iMotorhome New Zealand Issue 8 - 3 June 2017

New Zealand

iMotorhome Issue 8: June 2017

A Day in

Coromandel!

Da y test

Roller Team Trailbla zer

8

Like its geographic namesake TrailLite’s Coromandel deserves exploration‌

2 About iMotorhome

iMotorhome New Zealand magazine is published on the first Saturday of each month and is available by free subscription from www.imotorhome.co.nz.

Reader contributions are always welcome!

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Published by iMotorhome

Design and Production

PO Box 1738, Bowral.

NSW 2776. Australia.

Lead Designer

ABN: 34 142 547 719

E: chris@imotorhome.co.nz

Christopher O'Hare

T: +61 414 604 368 E: info@imotorhome.co.nz W: www.imotorhome.co.nz Publisher

Legal

Publisher/Managing Editor

© 2017 iMotorhome. All content of iMotorhome New Zealand 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 New Zealand Magazine or any iMotorhome websites.

Richard Robertson E: richard@imotorhome.co.nz Editor Malcolm Street E: malcolm@imotorhome.co.nz

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4 Street view

Kia ora!

Haera mai. At the time of writing, Sydney is working its way through a very mild Autumn. Sure the trees in some areas are providing magnificent backdrops for motorhome photography but otherwise it's a very pleasant time of year.

Not so much so recently, however, in the Arthur's Pass/ West Coast region of the South Island, where Mr iM Publisher has been on a research trip. I received reports of windblown campsites and rain and sleet slashing across his motorhome’s windscreen. Also, reports of snow on the mountain tops of the Southern Alps.

Something that's music to the ears of us members of the snow ski fraternity but not necessarily everybody else!

I know from my own experience the weather around Arthur's Pass can be a funny old thing. Some years ago I was in the Christchurch area trying to finish off some motorhome photography, but the rainy weather was very much against me. I happened to be staying in Methven at the time and a local suggested I take a trip to the West Coast where the weather would be much finer, as indeed it was. My only problem was that a "short cut" via Lake Coleridge proved to be a "long cut" because the road at one point was water damaged and inaccessible. So much for local knowledge on that occasion.

In this issue we are taking a look at two quite different motorhomes. One being the Coromandel 757 from long established NZ manufacturer Traillite, the other a Roller Team Pegaso 740 (Trailblazer) that the RV Super Centre has recently imported. The latter is Italian built but has come via the UK where rental company Just Go uses them for a year before selling them on. It's an interesting idea, not the least being that Roller Team motorhomes are not built for the rental market, but for retail use. What’s also interesting is that Just Go opted for an A-class motorhome, something quite unusual in the rental world.

In the case of Traillite's Coromandel, it's an 8.2 metre motorhome that uses the novel approach of a northsouth Luton bed with built-in steps to gain access. That leaves space in the rear for a full lounge. It was hard not to make comparisons with the Winnebago Winnie Minnie we recently used on our Route 66 tour across the USA. It was over 8 m long but weighed in very differently, with a tare of 5216 kg and a GVM of 8400 kg. The Coromandel, by comparison, having a tare of 4840 kg and GVMs of either 5995 kg or 7000 kg, depending on choice. What was most noticeable apart from the price (the Winnebago being less than half the cost of the Traillite) was interior design. Whilst the Coromandel has a very "open" feel about it, the Minnie Winnie, despite being nearly 200 mm (8 in) wider, felt much more closed in. Being someone who prefers more open plan living it’s not difficult to work out which I’d choose.

In my opening comments I mentioned changing weather, but something else is changing too. Mr iM Publisher and I have decided we currently do not have the resources to continue with a standalone iMotorhome magazine for New Zealand. It’s a regretful choice because the New Zealand motorhome market is dynamic and very different to Australia’s. The good news is we'll still be continuing our NZ motorhome reviews and travel features, but they will be included in our new combined Australian and New Zealand magazine, still on a monthly basis. As I said, a regrettable decision but do make sure to keep reading to stay up to date on what’s happening on the NZ scene.

Haere ra

Malcolm

6 Contents

2

About Us

8

Behind the Wheels

4

Who we are, where and other legal stuff

Difficult decisions…

10

Street View Kia ora!

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

18

Day Test: TrailLite Coromandel 575

34

Day Test: Roller Team Trailblazer 8

46

Home in the Wilderness

52

DIYER'S Bible

54

TechTalk

64

MobileTech

74

Next Issue

A day in TrailLite’s impressive and innovative Coromandel!

The price of this lightly used A-class is right!

Ramblings of a solo West Coast traveller…

Motorhome self-build and optimisation

On Road Solutions…

Campable?

What’s coming up in July…

58

Cooking 101

68

What's On

Cooking for Blokes!

Things to do for the next three months!

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8 Behind the Wheels

Difficult Decisions…

As Malcolm has advised, this is the final issue of iMotorhome New Zealand.

Trust me, it hasn’t been an easy decision to arrive at as we believe every market is unique and deserves its own publication. However, we are a very small team and simply don’t have the time/ people/financial resources to do a seperate New Zealand magazine justice. That’s the bad news.

The good news is, from July we’ll combine New Zealand reviews, news, apps and events with our Australian magazine to create iMotorhome Australia and New Zealand – the only RV magazine to span the Tasman!

Both Malcolm and I firmly believe the New Zealand motorhome market is far more vibrant and interesting than its Australian equivalent. There’s more diversity of vehicles and a more open and relaxed attitude to imports and freedom camping.

In short, NZ is very much in our hearts and minds, and we certainly intend to keep reporting on it.

Thanks for your support to date. Here’s hoping a true trans-Tasman motorhome magazine can actually help bridge the misinformation gap on the state of our respective markets and help foster understanding and opportunities.

Gob Smacking A part of the new direction of iMotorhome is escorted motorhome tours. As you read last issue, in March/April we ran our first Route 66 tour, which was a great success. The next tour is New Zealand in November (obviously aimed at Australian readers) and so a fortnight back I spent a week on a reconnaissance trip on the South Island, scoping out places to go and things to see.

I had sunshine on the afternoon I flew into Christchurch and the afternoon I flew out, plus a sprinkling of it on other days. Mostly, however, the skies were leaden, the rain never far away and the wind demonic in places. My final night was in Akaroa, where the hills were snow dusted, my rental motorhome was buffeted by the strongest winds of the trip and at regular intervals, hail pelted down. On the West Coast the seas had been tumultuous, while crossing Arthur’s Pass snow was forecast down to 400 metres and the temperature to -7ºC. All-in-all it was a mini epic adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed; made all the better by freedom camping each night in a motorhome ideally suited to such conditions. What a week, and what a country you have.

One thing that always strikes me in NZ is the scenery, which I can best describe as relentlessly beautiful. There’s a postcard around most corners, while the ability to be by the sea in the morning and in the snow after lunch is amazing. The Great Alpine Highway must rank as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, along with the drive from Westport to Greymouth. Everywhere you go it’s gob smacking and our Australian tour customers are certainly in for a real treat.

Thanks again for your support; here’s to a bright future full of adventures and the kind of enjoyment only motorhoming can provide. See you on the road!

Richard

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10 News

Latest News NEWS WANTED If you, your company or organisation have topical news to share with the wider motorhome community then let iMotorhome New Zealand know. Reader letters relating to news, articles in this issue or other topics are also encouraged. Send all correspondence and images to editor@imotorhome.co.nz and we’ll do our best to include it.

TRAILLITE OPENS NEW CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE

The TrailLite team is excited because its new Christchurch sales and service centre has opened!

It's a big step forward from the old site and not only is there more room for motorhomes and caravans, there is also a dedicated service centre. Included in the new facility are a customer lounge, plus a hoist for full motorhome servicing. As a result of the new centre, TrailLite is now also able to undertake insurance work and repairs, while future plans include a fridge service facility and a one-stop shop. The new address is 247 Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch. Ph 0800 872 455 or visit their website here.

