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iMotorhome mag
azin
e
because getting there is half the fun...
Issue 34 : OctOber 05 2013
Swift’s well priced Sundance is sure to create a lot of interest...
Covi Show Report...Malcolm’s report on NZ’s biggest show
New Model Preview!EarthCruiser’s impressive Iveco 4x4...
Swift Sure &Win!$50 Caltex
Fuel Card!
What’s not to love about the Horizon Motorhomes range. Inspired layouts with excellent living, sleeping and storage spaces. Choose from six Horizon models, all passionately built by master craftsman using only the finest fixtures and fittings.
• Mercedes Benz and Fiat Ducato as base vehicles with options of two or four wheel drive
• Flexible sleeping layouts for singles, couples and friends• Stunning well equipped kitchens, bathrooms with showers
h o r i z o n m o t o r h o m e s . c o m . a u
LOVE YOUR FREEDOM.LOVE YOUR HORIZON.
SOLD EX
CLUSIVELY
BY
BALLINA CAMPER
VAN & MOTO
RHOME CEN
TRE
ballina
campers
.com.au
02 6681 155
5
Horizon New ad Wanderer 297x210mm.indd 1 21/08/13 6:17 PM
The last two weeks have been busy, what with Mrs iMotorhome and
I taking off for points south in a Suncamper Sherwood and reviewing a Talvor Adventure Camper and a Sunliner Holiday G53 in the process.
While we were away we decided to free camp – our preferred way to travel – if water and power requirements allowed. Our Suncamper Sherwood had limited water and power reserves, but due to daily driving for battery recharging and a water top-up each day from the good folks at Albury Wodonga RV World, we were able to achieve our goal.
Free camping is much in the news these days, but there is still an awful lot of Australia out there where a sensible and cautious RV owner can pull up and stay the night without being hassled and without blighting the Public’s sensibilities.
The first night away we turned off the freeway just north of Albury and headed down a dirt road. The Sherwood is small and this one was 4WD; both of which gave us extra options. Within about 15 minutes we’d found a safe parking area by the side of the road and set up camp for the night. A couple of cars went past in the early
evening, but we were well out of anyone’s way. Nobody stopped to try and move us on or see what we were doing and we spent a quite and comfortable night 15 km from the centre of Albury, with full TV and telephone reception.
Night two was in a semi-secluded setting on the banks of the Wodonga Creek, about 100 metres from a noisy motocross track. Fortunately, the bike riders went home with the sun and we again had a quiet and restful night by ourselves.
Our final night, on the way home, was planned for Barbour Park on the banks of the tiny
On my mind
awrvworld.com.au
5 Melrose Dr, Wodonga 3690 Ph: 02 6024 4222 Follow us on Facebook
View today the new Sunliner Twist Limited Edition
Continued...
Taking STockade...
What’s not to love about the Horizon Motorhomes range. Inspired layouts with excellent living, sleeping and storage spaces. Choose from six Horizon models, all passionately built by master craftsman using only the finest fixtures and fittings.
• Mercedes Benz and Fiat Ducato as base vehicles with options of two or four wheel drive
• Flexible sleeping layouts for singles, couples and friends• Stunning well equipped kitchens, bathrooms with showers
h o r i z o n m o t o r h o m e s . c o m . a u
LOVE YOUR FREEDOM.LOVE YOUR HORIZON.
SOLD EX
CLUSIVELY
BY
BALLINA CAMPER
VAN & MOTO
RHOME CEN
TRE
ballina
campers
.com.au
02 6681 155
5
Horizon New ad Wanderer 297x210mm.indd 1 21/08/13 6:17 PM
3
Richard RobertsonPublisher & Managing Editor
Malcolm StreetConsulting Editor
Agnes Nielsen-ConnollyDesign & Production Manager
©2013 iMotorhome. All rights reserved. Published by iMotorhome. ABN 34 142 547 719. PO Box 1738, Bowral. NSW. 2576. Contact us on 0414 604 368 or Email: [email protected]
creek in the middle of Gunning, about 40 km north of Yass. It’s a popular spot and when we arrived, just on dusk, it was jammed solid with free campers. We don’t free camp to save money so much, we free camp to enjoy the serenity. So we turned tail and drove out of town, north along the Old Hume Highway, until we found a place all to ourselves: Two
kilometres from town and a million kilometres from care...
True, there is security in numbers and true, we couldn’t just have walked in to town for a drink or meal, but the sense of freedom and the peace was worth the tradeoff. A self-contained motorhome is a powerful weapon in an age of increasing regulation and Nanny Statism. It’s no wonder
more people are getting away and it’s no wonder the right to free camp is worth fighting for. Think of this as our Eureka Stockade moment. Australia is a lucky country – let’s keep it that way!
Richard
A long-time freelance RV, motoring and travel writer, Richard is a dedicated, long-term motorhome enthusiast.
He has held senior editorial positions with some of the best know recreational vehicle magazines in Australia. Richard also has a passion for lifestyle-enhancing technology, which is why he is the driving force behind the new iMotorhome eMagazine.
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, reported on it, knows how it’s made and can tell you just how good it really is.
Agnes is an experienced and talented graphic designer with extensive experience across a wide range of disciplines, including travel and advertising.
Designing and producing iMotorhome issues since June 2012, Agnes does much of the behind-the scenes work to ensure every issue looks great and is easy to read.
...Continued
On my mind...On my mind
The iMotorhome Team
4
Paradise Motor Homes www.paradisemotorhomes.com.au 245 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters, Queensland, 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email [email protected] Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs, patents and copyrights ™ © 2013
Australia’s Best Quality Motorhomes
Enjoy the prestige of owning Australia’s best quality motorhome
• Outstanding value for money, competitively priced from $158,000.
• Unrivalled Safety including rollover protection, auto-locking cabinetry and superior appliance mounting systems.
• Industry’s longest & most comprehensive motorhome warranty.
• Built for Australian conditions.
• Models available with or without slide-outs.• Superior finish with stylish new contoured exterior. • Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacity.• Outstanding road handling & ride comfort.• Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobes. • Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet & shower. • Market leading layouts & lifestyle features.• Full living area slide-outs providing superior living space. • Proven reliability of Paradise’s patented slide-outs.
Relax in Paradise
inSide inSide
10neWSWhat’s happening in the RV world
14 TeSTedSundance Kid – Malcolm tests the first Swift motorhome in Australia
27 cLaSSiFiedSThis week’s featured iMotorhome Classifieds
3Taking Stockade...on MY Mind
7Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!
on YoUR Mind
cook-UPS
SHoW caLendaR
FeaTURe
6266
54
More from the Jess’ on-road kitchen...
What’s coming up, plus our show calendar
Freedom of Choice – A rallying call to preserve our free camping rights!
PReVieW424 X More! – EarthCruiser’s highly desirable Iveco 4X4
FUTURe TecH50Now You’re Cooking – Harnessing the Sun for even more
29 SHoW FeaTUReSupershow NZ Style – a round-up from this year’s Covi RV Show
PRodUcT ReVieWS46Duvalays & Glaglas – putting them to the test!
6
On your mind
Sundance Kid – Malcolm tests the first Swift motorhome in Australia
This week’s featured iMotorhome Classifieds
Have your say for a chance to win a $50 Caltex fuel card!
More from the Jess’ on-road kitchen...
What’s coming up, plus our show calendar
Freedom of Choice – A rallying call to preserve our free camping rights!
