Issuu

Win!

$50 for the! best letter

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

MAY 2018

In Transit

Six-speed auto Transit is a taste of things to come…

Quick Spin

Trakka Torinos revisited

Product Test

Rain-X headlight restoration kit

Bürstner Lyseo T690G

Eats

Scottish Arms Hotel

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!

Editorial

Design & Production

Richard Robertson

Agnes Nielsen

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

chris@imotorhome.com.au

(+61) 0418 256 126 malcolm@imotorhome.com.au

Published by iMotorhome PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW 2776. Australia.

Contributors

ABN: 34 142 547 719

Emily Barker

T: +614 14 604 368

Sharon Hollamby Allan Whiting

E: info@imotorhome.com.au W: www.imotorhome.com.au

Ian Pedly

Facebook “f ” Logo

RGB / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

RGB / .ai

and Twitter

Phillip McLeod Legal

Digital

Mitch Crowle

All content of iMotorhome Magazine and website is copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form without the express 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 Magazine or on the iMotorhome website.

Manager - Digital (+61) 0400 378 593 mitch@imotorhome.com.au

ISSUE 2 T! NOW OdU the

Downloa free app from the App Store or Play Store today!

4 | On My Mind

Happy Anniversary!

ix years ago this month – May 2012 – the first issue of iMotorhome Magazine appeared. I’d started work on it in March, having resigned from a well paid but dull copywriting job at an advertising agency, after hatching an escape plan with longtime friend and former colleague, Malcolm Street. It seemed like a good idea at the time and Malcolm and I canvassed support at that year’s Sydney Supershow in April, when catching up with old Industry friends. To say the idea of a digital-only motorhome magazine caught people off guard is an understatement… In hindsight I’d have been financially better off staying at the agency, with its paid holidays and sick leave, secure car spot and lunches – not to mention a Foosball table! – but know I’d have died of boredom. Hindsight also shows it’s a good thing that I didn’t really know what I was getting myself – ourselves – into (sorry Malcolm!). But ignorance is bliss and so, full of naive confidence, iMotorhome Magazine was born. In all honesty, who would have thought that A: We’d have lasted a year, and B: We’d be here six years later? Probably not us… The reason we are still here is you. Without your support and encouragement the naysayers would have been right. Over the years we’ve built a relationship with our readers that I doubt few modern magazine have. You’re interested, engaged and supportive, and a surprising number of you have become friends – either in person, by email or phone. Although not financially, iMotorhome Magazine has been hugely rewarding on a personal level and has allowed us to go places and do things on our own terms, in a way no corporate job ever could. Would I do it all again? You bet. Only better…

That brings me to the future. Earlier this year I asked about paying for iMotorhome Magazine and the overwhelming response was, “Yes”. Thank you. Producing this magazine costs and while our overheads are modest they still have to be covered. That includes me, Malcolm, Agnes and our contributors. I said I’d give you advance notice of when we move to the paid model and so here it is. From July, iMotorhome will cost $2.99 for a single issue or $23.99 for a 12 month subscription. That’s about the cost of six cappuccinos a year on a subscription basis. Frankly, it’s a steal. The good news is there will be a version for people who only want to read iMotorhome Magazine on a laptop or desktop computer. Even better, you’ll be able to download it for offline reading, whether using a computer or the Apple or Android apps. Speaking of apps, we’ve just released the second issue of #RV Magazine via its apps and the technology is working well. That’s the easy part for iMotorhome Magazine’s transition to ‘properly’ digital. What surprises me are the hoops that still have to be jump through in the background, between the app developer, Apple’s App Store and Google Play. So much for the Brave New World where technology would make everything possible with just a few easy mouse clicks. Don’t you believe it. This Technological Revolution is the same as the Industrial one of the 18th century: Deep in its bowels are people standing around big machines, scratching their heads and muttering, “What if we try this? What can possibly go wrong?”

Richard

6 | Contents

On my Mind

On Your Mind

Tested: Coachmen Freelander Micro 20CB

Tested: Bürstner Lyseo T690G

Quick Spin

Technical

Eats

MobileTech

Happy Anniversary!

