iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

66
Crafter Auf Wiedersehen Sydney Show Report… A peek inside this year’s Supershow! Esperance Reprised! Avida’s top seller gets a 2015 makeover… Win! $50 for the best letter! Trakka bids farewell to Volkswagen’s trusty big van! Light Bars & LED Headlights Allan Whiting brings us the lowdown… iMotorhome magazine ISSUE 70: APR 18 2015

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Get a FREE subscription from our website!

Transcript of iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Page 1: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

CrafterAuf Wiedersehen

Sydney Show ReporthellipA peek inside this yearrsquos Supershow

Esperance ReprisedAvidarsquos top seller gets a 2015 makeoverhellip

Win$50 for thebest letter

Trakka bids farewell to Volkswagenrsquos trusty big van Light Bars amp LED Headlights

Allan Whiting brings us the lowdownhellip

iMotorhome

mag

azin

e

Issue 70 Apr 18 2015

WHY ARE WE THE BIGGEST amp BEST IN

AUSTRALIA OPEN 7 DAYS for fantastic show deals Over 250 New amp Used Motorhomes amp Caravans on display Award-winning Australian family owned business Fast Easy amp Competitive Finance Available Trades Welcome (Cars Motorhomes Caravans etc) RVrsquos prepared by our team of Professional Technicians We want your business wherever you are in Australia Flights Airport Transfers amp Accommodation arranged RV Collections amp Deliveries Australia wide Professional handover ndash Learn how everything works Free 2 night stay at local caravan park while you get used to your RV Award winning ongoing after sales service amp support We take good care of you STATE OF THE ART SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS

OVER 250 NEW amp USED MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS IN STOCK

wwwsydneyrv comau

SYDNEY RV SUPER CENTRE bull 02 4722 344413-22 Lemko Place (Off Castlereagh Rd) Penrith Sydney RV Group Pty Limited Lic No MD19684

iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau

Your letters and contributions are always welcome

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia

ABN 34 142 547 719

T +614 14 604 368

E infoimotorhomecomau

W wwwimotorhomecomau

EditorialPublisherManaging Editor

Richard Robertson

T 0414 604 368

E richardimotorhomecomau

Roadtest Editor

Malcolm Street

E malcolmimotorhomecomau

Contributors

Jess Ciampa Emily Barker Elizabeth amp Helmut Mueller

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

Keith Smyth

M 0408 315 288

T 03 9579 3079

E advertisingimotorhomecomau

LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine 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 andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

About iMotorhome | 3

WHY ARE WE THE BIGGEST amp BEST IN

AUSTRALIA OPEN 7 DAYS for fantastic show deals Over 250 New amp Used Motorhomes amp Caravans on display Award-winning Australian family owned business Fast Easy amp Competitive Finance Available Trades Welcome (Cars Motorhomes Caravans etc) RVrsquos prepared by our team of Professional Technicians We want your business wherever you are in Australia Flights Airport Transfers amp Accommodation arranged RV Collections amp Deliveries Australia wide Professional handover ndash Learn how everything works Free 2 night stay at local caravan park while you get used to your RV Award winning ongoing after sales service amp support We take good care of you STATE OF THE ART SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS

OVER 250 NEW amp USED MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS IN STOCK

wwwsydneyrv comau

SYDNEY RV SUPER CENTRE bull 02 4722 344413-22 Lemko Place (Off Castlereagh Rd) Penrith Sydney RV Group Pty Limited Lic No MD19684

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

Irsquom of a fortunate generation bypassed by war service being too young for Vietnam and too old for anything after that My father navigated bombers in WW2 and I lost a great uncle ndash an ambulance man ndash in literally the dying days of WW1 so like many people war has touched me personally but not directly

In January 1982 while driving a winter Top Deck tour in Europe I spent a couple of days at Gallipoli It was a surreal experience and one I regularly recall because from what Irsquove seen on TV the site has changed markedly Back then it was still a deserted spot on a windswept peninsular scarred by half-filled trenches and littered with rusting reminders of battles long since fought