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12 NEWS12

NZ GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY

NZMCA CEO Bruce Lochore has hailed the recent Government announcement of a $178 million boost to tourism infrastructure as great news for the motorhome industry. However, it’s not just the level of funding he’s excited about; he’s equally delighted with the philosophy that accompanies the new initiative.

“The Government has made it clear that the new funding is not just to address the infrastructure issues that we are all aware of but also to develop new markets – particularly in those areas outside the existing tourism hotspots.

Over the past three years we have spent more than a million dollars building infrastructure through our Motorhome Friendly towns scheme and the Off-the-Beaten-Track initiative, which have both been designed to share the benefits of the tourism boom with areas outside the main tourist destinations.”

Tourism Minister Paula Bennett has indicated the new Tourism Infrastructure Fund will provide $102 million over the next 4 years in partnership with local councils and other community organisations for projects like new car parks, toilets and freedom camping facilities.

There will also be benefits for the Department of Conservation (DOC), with a $76 million investment in tourism infrastructure. It's all good news for the tourism industry!

14 News

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18 Day Test: TrailLite Coromandel 757

A Day in Coromandel!

Like its geographic namesake TrailLite’s Coromandel deserves exploration‌

by Malcolm Street

DAY Test 19

J

ust east of Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula is a little bit of a secret, at least to new visitors to New Zealand. I reckon many bypass it on their way to Rotorua and Taupo, but having been in the area a number of times I know it demands a bit of investigation.

So when I briefly looked over TrailLite's Coromandel 757 earlier this year I wondered if it too might well deserve a more thorough look.

With a length of 8.2 m (26' 11"), this is not a small motorhome. Indeed from the outside, it is quite impressive!

20 DaY Test

Motive Power

T

hat impressive appearance starts with the Iveco Daily 70C21, which looks good in its own right, but even more so with the Coromandel body attached. This is a C-class unit with a Luton peak for the over-cab bed, yet it is streamlined to look like part of the original design and not an afterthought.

Standard motive power with the Coromandel is Iveco's 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel that puts out an impressive 150 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque. An option here is to downgrade to the single turbo 126kW/430 Nm but given the motorhome’s weight I know what I would be doing!

Whichever way you look at it, TrailLite’s Coromandel 757 is an imposing motorhome. Built on Iveco’s heavy-duty Daily 70C21 with a derated maximum weight, it has capacity to spare and should be longlasting and under-stressed. Built for extended off-grid living, the body provides spacious living through the use of an innovative over-cab bed.

DaY Test 21

Load Capacity

O

ne thing you need with a motorhome this size is a cab-chassis with a good load capacity. TrailLite de-rates the Iveco Daily 70C21 to a 5995 kg GVM, so you can still drive it on a car licence. But, given the tare weight of 4840 kg, that still gives a generous load capacity of 1155 kg. Of course the 400-litre water tank capacity needs to be taken into account: When full it will account for 400 kg, but I reckon that still leaves more than enough payload capacity for the average traveller.

That's even more apparent when the external storage capacity is considered. Although there is plenty of storage space around the outside, none of the lockers are particularly large. At least not compared to other TrailLite models and many European motorhomes that have a large "garage" area at the rear. This is not necessarily a negative as the smaller lockers make it much easier to secure items and

also locate them when required. Of course there are the usual dedicated lockers for the gas cylinders, batteries/chargers and toilet cassette.

On the subject of the toilet cassette, that's something of a limiter for extended remote stays, especially given the water tank capacity.

However there are two TrailLite options here worth considering: a second cassette tank or a 100-litre black tank.

The boxy body maximises interior space. At the rear a version of the traditional New Zealand Back, complete with wrap-around windows, makes this a very liveable vehicle.

22 DaY Test

Bodywork

C

onstructed on a steel chassis above the Daily, the Coromandels's body is a frameless structure using walls made of a sandwich panel construction that consists of Alufiber, a foam core and ply wall lining (Alufibre as the name implies has aluminium on the outside). It's not all square walls either, with both the front and the rear having fibreglass mouldings. Dometic Seitz windows are fitted all ‘round and the entry door is a Hartal fitting, which has three features of interest. On the outside, and in addition to the normal key lock, is a digital keypad. Also, the door catch looks much more substantial than the usual hook-and-eye arrangement. On the inside the moulded plastic garbage bin is just so much better than the more traditional plastic bag on the door handle!

External storage is good, but locker size is smaller than you might expect and that’s no bad thing: It reduces the chance of overloading and makes finding things easier.

DaY Test 23

On The Road

A

lthough more than eight metres long, the Coromandel isn't a difficult motorhome to drive and it's mostly a matter of remembering the length when manoeuvring around or overtaking. There's no doubt the twin-turbo diesel delivers the goods, while the eight-speed auto is certainly the champ of auto gearboxes in the motorhome world at present. It's impressive not only when moving up through the gears, but when kicking back down again under braking. It's a pity Iveco's stablemate, Fiat, can't get the same gearbox into the Ducato.

Perhaps one day?

Iveco’s cab design has come a long way and the latest interior is far more car-like than its predecessors. The eightspeed auto is a gem, while the swivelling passenger’s seat provides a “hidey-hole” away from the other seating area and can provide welcome privacy.

24 DaY Test

Inside

A

n issue with Luton peak beds is that they are often in an east-west arrangement (i.e. across the motorhome) and awkward to get into, particularly for the person sleeping up the front. It takes a bit more space, but one solution is to fit a north-south bed and in this case it even comes with fixed steps on either side of the bed, behind the cab. So you can indeed climb the stairs (rather than a ladder) every night to hop into bed. Well, maybe do it carefully as there is still the issue of the lower Luton ceiling to contend with! A benefit of this arrangement is the wardrobes, which are fitted under the end of the bed, immediately behind the driver and passenger seats.

Another advantage of this setup is that the other bulky component of a motorhome interior – the bathroom, and in this case a

split arrangement – can be butted up against the Luton bed steps, leaving the rear of the motorhome very open. The kitchen is positioned mid-motorhome and the lounge/ dining area is at the very rear, in an interesting variation of the popular New Zealand back.

In the cab only the passenger seat swivels.

It's not really necessary, given the abundant seating at the rear, but it does provide a sort of hidey-hole if you want to escape from the rest of the world!

TrailLite has opted for a colour scheme that varies from dark lockers above the kitchen bench to a white bench. Assorted shades in between result in a light and bright interior that does not present a stark contrast.

Looking forward from the rear lounge. Despite no slide-out, living space is abundant, as is natural light and ventilation. Having the bedroom and bathroom right up front is a design innovation with a lot of merit‌

DaY Test 25

On Board Amenities

N

ot everybody likes them, but split bathrooms have much to offer. In this case, by opening the toilet cubicle fully the door closes off the bathroom and bedroom area from the rest of the motorhome and effectively creates a full bathroom anyway.

The bathroom is well set up, with a shower cubicle on the driver’s side and the toilet cubicle opposite, complete with a vanity cabinet. The latter is fairly well set-up with cupboard space

and there's no need to bend over the toilet to use the sink, although there’s not much in the way of bench top area.

In case you’re wondering, having the bed above the cab and the bathroom immediately aft of it means you get dressed/dry-off after a shower in full view though the windscreen. At least it would do, had not the clever TrailLite designers arranged it so the wardrobe doors open and meet to form a front privacy screen just to the rear of the cab seats. Very clever!

Clockwise from top: The permanent over-cab bed runs north-south and is accessed by stairs on either side, while the doors on the wardrobes beneath the stairs open and meet to provide privacy from the cab. The bathroom is split across the aisle and the toilet cubicle door opens to provide privacy from the living area.

26 DaY Test

Kicking Back

R

elaxing and watching the world go by is almost mandatory in the huge rear lounge of the Coromandel 757. It's an interesting combination of an L-shaped lounge and a cafe style dinette, created by having lounge seats along the kerb-side and rear walls, plus a rear facing seat at the end of the kitchen bench on the driver’s-side, complete with a table that folds out from the wall (this last bit makes up the dinette, which accommodates two people without much trouble). It’s easier to see in photos than explain!

