as the Australian flag, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Three Sisters, Snowy Mountains and the Outback; images of Australia that make us the envy of the world”. Of course, extra costs apply to your annual registration charges. Find out more by visit the My Plates website through the link above.
26 | News
3D PRINTED CAMPER
A
project that will stretch the limits of 3D printing is set to get underway in Saskatoon, Canada. Randy Janes, owner and operator of Wave of the Future 3D is working with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to build a camper using a large-scale 3D printer. “It’ll come off the line roughly around 600 to 700 pounds, with the seats and the kitchen walls and closet walls all printed into place as one uni-body trailer,” he explained. Janes said he came up with the idea to 3D
print a camper based on his 11 years working as an RV product expert and sales trainer. The trailer will be built using an ErectorBot 3D printer at Create Cafe a cafe the specialises in 3D printing and coffee! Nicknamed “Printron,” the unit is the only one of its kind in Canada and is the largest 3D printer in North America. Saskatchewan Polytechnic was brought in to develop high-flow nozzles needed to work with the large volumes of plastic that will be used for the build. Janes said the trailer will shatter a world record once it’s completed. continued...
News | 27 continued... “The world record is 82 cubic feet for an indoor print and we’re going to be just over 500 cubic feet,” he said. Once out of the printer, the trailer will be displayed at Create Cafe, where people will be able to tour the interior.
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From there, Janes said the trailer will be taken to the Oak Centre RV Mall in Martensville, where it will be fitted with a furnace, stove and other appliances. The finished model will then be put on display there.
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28 | iMotorhome Marketplace
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Over 11 years cover manufacturing experience Australia wide.Free Measure & Quote Call in Factory 1:354 Mons Road Forest Glen : Sunshine Coast Queensland PH-‐1300 304 332/0754564818 www.caravancovers.com.au info@caravancovers.com.au
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The Duvalay Memory Foam Sleeping System – No lifting, no tucking, no fighting over the doona and bedding that stays put. Find out why it’s Europe’s bedding of choice for caravans & motorhomes. The premium grade memory foam ensures total comfort and the award winning design cover means your bed is made in seconds.
duvalay.com.au | (02) 6653 4640
Roberts RV World
RV Specialists
An official Avida motorhome dealer, with more than 50 new motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the Southern Hemisphere. Our service department is here for all your needs too.
Australia’s leading fifth wheelers, designed here in Australia and built to suit our demanding conditions. Fifth wheelers from 24’ to 36’ available. Call 02 4953 7141 for information!
T: 1800 273 136 W: robertsrv.com.au
T: (02) 4953 7141 W: summerliferv.com.au
Southern Highlands Service Centre • • • • • •
More Versatile Than Any Other RV Camp Anywhere - It’s Self Contained Large Bathroom With Shower & Toilet Easy To Operate With Electric Jacks Models For Single, Extra & Dual Cabs Plus! Famous Ozcape Quality & Support
An Authorised Repco Service Centre just off the Hume Highway at Mittagong. Auto electrical and mechanical service specialists happy to look after your motorhome or campervan! Call Mark or Sharon and tell them iMotorhome sent you!
T: (02) 4872 2822 E: mwauto@hinet.net.au
iMotorhome Marketplace | 29
Our vehicle-specific insulation screens are Australian made from specially designed and tested material to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. As featured in iMotorhome’s Project Polly!
T: (07) 3398 5500 W: solarscreen.com.au
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To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email mje240@adam.com.au www.e-twow.com 1
Airbag Man
Battery Traders Super Store
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
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.
Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary, home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth. Explore by foot, bike, electric cart or in your motorhome!
T: 1800 AIRBAG W: airbagman.com.au
T: (07) 3209 3144 W: batterytraders.com.au
T: (02) 6881 1400 W: taronga.org.au
Nomadic Solutions
Tiffin Motorhomes
hitches fully ADR compliant no swaying increased towing safety easy reversing offroad vans available
5th wheeler specialist
Nomadic Solutions - the original, quality constructed ‘lifestyletable™’ that is easily attached to the side of your motorhome. Now available in ‘mill finish’ for custom painting.
T: (02) 9011 8144 W: nomadicsolutions.com.au
America’s favourite motorhome is now available in Australia! Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market. Click through to find out why they’re fast becoming Australia’s favourite too!
T: 0411 616 617 W: tiffinmotorhomes.com.au
30 | Tested: Spectrum RV Emerald Coast Sorrento
Taking the Fifth!
Spectrum RVs’ new Emerald Coast Sorrento fifth wheeler is worth taking anywhere you can… by Malcolm Street
Tested | 31
In North America, fifth-wheelers rule the roost on the Interstates, largely due to an abundance of huge tow vehicles, like the dual-rear wheel Ford pictured here. The Emerald Coast Sorrento is a big fifth-wheeler and requires a big tow vehicle, but the limited vehicle choice and significant costs – on top of the substantial cost of the fifth-wheeler itself – will be major factors in its market acceptance.
