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Issue 1: May 5 2012

Great Drives!Tell us your favourite touring routes

Sydney Supershow 201224-page show round-up inside!

The iMotorhome Team

Richard RobertsonPublisher & Managing Editorrichard@imotorhome.com.au

Malcolm StreetConsulting Editormalcolm@imotorhome.com.au

Allan WhitingTechnical Editorallan@imotorhome.com.au

Welcome to the first issue of iMotorhome, the free

e-magazine dedicated to mo-torhomes and campervans in Australia and New Zealand.

Launching a new magazine is always an exciting and peril-ous time and iMotorhome is no exception. Already the Team has endured its fair share of highs and lows,

On my mind...

A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer,

Richard is a CMCA member and motorhome enthusiast.

Richard has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia He has a passion for lifestyle-enhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind iMotorhome magazine.

Unquestionably Australia and New Zealand’s best

known RV journalist, Malcolm is a fixture at CMCA rallies and RV shows and is now in his second decade as a specialist RV writer.

If it’s available on either side of the Tasman, Malcolm has probably driven it, slept in it, knows how it’s made and can tell you how good it is.

but here we are and what a great time to kick off our first issue – immediately after the massive Sydney RV Supershow.

Inside this first issue you’ll find a 24 page Show feature covering the 12 motorhome manufacturers that displayed their vehicles. As usual the show seemed well attended,

An experienced motoring writer when Japanese

cars were a novelty, Allan’s career read’s like Australian motor writing royalty.

Highly experienced in or on everything from motorcycles to B-doubles, Allan also runs www.outbacktravelaustra-lia.com – an invaluable free resource for anyone touring remote corners of Australia.

although at nine days dura-tion it must rank as one of the longest shows of its type anywhere in the world: Full marks to all who took part and manned (personed?) the stands day-after-day.

The focus of iMotorhome, however, is to bring you well written, in-depth and lavishly

Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719. PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: info@imotorhome.com.au

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INSIDE

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NEW RELEASE

SYDNEY SHOW

NEXT ISSUE!

INSIDE

Interesting Diversion: Winnebago’s new-spec Sprinter van conversion

EDITORIAL

NEWS

An F-to-W look at the motorhome manufacturers on display last week:Frontline Campervans•Horizon Motorhomes•Jayc• oKEA Camper• sParadise Motorhomes•Suncampe• rSunline• rTalvo• rTrakk• aWinnebag• o Wirr-Away Motorhome• s

TRAVEL29 Great Drives: It’s what motorhoming is all about. Tell us yours!

News...

See/Drive/Buy the Bird...Rush down to Milperra in

Sothern-Western Sydney on Saturday, 12 May to the KEA Campers’ Open Day. It’s your chance to meet smiling Norman Roe and his good team, inspect their new and used vehicles, ask tough questions and maybe even enjoy a sausage sizzle (possible writer’s fantasy there – Ed).

You can also twist Norman’s arm as he told iMotorhome there will be some particu-

larly sharp deals on offer.KEA Campers not only rent campervans and motor-homes in 2/4/6-berth sizes, they design and manufac-ture their own vehicles, too. Quality made and highly regarded by the iMotor-home team (who have used them extensively over many years with other publica-tions), KEA Campers are backed by the Company’s own national sales and service network, providing back-up around Australia

that covers everything from routine servicing to vehicle refurbishments.

You’ll find them at 106-108 Ashford Avenue, Milperra (near Bankstown Airport) and the Open Day runs between 9am and 4pm. For further information call 1800 252 201 or 02 8707 5500.

In good news for the rec-reational vehicle market,

sales of all types of RVs have resumed an upward climb, despite dropping back in 2008/9, according to the Recreational Vehicle Manu-facturers’ Association of Aus-tralia (RVMAA).

Citing figures from as early as 1992, RVMAA statistics show steady growth from 1996 to 2007, when sales of all classes of new RVs peaked at 19,200.

Sales dipped to 17,658 in 2009 but rebounded strongly

RV Sales Strong – RVMAAin 2010, climbing to 21,327 by the end of that year. Last year showed a modest in-crease, with 22,038 new RVs sold by the end of Decem-ber. It will be interesting to see the figures for 2012, in light on ongoing global and local economic uncertainties.

illustrated reviews of the latest release motorhomes from both sides of the Tas-man.

We’ll also be bringing you news, product reviews, technology updates and anything else we can find relating to the exciting and

highly addictive motorhom-ing lifestyle.