Large windows are fitted all ‘round, as are overhead lockers with multiple reading lights, plus there’s a bank of diagonal shelves in each corner above the seats. Two good sized drawers are fitted under the kerb-side

lounge and these are certainly more practical than struggling with the time honoured underseat cushion and lift-up hatch. There’s also a double power point in between, which is useful but definitely in lead-tripping territory compared to a wall mounted outlet. Seat belts fitted to the sideways-facing lounge mean any passengers are in the rear and a fair way from the cab for conversation (or keeping an eye on).

Between the end of the kerb-side lounge and the fridge cabinet, the space there is occupied by a waist-high four drawer cabinet and a wall-mounted flat screen TV. This is a handy location for both, with the TV being well positioned for lounge viewing and drawer storage access.

The modified New Zealand back layout provides both spacious lounge seating and a practical dinette, thanks to a lift-out table that still has room for coffee cups and small plates when stowed.

Kitchen Thoughts

I

DaY Test 27

n a motorhome this length you might just expect a decent sort of kitchen and that's what you get. Apart from anything else, there's an impressive amount of variously sized kitchen drawers, including the one under the sink/drainer designed to accommodate the drainage pipe. Even with the four-burner hob/ grill and oven there's still an impressive amount of bench space and, given the bench length, spacious overhead lockers. Facing the kitchen bench, the 190-litre Dometic 3-way fridge has a Panasonic Inverter microwave above

Remote Living

A

part from the cassette toilet, the Coromandel is certainly well set up for remote, off-grid living. The 220 AH house battery capacity, topped up by a 150 W solar panel, will certainly keep the electrics going and with 2 x 9 kg gas cylinders for the stove, hot water and fridge, you won’t be running out in a hurry. In winter the Eberspacher diesel heater won't draw on the gas cylinders, obviously, and there's plenty of endurance in the 400-litre water capacity.

Top top bottom: Kitchen storage is excellent and bench space good, with the latter allowing the inclusion of a sink drainer, which is always welcome. Chefs will also welcome the full oven and grill. Meanwhile, remote living capabilities are enhanced by a high-tech Finscan touchscreen control and monitoring system – the best in the business.

28 DaY Header Test 28

What I think

S

o, clambering up the stairs to get to bed isn't going to be everybody's choice, but the Coromandel is a very nice take on the traditional NZ layout, i.e. Luton bed with a club lounge at the rear. What is also noticeable is that an open and spacious layout has been achieved without having to resort to a slide-out. There's a compromise here of course – slide-outs can mean shorter length motorhomes – but at the same time they introduce mechanical/electrical complexities.

In this case though I don't think the overall length of the motorhome is a disadvantage at all. In fact I think this Coromandel is as worthy of further exploration as its famous and fascinating namesake.

From a spacious and stylish interior that eschews a slide-out for simplicity and yet looses nothing in liveability, to its heavyduty Iveco Daily cab-chassis, the Coromandel 757 is a unique motorhome well worth exploring.

DaY Test 29

The impressive appearance starts with the Iveco Daily 70C21, which looks good in its own right, but even more so with the Coromandel body attached

30 DaY Header Test 30

Specs GENERAL Make

Traillite

Model

Coromandel 757

Type

C-class

Berths

4

Approved Seating

4

Licence

Car - GVM 5995 kg, Class 2 with upgrade to GVM 7000 kg

VEHICLE Make/Model

Iveco Daily 72-210

Engine

3.0 L 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel

Power

150 kW @ 3100 - 3500 rpm

Torque

470 Nm @ 1400 - 3000 rpm

Gearbox

8 speed automatic

Safety

Driver/passenger/side air bags, ABS brakes, ESC & hill start

Fuel

100 L

WEIGHTS Tare Weight

4840 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

5995/7000 kg

Max Payload

1155/2160 kg

Braked Towing Capacity

3500 kg

DIMENSIONS Overall Length

8.20 m (26' 11")

Overall Width

2.40 m (7' 10")

Overall Height

3.25 m (10' 8")

Internal Height

2.03 m (6' 8")

Rear Bed

1.90 m x 1.50 m (6' 3” x 4’ 11”)

Luton Bed

1.93 m x 1.53 m (6' 4 " x 5’)

DaY Test 31

Specs

Pros

EQUIPMENT Slide-Out

No

Awning

No

Entry Steps

Moulded

Hob

Dometic 3 burner

Rangehood

No

Sink

Square stainless steel

Fridge

160 litre 2-door Dometic RMD 8505 3-way

Microwave

No

Lighting

12 V LED

12 V Sockets/USB Outlets

Driver's cab

Air Conditioner

No

Space Heater

Truma Combi 6E LPG

Hot Water System

Truma Combi 6E LPG/electric

Toilet

Thetford cassette

Shower

Flex hose, semi separate cubicle

• • • •

Spacious interior Inviting rear lounge Long kitchen bench Accessible steps to luton bed • Wardrobe space • Motorhome road handling

Cons

• External storage limited for large items • Mains and charger outlet location in rear • Low ceiling height above bed • Black tank capacity

CAPACITIES Batteries

2 x 90 AH

Solar

No

LPG

1 x 9.0 kg, 1 x 4.5 kg

Fresh Water

120 L

Grey Water

90 L

Hot Water

10 L

Toilet

17 L

PRICE - ON ROAD NZ From

$249,257

As Tested

$254,132

Warranty - Vehicle

As per Iveco

Warranty - Motorhome body

5 years structural

Warranty – Appliances

As per manufactures

Contact: North Island TrailLite Auckland 77 Paerata Road Pukekohe. 2120.

T: 0800 872 455 W: TrailLite.co.nz South Island TrailLite Christchurch 280 Main South Road Hornby. 8042.

T: 0800 872 455 W: TrailLite.co.nz

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

32 Header 32

Choose your own adventure.

Whether it’s off the beaten track or across to the next town, the TrailLite fleet features a range of motorhomes and caravans designed to cater for every taste of adventure and every budget.

We’ve thought of everything.

Auckland 77 Paerata Road, Pukekohe

Christchurch 280 Main South Road, Hornby

Header 33

I live for the open road, open spaces and open minds. Travel is the greatest educator as well as a noble pastime...

34 Day Test: Roller Team Trailblazer

The Price is Right!

A near-new European A-class for not a lot of money…

by Malcolm Street

DAY TEST 35

A

-class motorhomes are top of most buyers’ wish lists, although often priced beyond realistic affordability. Over the last couple of years the RV Super Centre has done an interesting deal with UK-based Just Go, a motorhome rental company that’s also part of the THL stable. Unusually, Just Go runs Italianmade Roller Team motorhomes for just a year before selling them on.

Until the end of last year, all ex-Just Go motorhomes arriving in NZ were either B or C-class units, but that’s changed with the arrival of the stylish A-class Trailblazer (or Pegaso 740 in Roller Team speak). I first saw it at the Covi Show in April, where it created considerable interest indeed. In fact it was hard to get a look in, which is why I decided to arrange a more private viewing out at the RV Super Centre's Albany depot.

36 DAY TEST

On the Road

N

ot far north of Albany are two places of interest, one being the Waiwera Beach Thermal Resort and the other, the Wenderholm Regional Park. There used to be a basic but handy holiday park at Waiwera Beach but that seems to have closed in recent times. So it was to the Regional Park I headed, which not only offers basic campsites but also some mid-week peace and quiet.

Of all the motorhome body designs there's no doubt an A-class offers the most commanding views from the cab seats. This applies equally to the Trailblazer, both when driving and parked. Based on a Fiat Ducato Multijet 150 chassis, the dashboard looks very familiar but the large raked windscreen and the side windows are very much a Roller Team design.