Standing on the ridge line looking down on the beach at Anzac Cove I remember wondering how anybody survived it was such a shooting gallery On the beach the rusting ribs of one of the landing craft lay half buried in the sand Our rag-tag group of Aussie budget travellers ndash a larrikin group if ever there was one ndash explored its remains reverently All of us were lost in thoughts of what it represented and what that peaceful beach must have been like on that April morning so many years earlier

The only inhabitants in the area were a group of soldiers occupying a semi-derelict concrete bunker at the beach edge where the Turkish flag flew proud and bright When they learned we were Australians they downed arms shook our hands vigorously invited us in and in broken TurkishGermanEnglish declared themselves brothers It really was very movinghellip

Up at the Walkerrsquos Ridge Cemetery overlooking Suvla Bay rows of white tombstones stood silently in the winter sunshine Most from memory bore a standard inscription ndash Here lies a soldier of the Great War ndash and many were for men aged between 18 and 25 As a 24 year old at the time it was a soberingexperience One personalised headstone I came across was for 23 year old Trooper Harold Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse killed at The Nek on 7 August 1915 An inscription read ldquoHis last words lsquoGoodbye Cobber God Bless Yoursquordquo

Itrsquos difficult to recount the emotions Gallipoli evoked during that visit 33 years ago I remember it being an immensely sad and lonely place ndash if indeed a place can be sad and lonely But those memories will always be tempered by the pride and friendship of the Turkish troops and that of the Turkish people as a whole The bond forged between our nations through shared tragedy so long ago felt real and quite tangible

I doubt Irsquoll visit Gallipoli again The new car parks roads monuments and tourists would be an affront to my memories They say nothing good comes from war but perhaps thatrsquos not true As Australians and New Zealanders wersquove chosen this campaign to symbolise our National coming-of-age On it wersquove built an identity and share a bond that helps define who we are collectively Would we have such an identity and bond if WW1 and Gallipoli hadnrsquot happened How much better off would we be if we hadnrsquot lost so many from that generation Of course those are unanswerable questions but on this 100th ANZAC anniversary Lest We Forget has renewed meaning Lest our troubled world repeats the terrible mistakes of the past Lest We Forgethellip

LEsT WE ForgEThellip

on my mind | 5

Richard

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

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An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

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needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

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on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

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Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

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Bony Mountain Folk Festival

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Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 2: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

WHY ARE WE THE BIGGEST amp BEST IN

AUSTRALIA OPEN 7 DAYS for fantastic show deals Over 250 New amp Used Motorhomes amp Caravans on display Award-winning Australian family owned business Fast Easy amp Competitive Finance Available Trades Welcome (Cars Motorhomes Caravans etc) RVrsquos prepared by our team of Professional Technicians We want your business wherever you are in Australia Flights Airport Transfers amp Accommodation arranged RV Collections amp Deliveries Australia wide Professional handover ndash Learn how everything works Free 2 night stay at local caravan park while you get used to your RV Award winning ongoing after sales service amp support We take good care of you STATE OF THE ART SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS

OVER 250 NEW amp USED MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS IN STOCK

wwwsydneyrv comau

SYDNEY RV SUPER CENTRE bull 02 4722 344413-22 Lemko Place (Off Castlereagh Rd) Penrith Sydney RV Group Pty Limited Lic No MD19684

iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau

Your letters and contributions are always welcome

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia

ABN 34 142 547 719

T +614 14 604 368

E infoimotorhomecomau

W wwwimotorhomecomau

EditorialPublisherManaging Editor

Richard Robertson

T 0414 604 368

E richardimotorhomecomau

Roadtest Editor

Malcolm Street

E malcolmimotorhomecomau

Contributors

Jess Ciampa Emily Barker Elizabeth amp Helmut Mueller

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

Keith Smyth

M 0408 315 288

T 03 9579 3079

E advertisingimotorhomecomau

LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine 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 andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