Thanks for joining us and remember to tell your friends and other motor-homers about iMotorhome! Watch out for each new issue on the first and third Saturdays of every month

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and don’t worry if you miss an issue, back copies are always available for down-loading from the iMotor-home.com.au website. See you soon!

Richard

News... 5

Apollo Motorhome Holi-days is backing the

recent implementation of ‘freedom camping’ laws in New Zealand.

A creative marketing cam-paign has been rolled out in New Zealand to inform campers of their respon-sibilities and of the risk of on-the-spot fines if caught disregarding the restrictions on camping in non-desig-nated caravan parks, known as freedom camping.

Apollo CEO, Luke Trouchet, said the many motorhome holidaymakers visiting New Zealand each year can play a big part in keeping the country’s free-camping sites clean and beautiful.

“New Zealand is such a great place to visit but the increasing numbers mean more people are not re-specting and caring for the country’s pristine natural areas,” Luke said.

Key information has been added on the www.apol-locamper.co.nz website to inform travellers of the most considerate way to camp, and how to avoid a fine. There’s also a detailed interactive map showing free campsites and dump locations in New Zealand – useful for all holidaymak-ers, as council officers can now issue on-the-spot fines to the vehicle for anyone breaking these laws.

Tourism Industry Associa-tion NZ’s Advocacy Man-ager Geoff Ensor said it’s great to see Apollo helping visitors camp in the right way and the right place.

“Visitors generally want to do the right thing, but they need good visitor-friendly information that is accurate and accessible so they can make good decisions,” he said.

By following seven key guidelines, travellers can be sure they’re doing the right thing:

Don’t litter – use the 1. bins provided.Recycle where possible 2. and use the correct bin.Use designated toilet 3. and shower facilities only. If there aren’t any, use your vehicle’s on-board showers and toi-lets if possible.Only dump grey water 4. and toilet waste at des-ignated dump stations.5. Don’t wash yourself 5. or your clothes in any rivers or lakes.If you’re in doubt about 6. whether you can camp in a specific spot (such as there are no signs), then ask at an i-SITE, department of Conser-vation visitor centre or Holiday Park. Check out the NZ’s of-7. ficial site for camping information www.camp-ing.org.nz

Freecamp with care in NZ

New Releases...

Winnebago’s Diversion is now available in two different in-

ternal layouts. According to a press release, “Both (layouts) are ex-tremely functional and practical as well as offering superb comfort.”

Diversion sleeps up to four and features a push-button electric bed that lowers from the ceiling and can be stopped in any position. This means it can be used as a low double-bed or to create a “bunk effect” when extra sleeping space is required.

New to the Diversion range is the choice of a twin-lounge area in the rear, with the lounge cushions doubling as single beds and pro-viding additional full size bedding. The lounges can be kept in single-bed format or can be converted to a large double bed by sliding them towards the centre. In both layouts, seatbelts are provided for four.

Diversion offers two living areas, beige ultra-leather trim and the convenience of a private bathroom. It’s based on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 316 and powered by a high-efficiency 2.2-litre turbo-die-sel driving through a 5-speed man-ual gearbox or optional 5-speed fully automatic transmission.Standard specifications include electric windows and mirrors, cruise control and trip computer plus all the safety features expect-ed from a Mercedes Benz.

Other features include a wind-out awning, flat screen TV/DVD, three-way fridge, roof-mounted air and more. Details from www.winnebago.com.au or your local Winnebago dealer.

DiversionsInteresting

Sydney Supershow Feature – FRONTLINE CAMPERVANS

In the early days of the motorhome industry

campervans were very much to the fore, but they are much less so today. However, budget con-

scious travellers who desire a small and zippy VW or Toyota Hiace-based camp-ervan need look no further that the Frontline range of van conversions. Simple yet

solidly built and thought-fully laid out, all Frontline Campervan conversions come with a pop-top roof and are available in a wide range of layouts.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – FRONTLINE CAMPERVANS

Sydney Supershow Feature – HORIZON MOTORHOMES

Ballina NSW-based Horizon Motorhomes is well known

for its large van conversions and there were examples of several different layouts on the stand.

The Grevillea, Acacia and Wattle models are Mercedes Benz Sprinter/VW Crafter-based, while the Banksia and Melaleuca Ducato use the front-wheel drive Fiat Ducato.

Both have rear east-west and north-south bed configura-tions available, plus an op-tional standard motorhome door instead of the normal sliding van door.