4 X More! – EarthCruiser’s highly desirable Iveco 4X4
Now You’re Cooking – Harnessing the Sun for even more
SHoW FeaTUReSupershow NZ Style – a round-up from this year’s Covi RV Show
Hi Richard, for all the coffee lovers out there who use a Nespresso machine here’s a tip I got from a Nespresso person on how to make the perfect Nespresso coffee. When you put your coffee pod in and press the button you should hear a slight ‘pop’ just before or as the coffee starts to flow. That’s when the pod is broken and as soon as you hear it, or within a second of the coffee starting to flow if
you don’t, stop the machine and count to 4. Then start it again and finish making the coffee. I’m not sure exactly what happens (I think the hot waters infuses the coffee in the pod or something), but it makes the coffee much richer and smoother and produces a better ‘crema.’
Regards, Brad via email
Hi Brad, as avid Nespresso drinkers we’ve given it a go and you’re right, it really works! It’s especially good for us because we both drink our coffee black and it takes most of the bitterness away, too. Enjoy your $50 Caltex Fuel card, but try not to spend it on bad coffee when filling up!
It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too. If you have anything to say – or ask – just drop a line to [email protected] and we’ll share it with
our readers. We’ll also reward the most interesting, useful or thoughtful letter each issue with a $50 Caltex fuel card to help you on your way.
Duvalays & Glaglas – putting them to the test!
Hi Richard, Great mag! In Issue 33 you have a photo and caption that read, “The Bimobil EX 345 is an interesting use of the new Iveco 4X4 cab-chassis. Expect to see similar things appearing from local manufacturers in 2014.”
Can you tell me which local manufacturers?
cheers, charlie via email
Hi Charlie, well as you’ll see in this issue EarthCruiser has beaten everyone else to the market with its new model, as
previewed in this issue. I’m thinking other manufacturers will follow suit, especially those already offering Iveco-based models. As the Iveco 4X4 is such a unique and capable vehicle, don’t be surprised to see others rolling out a version too.
7
On your mind
Subscription, advertising & editorial enquiries Ph 02 9695 7749 or [email protected]
Issue 01 February 2013 1
Let the good times roll
La Dolce VitaRestoRing a classic 1969 Viscount
01 | February 2013
timetoroam.com.au
Pos
t App
rove
d
255003/00558
Caravan, Camper + rv reviews | Camping with JaCk thompson | snakes + pets
Australia’s most accessible Caravan/RV & Travel magazine. 20,000 copies per issue – estimated readership = 45,000 & growing.
Available nationally at over 600 outlets including Caravan/Holiday parks & Visitor Information centres.
‘Delivered to the places where people have time to relax and read’. Also available at Caravan & RV Dealerships & Accessory stores.
PLUS the ‘live’ eMagazine read by over 3,000 per issue. Visit www.timetoroam.com.au for the current and recent editions.
G’day Richard, thank you so much for altering the title of the iMotorhome Magazine (PDF file). By wording it as Issue 33 iMotorhome, etc, it makes it so much easier to find on my ‘Tabby.’ Before this change I found it necessary to manually alter it so I could find the current edition. Thank you.
Overall, I think the magazine is improving in ‘leaps and
bounds’ and is, even now, a fabulous read. I enjoy it and I read it verbatim.
Michael, Sylvia, Monnie and Terios (the Toad) via email
Hi Folks, thanks for the suggestion in the first place. I’ve also introduced a contents list under the new issues (and will add it to the old ones – eventually). Glad you enjoy the
magazine, please spread the word amongst all your RVing friends!
8
Thank you very much for the two Longreach reviews in Issue 33 – you have a fantastic magazine. We have owned a 2003 28 ft Alpine and now a 2008 31 ft Longreach. While we were very happy with the Alpine, there were a number of things that were missing from it. Winnebago obviously listened to their owners and made sure that the Longreach had everything that you could possibly need in it. With all the quality luxury appointments it is really an A-Class RV with a C-Class cabin and we are very comfortable when travelling around Oz.
Negatives? It does have a few – by staying with the Isuzu chassis (which is great) it does mean you have to crawl into the cabin from the lounge area. The main bed has an envirofoam mattress which retains a lot of heat – great in winter but it feels like you left the electric blanket on in summer! The two 9 kg gas bottles are behind one another, which means that you have to take both of them out when you want to change the back bottle.
We also don't like the cassette toilet and much preferred the large holding tank for black
water in the Alpine (but that is a personal preference).
Overall we really like the Longreach and are glad we got one. While the 31 ft is a bit longer than the 27 ft we think it has a much better layout.
cheers, Peter and Heater via email
Thanks Peter and Heather, glad you enjoy the magazine and liked the two Longreach reviews last issue. I’m also glad to hear you’re happy second-time Winnebago (now Avida) customers; it seems Longreach owners are a happy lot and I wish you well on your travels.
On your mind
The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t ’s Fu l l Length S l ideout Room & Apar tment
Sty led Layout !
From WIRRAWAY, “Australia’s Most Innovative Motorhomes”
Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellence.Our Motorhomes are our passion! Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by
experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the road.New to our Range is the brilliant ‘live like a movie star’ Wirraway 260 SL,
the latest in our 260 series; our EuroStyle 260 with it’s European styled interiorand “The Motorhome of the Year”, the Wirraway 260.
Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence, style and all the legendary design,electrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways.
Each Wirraway Model is unique! - All are a Must See!View Our New Website to view All Models, Download Brochures &Virtual RealityTours
For details contact: Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes, 6 Hynes Court, Mildura Vic 3500Phone / Fax: (03) 50 230 230 - New Email: [email protected] & New Website: www.wirraway.com.au
On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 © Rex Willmer
9
Y WANDERER TO THE TAMWORTH Z COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Y FAST TRAKKA Z
Trakka has unveiled a sporty and strictly on-road version of its
popular VW-based Trakkadu campervan. According to a press release, “A turbocharged engine, seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, all-wheel drive, lowered sports suspension from a championship-winning motorsport team, 19 inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres, German body kit and deep black pearl paint is not the equipment list you would expect for a campervan. But the Trakka Trakkadu ABT is no ordinary campervan and it’s giving campervans a couple of features they’ve lacked in the past: sex appeal and sporty performance.”
“The Trakkadu ABT is designed for a new type of Recreational Vehicle (RV) customer and it is an indication of the changes in the RV market as a whole,” explained Trakka CEO Dave Berry. “Traditional campervan owners use their vehicle to explore Australia and to have weekends away, usually staying in camp sites. But we are seeing a new group of RV owners for whom the Trakkadu ABT is the
perfect vehicle. They want to use their RV as a normal vehicle, typically replacing an SUV or even a car, during the week, while at the weekend they use it for lifestyle activities such as surfing, yachting, fishing, scuba diving, skiing – on snow or water – or whatever. It provides them with the added benefits of being able to have a hot shower, a cold drink, cook a meal and even take a nap on the double bed in the back. To fulfill this dual role, the Trakkadu ABT looks great from the outside while the sports suspension, wheels and tyres; combined with the turbocharged 132 kW turb-diesel engine, all-wheel drive and seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox means it drives like no other. Yet at the same time it has everything inside expected of a contemporary Trakka campervan.”
“For the driver, the Trakkadu ABT has all the equipment of a luxury car, from a multimedia SatNav and entertainment system to rain sensing wipers, cruise control, power windows and locks, adjustable armrests and leather trimmed steering wheel with fingertip controls.”
“In the back it comes complete with an elevating roof providing plenty of head room and ventilation with a comfortable double bed, which converts into a two passenger seat with child safety seat attachments,
an efficient 80-litre fridge, dual zone ceramic top stove, sink with hot and cold water, soft action drawers, roller shutter cupboards and a moveable table. At the back there is access to additional storage space and a shower that is provided with hot and cold water.”