Share your thoughts for the chance to win $50!

Street View Haera Mai!

News What’s happening in the wider RV world and beyond

America. In Transit – Across the U.S. in Ford’s new auto Transit.

Work and Play – Malcolm’s latest NZ wanderings…

Revisiting Trakka’s Torino and Torino Xtra Remote

Current Trends – the move to 12V/48V vehicle electrics

Lead Crystal Batteries

Scottish Arms Hotel

Helping Hands

Product Test

Travel

Next Issue

RainX Headlight Kit

Three more RV Friendly Towns

What’s coming up!

Calling All Wilderness Explorers

trakka.com.au

8 | Street View

Haera Mai!

s I write this there’s a bit of a breeze blowing outside, enough to move my motorhome around occasionally and I can hear the sound of the waves lapping on the shore. Along with about 20 other motorhomes I’m parked on the shores of the Firth of Thames, just north of Miranda and not far from Auckland. It’s a camping spot called Ray’s Rest and to say the least it’s great, because it’s possible to stay overnight right by the water’s edge. Earlier in the day I had been pondering where to camp for the night and possibly take advantage of the late afternoon light to get a few photos in the frame, preferably with a good backdrop. In the glovebox of my loaned Wilderness motorhome is a guide that claims to list the best camping spots in New Zealand and one of them was Ray’s Rest. Good choice, I have to say! I scored some great late evening images and if I

get up early enough in the morning, I might see the sun rising across the Firth. I’ve not been to the Miranda area for some years and I quite like the rural peacefulness it offers. Judging from the numerous hides in the area, bird watching is very popular, while I have also seen a few people fishing from boats. All this might have come undone because previously I’d failed to notice that my three burner hob did not have Piezo ignition and there was no lighter, matches or anything else to fire up the gas burners. When I decided that an afternoon coffee would be a great thing it nearly didn’t happen, but fortunately a couple who I had befriended earlier came to the rescue with a box of matches and my overnight stay was assured, as were the sunset shots. Not long after I parked up, I lifted my bike off

Street View | 9 the rack and went for a cycle along the line up of motorhomes. More out of curiosity more than anything else, I was keen just to cast my eye over the amazing variety of motorhomes that were overnighting. Not so pleasing to the eye was the lone station wagon that appeared to be sans anything related to camping. Anyone in both New Zealand and Australia who is familiar with the freedom camping issue will know access is often a very fragile thing and just takes one idiot to ruin either a great spot or bring officialdom down in a negative way. Despite the sign beside the entrance track clearly proclaiming “self contained vehicles only”, someone had obviously decided to ignore it. In addition to the no-matches problem, my little work trip didn’t quite get off to the planned start. Wilderness Motorhomes was kind enough to lend me a Bürstner Argos Time motorhome for a few days, but when I arrived I was advised of

problem with the vehicle and asked if I would take a substitute for a few hours. I was half expecting the company ute, which is what usually happens, but a Mercedes Benz sedan appeared and was a wholly different kettle of fish. I found myself reluctant to give it back. Still, even with the matches issue, it couldn’t accommodate me like the motorhome I now have. Finally for now, I’m often surprised by the number of motorhome travellers I meet who own motorhomes in both Australia and New Zealand. Okay, it is not huge numbers but enough to comment on. Most seem to summer in New Zealand and winter in Australia (sounds good to me – Ed), unlike yours truly, who mostly does it the other way around!

Haere ra!

Malcolm

The Wirraway 260 SL

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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.

May The Froth Be With You! driving to help reduce fatigue-related incidents on country roads in NSW. There are absolutely no strings attached, apart from limiting the free cuppa to one per vehicle, per day, per town. The brochure I was given at a Visitors Information Centre says, “Don’t be shy. Just ask for a free cuppa”. I had a lovely cappuccino, made to perfection, in the Coonabarabran Bakery.