For cross country explorers, the increasingly popular 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinter van is also available.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – HORIZON MOTORHOMES

Sydney Supershow Feature – JAYCO

White is often the de-fault colour for mo-

torhomes and Jayco had quite a few different lay-outs on display with both Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Fiat Ducato cab chassis

– in white. However, Jayco livened up its stand with an eye catching Conquest in a metallic burgundy colour scheme that included matching leather upholstery in the cab and interior. Also

featured was Jayco’s flag-ship Optimum, with a Fiat Ducato cab and an Al-Ko tandem-axle chassis. Its signature twin slide-outs re-sult in a spacious interior for even more relaxed living.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – JAYCO

Sydney Supershow Feature – KEA CAMPERS

Kea might not have a large selection of motorhomes

but it had something for ev-eryone on its stand!

Lightweight camping can be easily achieved in the VW T5 Traveller, which can do dou-ble duties as a daily driver,

replacing a normal car. Mean-while, the slightly larger Ford Transit Freedom van provides more space, plus the con-venience of a self-contained bathroom.

However, for those desiring more internal space the four-

berth Dreamtime or the six-berth Endeavour, both built on Ford Transit cab chassis, are bound to find favour.

All models can be bought new or as ex-rentals, with the latter well refurbished and good value for money.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – KEA CAMPERS

Sydney Supershow Feature – PARADISE MOTORHOMES

Well designed slide-outs are very much the

theme at Paradise Motor-homes and that was certain-ly emphasised in several of the Iveco Daily-based Integ-rity motorhomes on display.

All not only displayed Para-dise’s high level of engi-neering excellence, but the considerable amount of in-terior living space that has been achieved in the vari-ous floorplan designs.

Also displayed was the Paradise Oasis, a Sprinter van conversion with unique slide-out for the east-west bed; a full-width rear bath-room and pressurised gen-erator locker. Tasty...

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Sydney Supershow Feature – PARADISE MOTORHOMES

Sydney Supershow Feature – SUNCAMPER

Contemporary, high-gloss and well lit interiors

were evident in the re-vamped interiors of two of the Suncamper line up: The Ford Transit-based South-

ern Cross and the Toyota Hilux-based Sherwood. Both showed the benefits of a makeover that is certainly attractive and incorporates some interesting inclusions,

like touch-controlled white/blue interior LED lighting and long, flexible LED read-ing lights. New styled leath-er upholstery also made its public debut.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – SUNCAMPER

Sydney Supershow Feature – SUNLINER

19In keeping with tradition, the Sunliner team cer-

tainly produced a fine dis-play, showcasing everything

from their small Ranger motorhome, built on the all-new Ford Range, to the exotic Monte Carlo. In the

latter case, there were three of the magnificent models on display and one even had a clever bedroom

continued...

Sydney Supershow Feature – SUNLINER

area that featured both Sunliner’s electrically-raised bed and a cosy and private home theatre set-up!

Of course there were plenty of other Sunliner models in between, too, with the Holi-day range offering a good selection for those whose budgets don’t quite run to the Monte Carlos.

...continued

Sydney Supershow Feature – TALVOR

For a company that re-ally only moved into the

private motorhome market a few years ago, Talvor is a motorhome manufacturer that has made some great strides in its designs. Gone is the “rental look” (Talvor rose out of Apollo Moto-rhomes) and in its place is a much more upmarket style and appeal. The Tal-vor range now has a quality

look and feel that the com-pany is keen to keep devel-oping: Something that was quite obvious in the various motorhomes that were on display. Exhibited vehicles covered a wide range of types and price-points; from a VW Crafter van con-version, the Euro Tourer, to the upmarket Fiat Duca-to-based Hayman, which comes with a slide-out.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – TALVOR

Sydney Supershow Feature – TRAKKA

One of Australia’s true boutique motorhome

manufacturers, Trakka had an impressive showing of its Trakkadu, Jabiru, Torino and Trakkaway motorhomes on display at the Supershow. Powered by VW, Mercedes Benz, Fiat Ducato and Fiat Ducato, respectively, the mo-torhomes all displayed Trak-ka’s unique style, innovation and attention to detail.

Stand-out models were the tag-axle Trakkaway, with its seriously spacious and stylish interior, plus the latest Ja-biru design, based on a 4X4 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. Of interest on the latter were the moulded bay windows or “Pods” on both sides at the

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Sydney Supershow Feature – TRAKKA

rear of the van. Designed in tandem with an elevated, east-west bed, they provide a useable bed length of 2050 mm, the company reports, without the complexity of moving parts or the need to set anything up when stop-ping for the night.