“We are seeing the biggest changes to the RV industry since I started 40 years ago as a new generation of owners enter the market for the first time,” said Dave Berry. “They are bringing with them a range of new expectations and desires for a lifestyle that is more active, filled with passions that they had throughout their lives and a yearning to travel to new places and continue expanding their life time experiences. Trakka is ready for this challenge with ingenious designs and state-of-the-art technology in a new range of Trakkas which, as shown by the Trakkadu ABT, are ready for this new generation of customers.”
The Trakkadu family of campervans starts at $87,500 driveaway, while the Trakkadu ABT is priced at $135,500 driveaway.
Visit www.trakka.com.au for full details
News 10
Y WANDERER TO THE TAMWORTH Z COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Y FAST TRAKKA Z
Tamworth Country Music Festival 2014 will be held from January 10th to
26th. The first week is called the Pre-festival, where generally there is not a lot happening, although it gives visitors the opportunity to feel their way around Tamworth, see what shows are on during the two weeks of the festival proper and make any bookings necessary.
CMCA Chapter the Central Coast Wanderers has been allocated an area on Riverside Park, on the southwestern side of Carter St. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the CBD and only 5 minutes to a shopping centre for supplies. Tamworth Regional Council has set fees for camping at Riverside Park, which are $200 for entry from the 10th $130 from the 17th and $80 for entry from the
24th and are payable on entry to the Park. The Council assumes it does not matter when you arrive, you’ll leave on the last day and all vehicles must vacate the sites by 7 am Monday 27th January. Although the price might seem high, if you consider this is Tamworth’s peak time and you are so handy to the CBD, it is quite reasonable.
Plenty of sites are available available but the Central Coast Wanderers charge $2 per vehicle per night admin fee, payable at our office next to the Tamworth netball complex. Although there’s no power a generator can be run, but you must be there when it is running and hours are set; possibly 8am-9pm. Water is available and toilets are nearby, as is a dump point, while the local sporting
clubs provide shower facilities at $2 a visit. Dogs are allowed, but be aware CMCA and Tamworth regional Council rules apply. If you are booking please supply your surname/s, first name/s, CMCA No, date of arrival and mobile phone number.
For bookings or further information call Alan on 0429 480 604 or email him at [email protected].
News 11
f BLAzINg gOOD WORK... f Y VOTE NOW ON COFFS FREE CAMPINg! Z
More than 3500 people volunteered to help farmers rebuild
fences after fires and floods on Australia's east coast last summer.
The BlazeAid organisation has released the numbers of all those who've assisted since the fires in Tasmania, New South Wales
and Victoria, and the floods in Queensland.
BlazeAid's Mary Howarth says 75 per cent of volunteers were grey nomads. "So altogether they did 29,670 volunteer days and that's absolutely incredible," she said. "The number of properties worked on was 810, the fencing
cleared was 1350 kilometres and rebuilt was 1460 kilometres, so that's a lot of work."
Congratulations to all involved! To find out more about BlazAid visit www.blazeaid.com.au
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT VOLUNTEERINg CLICK HERE
News
Slide On Campers
Trailblazers Slide On Campers are Australian designed and built for our conditions. With all the features of a luxury motorhome, a slide on can be easily removed to free up your vehicle. Touring holidays, fishing trips with the tinny behind and 4WD adventures in the outback are more fun with a versatile, manoeuvrable slide on, they even make great demountable site offices. With a range of models to choose from,
all campers are built to order to enable you to choose from a range of features and options including appliances, interior finishes and fabrics.
222 Governor RoadBraeside VIC 3195Ph: 03 9588 0077
Buy Factory Direct and SAVE
New aerodynamic shapeImproved fuel efficiency
Café dining optionQueen bed and robes L shape kitchen option Hideaway bathroom option Shower & toilet combo Full bathroom option
. Our lightweight construction suits many one tonne vehicles, including
Mazda, Landcruiser, Ford Ranger single, extra and twin cab utes and light trucks.
12
Y VOTE NOW ON COFFS FREE CAMPINg! Z
Here's an interesting story on free camping at Coffs Harbour and you get the
chance to express your opinion by casting your vote at the end of the article. People Power!
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/should-we-allow-this-seasonal-rv-city/2037423/
News
Slide On Campers
Trailblazers Slide On Campers are Australian designed and built for our conditions. With all the features of a luxury motorhome, a slide on can be easily removed to free up your vehicle. Touring holidays, fishing trips with the tinny behind and 4WD adventures in the outback are more fun with a versatile, manoeuvrable slide on, they even make great demountable site offices. With a range of models to choose from,
all campers are built to order to enable you to choose from a range of features and options including appliances, interior finishes and fabrics.
222 Governor RoadBraeside VIC 3195Ph: 03 9588 0077
Buy Factory Direct and SAVE
New aerodynamic shapeImproved fuel efficiency
Café dining optionQueen bed and robes L shape kitchen option Hideaway bathroom option Shower & toilet combo Full bathroom option
. Our lightweight construction suits many one tonne vehicles, including
Mazda, Landcruiser, Ford Ranger single, extra and twin cab utes and light trucks.
13
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
SundanceReview and images by Malcolm Street
no need to be butch or rob a bank to own this little beauty...
14
I’ve not long had a brief visit to New Zealand, in particular to visit the Covi
Motorhome, Caravan and Outdoor Supershow held at Auckland. Unlike Australia, there were considerably more motorhomes than caravans on display and also unlike Australia, there were a considerable number of overseas manufacturers that do not currently have a presence in Aussie: companies like Dethleffs, Carado, Tribute, Buccaneer, Auto Sleeper, Benimar and Bürstner.
However, there were two – Auto Trail and Swift – both of which are British and have had an assortment of models in NZ for a while, but have more
recently arrived in Australia. There are reasons for that, mostly to do with compliance and warranty matters, which I’ll get to later. For this review I was able to spend a bit of time looking over one of the two Swift models available in Australia, the Sundance 636L C-class.
The Vehicle
The Fiat Ducato is the base vehicle for the Sundance, but in this
case it’s the 130 Multijet model. Most of us in Australia are used to the more powerful 180 Multijet, but the British and Europeans seem to favour the smaller engines. Also a little surprising was the six speed manual gearbox. I don’t mind,
that but most motorhomers seem to prefer the Ducato’s six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).
The body is built with one piece composite walls that have a marine grade aluminium exterior and the front, rear and roof are made from moulded Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) – that’s moulded fibreglass to you and I. Like the walls, the floor too is a composite sandwich structure with 40 mm of plywood and Styrofoam insulation. Being a motorhome of European origin, all the windows are double glazed Polyplastic acrylics and the door is a typical Euro style with top half window and moulded inside garbage bin below. It
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Moulded fibreglass Luton give the Sundance a streamlined look.
Review and images by Malcolm Street
15
beats the plastic bag hanging on a door handle, that’s for sure!
Apart from the gas cylinder bin and Thetford cassette bin, there’s only one external storage bin at the rear nearside. It’s actually a storage area under the bed rather than a sealed bin. An interesting addition is the folding ladder on the back that gives access not only to the roof storage area but also for cleaning roof hatches and solar panels (if fitted).
In the weight department, the Sundance has a tare weight of 3365 kg and a GVM of 4250 kg, which does give a respectable load capacity of 885 kg but it’s even better than that because the tare is measured as a wet weight – 75kg for the driver plus 90% for fuel, water and gas.
on the Road
This is the first time I have had the opportunity to drive the 96 kW / 320
Nm 130 Multijet. For the most part I have driven the 130 kW / 400Nm 3.0-litre Multijet and on a few occasions the mid-sized 109 kW / 350 Nm 150 Multijet, so I did wonder how the lowest powered of the Ducato diesels might perform on a C-class coach-built motorhome.