Being Italian in origin the Trailblazer’s front-seat passenger gets a door but the driver makes do with either worming past the passenger

seat (assuming the passenger has already disembarked) or using the motorhome entry door. What the driver does get is a nice console under the window, complete with cupholders and a place to park the iPad. This was also one of the few places in the motorhome with obvious signs of usage – on the edge of the console, possibly from swivelling the seat carelessly. It was certainly nothing that couldn’t easily be fixed by a bit of handy work.

Driving the Trailblazer, with its 2.3-litre turbo diesel and 6-speed AMT gearbox is little different to a cab-chassis Fiat, except the top of the dashboard extends further forward than usual. I have to say, on some of the rougher roads there were a few rattles around the cab area. One was from the driver's window and I suspect the other came from the drop-down bed in the roof above.

Compact and affordable, this lightly used Roller Team A-class makes a strong case for entry into the most desired of all motorhome ownership circles…

DAY TEST 37

Bodywork

A

t 7.3 m (24'), the Trailblazer is not particularly long, while it weighs in with a tare of 3160 kg. The roof, walls and floor are all made from a fibreglass/styrofoam/ extruded plastic/fibreglass composite structure for which Roller Team offer a 10 year body integrity warranty. Apart from the cab sides, the rest of the windows were the standard double glazed, acrylic top-hinged type, while the driver’s-side entry door was a Euro style unit, with integrated blind in the window and a concertina insect screen in the doorway.

External storage isn't going to be a problem because across the rear is a huge garage area, accessible from both sides. The ceiling is height adjustable, depending on how much storage space is required (think bicycles). More likely, it will be dictated by the double bed above. I'm thinking most people will settle for a lower bed and less storage height, but it's easily adjustable by a key switch beside the driver’s-side garage door.

The Trailblazer comes with a bike rack and huge boot, plus a cab door, albeit on the passenger’s side. The gas locker location provides easy access too.

Also fitted into the rear, but not really taking up any usable storage space, is the Truma Combi 6E water/space heater. I mention that because the water/space heater is often a bit awkward to get at, but not in this case. It’s even possible to sit in the garage to work on it.

One feature I haven't seen before (at least on any motorhome in NZ) is the gas cylinder locker, located virtually under the driver's seat!

It will take a pair of nine kilogram cylinders and is easily accessible, but there's a certain incentive to remember to turn the cylinder off before travel.... It's not standard Roller Team, but one of the options on the rear wall of the test vehicle was a Fiamma rack that will accept three bikes.

38 DAY TEST

Stepping Inside

E

uropean layouts within certain lengths tend to be variations on a theme. This is the case with the Trailblazer, which has an island bed and adjacent bathroom in the rear. Taking up the mid section is the kitchen, leaving the front for the lounge/diner/cab.

Also included in the front area is a drop-down double bed. Most of the electrical controls, including the electronic touch pad and Truma Combi heater, are located above the entry door, which is handy when entering or leaving.

It's the area forward of the entry door that grabs your attention, at least from my point of view, because it’s a good place to sit down and take in the rest of the motorhome.

Both cab seats swivel of course and there's a forward facing lounge (complete with two seat belts) behind the passenger seat and a sideways-facing lounge behind the driver's seat. Located between them all is a generously sized table, which can be slid every-whichway to suit five diners. About the only problem with the table, or at least its size, is that it does impede cab access.

Above the seating area the 1.85 m x 1.35 m (6' x 4' 5") bed can be lowered by hand without difficulty, with no electrics involved. It can be dropped to almost waist height and a small ladder provides easy access. Blinds across the front come down with the bed, while curtains at rear can be closed as required.

Top: The cab perfectly integrates into the living area, maximising internal space. Above: The driver gets a handy side console and expansive view.

DAY TEST 39

Meal Time

L

ike the rest of the Trailblazer, the kitchen bench is done very much in the compact Euro style, which is an L-shaped with a three-burner hob and a round stainless steel sink. There's even a small garbage bin fitted into the back corner of the bench top. Under the bench are three drawers and a wire basket slide-out. A small point of interest with this motorhome; being an ex hire rig, it comes with all the necessary cooking and eating utensils!

Compact but functional, the kitchen is typically European L-shaped, with easy access to deep under-bench storage.

The fire extinguisher location is interesting and perhaps a legacy of the vehicle rental origins!

Facing the kitchen bench is a very multipurpose cabinet that contains a 149-litre Thetford 3-way fridge, plus a Dometic grill/ oven above. Let's hope it doesn't get too hot on top because above that again is the flat screen TV, mounted on one of those tricky little brackets that slides the unit out and down. Viewing angles are a bit restricted, with the best to be had from the rear facing seats.

40 DAY TEST

Cleaning Up

T

he rear island bed has a full height partition at its foot that separates the bedroom and bathroom. The other side of the partition is fully utilised for a vanity cabinet, complete with pedestal-style wash basin, cupboard and a very large wall mirror – all stylishly done. This set-up allows for a kerb-side toilet cubicle and a separate shower across the aisle, while sliding doors on both sides mean the bathroom can be shut off for privacy if required.

Clockwise from top: The central vanity is mounted on a panel at the foot of the bed. The split bathroom is well equipped and has a sliding door for privacy from the living area.

DAY TEST 41

Time for Bed

A

n aspect of the full-height partition at the foot of the bed is it gives the bedroom a somewhat enclosed feel. It also means you can’t dangle your feet off the end. However, there are large windows on either side for light and ventilation. The bed side of the partition can be used for mounting a flat screen TV, as all the necessary power and antenna connections are in place.

As noted previously the bed can be raised or lowered depending on requirements and there are steps, complete with hinged tops, on either side. Hanging wardrobes are fitted either side of the bed, as are generous shelves for necessary nighttime items. A varied colour scheme, with shades from chocolate brown to beige, has been chosen for the bathroom and works well with the effective but subtle lighting.

Top: Modern and comfortable, the island bed at the rear has plenty of storage close by. Right: Stairs lead up to both sides of the bed. Note heating outlets in both bottom stair risers, and good vanity storage.

42 DAY TEST

What I Think

F

or an ex-rental motorhome there were few signs of wear. Indeed, the real clues were the Just Go notices in various places. For a smaller motorhome it does have something of a space saving bathroom/bedroom area, which allows for a larger lounge/diner up front, and that works well. As someone who likes relatively small A-class motorhomes, the Trailblazer/ Pegaso 740 is something of a winner. And you certainly can’t complain about the price!

Top: The Roller Team Trailblazer is a good looking vehicle sure to turn heads. At the asking price it also seems to be something of a bargain. Above: Manually operated, the secondary bed over the cab/dinette is easy to use and comes with privacy curtains all ‘round.

DAY TEST 43

“Of all the motorhome body designs there's no doubt an A-class offers the most commanding views from the cab seats. This applies equally to the Trailblazer, both when driving and parked.�

44 DAY Header TEST 44

Specs GENERAL Make

Roller Team

Model

Trailblazer

Type

A-class

Berths

4

Approved Seating

4

Licence

Car

VEHICLE Make/Model

Fiat Ducato Multijet 150

Engine

2.3 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power

109 kW @ 3600 rpm

Torque

350 Nm @ 1500 rpm

Gearbox

6-speed automated manual transmission (AMT)

Safety

ESP, Traction plus, driver and passenger airbag

Fuel

90 L

WEIGHTS Tare Weight

3160 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass

3500 kg

Max Payload

340 kg

Braked Towing Capacity

2000 kg

DIMENSIONS Overall Length

7.30 m (23’11”) Bike rack adds 0.3m (1’) (folded) or 0.8 m (2’ 8”)

Overall Width

2.34 m (7’ 8”)

Overall Height

2.80 m (9’ 2”)

Internal Height

2.00 m (6’ 7”)

Main Bed

1.85 m x 1.37 m (6’ x 4’ 6”)

Drop down bed

1.85 m x 1.35 m (6’ x 4’ 5”)