I discovered a very generous annual program to help keep us motorhome drivers (and others) safe in country NSW. If we are driving further than 100 kms from our home address between 1 March and 31 May, we can call into any of 95 participating bakeries, cafes and other businesses, to enjoy a free cuppa, upon presentation of our driver’s licence. I saw banners advertising the program on the approach to towns. A web site – freecuppa. com.au – provides a list of the relevant towns and highways, so refreshment stops can be planned in advance. The free cuppa scheme is an initiative of the Local Government Road Safety Program. It is designed to encourage us to take a break from

It really is a great scheme that gets people into the heart of towns and into the nicest cafes. By using the app, you can even search for places that offer free barista coffee, compared to instant. Cheers, Di. P.S. I have spent plenty of money on other things in these towns as I walk to the cafes. Thanks Di, that’s a great find and what a good idea. It’s a shame your letter narrowly missed last month’s issue, which would have given readers more time to plan and take up the offer, but better late than never. Enjoy this month’s $50 prize for your efforts and thanks for sharing.

On your mind | 11

Interest Kindled Having found your magazine online several months ago, I am now a keen reader. I lived in Australia for 5-years and have the intention to return and do an extended motorhome tour. Your magazine offers both something new for me as well as a sense of familiarity with a country I love. I now live in the UK, where we have a thriving motorhome economy business and culture, of which I am just starting to get involved and so embracing opportunities to access and learn as much as I can. With regards your app, I have an Amazon Fire tablet which, although the operating system is derived from Android, Amazon has their own app store rather than Google Play store, so not all Google app actually work on Fire tablets. I would like to continue reading your magazine, and will happily subscribe too if I can access it.

Thanks for your email Karen and good to hear from one of our ‘distant’ readers! I hope you make it ‘home’ here sooner rather than later. Regarding the Amazon Fire tablet, my App Man tells me there is good news and bad news. The good news is it can be done, the bad news is it requires, “A bit of mucking around”. Depending on your level of technical expertise you might be better off ‘phoning a (12 year old) friend’. Alternatively, you’ll be able to read it via a laptop or desktop computer. To find out more about installing Android apps in general on a Kindle Fire click here – and let us know how you go!

Thanks, Karen.

Free Rubbish I know I’m late to the table – the story of my life when there isn’t food on it! – but for what it’s worth I’d like to lend my support to your plan for a paid subscription. I subscribe to a number of print and online publications across a range of interests, and don’t begrudge the costs because I know everyone has to make a profit, otherwise I’d have nothing good to read. In one way feel I feel I’m being pushed in a direction I don’t want to go, but the option of missing out is more uncomfortable. The internet is full of free rubbish, but free quality content is rare. Must say it took me a while to get used to reading a ‘magazine’ on an iPad, but now it’s just ‘normal’

and even my children are impressed! Keep up the good work and count me in.. Cheers, Peter. Good to hear you’ve make the change, Peter, and thanks for your support. The Internet Information Age is evolving and while rubbish does indeed abound, people are beginning to appreciate the concept of you get what you pay for – or not!

12 | On your mind

Like a Vegan? Lovely to see some simple recipes back in your pages. I’m a solo traveller and don’t really like cooking, well planning it especially, and so appreciate some simple but nutritious ideas. Can you please do some for us vegetarians and even vegans? We’re people too, although you still wouldn’t know it in many country towns! Thanks! April. April, may June bring you your request! Well, hopefully. By the way, are you ‘real’ vegetarian or a Fish & Chipocrite???

NORTHCOACH EQUIPMENT PTY LTD

14 | News

iMOTORHOME GOING PAID

s mentioned in this Issue’s editorial, iMotorhome will become a subscription magazine from July. Price will be A$2.99 for a single issue or A$23.99 for a year – the cost of about six cappuccinos annually.

Primarily intended for reading on a iPad or Android Tablet, via apps in the Apps Store and Google Play, there will also be a version available for laptop and desktop computers. Importantly, all versions will be able to be downloaded and read offline.