The short answer is okay, especially with a manual gearbox, but I’m fairly sure that for long hauls and/or hilly
country the larger engines are going to make for a more relaxed drive. The AMT gearbox can be a bit dithery at low engine revs, which might make the manual gearbox the better way to go with this small engine. In this case the motorhome has the potential to carry six people and their gear, so it might not be lightly loaded. I know that the Euros fit the smaller engines for fuel economy reasons, but I often think that a smaller
motor working hard is going to use more diesel than a larger motor idling along. It would be interesting to get three of the same height/weight motorhomes together one each having a different size/powered Ducato engine and do a few tests.
For the passengers there are the two cab seats, of course, but the rest are going to be sitting at the dinette behind the
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
The door fitting includes the garbage bin.
16
driver’s seat: two facing forward and two facing the rear.
Living inside
A little surprisingly this is a six berth motorhome; well maybe four and two
halves. In many ways it’s more a rental motorhome layout
than a private one, but the appointment level and general fit out is certainly not the usual rental decor that Aussies and Kiwis are used to.
Layout wise, in the rear there are two sideways facing lounges/single beds. Forward
of that is a bathroom/wardrobe area that nicely separates the rear area from the kitchen and dinette. Right up front, the over-cab bed can be lifted out of the way if not needed, which opens up the cab area very nicely.
Mali Acacia is the name of the woodgrain finish on all the cabinet work. It does dominate somewhat, but the windows and multiple roof hatches offset that by providing a good level of interior light. A look inside the overhead lockers reveals not only that they are fitted with a second shelf but also a slightly different method of construction to that I am familiar with – moulded plastic frames that support both the locker and the shelf. All
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Manual gearbox slightly unusual these day but I like ‘em.
Luton bed lifts out of way for easy cab access. Note the neatly stored but easily accessible cab ladder.
17
the windows have curtains, except the kitchen, but all have integrated blinds in the window frames as well.
In terms of relaxing in the Sundance there are two choices. The rear lounges, if not made up into an east-west double bed, are quite comfortable for kicking back on, with the added bonus of a central waist-high cabinet. There is also the dinette, if things get a bit more formal. It’s very roomy for two and okay for four, but if there are six people then two are going to have to dine down the rear using the clever slide-out table that’s fitted to the centre cabinet.
Like the dinette, the rear area has lockers above the seats and under-cushion storage. Offering a considerable amount of storage area is the cabinet that sits between the entry door and the nearside bed: the top half being all hanging space and the lower section being a generously sized cupboard area.
Time to eat
It’s very typically British/European in size, but it seems to me that the
kitchen might be on the small size for family catering. It’s certainly okay for two and does come with all the expected features, including a four burner cooktop/grill/oven, moulded sink with detachable drainer and a below-bench 110-litre Dometic fridge.
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Flexible use rear lounges great for stretching out.
Front and rear dinette seats have seat belts.
Electrical control panel handily located above door.
18
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
It might look small but the Sundance is packed with features.
19
Additionally, the microwave oven is mounted in the overhead locker space, leaving space for two drawers, a small wire basket pantry and one overhead locker. That means the overhead lockers above the dinette are certainly going to be useful for extra kitchen storage. It depends very much on how much you like to cook and in any motorhome I’d suggest going through all the cooking/cleaning-up motions to ensure you are happy with it.
after Hours
Whilst this motorhome layout does not have a fixed island bed, it
has just about everything else and the choices are almost endless. In the rear it’s either two north-south singles 1.8 m x 0.63 m (6 ft 2 in x 2 ft 1 in) or an east-west double 2.04 m x 1.39 m (6 ft 8 in x 4 ft 7 in). Above the cab, the Luton bed measures 1.9 m x 1.24 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 1 in). As usual, this bed requires a ladder to get to it and in many motorhome designs I have seen the ladder is just tossed up on to the bed, meaning a ladder is frequently needed to get to the ladder! However in this case, the ladder is fitted into a moulding that is on top of the front of the driver’s cab, but under the bed and accessible by simply lifting the bed. What a simple but effective idea not seen on too many (any - Ed?) locally produced motorhomes!
The third bed (the dinette) is
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Sink drainer is detachable. Note British style but Australian fitting 240V sockets.
Kitchen is definitely compact!
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sort of the last choice, mainly because it’s the mostly fiddly to put together. Unlike the rear bed, putting the cushions together is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s also the narrowest of the double beds, measuring 1.9 m x 1.24 m (6 ft 3 in x 3 ft).
keeping clean
Although all the bathroom features are within the one moulded cubicle,
the Thetford cassette toilet, fold-down wash basin and shaving cabinet can all be closed off from the flexible hose shower by a simple but effective folding screen. It’s a neat little arrangement that gives a reasonably sized shower cubicle without everything else either in the way or wet. A large hatch above the shower supplies ventilation.
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Dinette bed is a bit of cushion jjgsaw!
Ready for bed; ladder in place, Luton bed down and cab blinds closed. Fancy a hot snack in bed – microwave close to hand!
Anti condensation panel behind seat cushions often a feature of British/Euro RVs.
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What we Think
Although this layout is designed for six people it shouldn’t be
discounted for two who like a bit of flexibility with the way they live in a motorhome. For example, on work trips when I am staying put for a few days it’s a layout that works quite well: The front dinette is my office and the rear acts as a lounge/dining area, leaving the over-cab bed able to be left made up. That’s not the way everyone lives, but there are several variations that can be utilised and it’s certainly a great layout for a family of four.
This Sundance is one of the first British motorhomes to arrive via Swift-approved distributors in Australia (they have been available in New Zealand for some years) and certainly the first to appear in iMotorhome. It is certainly built differently (particularly on the inside) compared to Antipodean products, but certain familiar features do suggest the local manufacturers might have been to the famed Düsseldorf RV show more than once!
It will be interesting to see how the Swift Sundance fares in
Australia, given it is very newly available. Certainly anyone interested in the British/Euro built units will be having a good look. As far as imported motorhomes go, one of the assets is that the entry door is on the correct side. Although there have been a few European motorhomes filter into Australia and certainly more so in New Zealand, the entry door has frequently been on the ‘wrong side.’
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Folding screen can close off toilet and wash basin from the shower
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Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
Swift motorhomes are a big name in Britain. It will certainly be interesting to see how their market develops here!
23
Hiring in new Zealand
Ialways reckon anyone new to motorhoming should do a little try before you buy trip.
In New Zealand a company called Iconic Motorhomes has quite a few Swift motorhomes for rent, from depots in both Auckland and Christchurch. The models available are not going to be the same as the Sundance, but the basics will be. So if you live there then give them a call, but if across the Tasman then why not have a holiday in the Land of the Long White Cloud and try out your prospective purchase at the same time? See iconicmotorhomes.com
compliance and Warranty in australia
With imported Recreational Vehicles of any sort, ADR compliance with the relevant Federal regulations is always going to be a consideration. Motorhomes have
an extra complication because of the cab-chassis component. Normally the cab-chassis is required to have the necessary ADR approval in order to be registered, but when the motorhome bit is added, then what is known as Second Stage Compliance is required. However, with fully imported motorhomes, the Second Stage Compliance is not needed and either Full or Low Volume compliance applies. In this case the Certification Unit ID is 45327 and that can be found listed on the Road Vehicle Certification System (RVCS) website. Australian warranty is another issue, not so much on the motorhome body but on the cab-chassis. It is not covered by Fiwat Australia, but I understand the two year warranty will be covered by Fiat (UK) via the Swift Group. The motorhome body is different, being covered by a Swift 10 year warranty. As with any new RV, I'd be suggesting that the practical implications of a warranty are clearly understood before purchase.