Dinette Bed

N/A

DAY TEST 45

Specs

Pros

EQUIPMENT

• Sub 7.5 m A-class motorhome

Slide-Out

No

Awning

No

Entry Steps

Moulded

Hob

Domestic 3-burner & grill/oven

Rangehood

No

Sink

Round stainless steel

Fridge

149 L Thetford N3150 3-way

Microwave

No

Lighting

12 V LED

12 V Sockets/USB Outlets

Driver's cab

Air Conditioner

No

Space Heater

Truma Combi 6E LPG

Hot Water System

Truma Combi 6E LPG/Electric

Toilet

Thetford cassette

need to be strapped down

Shower

Separate cubicle

• Table intrudes into walkway

• Well appointed for an ex-rental • Large front lounge/dining area • Large external storage • Easy bed operation, back and front • Subtle but effective lighting

Cons

• Front window/bed rattles in cab area • No USB charger outlets in rear • Smaller items in garage will

• Rear bed length for taller

CAPACITIES Batteries

1 x 100 AH

Solar

120 W

LPG

2 x 9 kg

Fresh Water

120 L

Grey Water

110 L

Hot Water

10 L

Toilet

19 L

PRICE - ON ROAD NZ As Tested

$124,990

Warranty

Balance of Global Warranty

people

Contact:

Click for Google Maps

North Island RV Super Centre 169 Bush Road, Albany, Auckland.

T: 0800 52 00 55 E: info@rvsupercentre.co.nz W: rvsupercentre.co.nz

South Island Click for Google Maps RV Super Centre 159 Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport, T: 0800 52 00 55 E: info@rvsupercentre.co.nz W: rvsupercentre.co.nz

46 Feature

Home in the Wilderness Ramblings of a solo traveller on NZ’s West Coast‌

Feature 47

I

t’s just before seven on a Wednesday night and being late autumn means it’s pitch black outside, but that’s not all. Rain pelts the roof and wind rocks my home, which tonight is a rental from Wilderness, Christchurch. I’m parked on a West Coast beach bearing the brunt of a storm system coming straight off the Tasman; one that’s been taunting the South Island for a day or so and finally decided to do its worst. Curtains are drawn, the heating is set to low and I’ve just had dinner: last night’s leftover beef rogan josh plus a half bottle of Montana Pinot Noir. Outside a solitary sea bird is calling and it doesn’t sound very happy…

For me there’s almost nowhere I’d rather be than tucked inside a good motorhome on a wild night. Seriously. Perhaps it’s distant echoes of the womb, but to be tucked-in warm, safe and dry when the world outside is anything but, is something akin to heaven…

I say “good motorhome” because like having

the correct tool for the job, weather like this calls for a specialist machine. My “home” this week is a Carado T449 – the same model Mrs iM and I spent eight days in last October, travelling between Auckland and Christchurch.

Then, the days were longer, the weather fine and we shared a memorable journey in almost perfect conditions. This week I’m on my own, running a South Island scouting trip for our Taste of New Zealand escorted motorhome tour in November, and it couldn’t be more different.

The only commonality is the motorhome and what a great little machine she’s turned out to be. You can read my full review on the carado T449 in Issue 2, but travelling again in the same model – only one with more than 36,000 km on the clock and about a year’s rental service under its belt – provides a rare and invaluable glimpse into its real character.

So too does travelling at a very different time of year, and by myself.

48 Feature How so? The age and mileage, suffered at the hands of mainly inexperienced renters, shows the interior to be very well constructed as it basically appears to be new. One cupboard door does rattle incessantly but that’s about it. This is a cocooning motorhome that’s cosy and welcoming, and the lack of bare metal, condensation and draughts make it feel like a ‘motor home’ in the truest sense.

The Fiat Ducato’s ‘baby’ 96 kW/320 Nm 2.3-litre engine has freed-up nicely and is well suited to this model’s 6-speed manual gearbox. The body is a bit worse for wear, but only because renters have damaged each corner, both mirrors and the side panels. Other than that she (of course she’s a she) looks good as new and drives even better.

Experience

T

No matter the weather or outside temperature the Carado T449 provided warm, comfortable and highly practical living quarters. The swivelled passenger seat/table relationship made an ideal office, too.

ravelling in colder and very wet weather means those years of experience of the designers and engineers at the Hymer Group head office in Germany (Carado is its entry level brand) are shown to good effect.

The sleek nose of the B-class body means ‘she’ isn’t prone to too much bobbing and weaving in strong cross winds or when meeting on-coming semis at speed. Yet, the clever pull-down bed over the dinette still provides sleeping for four, or a secondary bed for a couple, without the fuel penalty, handling compromises and clearance issues of a ‘traditional’ C-class. But for me it’s the heating that sets it apart.

Feature 49

The Truma Combi 6E LPG system has no less than seven outlets: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, entry door, dinette and two in the cab. Warmth simply permeates the vehicle, while it’s whisper quiet and can be left on low all night without disturbing sleep. If there’s a downside it’s having to watch the LPG levels, as in cold weather it (along with the big three-way fridge/freezer) can chew through gas – I got five days from a nine kilo cylinder. Of course all windows are double glazed and don’t fog over, nothing leaks and the lounge/dinette is about the finest mobile office I’ve worked from.

Lest you think everything is sweetness and light, travelling on my own has also meant cooking

Compare the sleek lines of my Wilderness rental to the box of the LDVbased rental. The latter must have been a pain to drive in the gale force winds that prevailed for most of my journey.

50 Feature

in the tiny L-shaped kitchen so beloved by European motorhome designers in general.

As Mrs iMotorhome discovered last October, despite the compact dimensions the design is quite usable. What she didn’t say is that the deep, double-shelved cupboard that runs behind the dinette seat back and is the sole repository of pots, pans, crockery, kettle, toaster, washing-up gear and other stuff is so deep you need to get down on your knees to find/reach many things. Seriously? What happened to German design innovation, ergonomics and efficiency? That aside, even it becomes ‘normal’, if never actually convenient, after a few days and overall the Carado T449 still gets a big thumbs up.

Top: A chilly -3ºC start after overnighting east of Arthur’s Pass. Above: As a mobile office the ‘little’ Carado excelled (and was worth drinking to!).

Outside, it’s still pelting down and the wind’s still howling, but at lest the seabird has stopped calling. Hopefully it found its mate (although it could be in Christchurch by now).

Some say home is where you park it and for me right now, home is in the Wilderness.

Indeed, a night in the wild rarely felt more civilised…

Feature 51 Wildifferences…

On this trip it occurred to me what sets Wilderness apart as a rental company: Its vehicles aren’t built for purpose. Let me explain…

Normal motorhome rental company practice is to design and build no-frills, utilitarian vehicles that deliver maximum return on investment and durability first, with customer appeal/comfort/ convenience second. Wilderness, on the other hand, buys high-spec European motorhomes designed and built for private buyers, and that transforms the customer experience.

a hand written card inside the motorhome from the person who prepared it, wishing you happy and safe travels! Still on vehicle preparation, how good it is to find the bed fully made, rather than the bedding in plastic bags awaiting fitting. Naturally, airport transfers are included at both ends and the company’s Mercedes people movers are a distinct cut above the others.

My only gripe is the inability to prepay LPG cylinders and vehicle fuel, which would save a lot of mucking around at the end. Ditto a grey water and toilet cassette dump option, which Compare the sleek, nimble Carado to the usual for freedom campers would make a world of rental offering. There’s no bulbous nose-cone difference. These things could be part of a to dent fuel economy or find low-hanging premium package that I think many renters – branches and make driving in strong winds a myself included – would happily select. lesson in steering wheel wrestling. There’s also Wilderness is a premium operation but from no sparse interior with the appeal of a budget what I’ve researched online its rates are motel room… often highly competitive. However, it’s a small The overall Wilderness rental experience operation and can’t match the pricing power of is more pleasant too. Its Christchurch and the big operators when business is quiet (like Auckland airport offices are informal, stylish winter) and they dump excess capacity into and user-friendly, and the staff genuinely helpful the market. The bottom line is you get what and enthusiastic. It’s a nice touch to find your you pay for and like all things of quality, the name hand written on a welcome board at the enjoyment lasts a long time while the price is start of the journey, and a matching farewell quickly forgotten… message at journey’s end. It’s also nice to find

52 Book Review

DIYer’s Bible!