About iMotorhome | 3

WHY ARE WE THE BIGGEST amp BEST IN

AUSTRALIA OPEN 7 DAYS for fantastic show deals Over 250 New amp Used Motorhomes amp Caravans on display Award-winning Australian family owned business Fast Easy amp Competitive Finance Available Trades Welcome (Cars Motorhomes Caravans etc) RVrsquos prepared by our team of Professional Technicians We want your business wherever you are in Australia Flights Airport Transfers amp Accommodation arranged RV Collections amp Deliveries Australia wide Professional handover ndash Learn how everything works Free 2 night stay at local caravan park while you get used to your RV Award winning ongoing after sales service amp support We take good care of you STATE OF THE ART SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS

OVER 250 NEW amp USED MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS IN STOCK

wwwsydneyrv comau

SYDNEY RV SUPER CENTRE bull 02 4722 344413-22 Lemko Place (Off Castlereagh Rd) Penrith Sydney RV Group Pty Limited Lic No MD19684

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

Irsquom of a fortunate generation bypassed by war service being too young for Vietnam and too old for anything after that My father navigated bombers in WW2 and I lost a great uncle ndash an ambulance man ndash in literally the dying days of WW1 so like many people war has touched me personally but not directly

In January 1982 while driving a winter Top Deck tour in Europe I spent a couple of days at Gallipoli It was a surreal experience and one I regularly recall because from what Irsquove seen on TV the site has changed markedly Back then it was still a deserted spot on a windswept peninsular scarred by half-filled trenches and littered with rusting reminders of battles long since fought

Standing on the ridge line looking down on the beach at Anzac Cove I remember wondering how anybody survived it was such a shooting gallery On the beach the rusting ribs of one of the landing craft lay half buried in the sand Our rag-tag group of Aussie budget travellers ndash a larrikin group if ever there was one ndash explored its remains reverently All of us were lost in thoughts of what it represented and what that peaceful beach must have been like on that April morning so many years earlier

The only inhabitants in the area were a group of soldiers occupying a semi-derelict concrete bunker at the beach edge where the Turkish flag flew proud and bright When they learned we were Australians they downed arms shook our hands vigorously invited us in and in broken TurkishGermanEnglish declared themselves brothers It really was very movinghellip

Up at the Walkerrsquos Ridge Cemetery overlooking Suvla Bay rows of white tombstones stood silently in the winter sunshine Most from memory bore a standard inscription ndash Here lies a soldier of the Great War ndash and many were for men aged between 18 and 25 As a 24 year old at the time it was a soberingexperience One personalised headstone I came across was for 23 year old Trooper Harold Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse killed at The Nek on 7 August 1915 An inscription read ldquoHis last words lsquoGoodbye Cobber God Bless Yoursquordquo

Itrsquos difficult to recount the emotions Gallipoli evoked during that visit 33 years ago I remember it being an immensely sad and lonely place ndash if indeed a place can be sad and lonely But those memories will always be tempered by the pride and friendship of the Turkish troops and that of the Turkish people as a whole The bond forged between our nations through shared tragedy so long ago felt real and quite tangible

I doubt Irsquoll visit Gallipoli again The new car parks roads monuments and tourists would be an affront to my memories They say nothing good comes from war but perhaps thatrsquos not true As Australians and New Zealanders wersquove chosen this campaign to symbolise our National coming-of-age On it wersquove built an identity and share a bond that helps define who we are collectively Would we have such an identity and bond if WW1 and Gallipoli hadnrsquot happened How much better off would we be if we hadnrsquot lost so many from that generation Of course those are unanswerable questions but on this 100th ANZAC anniversary Lest We Forget has renewed meaning Lest our troubled world repeats the terrible mistakes of the past Lest We Forgethellip

LEsT WE ForgEThellip

on my mind | 5

Richard

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 3: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

iMotorhome eMagazine is published twice monthly and available by free subscription from wwwimotorhomecomau

Your letters and contributions are always welcome

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Published by iMotorhomePO Box 1738 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia

ABN 34 142 547 719

T +614 14 604 368

E infoimotorhomecomau

W wwwimotorhomecomau

EditorialPublisherManaging Editor

Richard Robertson

T 0414 604 368

E richardimotorhomecomau

Roadtest Editor

Malcolm Street

E malcolmimotorhomecomau

Contributors

Jess Ciampa Emily Barker Elizabeth amp Helmut Mueller

Design and ProductionDesign amp Production Manager

Agnes Nielsen

E agnesimotorhomecomau

AdvertisingAdvertising Manager

Keith Smyth

M 0408 315 288

T 03 9579 3079

E advertisingimotorhomecomau

LegalAll content of iMotorhome eMagazine 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 andor loss arising from reading andor acting upon information contained within iMotorhome eMagazine or the iMotorhome website

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

About iMotorhome | 3

WHY ARE WE THE BIGGEST amp BEST IN

AUSTRALIA OPEN 7 DAYS for fantastic show deals Over 250 New amp Used Motorhomes amp Caravans on display Award-winning Australian family owned business Fast Easy amp Competitive Finance Available Trades Welcome (Cars Motorhomes Caravans etc) RVrsquos prepared by our team of Professional Technicians We want your business wherever you are in Australia Flights Airport Transfers amp Accommodation arranged RV Collections amp Deliveries Australia wide Professional handover ndash Learn how everything works Free 2 night stay at local caravan park while you get used to your RV Award winning ongoing after sales service amp support We take good care of you STATE OF THE ART SERVICE CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS

OVER 250 NEW amp USED MOTORHOMES AND CARAVANS IN STOCK

wwwsydneyrv comau

SYDNEY RV SUPER CENTRE bull 02 4722 344413-22 Lemko Place (Off Castlereagh Rd) Penrith Sydney RV Group Pty Limited Lic No MD19684

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

Irsquom of a fortunate generation bypassed by war service being too young for Vietnam and too old for anything after that My father navigated bombers in WW2 and I lost a great uncle ndash an ambulance man ndash in literally the dying days of WW1 so like many people war has touched me personally but not directly

In January 1982 while driving a winter Top Deck tour in Europe I spent a couple of days at Gallipoli It was a surreal experience and one I regularly recall because from what Irsquove seen on TV the site has changed markedly Back then it was still a deserted spot on a windswept peninsular scarred by half-filled trenches and littered with rusting reminders of battles long since fought

Standing on the ridge line looking down on the beach at Anzac Cove I remember wondering how anybody survived it was such a shooting gallery On the beach the rusting ribs of one of the landing craft lay half buried in the sand Our rag-tag group of Aussie budget travellers ndash a larrikin group if ever there was one ndash explored its remains reverently All of us were lost in thoughts of what it represented and what that peaceful beach must have been like on that April morning so many years earlier

The only inhabitants in the area were a group of soldiers occupying a semi-derelict concrete bunker at the beach edge where the Turkish flag flew proud and bright When they learned we were Australians they downed arms shook our hands vigorously invited us in and in broken TurkishGermanEnglish declared themselves brothers It really was very movinghellip

Up at the Walkerrsquos Ridge Cemetery overlooking Suvla Bay rows of white tombstones stood silently in the winter sunshine Most from memory bore a standard inscription ndash Here lies a soldier of the Great War ndash and many were for men aged between 18 and 25 As a 24 year old at the time it was a soberingexperience One personalised headstone I came across was for 23 year old Trooper Harold Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse killed at The Nek on 7 August 1915 An inscription read ldquoHis last words lsquoGoodbye Cobber God Bless Yoursquordquo

Itrsquos difficult to recount the emotions Gallipoli evoked during that visit 33 years ago I remember it being an immensely sad and lonely place ndash if indeed a place can be sad and lonely But those memories will always be tempered by the pride and friendship of the Turkish troops and that of the Turkish people as a whole The bond forged between our nations through shared tragedy so long ago felt real and quite tangible