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L 24
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L
A very familiar looking cab chassis! The radiator grille badge might have changed but it’s still a Fiat Ducato underneath!
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Specifications• Flexiblebedlayout• Reasonablysizedbathroom• Passengerseatsnearthe
driver’scab• SimilarSwiftsavailableto
rentinNZ• Goodlevelofinternalstorage• Extrashelvesinoverhead
lockers
Pros
Cons• UsesleastpowerfulDucato
engine• Smallishkitchen• Dinettebedfiddlytomake
upquickly• Smallwatercapacity
Manufacturer Swift Motorhomes
Model Sundance 636L
Base Vehicle Fiat Ducato Multijet 130
Engine 2.3-litre
Power 96 kW @ 360 rpm
Torque 320 Nm @ 1800 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed manual
Brakes ABS Disc
Tare Weight 3365 kg (wet weight)
Gross Vehicle Mass 4250 kg
Licence Car
Approved Seating 6
External Length 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
External Width 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in)
External Height 3.05 m (10 ft)
Internal Height 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Rear Bed Size (single) 1.89 m x 0.63m (6 ft 2 in x 2 ft 1 in)
Rear Bed Size (double) 2.04 m x 1.39m (6 ft 8 in x 4 ft 7 in)
Luton Bed Size 1.91 m x 1.37m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 6 in)
Dinette Bed Size 1.9 m x 1.24 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 1in)
Cooktop Thetford 4 burner cooktop/grill/oven
Fridge Dometic 110 litre three way
Microwave available
Lighting 12 V LED
Batteries 1 x 95 Amp Hour
Gas 2 x 4.5 kg
Heater Truma Combi with HWS
Solar Panels 60 W (option for more)
Air Conditioner Option Air Command Ibis or Truma Aventa
Hot Water Heater Tuma Combi 4
Toilet Thetford bench cassette
Shower Flex-hose, variable height
Fresh Water Tank 90-litre
Grey Water Tank 68-litre
Price $119,990 on-road QLD
ContactEast Coast Caravans
East Coast Caravans
3777 Pacific HighwayTanah Merah QLD 4218 Ph: 07 3806 1544W: swiftrv.com.au
Auckland and ChristchurchPh: +64 3366 4364 (International)Ph: 03 366 4364 (Local) Web: iconicmotorhomes.com
Click for Google Maps
Day Test: Swift Sundance 636L 26
Classifieds: Snapshots
iMotorhome Featured Classifieds27
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because getting there is half the fun...
Feature: Covi Show
Visit www.imotorhome.com.au today
iMotorhome Classifieds are for private sellers and dealers alike, and are now FREE for private sellers!
•Motorhomes and campervans only
•unlimited words
•Up to 12 photos per ad
•New slideshow feature!
•Unlimited edits and updates
•Selected ads appear in iMotorhome eMagazine
•Advertise until sold
iMotorhome mag
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because getting there is half the fun...Supershow – Kiwi Style
The Covi Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor Supershowby Malcolm Street
29
Feature: Covi Show
As a more than occasional visitor to Kiwi Land I always like
to take in the recreational vehicle shows. Certainly, they are nothing like any of the Australian capital city shows in terms of numbers, but there is always a good selection of motorhomes available in NZ. This was the case with the Covi Motorhome, Caravan and Outdoor Supershow, held in Auckland from September 20 to 22.
On display were all the local motorhome manufacturers; Kea/United/Motek, Traillite, UCC, Diamond, Explorer and Coastal. Given the competition from overseas products, I was interested to note the
"Made In New Zealand" stand with a selection from all the manufacturers.
There was also a considerable selection of imported motorhomes, mostly from Europe – Auto Trail, Auto Sleeper, Bürstner, Carado, Dethleffs and Swift, but also from Australia – Avida and Jayco. I know it's definitely unpatriotic, but it's hard not to be impressed by some of the gear coming out of Europe, in particular the very impressive Bürstner Grand Panorama, aptly named given its front windscreen. I have no idea whether this particular design will make its way to Australia, but it seemed to me that a stone chip in the wrong place
on that windscreen would definitely be an insurance job!
Most major NZ shows have an accompanying NZ Motor Caravan Association rally on site. In this case it was on the very unexciting showground car park, but I always enjoy a walk around, because you never know just what you might see!
One of the locals commented that the NZ shows might be small beer compared to the big city shows in Australia, but I replied that I quite liked them, mostly because it's possible to get around in a day and actually remember what you have looked at. Can’t wait for next year now!
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Feature: Covi Show
Bürstner Grand Panorama is Euro chic in right-hand drive, but the door is still on the wrong side!
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Feature: Covi Show
The RV Super Centre had plenty of Kea, United and Motek motorhomes on display.
Ever wondered how a motorhome is constructed?
32
Feature: Covi Show
Kea’s Steve Lane on the job.
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Feature: Covi Show
As usual, Traillite had an impressive stand with coachbuilts and van conversions. Also to be seen was their new Auto Sleeper range.
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Feature: Covi Show
This NZMCA member obviously needed a bit more boot space.
Rob Florris’ UCC stand had a good range of their motorhomes available.
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Feature: Covi Show
German manufacturer Carado were the new kids on the block.
Explorer’s HiLux-based Navigator seems a good size for New Zealand.
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Feature: Covi Show
Gotta love this restored motorhome on its Chevrolet base.
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Plenty of oldies but goodies around here.
Not sure who owned this but this motorhome is for sale? Be different that is for sure.
Feature: Covi Show 38
NZ has plenty of classic vehicles, like this Chevrolet (Bel Air? - Ed) and caravan combination belonging tothe Lilliput Caravan Club. I’m thinking the satellite dish is a little out of place, though...
Feature: Covi Show 39
Feature: Covi Show
Diamond might be a small manufacturer but they produce a mighty good motorhome.
Jayco had big display of its popular motorhome range.
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Preview: EarthCruiser Iveco 4X4
4X MORE!
Iveco’s new 4X4 provides EarthCruiser customers with a new level of off-road performance...
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EarthCruiser – manufacturer of high-end expedition vehicles
built on Japanese 4X4 light trucks chassis – premiered it’s all-new Iveco 4X4-based motorhome in Sydney last weekend.
Under new ownership and relocated from Queensland
to Helensburgh, just south of Sydney, the ‘new’ EarthCruiser operation has been revitalised and is aggressively bringing new chassis and body designs to the market.
The Iveco Daily 4X4 cab-chassis is a particularly interesting vehicle not long released in Australia that has
great potential in the off-road motorhome market. Available in single or dual-cab models it features ‘proper’ parabolic spring suspension for off-road performance and ride comfort; live axles front and rear; front, centre and rear differential locks and permanent four-wheel drive split 32%/68% front/rear. Power is 125 kW / 400 Nm from a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, but the Iveco’s real party piece is a 6-speed manual gearbox with 4 reduction options, providing 24 forward and 4 reverse gears!
Given the true off-road nature of the suspension, the use of single wheels all-round and a super-low first gear with a
Preview: EarthCruiser Iveco 4X4
One-metre LED light bar is, apparently, a ripper and floods the road with light while keeping out of the way of tree branches.
EarthCruisers’ very happy Mark Fawcett with his new model Iveco 4X4.
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reduction of 101:1 (a good 4WD is around 40:1), the Iveco ought to be able to drive casually up the sides of tall buildings without the need for even a single bound!