NEW MARKETING MANAGER FOR SMARTRV AND WILDERNESS MOTORHOMES be summed up as: quality, service, expertise and care,” says Sally. “My aim is to build these brands to become world famous as New Zealand’s premier tourism experience.”

nhanced customer experience will be at the heart of Sally de Normanville Guy’s new role as Marketing Manager for New Zealand-owned companies SmartRV and Wilderness Motorhomes. Starting in May, she will work across SmartRV, New Zealand’s exclusive distributor of Carado, Bürstner and HYMER RVs, and premium motorhome rental company Wilderness Motorhomes. “For me, the points of difference that these companies have in common can

Sally has spent much of her career developing innovative network services and customer brand and experience programmes to drive brand advocacy, engagement and sales. She has an extensive background in the telecommunications industry, both in the UK and New Zealand, and most recently worked in entertainment with Live Nation, Spark Arena and Event Cinemas. No stranger to motorhoming, Sally’s first campervan experience was touring the South Island with her British husband-to-be on his first visit to New Zealand. “Since then we’ve done a lot of camping and recently hired a caravan with our two girls – surviving this summer’s big storm in Ruakaka. Our favourite place is just north of Auckland at Tawharanui. It’s paradise on earth!”

16 | News

SUPPORT NSW RAIL TRAILS

ail Trails for NSW and the team of the Tumut-Batlow Rail Trail Project (TBRT) is asking for help to support their efforts to get a new rail trail project off the ground in NSW. They ask that you please take a few moments to do two things: 1. Email Mr Matt Hyde with reference “Draft Tumut Destination Plan”, in support of the Tumut-Batlow Rail Trail Project being left in the Draft Tumut Destination Plan (which is currently on display for comment until late May). “Something along the lines of, ‘I fully support the Tumut-Batlow rail trail being in the Snowy Valleys Destination Management Plan,’ or words to that effect will be very helpful. Obviously a message in one’s own words passionately articulating the reasons you support the TBRT would be really great too,” 2. Click here and vote on their Change.org petition entitled Would you travel to Tumut to cycle or walk a rail trail? The background is the TBRT team is battling a hard push by several councillors to have the TBRT project removed from or deferred in the draft Tumut Destination Plan. If removed or

deferred it would set back the process within the local council by years. It is vital to have Local Government support if the NSW State Government is to be convinced to change the legislation to enable a trail to be built. “Batlow especially, but Tumut, the whole region and the whole of NSW needs to make use of this long-dead rail route to create new opportunities for the benefit of the local community. The 32 km TBRT would complement the nearby, funded but yet-tobe-built 21 km Tumbarumba to Rosewood rail trail,” a spokesman said. “The social, health and economic benefits of a rail trail are real and long lasting. In fact they will grow over time as this potentially extremely beautiful rail trail becomes better known. The W.A. based Recreational Trail consultant who undertook a survey of the line a few years back (and who has been involved in many hundreds of trail developments over several decades) says this would be the most spectacular rail trail route in Australia!” If you are wanting more information about the TBRT project, email chairman Phil Barton here.

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18 | News

AUSTRALIAN CAMP OVEN FESTIVAL

ickets for the 2018 Australian Camp Oven Festival (ACOF), Nov 6-7 at Millmerran, Qld, are now available. The Festival will include a diverse range of Australian heritage inspired activities such as bush poetry, arts, crafts, shearing demonstrations, damper throwing competitions and of course – camp oven cooking. From modest beginnings in 1999, the ACOF has evolved to be one of Queensland’s most iconic biennial events. Today’s event brings together people from all walks of life

to celebrate Australia’s heritage and outback traditions. The Festival is run by a volunteer committee dedicated to preserving and sharing traditions of Australian rural heritage, particularly with the younger generation. Organisers say they are always interested in hearing from people who can contribute to the event. Sponsors find out more here, while volunteers can read about volunteer program here. And, if you’re interested in joining the committee contact the ACOF via email here.

CAMPING FINE

ictorian Grey Nomads Des and Maureen Fraser have copped a $252 on-the-spot fine for illegally setting up their caravan at beachside Norval Park north of Bundaberg, Qld. The fine comes as swarms of RVers from the south head north for Queensland’s winter sunshine. It is thought to be the first penalty imposed by the local regional council since camping at the once-popular spot was banned in 2009. Only tents and camper trailers with permits are allowed to pitch on specially provided basic sites, away from dunes at the pristine area. Caravans, motorhomes, campervans and all other vehicles, “used for accommodation” are prohibited.