I doubt Irsquoll visit Gallipoli again The new car parks roads monuments and tourists would be an affront to my memories They say nothing good comes from war but perhaps thatrsquos not true As Australians and New Zealanders wersquove chosen this campaign to symbolise our National coming-of-age On it wersquove built an identity and share a bond that helps define who we are collectively Would we have such an identity and bond if WW1 and Gallipoli hadnrsquot happened How much better off would we be if we hadnrsquot lost so many from that generation Of course those are unanswerable questions but on this 100th ANZAC anniversary Lest We Forget has renewed meaning Lest our troubled world repeats the terrible mistakes of the past Lest We Forgethellip

LEsT WE ForgEThellip

on my mind | 5

Richard

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 4: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

Irsquom of a fortunate generation bypassed by war service being too young for Vietnam and too old for anything after that My father navigated bombers in WW2 and I lost a great uncle ndash an ambulance man ndash in literally the dying days of WW1 so like many people war has touched me personally but not directly

In January 1982 while driving a winter Top Deck tour in Europe I spent a couple of days at Gallipoli It was a surreal experience and one I regularly recall because from what Irsquove seen on TV the site has changed markedly Back then it was still a deserted spot on a windswept peninsular scarred by half-filled trenches and littered with rusting reminders of battles long since fought

Standing on the ridge line looking down on the beach at Anzac Cove I remember wondering how anybody survived it was such a shooting gallery On the beach the rusting ribs of one of the landing craft lay half buried in the sand Our rag-tag group of Aussie budget travellers ndash a larrikin group if ever there was one ndash explored its remains reverently All of us were lost in thoughts of what it represented and what that peaceful beach must have been like on that April morning so many years earlier

The only inhabitants in the area were a group of soldiers occupying a semi-derelict concrete bunker at the beach edge where the Turkish flag flew proud and bright When they learned we were Australians they downed arms shook our hands vigorously invited us in and in broken TurkishGermanEnglish declared themselves brothers It really was very movinghellip

Up at the Walkerrsquos Ridge Cemetery overlooking Suvla Bay rows of white tombstones stood silently in the winter sunshine Most from memory bore a standard inscription ndash Here lies a soldier of the Great War ndash and many were for men aged between 18 and 25 As a 24 year old at the time it was a soberingexperience One personalised headstone I came across was for 23 year old Trooper Harold Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse killed at The Nek on 7 August 1915 An inscription read ldquoHis last words lsquoGoodbye Cobber God Bless Yoursquordquo

Itrsquos difficult to recount the emotions Gallipoli evoked during that visit 33 years ago I remember it being an immensely sad and lonely place ndash if indeed a place can be sad and lonely But those memories will always be tempered by the pride and friendship of the Turkish troops and that of the Turkish people as a whole The bond forged between our nations through shared tragedy so long ago felt real and quite tangible

I doubt Irsquoll visit Gallipoli again The new car parks roads monuments and tourists would be an affront to my memories They say nothing good comes from war but perhaps thatrsquos not true As Australians and New Zealanders wersquove chosen this campaign to symbolise our National coming-of-age On it wersquove built an identity and share a bond that helps define who we are collectively Would we have such an identity and bond if WW1 and Gallipoli hadnrsquot happened How much better off would we be if we hadnrsquot lost so many from that generation Of course those are unanswerable questions but on this 100th ANZAC anniversary Lest We Forget has renewed meaning Lest our troubled world repeats the terrible mistakes of the past Lest We Forgethellip

LEsT WE ForgEThellip

on my mind | 5

Richard

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 5: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Irsquom of a fortunate generation bypassed by war service being too young for Vietnam and too old for anything after that My father navigated bombers in WW2 and I lost a great uncle ndash an ambulance man ndash in literally the dying days of WW1 so like many people war has touched me personally but not directly

In January 1982 while driving a winter Top Deck tour in Europe I spent a couple of days at Gallipoli It was a surreal experience and one I regularly recall because from what Irsquove seen on TV the site has changed markedly Back then it was still a deserted spot on a windswept peninsular scarred by half-filled trenches and littered with rusting reminders of battles long since fought