Motorhome Self-build and Optimisation is recommended for every keen DIYer…

by Allan Whiting of OutbackTravelAustralia.com.au

Book Review 53 This book claims, “One thousand tips and tricks for anyone wanting to build a motorhome or optimise an existing vehicle.” and I’m thinking the number count is probably spoton. At a hefty 480 pages this tome, written by German traveller, Ulrich Dolde, is as thorough an explanation of the issues involved with such projects as you’d expect from a native of this highly technical nation.

It’s no theoretical exercise, however, because many of the illustrations, plans and photographs are of Ulrich and wife Edith’s own motorhome.

Following vehicle selection Ulrich considers the types of bodywork (called ‘cabin’ in his text) and delves into subframe issues, rust treatment and weight distribution.

Then it’s detail time: colour scheme, fixing The Doldes, like most Europeans, opted for methods, doors, windows, skylights, a medium-sized 4WD truck as the basis for hatches, electrical installation, plumbing, their expedition-grade motorhome. Their gas system, heating and furniture building. choice was a used 914 Mercedes-Benz and in We can’t think of anything he’s missed and Daimler-speak the ‘9’ means nine tonnes gross although the plumbing, gas and electrical vehicle mass (GVM) and the ‘14’ is short for installation regulations are different from ours, 140 hp. this book is one of the best DIY instruction manuals we’ve come across.

Ulrich’s book starts with used vehicle selection for European motorhome builders, so, unfortunately, many of his suggestions are irrelevant for Kiwis. However, some are available, including Unimogs and a few cabover-engine (COE) Mercedes-Benz trucks similar to Ulrich’s 914, plus some MAN, Iveco and Magirus COEs I think. Local builders in the 7-9 tonnes GVM weight class have a more likely choice of used Japanese 4x4 trucks: mainly Isuzu’s FSS Series. Below that weight – in the 4.5-7.5 tonnes GVM class – there’s a wider choice of used Isuzu NPS 300 and Fuso Canter models.

Much of the subsequent bodywork and equipment fit-out is as relevant to these vehicles as it is to Ulrich’s European list.

However, NZ motorhome builders need to be aware that European permissible axle weights are different to ours and there is, as yet, no Japanese 4x4 truck with factory-fitted single wheels front and rear.

More info at www.selfbuildmotorhome.com.au and the book has an ISBN number 978-3-9818553-1-9.

54 TechTalk

On Road Solutions Some quick fixes from our resident Techspert to keep you on the road…

TechTalk 55

E

ven the best kept motorhome can develop problems on a road trip.

Here's a look at a few quick fixes to help keep you going until you're in a position to effect more permanent repairs…

Fly Screen

automotive 12 volt electrical cable that you can readily get at garages, independent auto part shops and even the auto section of bigger chain stores. Measure the lengths you need and cut to size, then use it the same way as the original rubber trim. Done (and the bonus is you can even choose the colour)!

Scenario: Your sliding window fly screen is ripped but you’re lucky enough to find a hardware store selling replacement material. Heading back to your van you take the old screen material off the frame, only to discover the rubber trim that squeezes the material into the frame is broken and can’t be reused.

Back Home: If you want you can see your local RV window fitter or order the strip online and change the set up. Just make sure that in the event you have purchased new flyscreen material you do not cut it too precisely as it will be difficult to refit.

Solution: Check the diameter of the old rubber strip and compare it to 4 mm

Four millimetre electrical cable is a good alternative for flyscreen repairs ‘on the fly’…

56 TechTalk

Loose Hinges or Faulty Overhead Stays Scenario: Due to driving, movement, age and usage it's not unusual for cabinet doors to come loose on their hinges. Quite often the reason is the screws are no longer holding and have pulled out. You'll know this is the case when you try to tighten it up but all that happens is the screw keeps spinning and won't grab.

Solution: First, take the screw out and check if it’s a flat or spiky (self tapping) wood screw.

Now, you might be lucky and carry some toothpicks, but you can also use matches for this quick fix. If you have a flat screw, push one toothpick/match into the cabinet’s screw hole and break it off flush. If you have a spiky screw you can do the same, but using 2-3 toothpicks/matches. Finally, slowly screw the original screw back in place and it should be fixed!

Back Home: You usually don't need to do anything! However if this problem occurs while your are at home and you have some wood glue handy, dip the matches/picks into wood glue before pushing into the hole. This will fix the problem even better. Click here to watch a video of this simple fix in action!

Fibreglass Damage Scenario: There are various ways you can sustain impact damage on the skin of your RV. A classic scenario is not noticing a low hanging branch while parking under a shady tree. Bang! Now you have a crack in your roof. This is a nasty problem and should not be underestimated. Even a small amount of damage to the outer skin can allow water inside the structure of your vehicle, and what you definitely don't want is expensive water leak damage.

Solution: Act as quickly as possible to avoid

TechTalk 57

any water damage. If you have insurance that will cover the damage, take a good set of photos of the affected area, including closeups, plus a view of the incident scene itself with the vehicle in place. Report the damage at the earliest opportunity and follow your insurance companies instructions.

Next, check the area of damage for broken parts (hatches, fittings, etc), secure anything loose and keep any parts that have actually come off. This is especially important for shaped parts that cover curved areas and might be needed for remodelling to fix the damage later on. Clean the area surrounding the damage (use a kitchen surface spray or window cleaner) but make sure no fluid runs into the damaged fibreglass. Now, search for any non-fraying material, such as a cotton T-shirt, and get some plastic sheet/tarp plus reinforced duct tape. If you are remote and cannot get tarp material a sturdy (Aldi) plastic shopping bag can be used as a substitute.

Your task is to create three temporary protection layers. The first one is a double folded cotton/fabric layer, which you cut slightly larger than the damaged area. Use the duct tape to secure the cotton fabric to the roof. Then do the same with a piece of plastic tarp, cut this also to a slightly larger size than the damaged area before taping it to the roof. The final layer needs to be a larger sized plastic sheet/tarp that will act as the final (temporary) barrier. This layer will now be taped on all around. If you have enough tape or the damaged area is not too big you can cover the whole thing. Make sure the tape is overlapping the plastic/tarp by at least 30 mm, as well as the roof. Also, ensure the repair is a snug fit to avoid flapping and/or the chance of water damage. Check the tarp and the tape every day while still on the road and redo the last layer if necessary.

Back Home/In Town: if claiming on insurance follow the company’s instructions. Otherwise, find a local panel beater or marine shop with experience in fibreglass to have the area permanently repaired.

58 Feature

Cooking 101 for Blokes It’s not rocket science you know…

Feature 59

L

over’s of Gary Larson’s The Far Side cartoons might remember one that shows a rickety, hodgepodge rocket and three white-coated boffins standing alongside. The caption reads, “It’s time we face reality, my friends. We’re not exactly rocket scientists.”

Cooking, I’ve discovered, really isn’t rocket science either, although for years I thought it was. My journey of discovery began sometime in the last 18 years; the time Mrs iMotorhome and I have been together. Mrs iM loves to cook and over the years I’ve learnt two important skills from her: How to shop and how to cook.

This quick guide is intended to help blokes who normally only enter the kitchen to get to the fridge. Being motorhome focused it centres around ‘one-pot wonders’ that can quickly and easily be created and is by no means a definitive guide! A great thing about cooking is that as long as you don’t burn things beyond recognition or undercook and end up crook, there really

60 Feature

isn’t any right or wrong. Most food is still edible even after a bad kitchen day and almost anything goes – liverwurst-and-cream filled chocolate cake excepted.

Such items are usually meat, poultry or fish and form the basis of a meal. Some of the biggest bargains come in the form of new lines shoppers haven’t yet embraced, so keep an extra keen eye out! We also stock-up at times and freeze them for later use.