Hurr y! New website live TRAKK A .COM.AU

20 | News

SPEED LIMIT WARNING had a 49-year unblemished driving record, drove her campervan past two police cars parked well off a110 km/h road in SA but with their lights flashing. Police gave chase and issued the dumbfounded and confused woman with an infringement notice, after explaining she was clocked at 83 kph. “It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of road rules and how they differ from state to state,” Mr Barwick said.

rivers have been warned to beware of new rules governing the speed at which they must pass stationary emergency vehicles with flashing red and blue lights. This follows an incident in which a member of the CMCA copped a whopping $1007 fine and sixmonth driving ban for breaking the rule in South Australia. The CMCA’s Richard Barwick emphasised on the Club’s Facebook page that the speed limit varies. It’s currently 40 km/h in WA and Victoria, and 25 km/h in South Australia. Meanwhile, NSW will introduce a 40 km/h limit in September. The NSW CMCA member, who

Opinion: iMotorhome believes this to be an extreme example of needless over-policing, especially as it relates to an older driver from interstate. SA Police officers had the opportunity to exercise wisdom in a situation were an explanation and warning would have been appropriate. Sadly, the huge fine and immediate licence suspension do nothing to engender good relations between the public and traffic police. It’s proof the Law can be an ass and a salutary reminder age and ignorance are no excuse for law breaking, even if they can be mitigating contributors.

CMCA BUNDY RV PARK OPENING SOON

he CMCA’s new RV Park in Bundaberg, Qld, is likely to open for business this month. Heavy rains delayed work on the site, which will accommodate up to 50 self-contained RVs at the Rum City’s old

showgrounds. The CMCA has said the facility, which will be available for members only, will operate for at least 48 weeks of the year, possibly closing during the wet season.

22 | News

CARAVAN PARKS TARGET AIRBNB

aravan parks, long-time opponents of free camping and budget sites, seem to be switching their attention to Airbnb properties. According to media reports, the Airbnb industry is causing, “despair and anger” among some Queensland tourist park operators, who are suffering a fall in cabin bookings. One Caravanning Queensland board member reportedly complained that the competition was “massive” and it was impossible to match prices as low as $58 a room. “There has to be regulation,” he is quoted as saying. “If it’s good enough to put regulations on us, then it has to be a fair playing field.”

Accommodation Association of Australia chief executive, Richard Munro, told media it was frustrating for parks to, “See their businesses being swallowed up” by an industry which operated in an opaque fashion, with no one knowing where they were. Opinion: For years the caravan park industry as a whole has been at the forefront of lobbying government at every level to contain or eliminate competition, often on the flimsiest of pretexts. Like the low-performing and highcharging taxi industry decrying Uber, it will be interesting to watch it battle Airbnb. The eventual winner will, no doubt, be consumers, who now have choice and the power to vote with their wallets.

DRUG SMUGGLERS

wo men have been charged with attempting to smuggle millions of dollars worth of drugs into Australia, hidden inside an imported caravan. Police claim 91 kg of MDMA and 3 kg of ice were concealed in the caravan, which was shipped from the UK. Australian Border Force identified the sea cargo as being of interest and conducted further examinations at the Sydney Container Examination Facility. After anomalies were noted during x-raying, the ABF Detector Dog Unit attended and the dogs gave a positive reaction. Officers ‘deconstructed’ the caravan and found the drugs, which have an estimated street value of more than $5 million, hidden in 3 cavities. The stash was seized and the caravan allowed to continue to its destination, where police arrested two men awaiting its arrival in St Ives, Sydney. They were charged with two

counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. If convicted they could face life imprisonment.