Standing on the ridge line looking down on the beach at Anzac Cove I remember wondering how anybody survived it was such a shooting gallery On the beach the rusting ribs of one of the landing craft lay half buried in the sand Our rag-tag group of Aussie budget travellers ndash a larrikin group if ever there was one ndash explored its remains reverently All of us were lost in thoughts of what it represented and what that peaceful beach must have been like on that April morning so many years earlier

The only inhabitants in the area were a group of soldiers occupying a semi-derelict concrete bunker at the beach edge where the Turkish flag flew proud and bright When they learned we were Australians they downed arms shook our hands vigorously invited us in and in broken TurkishGermanEnglish declared themselves brothers It really was very movinghellip

Up at the Walkerrsquos Ridge Cemetery overlooking Suvla Bay rows of white tombstones stood silently in the winter sunshine Most from memory bore a standard inscription ndash Here lies a soldier of the Great War ndash and many were for men aged between 18 and 25 As a 24 year old at the time it was a soberingexperience One personalised headstone I came across was for 23 year old Trooper Harold Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse killed at The Nek on 7 August 1915 An inscription read ldquoHis last words lsquoGoodbye Cobber God Bless Yoursquordquo

Itrsquos difficult to recount the emotions Gallipoli evoked during that visit 33 years ago I remember it being an immensely sad and lonely place ndash if indeed a place can be sad and lonely But those memories will always be tempered by the pride and friendship of the Turkish troops and that of the Turkish people as a whole The bond forged between our nations through shared tragedy so long ago felt real and quite tangible

I doubt Irsquoll visit Gallipoli again The new car parks roads monuments and tourists would be an affront to my memories They say nothing good comes from war but perhaps thatrsquos not true As Australians and New Zealanders wersquove chosen this campaign to symbolise our National coming-of-age On it wersquove built an identity and share a bond that helps define who we are collectively Would we have such an identity and bond if WW1 and Gallipoli hadnrsquot happened How much better off would we be if we hadnrsquot lost so many from that generation Of course those are unanswerable questions but on this 100th ANZAC anniversary Lest We Forget has renewed meaning Lest our troubled world repeats the terrible mistakes of the past Lest We Forgethellip

LEsT WE ForgEThellip

on my mind | 5

Richard

The Most Recognised Name in Motorhomesreg

2015 range of Motorhomes Campervans and Caravans now available across Australia

Find a Winnebago dealership near you Visit

wwwgowinnebagocomau

Licensee and authorised distributor of Winnebago Industries Inc Forest City Iowa USA

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

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OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

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View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

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WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

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VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

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WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

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WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

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aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

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COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 6: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

6 | Content

3 About UsWho we are where and other legal stuff

66 Next IssueWhatrsquos coming up and which shows are on soon

8 ResourcesFind back issues and more on our website

24 MarketplaceThe latest Marketplace offers

5 On my MindLest We Forgethellip

14 NewsWhatrsquos happening in the wider RV world - and beyond

42 Day Test Avida Esperance C7922 SLEsperance Reprised ndash A bigger slide-out is just the beginning

26 Touring Test Trakka JabiruLast of the Mohicans ndash Trakkarsquos last production VW Crafterhellip

54 TechnicalLED Replacement Headlights

57 TechnicalLight Bar Legalities

58 Sydney Supershow ReportCatching up on the latest happeningshellip

62 Mobile TechWhat Makes You Appy

11 On your MindShare your thoughts for the chance to win $50

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

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24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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1

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 7: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

iMotorhome

reso

urce

s

because getting there is half the fun

Ask a Question

Back Issues

Road Tests

SubscriptionMarketplace

Reader Survey

Reader Review

User Guide

8 | resources

Magazine Resources

Review and images by Malcolm Street

Dethleffs lsquobabyrsquo A-class is something to ogle athellip

Esprit de Cor Blimey

iMotorhome mag

azin

e

because getting there is half the fun

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

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Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 8: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