...continued

Sydney Supershow Feature – WINNEBAGO

There’s no doubt Austra-lia’s largest motorhome

manufacturer put on a very impressive display, with

something for every bud-get and taste. Supported by a number of NSW deal-ers, the Winny range went

from the Escape van con-version to the only A-class on display at the show (a sign of the times?), the

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Sydney Supershow Feature – WINNEBAGO

Esperance Premium. There are several variants of the Esperance available in both B and C-class and at least one is adaptable for wheel-chair use: good news, as it always seems to us that motorhomes are ideally suited to people with physi-cal disabilities.

The always-enthusiastic Winnebago RV Club was also on-hand, promoting the many benefits of Club membership.

...continued

Sydney Supershow Feature – WIRR-AWAY MOTORHOMES

Mildura-based Wirr-away

Motorhomes might not be a large manufacturer but the company’s range of Mercedes Benz Sprinter mo-torhomes certainly has acquired a loyal and dedicated following.

Available with or without a slide-out, the Wirr-away range comes with just about every-thing needed for a luxury lifestyle on the road. The company also does good business in custom vehicle conversions.

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Sydney Supershow Feature – WIRR-AWAY MOTORHOMES

Access to Wirr-Away’s electro-mechanical

slide-out mechanism is easy, via a full-length lift-up flap (right). A simple, hand-powered manual override is provided as an added back-up.

Great

One of the main reasons we love motorhomes is

they make the journey as much fun as the destina-tion, hence the tag line on our logo.

“What a great drive that was!” is something you’re unlikely to hear a caravan-ner say. For the most part, towing any sort of trailer is more chore than pleasure and the opportunities for thing to go badly wrong through inattention and/or bad luck are many.

The iMotorhome team has, over the years, been for-tunate to experience many motorhome journeys and while it would be an exag-geration to say they’ve all been extraordinarily memo-rable, we can’t think of any we really haven’t enjoyed: and much of that is down to the driving experience.

Drives

The cover shot of this is-sue and the image above were taken about four years ago, when some of us took a Trakka Torino and Jabiru on a loop from Syd-ney to Bateman’s Bay, up ‘the Mountain’ to Canberra, through Cooma and on to Jindabyne. From there we cut across through Kian-dra, dropped back down to Tumut and headed home along new and old sections of the Hume Highway.

Although the journey only lasted a few days and was intense because of writing and photographic require-ments, the sheer scale and beauty of the scenery – particularly through the mountains – plus the vivid light, crisp air and pure enjoyment of being on the road in modern, state-of-the-art vehicles made it a truly memorable trip.

So, we want to hear from you about your favourite drives. We’re not looking for travel stories as such – the other magazines are full of those – we’re want to know about the routes you’ve travelled that have really stood out and what made them special. For ex-ample, was it the road (de-serted/straight/hilly), the terrain through which you travelled (mountainous/seaside/desert), extremes of weather or the attrac-tions along the way that made the journey really stick in your memory?

Send us a short story and some photos and we’ll pub-lish the best and most inter-esting. You’ll see your name up in lights and have the satisfaction of helping fel-low motorhomers find that special road, view or place. See you next issue!

Travel...

Next Issue...

TIMESTesting

We’ll be keeping up to date on various mo-

torhome club activities, which are always a good way to enjoy the motor-home lifestyle. The larg-est club in Australia, the Campervan and Motorhome Club (CMCA), had its usual stand at the show, run by Ed and Jan Taylor who were always keen to talk

departments at all levels to improve conditions for all Recreational Vehicle travel-lers. Visit www.cmca.net.au to find out more.

about the benefits of club membership. Not only does the CMCA run the club for its members, it is active in liaising with government

Let the fun begin! Next issue we begin our in-

depth motorhome reviews with two interesting and different machines: Sun-camper’s revamped and popular Sherwood and UCC Motorhomes’ Brunner, from New Zealand.

The Sherwood is built for two and is a handy pocket rocket that, in 4WD guise especially, can really take you far from the madding crowds.

Conversely, the Brunner sleeps six and would be great for families, although it’s also the right size for a couple who want living-space without vehicle bulk.

Watch out for out RV Show calendar, too, which will become a regular feature to help keep you ‘in-the-loop’.

Club News