Trakkadu 400

A New Kind of Playground

24 | News

‘VEGETARIAN’ CAMPGROUND OPPOSED Facebook in their fight to block the project. The Residents Against Mullum Tourist Resort page has attracted more than 560 members, who protest that the proposed development on Coolamon Scenic Drive under the shadow of Mt Chincogan would be totally out of character with the town’s rural landscape.

pponents of controversial plans to build a 239-site ‘vegetarian’ campground, complete with yoga and meditation facilities, at Mullumbimby, NSW, have taken to

“It would be the end of Mullum as we know it,” they protest. Developer Mark Franklyn said it would be a purpose-built facility for the, “Consciousness movement” and would not seek to attract grey nomads looking for a camping site.

CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE CHANGES HANDS

athryn and Philip Fennell reckon they’ve clocked up around a million kilometres helping caravanners find cheap or free overnight pitches. But after 12 years researching on the road, the couple has retired and handed control of Camps Australia Wide to new owners. The book is regarded as a ‘must have’ by thousands of travellers who shun caravan parks in favour of free camping and roadside rest areas (can’t believe the caravan park industry allows it to be published! - Ed). New owners Heatley and Michelle Gilmore have bought the business and will continue producing the guide, now in its ninth edition. The Fennells intend enjoying, “A bit of a break” before travelling again, but this time at a slower pace.

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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Find back issues and more handy resources on our web page.

26 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 27

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!

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28 | Tested: Coachmen Freelander Micro 20CB

America. In Transit!

A petrol-powered automatic Transit is a surprisingly good thingâ€Ś by Richard Robertson

Tested | 29

Already popular in Europe in manual form, new Transit is making inroads into the North American RV market thanks to a slick six-speed auto. A 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine is standard while a 3.2-litre turbo-diesel is optional, as is a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol. This â€˜babyâ€™ C-class Coachmen lists around US$78,000 yet still comes with an electric awning, remote start generator and propane-fired ducted central heating. I found brand new dealer stock online as low as US$52,990! Dream onâ€Ś

n America the C-class has dominated the motorhome market for years. Churned out in mind boggling numbers by every manufacturer, they have been, and still are, the backbone of the market. In terms of bang-for-your-buck these mass produced beige boxes are hard to beat. Ford has dominated the market for years with its E-Series chassis, which it sells for peanuts, while RV manufacturers have been bolting the same bodies onto them for so long their economies of scale are unmatched in any other motorhome style. Usually with sleeping for four or six and with all the comforts of home, a C-class also makes the perfect entry point for people starting out on their RV adventure.

However, the E-Series is long in the tooth and Ford has rested way too long on its laurels to drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. In a world where economy and environmental friendliness are increasingly important the 5.4-litre V8 and 6.8-litre V10 petrol engines are anachronisms. Ditto the size and weight of the vehicle. While big might be beautiful, less can definitely be more. Engine size aside, vehicle size is also something that affects economy and environmental impact. In recent years there has been a growing trend to smaller C-class motorhomes thanks to the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Dodge Ram ProMaster (think Fiat Ducato). More a trickle

30 | Tested than a deluge, it’s a growing trend none the less and one that’s been given a boost with the arrival of the latest Ford Transit. The subject of this review is a C-class Coachmen Freelander Micro 20CB, built on the Ford Transit. Here’s what Coachmen have to say about the Freelander range in general: “The Coachmen Freelander offers you all the ‘Good Stuff’ novice RVers quickly appreciate and experienced RVers demand. The Freelander mantra is to provide more factory installed features than anyone else, unparalleled value and reliable design and quality at an affordable price. The Freelander Class C Motorhome will win you over with its right balance of beauty, function, and value in a quality product that has lead the industry in sales for over a decade.”

Marketing hype aside, it leaves you in no doubt the Freelander range is entry level stuff. And in that range the Micro 20CB sits firmly at the bottom, making it entry level of the entry level! Is that a bad thing? Not at all. In fact I think it might just be the pick of the bunch, depending on your needs and point of view.