This prototype EarthCruiser was built using the dual-cab version of the Iveco 4X4, but I’m told only single cab versions will be produced from now on. This is because a redesigned body with a 150 mm lower floor, which will provide level walkthrough access between the cab and body, is about to be released. It will have it’s dual inward-facing seats at the front of the camper body seatbelt equipped, thus providing approved seating for four without the need for the bulk or added expense of the dual-cab body.
Dash is Euro-neat. Note row of three diff locks (top left) on the centre panel.
Green lever is high/low for normal driving. Red lever is high/lowfor off-road. Low low ratio is 101:1!
Preview: EarthCruiser Iveco 4X4 44
EarthCruiser lists10 body variants, but the reality is they will pretty much build whatever you want. They even provide design software you can use to make 3D drawings of your perfect motorhome. Proprietors Mark and Susan Fawcett are almost fanatically enthusiastic about their business, its products and their customers. When asked by someone on the day about building a lower-cost version for people who don’t want all the bells and whistles, Mark explained the business is flat-out meeting current demand and his goal is to build the best-of-the-best for the very upper end of the market.
The display vehicle was priced around $260,000 and judging by the reportedly burgeoning
order books (and hints of even more exotic 4WD base vehicles) I think it’s safe to say EarthCruiser will remain a niche operation – albeit one most of us can only aspire to. Let’s hope they can spare a
machine for a day or two so iMotorhome can bring you a full report. In the mean time you can find them at www.earthcruiser.com.au
Factory parabolic-spring suspension should be excellent. Note over-slung spring-pack position (above axles)for increased ground clearance.
Interior is clean and no-nonsense. New interior will have belts on inward facing seats, touch screens for everything (with manual backup) and a new layout.
Preview: EarthCruiser Iveco 4X4 45
Product Update: Duvalay
our duvalays prove their, um, fabric...
Sweet Dreams
46
No sooner had our two Duvalays arrived and been unpacked (see
Issue 33 for details) than we were off on our first road trip: Three nights in a Suncamper Sherwood with single beds. The thing with the Sherwood we were testing was that both beds were in the over-cab ‘Luton Peak’ of the diminutive motorhome, and over-cab beds can be a real bugger to make up. But not with the Duvalay.
If you remember, a Duvalay is sort-of a luxury sleeping bag that is, in truth, more like an envelope than a bag. Sealed down one edge and across the foot; the base has
a memory foam sleeping pad and the top, which is twice as wide as the base, has a duvet. Both are secured inside zippered compartments made of cotton that can be removed and washed, and you can buy foam bases and duvets of varying thicknesses and warmth ratings, respectively.
For our three night road trip, making up each bed was as easy as unrolling each Duvalay and adding a pillow. The cotton covers – ours are finished in an attractive shade of ‘Plum’ – act as sheets, so when it’s bed time you just hop in and snooze. What makes them so different to
a conventional sleeping bag is that because the duvet section is twice as wide as the base, and open on one side, there is no sense of claustrophobia. Indeed, because the duvet is so wide you can easily roll over and snuggle it in around your neck if it’s cool, or stick a leg or arm (or two) out if too warm.
Measuring 190 cm x 66 cm, our Duvalays fitted the Sherwood’s 190 cm x 70 cm single beds perfectly. The 4 cm memory foam base provided a welcome addition to the motorhome’s thick-but-firm foam mattresses, too.
Product Update: Duvalay
Combining a duvet top and a memory foam underlay, Duvalays are much more luxurious and comfortablethan sleeping bags
47
Verdict
So far nothing but praise. In fact Mrs iMotorhome is so impressed by her
Duvalay she intends removing the duvet and rolling the base up extra tight so she can stow one in her suitcase for when she stays in Asian hotels with her ‘other’ job. Our duvalays will also see usage at home when guests stay and we
make up the sofa bed. As a tall person who has always found sleeping bags restrictive and unsatisfactory, my Duvalay is a revelation.
Although not cheap you get what you pay for. Like anything of quality you soon forget the price but will always appreciate the benefits. If you’re after a good night’s sleep while on the road (and isn’t that priceless?) check
out www.duvalay.net, email [email protected] or call Neil Hobbs on (08) 9336 7714 for further information.
Don’t forget, mention iMotorhome and receive $10 off 1 Duvalay or $35 off 2, plus free delivery Australia-wide (except for remote location). Sweet dreams!
Duvalays make making up a bed quick and easy. Although they are singles they can easily be joined as a double.
Product Update: Duvalay
Duvalays roll-up easily for storage and/or transport.
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Product Update: Glaglas
Our bright and cheery Glagla sports shoes are doing stirling
service and have become a firm footwear favourite.
Mrs iMotorhome, in the course of her ‘real’ job, has so far explored Honolulu, Singapore, Perth and Tokyo in them and has nothing but praise for their comfort and coolness. Their super light weight is a welcome bonus when packing to travel, too. Closer to home, it’s hard to
get her out of them now that the weather is warming.
Mr iMotorhome has just started wearing them and is discovering their many benefits. Their light weight is a welcome change to traditional trainers while the option of wearing them with or without socks is proving advantageous.
From a motorhoming perspective they are a worthwhile inclusion for any travelling wardrobe; especially
their mesh uppers and ventilated soles, which means they’ll drain water and dry out easily should you go exploring along the sea shore – or get caught in a downpour. It’s also worth noting Glagla makes various styles, including clogs, which would be great as easy on-and-off shoes for wearing around the campsite.
For more information and online ordering visit glaglashoes.com.au
One Step at a Timeour glaglas haven’t put a foot wrong...
Lightweight mesh construction and ventilated soles makes Glaglas light, cool and quick to dry.
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Future Tech: Solar Cooking Technology
Portable solar hot water and cooking now a reality...
From Gizmag
Now you'reCooking
50
Fancy harnessing the Sun’s free energy to boil a cuppa, your breakfast
hard boiled eggs and even cook dinner? Read on...
Solar kettle
Developed by British engineer James Bentham, the Solar
Kettle is a portable thermos-like product that uses special thermal technology to boil water. It features a thermal vacuum tube that absorbs and converts the sun’s rays into heat, with exterior reflectors
that open out to maximise solar energy input. The kettle also comes with a built-in stand so it can be positioned facing the sun and has a thermometer on the lid so you can monitor the water’s temperature.
Similar to other insulated products, the Solar Kettle’s exterior remains cool to touch, even when the contents are at the boiling point. It can also be used as a thermos to store hot water for long periods.
Weighing 1.2 kg empty, the Solar Kettle can hold 500 ml of water, which will take approximately two hours to boil from cold (so maybe a late breakfast? - Ed). However, this timing can vary considerably depending on the amount of sun available and initial water temperature (it’s also good for reheating).
In survival situations, the kettle can be used to sterilize river water or snow and purify it for drinking. It can also desalinate sea water to produced clean water that is safe to drink.
Future Tech: Solar Cooking Technology 51
Contemporary Energy in the UK is currently taking online orders for the Solar Kettle, which is priced at £53 (about $90) plus postage. More details at http://contemporaryenergy.co.uk/solarkettle.htm#details.
goSun Stove
The GoSun Stove is a portable, tube-shaped solar oven billed as
powerful enough to cook a full meal, even on cloudy days. Like the Solar Kettle it uses parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a glass cylinder and cook the contents, but it sports a slightly larger set of mirrors and a stainless steel tray for food; allowing it to act as a portable convection oven for baking, frying, boiling and more.