Zen and the Art of Food Shopping

On the road, hunting food bargains this way isn’t always possible, especially in small towns, so we shop in larger regional centres where Food shopping, I’ve discovered, is largely possible. However, we also love fresh, local a state of mind. Firstly, try not to do it when produce. That includes small-town butchers hungry – it’s a recipe (pardon the pun) for some making gourmet sausages, roadside stalls very poor choices. Also, unless you have a selling farm-fresh eggs, seafood from local specific recipe in mind for a special occasion co-ops, home-grown veggies and locally made you should simply try to ‘shop with the flow’. breads, jams, etc.

Let me explain…

Mrs iM rarely plans our meals, be they at home or on the road. Rather, she usually finds them and it works like this: When shopping, she (and now I) hunt value. At the supermarket that comes in the form of reduced items or what we call ‘yellow labels’ – items approaching their use or best-by dates and that carry a 25 to 50 per cent (or higher) discount. It’s not because we’re tight, it’s the love of a bargain, plus it’s a bit of a challenge! Over the years this method has literally saved us thousands.

Speaking of veggies, look for them and fruit, fresh, in season. They’ll not only be better value, they’ll taste better and you can get to try a wide variety. Also, remember that frozen vegetables retain high levels of nutrients and are a convenient way to get lots of veggies into your diet (though not recommended for stir frying!). Tinned vegetables can be good too, but make sure you read the label to see if anything’s been added, like sugar in tomatoes.

Feature 61 Zen and the Art of Cooking Regardless of whether you have time to go good-bargain hunting or not, what to do with what you buy is the final challenge/hurdle/ mystery.

Mrs iM has always loved a TV show called Ready, Steady, Cook. In it, chefs race the clock to create appetising meals from mystery ingredients. She likes a challenge and so our evening meals often start with something from the fridge (or freezer that morning) and a gaze into the pantry and vegetable crisper!

The ability to make something from what you have, rather than working to a set recipe, is invaluable. It also means that instead of looking for recipes all the time (they have their place), all you need do is look at what’s on hand and create from there.

Think laterally about what you know is back in your fridge and cupboards and go from there.

For example, say you’ve just bought whole chicken breasts and know there’s a bottle of oyster sauce in the cupboard. That’s the basis for a stir fry if you slice the chicken and add some veggies (I often cheat and use a bag of fresh stir fry veggies), and a bag of fresh noddles.

The other day I was in a supermarket in Blenheim and needed something for dinner.

I spied a reduced special of beef kebabs (beef cubes on skewers) and decided I could something with them, but what? I didn’t want to grill or barbecue them in my rental motorhome, so another thought developed, “How about I take them off the skewers and cook them in a simmer sauce?” But what about veggies? “Why not frozen?”. Here’s how it ‘panned’ out

62 Feature Beef Rogan Josh – a One Pan Wonder I had: 3 x Beef kebabs/skewers 1 x Jar Rogan Josh simmer sauce 1 x Bag mixed frozen veggies (corn, peas and other colourful stuff)

Poured the contents over the beef, turned the heat down and let simmer for the suggested 10 minutes, stirring occasionally Didn’t think to use a plate to cover it, keeping the heat in and stoping it splattering over the cooker. Bugger…

Then:

Cooking oil for browning the meat

When the 10 minutes was up I tried a piece of beef and was as surprised as you to find it cooked. And delicious.

Rice to go with the finished product.

So then I:

Any real idea how it would turn out…

Added what seemed an appropriate amount of frozen vegetables

I didn’t have:

So I: Melted butter in the frying pan

Stirred them in and let it continue simmer/ splattering to heat the veggies

Used a fork to remove the beef from the skewers

Taste tested until they were hot

Browned the beef until no red meat was visible Read the Rogan Josh instructions!

And finally: Served and ate. Delicious! If only I’d had some rice, though…

Feature 63 All Zenned Out My modest dinner turned out nicely and I had leftovers for the next night. It wasn’t rocket science, all it took was an eye for a bargain and a bit of thought outside the cooking square. Beyond opening a can of beans and making toast, cooking really isn’t that difficult.

Speaking of beans, next issue I’ll tell you about them, a can of chilli tuna and the need to empty the cupboards before returning my rental motorhome. Bon appetite!

64 Mobile Tech

Campable!

Now there’s a third option for RVers looking for that perfect, private spot‌

MOBILE TECH 65 Campable Size: 20.2 MB Cost: Free Platforms: iOS & Android devices

F

reedom camping has recently come under a lot of scrutiny from concerned locals, conservation groups and regional businesses alike. As with many things, it only takes a few to ruin something for everyone and there is nothing worse than finding a pristine piece of wilderness polluted by dumped waste and rubbish. There is also the lingering risk that you may inadvertently face fines for illegal freedom camping if a mistake is made. Designed especially for motorhomes

and established in early 2017, Campable is proving to be a very popular alternative for travellers, particularly those tired of sharing campgrounds with unruly and sometimes disrespectful campers. Described as the Air B&B of the campervan holiday it’s another option that meets the needs of both travellers and landowners perfectly.

Similar in style to short-term holiday letting of properties, the advertisement of private

66 Mobile Tech hobby farms, B&Bs, resorts and even sports clubs such as equestrian centres and golf clubs, there is sure to be something for everyone! The handy app available for both android and iOS devices contains everything you’ll need to discover amazing sites, make bookings, and pay for each night. Campable's map view allows you to scroll around the country, so you can browse campsites by location or alternatively you can search by name.

land for use by campers is a recent evolution aided by communication technology. It’s always happened, but never to the scale we are seeing today and it is becoming an international phenomenon. For many, the primary appeal is to escape the crowded van parks and overused ‘public’ destinations and discover for themselves the serenity and seclusion one ultimately seeks when camping (there is little use escaping the rat race if the rats come too!).

For now, in New Zealand, this is proving to be a win-win situation for campers, landowners and the environment alike, with no significant objectors. The NZMCA has actually been offering members a similar private land parking scheme since 1991. Similar enterprises in Australia, however, have faced some recent backlash from councils determined to see this practice stopped or at least regulated by local authorities.

With hosts throughout NZ, Campable allows the owners of private property to share their space and lifestyle with travellers. It’s a chance to meet locals and enjoy authentic experiences in a secure and trusted environment. With hosts ranging from private landowners to vineyards, cider orchards, working farms,

The app itself contains a range of options so you can customise your use. However, it is important to keep in mind that many remote places will have no mobile reception, so it’s important to plan ahead if heading off grid.

With a modest five day, full refund cancellation policy, bookings can easily be made and changed should circumstances change.

Host sites vary in many aspects from costs to amenities to host involvement; generally, each listing will detail all you need to know and in some cases such as working farms, provide you with relevant safety information.

There are set ‘rules of etiquette’ in place and these policies are all designed to ensure the happiness, safety and sanity of both hosts and guests.

ESCAPE

68 What’s Header On? 68

What’s On? A round-up of great events over the next three months..."

What’s On? 69 North Island

June 1-4 – Hamilton: Fairfield Rotary Annual Book Fair. An annual charity book fair featuring pre-loved quality books, magazines, children's books, puzzles, music CDs, DVDs, etc. EFTPOS available and parking too!

1-5 – Oamaru: 2017 Steampunk NZ Festival. A four day festival unlike anything you’ve ever seen! Discover the incredible world of Steam punk in all its madness and glory.

Explore markets, music, feasting, the racing of teapots, airships, duelling teacup style, short story and steampunk literary readings, makers’ workshops, demonstrations and dancing.

Highlights include a show at the Oamaru Opera House, gala ball, quiz night, fashion show and an epic after-party.