Market in Transit

ne thing I’ll never understand is the US RV industry’s apparent aversion to telling the truth about vehicle lengths. The 20 in 20CB refers to length and gives the impression it’s 20 feet (6.1 m) long. However, the Freelander Micro 20CB measures 23’ 9” (7.24 m) long. It’s also 10’ 6” (3.2 m) tall and 7’ 7” (2.31) m wide. I’ve travelled in a 33-foot (10 m) Windsport Class-A that was almost 36-feet (111 m) long and various Minnie Winnie’s that

Overnighting on this vacant lot beside a gas station, I heard bursts of automatic gun fire from the sand hills behind – and poured another glass of red…

Tested | 31 were a couple of feet longer than their model numbers suggested, so Coachmen isn’t alone in this bizarre practice. It’s the only example I can think of where manufactures of anything try to make their products sound smaller than they are! But I’ve digressed… Globally, Ford has been making Transits almost as long as the E-Series – 1965 v 1961 – and made almost as many (both exceed 8 million). Like the E-Series, the Transit has gone through several generations along the way and today is in its fourth incarnation. It’s fair to say the Transit is the World’s E-Series, and you could argue the World got the better deal. That’s largely due to engine choices, with small but efficient turbo-diesels having been the norm for years.

America’s love affair with big petrol engines in commercial vehicles is a global anomaly. Ford certainly has decades of experience producing efficient and powerful diesels, yet for some reason has chosen to keep then from domestic buyers. Even today the standard engine in the ‘new’ Transit is a 3.7-litre V6 petrol; an engine only available in North America. Cheap, proven and readily available, its inclusion isn’t surprising. The good news is a 5-cylinder 3.2-litre turbo-diesel is an option, although it adds cost and so in a basic C-class like this it’s a non-starter (ditto a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, which is the performance option for lovers of petrol engines). As petrol engines go the 3.7-litre V6 feels right at home in the Transit. It’s a double overhead camshaft engine officially designated

The short bonnet provides access for engine fluid checks, but not a whole lot else.

32 | Tested the Duratec 37 and is designed for heavier vehicles. Amongst its features are variable camshaft timing – called Ti-VCT – and it produces 275 hp (205 kW) @ 6000 rpm and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) @ 4000 rpm. In Europe, the Transit’s home and traditionally biggest market, automatic transmissions are still a rarity, especially in commercial vehicles. That’s due to a history of small engines and high fuel prices, so Ford had to engineer a whole new drivetrain for North America. In the U.S. you can have any gearbox you like as long as it’s a six-speed auto, but for once the lack of choice is a good thing.

On the Road

or a motorhome with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4699 kg, the ‘basic’ V6 and auto transmission combo works well. The exhaust has a nice note and the driveline is smooth, quite and responsive. Plant your foot and it moves surprisingly quickly. I’ve even read online reports from petrol engine lovers that questions the need for the twin-turbo option. However – and there’s always a however – it’s only good up to a point. That point is about 100 kmh. Beyond that the fuel-economy-versus-time-saved equation drops off considerably. On my 6235 km journey

Transit’s dash uses Ford’s passenger car design language. Note the sporty steering wheel and stubby gear selectors, plus a ton of cup and bottle holders. Strangely, there was no USB connector for charging or media connection.

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Modern touches like the electric awning and LED strip light were great, but American RV body design is still largely stuck in the 80s. Things like small, sliding glass windows are typical, while poor switch positioning (bottom) abound. This main control panel was close to foot height, in the entry stairwell! in this vehicle, from LA to Fredericksburg, TX, for the 2018 RV Entrepreneur Summit and return, it averaged 18.8 L/100 km (13.2 mpg). That was mostly siting on 100 kmh on Interstates, but also included all towns, cities and sightseeing. The best I saw was 15.2 L/100 km (15.5 mpg), while the worst – 24.5 L/100 km (9.6 mpg) – was for 4 hours sitting on 110-120 kmh. It’s all way better than an E-Series will deliver, but the Transit is definitely happier at lower speeds, or at least your wallet will be. The 94 L (25 gal) fuel tank is half the size of an E-Series, but still provided a comfortable 440 km range between fill-ups, with a generous reserve. The test vehicle was a 2017 model from Best Time RV Rentals and had approximately 24,000 km (15,000 m) on it at pick-up. In four weeks it didn’t miss a beat, nor give me a moment’s concern. Considering its life as a rental vehicle that speaks well for the Transit, as well as the Coachmen body.