The central cooking tube is made from borosilicate glass, which is resistant to thermal shock and has a vacuum beneath the surface to insulate the interior. The inside of the tube is lined with copper, stainless steel and aluminum nitrile to better absorb and conduct heat from the sun's rays. Altogether, the tube measure 600 mm in length and 57 mm in diameter, giving it enough room for about 1.5 kg of food or 1.6 L of liquid. A set
of aluminum stands holds the stove firmly in place and can be tilted downward, making it easier to dispense hot water, coffee, soup, etc.
Once unfolded and aligned with the sun the mirrors are designed to concentrate light on the center tube for hours, even as the sun moves across the sky. After taking about 10 minutes to preheat, the stove's cooking time depends on the type of food being
Future Tech: Solar Cooking Technology
The GoSun Stove’s central cooking tube can handle more than just basic meat dishes...
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prepared and the intensity of the sunlight at the moment. On a clear, sunny day, it's said to be capable of cooking six hot dogs in about ten minutes and it's still effective in cloudy conditions, taking about two hours to bake a tray of muffins. The developers claim to have recorded temperatures as high as 371°C inside the oven, but say it tends to cook best between 93º and 288°C. The stove also includes a sliding tray with a heat-resistant handle, allowing cooks to add or remove food at any time.
Both the metal stands and parabolic mirrors fold together around the glass tube to form a compact bundle just 20 cm tall and 13 cm wide. Without food inside the whole oven weighs just 1.5 kg and can
easily slip into a backpack or be carried using the stands as a handle. According to the developers, it also remains cool enough on the outside while cooking for anyone to pack it up at a moment's notice without getting burned.
The development team is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to begin mass-producing the GoSun Stove. A pledge of $219 puts you on the list for one, plus a user guide explaining how to
cook different types of food, a cleaning brush, and a two-year warranty. The full retail price is expected to be $279. Alternatively, the developers are offering a $79 model called the GoSun MINI, which is shorter than its big brother and uses a non-folding wooden frame.
Please note all prices are in US dollars and excludes delivery. Stoves are expected to begin shipping in December and for more details visit www.gosunstove.com.
Future Tech: Solar Cooking Technology
Portable solar cooking has great potential in a sun soaked land like Australia.
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Feature: Free Camping
consulting Psychologist Robert davis’ view on the issues surrounding free camping.
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Feature: Free Camping
Something undeniably priceless is dying in Australia – something
fundamental to our sense of well-being. Its called ‘freedom’ and it’s something many in our history have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for.
For us self-contained motorhomers and caravanners, freedom is synonymous with free camping and choice and being released from the scrutiny and controls our over-regulated world imposes upon us. We don’t like it when someone or some corporate
entity wants to take it from us, especially when our loss is their benefit. We’re talking about local councils and the caravan park lobby. You and I and they know we are infrequent users of their services, because being self-contained says it all, but still they are waging a relentless war against our freedom. I for one am bloody furious that this significant anti-Australian imposition upon our lifestyle appears to be gaining ground. Let’s take a brief look beyond the obvious, as to why we object so strongly.
Freedom’s need
Where did our desire and indeed our need for freedom start and
when, where and by whom was it compromised?
Well, we need to go back to those experimental childhood years when as a kid you just did and said what came naturally. You knew the feeling of being controlled, criticised, regulated, restricted and punished for non-compliance. We all grew up with those feelings in a highly rational, legal, politically correct and
Free camping isn’t necessarily stopping for the night. It can be a simple as a place to spend the day and stopfor a meal while exploring the local sights by foot, bike or car.
55
Feature: Free Camping
bureaucratic world where rules ruled. Mum and Dad told you from the start to behave or face the consequences and in most
cases we needed, though not always heeded, that advice. Then we got packed off to school and our teachers
became complicit in taking control of our spontaneous drives and feelings. They told us to do it their way. They made it crystal clear that if we didn’t comply we would face the consequences. They were probably right, because we were only kids and they did know better, but the process didn’t always feel that way.
At your very first job interview you got the distinct impression you had better meet your future employer’s expectations or be shown the door – fit in or else. The first copper who pulled you over for speeding reminded you yet again this is a world of rules: Break them at your financial and
Free camping – be it in Australia, New Zealand or wherever – is one of the great pleasures of campervanand motorhome travel and needs to be fought hard for to preserve.
56
Feature: Free Camping
personal cost. It seems our social development right from childhood necessarily involved being threatened, sanctioned and punished for just being wantonly, freely and impulsively ourselves. Is it any wonder that after a lifetime of forced compliance we find ourselves irresistibly attracted to getting away from it all? Well, most of it, anyway.
When camping in any of Australia’s vast and various domains; be it desert country, rainforest, wilderness or coastal regions, we just want to be left alone to enjoy the scenery and the company of like-minded others. Don’t tell us what to do, we already know about keeping campsites clean, fire safe and quiet for all to enjoy. Mostly, we don’t want or need to be plugged into the corporate utilities that we depend upon at home: that’s why we are self-contained!
In fact we’re so keen to preserve our environment and our freedom to stay where we choose that many of us we will gladly clean up after others who disregard our values. One lovely lady camper described how she routinely cleaned the amenities blocks, sinks and toilets because she didn’t think it fair to use them and leave them dirty for someone else. I admire her. Though not in her illustrious category I purchased and carry one of those ‘grab tins off a high shelf’ extension devices that works brilliantly
for picking up other’s rubbish – and felt good doing it. Councils aren’t the only ones who abhor human disregard for their local environment. When there is only one paper cup on the ground in an otherwise pristine site I will pick it up and dispose of it properly.
Freedoms at Stake
Caravan parks invite us to come and commune with nature, for $40
or so a night in their mostly fenced-off, grass-groomed, mosaic-manicured and sectioned bit of land full of all the comforts of home that we don’t need. That’s fine if we can choose to accept or
57
refuse the invitation. It’s what freedom, the Constitution and our democratic principles are about, isn’t it?
The stark and harsh reality is our freedom to experience
nature in its marvellous, natural and un-manipulated form is being denied and restricted daily by vested interests. Even roadside rest areas are under the ‘you can’t stop here’ microscope. Drivers and
passengers of self-contained motorhomes and caravans are at risk of being constantly moved on and made to feel unwelcome in their own country after, for many, a lifetime of paying taxes and nurturing a dream. The caravan park lobby continue to push for the closure of all and any ‘non-compliant’ sites where free camping is presently available. Why are they doing this? It’s not a hard question to answer: It’s called profit. It’s called protectionism. I call it unfair and unAustralian.
Councils intimidated by caravan park owners, who might or might not hold official roles, are closing showgrounds
Feature: Free Camping 58
Feature: Free Camping
and free campsites to prevent ‘unfair competition.’ In so doing they are actively denying their business community the not-insubstantial revenue that welcomed self-contained travellers provide. Why? Because many of us bypass those unfriendly towns until we find the freedom and appreciation RV-savvy towns provide.
case in Point
In my local State of Tasmania, the Bay of Fires area – a long-term free
camping location of stunning
beauty – is now threatened with impending fees. I have frequented this free camping location, with others, for many years and have spent many thousands of dollars in the local town. I have been impressed and proud to see the values motorhomers and caravanners extend in preserving this beautiful place, where it is truly rare to see litter (there are no bins provided). When we needed water, LPG, laundry, groceries, bait, fuel, pharmacy products, medical services, refuse disposal sites, vehicle servicing and so on we drove
to St Helens, a town wholly dependent on the tourist dollar.