S
pectrum RV is a small but long established importer of US built fifth wheelers, based on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Fifth wheelers are very much a North American institution but strangely, considerably less popular in Australia. That said, the Spectrum RV team under the direction of David and Jennifer Thorley have maintained an active presence in the Australian market. The company’s modus operandi to date has been the importation from the USA of fifth wheelers to customer order and the subsequent compliance and rectification work necessary to bring them up to Australian standards. For the most part that’s been limited
to engineering and build items (not exactly a small process) rather than décor items.
All Change
T
hat’s why when I stepped into one of their latest fifth wheeler, the Emerald Coast with three slide-outs, I received something of a surprise. I was expecting the typical North American interior look that does not always gel with Australian buyers. Instead, it was clear the Spectrum RV team has gone for a very contemporary look; somewhat European and one that is not only appealing to the eye, but one that is good for space perceptions as well. Not that the latter is really necessary as
32 | Tested the 11.2 m (36’ 9”) external length– combined with the open slide-outs – give a considerable amount of interior space. What has made this considerable change possible is that instead of relying on US manufacturers for the basic product, Spectrum RV has set up its own factory in Elkart, Indiana. It’s a fairly radical step, but one that eliminates the ‘rebuild’ process and includes items like the wheels and suspension, which have always been something of a weak point on US products. Also of course, it means a full habitation door can be built into the kerb side.
Construction
L
ike many a US product the Sorrento has a powder coated steel chassis, with 75 mm aluminium for the sidewall frames
and 125 mm for the roof trusses. Under the fibreglass mouldings and composite walls, batten insulation is used. Up top is a seamless one-piece commercial grade rubber roof (not used in Australia before), while underfoot the fibreglass and composite flooring has a thickness of 80 mm. According to David Thorley, although much attention has been placed on preventing water ingress, where possible materials that are not affected by water have been used, thus if there is a leak the damage is minimal. It’s not often a subject of major discussion, but the entry steps made by MORryde are worth a comment. For a start they give easy access, while secondly they are very easy to lift up and down, with minimal effort.
Because of the lounge slide-out the awning only runs half length, which looks odd but is quite effective.
Tested | 33 Large tinted windows give this fifth wheeler quite a distinctive look, although compared to their size they have relatively small openings
Inside
A
nyone desiring a spacious layout need look no further. Indeed, this is one clue that the Emerald Coast comes External Storage from the USA, where many rigs are built for ne of the more noticeable features of predominantly inside living. What makes most the Sorrento is its external bin space. of the living space are the opposing slideIt’s behind the overhang and enormous, outs; the driver’s-side one running the entire to say the least. Additionally, there is access length of the main living area while the deeper, from both sides and the front, under the kerb side one basically runs from the rear to overhang. Conveniently, both side bin doors the habitation door. Combined, they add an lift up, so there is some protection in wet amazing amount of living space to the rig. weather. Not taking up any of the main space, in separate bins are both the gas cylinders and To the left of the entry door are steps up to the bathroom and bedroom areas. Walking forward batteries. leads to the catering department, including a substantial island kitchen bench, leaving the rear area for the lounge, dining and reclining.
O
All systems are neatly integrated and well thought out. Bin space is significant, in keeping with the rig’s overall size.
34 | Tested Oh, and there is one other USA clue here – a fireplace in the rear wall; something oft seen in US rigs, but not here, where ducted heaters are far more common.
Small Things
A
s well as the big things in this fifth wheeler it’s the little things that count, and there are plenty of them. For instance, there are no door catches to be seen as Hettich extra grip ‘no screw’ hinges are used on the doors; all the metal-sided drawers have fascias that can easily be removed for repair or changing the finish, while the electrical
control panel (which sits in a ‘drawer’ under the bathroom steps) has all the circuits clearly marked – a feature that seems to defy many local manufacturers. Other little items like the garbage bin in the kitchen – a solution to the problem of where to hang the plastic bag when you don’t have door handles – and the table with its extension flap out of the way on the wall side all make a difference. Even lighting in the Sorrento is quite unique and certainly not your run-of-the-mill fittings, nor standard US fare. In some cases its custom made by proprietor Thorley. Now that is dedication!
Opposing slide-outs create a spacious living and entertaining area, although Malcolm’s not sure about the electric fireplace in the end cabinet, which is a standard feature in most new, big rigs in the US.
Tested | 35
Decor is a world away from the the clunky wooden cabinets and dark colours that (still) characterise American RVs. Bright, subtly lit and attractive, the Emerald Coast’s interior is equal to any contemporary city apartment.
Domestic cleaning isn’t something most people get their jollies from, except from the satisfaction when finished, but this RV is going to take a little longer than usual given the amount of real estate. That’s why the built-in vacuum system with a hose long enough to reach every corner is going to help speed up the process…
Kicking Back
I
f there’s layout designed for sitting back and relaxing, this is it. There’s the choice of an enormous sofa-bed lounge, two recliner chairs or the more formal dining table setting. Just like the dining table, the coffee table does a fancy trick too: its top can be lifted to act as either a dining table or a work table for the lounge. The observant might notice the lack of a TV but it is there, just hiding in the cabinet across the rear wall and waiting to rise into viewing position at the touch of a button.