3-4 – Whitianga: Mercury Music Festival 2017. Witness a village of music come to life with this vibrant two day celebration. Held over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, enjoy a variety of performances and hands-on workshop opportunities in a relaxed family friendly environment

18 – Auckland: Auckland Fair. Showcasing a curated selection of independent, artisan talent. The Auckland Fair is a destination event and one of New Zealand's biggest and best design, art and craft markets. Discover quality, local handmade products, with everything including homewares, design, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, candles, skincare, cosmetics, sweets, prints, art, toys and more.

Meet the makers and support local industry!

Featuring over 100 stalls, interactive spaces, free photo booth, craft space, snacks, coffee and fantastic prize draws also available on the day.

30 – Auckland: The NZ Scrapbooking and Craft Expo Senz 2017. The Senz Expo is New Zealand’s premier scrapbooking, card 2 – Oamaru: Oamaru Fire and Steam. A making and paper craft event. It’s three days of family street event that attracts thousands. immersive craft supply shopping, networking Featuring fire, flair and fun with local bands and and admiring. Features over 50 classes street entertainment, there is something for with tutors from Australia and NZ, enjoy everybody! demonstrations, displays, competitions and plenty of inspiration.

70 What’s On?

July 1-2 – Mt Maunganui: The Seriously Good Food Show. Hosting displays and exhibits from New Zealand's top food and drink producers. With live cooking seminars and tastings, it’s set to be seriously good!

1-2 – Auckland: The NZ Scrapbooking and Craft Expo. NZ's premier scrapbooking, card making and papercraft event. Three days of shopping, demonstrations, displays, competitions, classes & inspiration.

27-30 – Auckland: The Food Show. The Auckland Food Show is set to take the ASB Showgrounds by storm. Featuring the best offerings in food and beverage from across the country.

August 5-6 – Hampton Downs: Chrome Expression Session. For the ultimate driving experience head to Hampton Downs Motor Spot Park.

Passenger rides, racing, burnouts, drifting, drag racing, gymkhana, dyno, show & shine, trade sites, live entertainment and so much more!

1-8 – Glen Innes: Te Ara Rama Matariki Light Trail. A free public event reviving the 12-13 – Taranaki: Antique & Collectors tradition of celebrating and giving thanks for Fair. Quality fair presented by the Antique Fair the harvest. Featuring live music, light trails and Charitable Trust. All items for sale including captivating light sculptures. furniture tools, china, linen, crystal, art, glass and silver, clocks, books, jewellery (vintage/ modern), collectables, vintage and much more.

11-16 – Hawkes Bay: Italian Film Festival - Cinema Italiano Festival. Expertly curated, this festival features digital restorations of 19-20 – Bay Of Plenty: Women's Lifestyle classic films interspersed with modern Italian Expo. A two day event for women of all ages. productions.

With more than 140 stalls featuring everything from jewellery and beauty to business products and information, crafts, fitness, food & wine sampling!

22-23 – Auckland: CRC Speedshow 2017.

A spectacular celebration showcasing the finest and fastest new cars and motorcycles, race cars, race bikes, classics, motorsport celebrities, wild hot rods, muscle cars and custom creations from around New Zealand and the world.

11-27 – Wellington: Visa Wellington on a Plate. Not to be outdone by Auckland, Wellington hosts its very own two week celebration of fine food in August!

What’s On? 71 11-12 – Wellington: Beervana. Wellington lives up to its name as the craft beer capital and celebrates with this speciality festival.

Featuring over 200 craft beers, unique brews, good tunes and great food!

27 – Auckland: Auckland Vintage Textile Fair. All genuine vintage clothes, linens, jewellery, buttons, shoes, furs, patterns, trims, lace, embroideries, fabric, handbags, shoes, hats and accessories.

17 – Christchurch, Midwinter Woolfeast 2017. Midwinter Woolfeast in New Zealand's wool craft spectacular. Experience the visual and tactile overload that is the contemporary world of woolcraft. Packed full of artisan yarn dyers, top home-grown talent and fabulous international craft brands. If you knit, crochet, felt, spin, weave, or you'd like to learn Midwinter Woolfeast is not to be missed!

22-25 – Queenstown, Queenstown Winter Festival. Celebrate the start of winter with four massive days of fun and festivities. Experience New Zealand’s premier celebration of allSouth Island things winter in this unique event. Tipped to have originated from locals looking for “A great excuse for a party,” it has evolved 3 – Twizel: Hops N Hooves. Held over the into the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest Queen’s Birthday weekend, attracting food and winter celebration. Featuring plenty of live beer lovers from all over. Eat, drink and learn! entertainment this not-to-be missed event Sample the finest of craft beers and delicious is community orientated and welcomes food sourced locally from the Mackenzie locals and visitors alike. Details of the 43rd High Country. Also featuring speciality Queenstown Winter Festival programme are producers hosting various workshops and stealthily staying under wraps until released demonstrations throughout the weekend. in May. To be among the first to know, sign up to the Friends of Festival mailing list on the Festival website, and follow the Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

2-5 – Queenstown: Luma. An awardwinning arts and culture festival that lights up Queenstown every year with art, light, music and colour.

June

The Southern Light Project transforms Queenstown’s famous lakefront and gardens for four days, with artwork from local, national and international artists. Luma is part of a number of winter celebrations that welcomes the beginning of darkness, with light!

Experience starry guided walks, illuminated forests, sculpture trails and much much more.

July 1 – Rolleston: A Mid-Winter's Ale Festival.

A winter warming craft beer festival, showcasing craft beers and delicious ciders from selected Canterbury and National breweries. With live music and hot food, what could be better?

72 What’s On? 6-9 – Geraldine: Geraldine Ukefest 2017. A weekend of celebrations featuring the versatile and adorable ukulele. Held at various locations throughout Geraldine strum-along and join in!

16-22 – Dunedin: Cadbury Chocolate Carnival 2017. An annual winter warming carnival to thrill chocolate-lovers. Experience a week of chocolate tours, decorating, painting and facials. The Carnival culminates with the famous Cadbury Jaffa Race.

August 12-13 – Christchurch: Christchurch Go Green Expo. New Zealand’s largest sustainable lifestyle show. View the latest in organics, eco home and living, beauty, health and wellness.

18-20 – Nelson: Art Expo Nelson 2017. A three-day show promoting artworks from more than 100 Nelson/Tasman and New Zealand artists.

Featuring unique and affordable art from the country's best painters, ceramists, sculptors, jewellers, glassworkers and photographers.

TBA – Wanaka: Audi Quattro Winter Games NZ. See star athletes compete for glory in one of the world's top winter sports. Free to watch, 28-30 – Marlborough: Marlborough Book including a one-of-its kind on-mountain music Festival. A celebration of the written word held festival! throughout a range of beautiful Marlborough locations.

NATURE IS MY THERAPY

73

NEXT ISSUE

A NEW BEGINNING!

T

he July issue will be the first of our new, combined Australian and New Zealand magazine. For Kiwi readers we’ll feature a review of the Benimar Tessero 481, a sub6 metre 4-berth coachbuilt with a drop-down roof bed that’s built on the latest 127 kW Ford Transit. They say good things come in small packages and it will be interesting to read Malcolm’s take on this little Spanish pocket rocket.

There will be more NZ news and apps, as well as our What’s On guide, which will look ahead to September and the beginnings of spring. It’s a new beginning we’re sure you’re going to enjoy!

Next issue will be out on Saturday 1 July.

Until then why not join our more than 32,000 Facebook Friends and followers on Twitter Pinterest and Instagram to see what we’re up too in the mean time?

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SHOW CALENDAR September 15-17

November 10-12

Camper Care Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show

The Camper Care New Zealand Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show

125 Mystery Creek Rd Hamilton 3240 Open 9:00-5:00 daily (Sunday 4:00 pm)

55 Jack Hinton Dr Addington, Christchurch 8024.

Open 9:00-5:00 daily

• • • •

Parking: TBA Adults: TBA Multi-day: TBA Kids: TBA Website: Click Here

Click for Google Maps

• • • •

Parking: Free Adults: $16 Multi-day: $25 Kids: U16 free Website: Click Here

Click for Google Maps