The critics of free-camping, including those I suspect of being just a little green at our lifestyle, are fond of using ‘guilt-tripping’ statements like ‘user pays’ to shame us into accepting fees that were previously absent. According to this doctrine we are just a bunch of freeloaders who don’t or wont pay. What they don’t seem to get is that that’s exactly what we do in the local and surrounding business communities: We pay. In fact we spend on average of $600 per week. Or do these critics think ‘self-contained’ means we grow all our own veggies in our recently installed mini-hydroponic set up next to the loo? God knows how we source our gas and desalinate sea-water, while I’m not sure where the meat-eaters among us find space for their abattoirs, let alone the holding pens!
Tasmania's beautiful Bay of Fires
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Feature: Free Camping
Shout!
We do have clout! States are in serious competition for the
‘drive tourism’ dollar. They know we are an important financial source of tourism revenue for their cities and towns. They don’t want to offend us, but if we don’t shout loud enough they won’t hear. You know it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!When farmers and truckies have had enough of Government or corporate bullying and exploitation they drive into town in all manner
of rigs to make their presence felt. The Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) is building a member donated fighting fund under the ‘MoTOURing Australia’ banner, called the ‘RV Lifestyle Support Fund.’ They claim it has more than 400,000 potentially interested parties. That’s an army, which, when legally mobilised can’t be ignored. Complacency is our worst enemy. We are fighting for our liberty; our right to feel the sun on our backs and breathe the fresh unregulated air in a world far from all the organised compliance and
punitive pressures that have characterised most of out working lifetimes.
As a practising psychologist of some 20 years experience I have spent much time listening to the thoughts and feelings of my patients. People think, feel and act – it’s all we do. If this increasingly popular topic has engaged your ire then you’ve done your thinking and you know how it feels: Now it’s time for all of us to act!
There is a time and place for staying in caravan parks and every RVer does at some stage. But being forced into them is like being forced into a cafe because you can’t eat your picnic in a park...
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Feature: Free Camping
Complacency is our worst enemy. We are fighting for our liberty; our right to feel the sun on our backs and breathe the fresh unregulated air.
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Cook-up: Marinade
a natural marinade to help tackle the toughest meats...
by Jess Ciampa
Tough Choices
T he other night we won a beautiful meat tray in a raffle from the club.
The meat was rump steak and there were 2 pieces the size of a A4 sheet of paper and about 25 mm (1 in) thick.
We got home from the club at 6:30 pm and cut off a piece of steak for a steak sandwich. We only cut off 1 piece for the
2 of us and because of the thickness of the steak we cut it in half so we had 2 slices of meat about 12.5 mm (1/2 in) thick. I lit the Baby Q (a small Webber, not a typo!), got it hot and cooked the meat for three minutes each side. Well, the disappointment! It would have been better to sole my shoes with it! We ended up having salad sandwiches...
Then I remembered my childhood days, when we could only afford tough cuts of meat. Mum use to get a pineapple and chop off about the top three inches, then do the same with a pawpaw. She’d put those into a blender skin and all and blend it all up, then put it through a strainer to get as much of the juice as possible before discarding the
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Cook-up: Marinade
pulp. She would then marinate the meat (about two kilos) in the juice for three to four hours in the fridge.
When she wanted to cook it she would remove it from the fridge and leave it to bring it up to room temperature, pat dry some of the marinade off and then cook the meat. This tenderised the meat, but if left
too long would send the meat dry because the enzymes break down the meat. If using the meat for a stew, she would only marinate it for only one hour or it would disintegrate.
So having done all that with the other piece, after I removed it from the marinade I marinated it again for 10 minutes in olive oil, fresh oregano and garlic.
I then put the steaks, cut into pieces about the size of the palm of my hand, but still 25mm (1 in) thick, on the Baby Q for 4 minutes each side and they were cooked medium to well done and as tender as veal. Thanks Mum!
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Cook-up: Casserole on Mash
Casserole on Mash by Jess Campia
by Jess Ciampa
Spring has sprung but there are still a few cool nights ahead. When the
temperature drops and you need a hearty dinner try this delicious sausage casserole on mash. It’s another one-pot wonder from our resident chef-de-travels – Jess Ciampa – who recommends you make it in the morning (or the night before) and then let it sit, for even more flavour. Enjoy!
A cold weather favourite you can enjoy year-round...
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Cook-up: Casserole on Mash
• 4Thicksausagesofyourchoice
• 2Carrots
• 2Sticksofcelery
• 1Largebrownonion
• 8Sageleaves
• Tablespoonchoppedthyme
• ½Teaspooncrackedblackpepper
• ¼Teaspoonsaltand½Tablespoonsugar
• ½Cuppeas
• ½Cupbeans
• 700gmBottlepastasauce(tomato)
• 1Tablespoonoliveoil
• ½Cupredwine(don’twastetherest!)
• 4Largepotatoesforthemash
You’ll need...
Then ...Chop up all your vegetables and put them in a bowl together with all the herbs and spices.In a heavy cast iron pot, slightly brown all the sausages in the oil. When brown, remove and allow to cool.Put in all your veggies, herbs and spices and cook on high heat for 5 minutes. Next, while on high heat, pour in the wine and cook for another 3 minutes to burn off the alcohol.With a flat wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot while cooking out the wine.
Chop the sausages into bite-size pieces and put them back into the pot with the veggies.Pour in the sauce. Now, half-fill the sauce bottle with water and pour that in as well.Keep stirring together until it comes to the boil, and then put on simmer with the lid on for about 45 minutes. Turn off the stove and leave it so the flavours can blend together. The sauce should be thick not runny.
Note: If too watery, cook with the lid off to thicken it up.
Finally ...Prepare your mash potatoes, re-heat the casserole and serve it on top of the mash.Do not make the mash too runny. I only use butter for this dish, no milk, to avoid it being too soft because of the sauce in the casserole.This casserole can also be served on a bed of rice instead of the potatoes.Any leftovers can be put into a pie dish and sprinkled with tasty cheese. Put a filo pastry lid on and bake at 180 till the filo goes brown. The filling is already cooked so it won’t take long!
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Next Issue
Know of a local or regional show coming up that attracts and promotes motorhomes, campervans and the great RV lifestyle in general?
Drop us a line at [email protected] and we’ll happily promote it in this calendar.
Next issue we’ll have a review of a Talvor Adventure Camper –
the first of our used vehicle
tests. Built on a Toyota HiLux 4X4 and featuring a fibreglass body with a pop-top roof, it’s a curious mixture of features
and fittings. Although built for the basic rental market it could be just the thing for someone intent on venturing well off the beaten track.
There will be more, of course, but until then why not follow us on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, comments and a bit of fun. See you on October 19th!
TaLVoR & MoRe!
october 3-6
Sandown RV & camping Leisurefest
Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway, Springvale. VIC. • Open 10:00-5:00 daily• Parking free• Adults $13• Seniors $8• Kids U15 free
Click for Google Maps
melbourneleisurefest.com.au/details.aspx
3-6OCT
25-27OCT
18-20OCT
october 25-27
Sa Boat, Fishing & 4Wd adventure Show
Adelaide Showground, SA.• Open 9:00-6:00 daily
(5:00 Sunday)• Parking free• Adults: $15• Seniors: $12• Kids: U16 free with adult
Click for Google Maps
http://www.saboatshow.com.au/visitors/info.phtml
3-6OCT
25-27OCT
18-20OCT
Click for Google Maps
october 18-20
Sunshine coast Home & caravan Show
Stockland Park, Kawana, Sunshine Coast, QLD.• Open 9:00-5:00 daily
(4:00 Sunday)• Parking: $5• Adults: $10• Seniors: $8• Kids: Free with Adult
3-6OCT
25-27OCT
18-20OCT
http://www.australianevents.com.au/index.php/sunshine-coast-home-show-and-caravan-
camping-and-boating-expo
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