ReaderReview

Paradise Motor Homes wwwparadisemotorhomescomau245 Brisbane Road Biggera Waters Queensland 4216ph (07) 5597 4400 - email infoparadisemotorhomescomau Paradise Motor Homes products are protected by registered designs patents and copyrights trade copy 2013

Australiarsquos Best Quality Motorhomes

Enjoy the prestige of owning Australiarsquos best quality motorhome

bull Outstanding value formoney competitivelypriced from $158000

bull Unrivalled Safety includingrollover protectionauto-locking cabinetryand superior appliancemounting systems

bull Industryrsquos longest amp mostcomprehensive motorhomewarranty

bull Built for Australian conditions

bull Models available with or without slide-outsbull Superior finish with stylish new contoured exteriorbull Patented moulded bins for maximum storage capacitybull Outstanding road handling amp ride comfortbull Genuine island queen beds and huge wardrobesbull Spacious rear ensuites with separate toilet amp showerbull Market leading layouts amp lifestyle featuresbull Full living area slide-outs providing superior living spacebull Proven reliability of Paradisersquos patented slide-outs

Relax in Paradise

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 9: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

This isnrsquot a motorhome specific tip but one any driver can enjoy while travelling In case you didnrsquot know most 7-Eleven stores sell coffee for $1 a cup This is fresh ground coffee and fresh hot milk and even though itrsquos made by machine (itrsquos DIY) itrsquos still a very good coffee They do larger sizes for $2 and $3 and often have specials like a banana bread for $2 if you buy any size coffee We use them regularly but find the $1 cups the best bargain Also lots of Coles Express petrol stations now have $080 coffee ndash again from a machine but still good ndash although the cups are smaller than

7-Elevenrsquos $1 cups And to top it off Coles has a loyalty card and after 5 $080 cent coffees you get the 6th one free Anyway happy birthday to all the iMotorhome people and keep up the great work My wife and I look forward to the next three years

Cheers Pete

Thanks for the heads-up Pete Mrs iM and I are serious coffee lovers and wersquoll certainly check them out Please accept this issuersquos $50 which will buy you ndash let see ndash 50 or 62 coffees not taking into account the loyalty card bonus Cheers indeed

Congratulations on the three year milestone and a great read as well I do have to comment though on the lead in the bucket ldquoideardquo that you have shown (last issuersquos winning letter) It is my understanding that this is highly illegal under ASNZS 30002007 or 30002001 (I think they are the relevant standards but please check) It is illegal to have a join in a power lead to a moveable dwelling and it must be protected by a residual current device (RCD switch) hence the Ampfibian I think it still remains as the only legal outdoor device that can be used to protect joins from 10 to 15 amps The ldquobucket ideardquo may also be promoting

joining of cables that are not long enough ndash also illegal Insurance could be voided if the insured was shown to have committed an illegal act in the unfortunate case of a claim

Regards Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine I should have known better and stand appropriately corrected I removed the letter from the magazine and most copies that went out had a blank space with an apology (thatrsquos the beauty of electronic publishing) Thanks also for your congratulations and for keeping an eye on us Please keep up the good work

Itrsquos 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 ndash or ask ndash just drop a line to lettersimotorhomecomau and wersquoll share it with our readers Wersquoll also reward

the most interesting useful or thoughtful letter each issue with $50 to help you on your way

Cheers

Congratulations Buthellip

Win $50 for the best letteron your mind | 11

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 10: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

12 | on your mind

Bucket of TroubleHi Richard another great issue dont know how you keep pumping them out However a couple of comments The Bucket of Tricks article I believe may be promoting an illegal and unsafe practice I am no electrical expert but I believe it is illegal to connect an RV to a power source with any leads that are joined as shown This has been discussed on various forums over time Also the diagram shown could have water in heavy rain trickle down the leads to the plugs Might pay to check with the experts on this one

Also thanks for the article on Ballarat we have ensured the Facebook thread has been brought to the attention of Big 4 so we await their reaction One point however is in your article the quoted post

by one of our readers at the end would appear to have been made by us In no way would we call for a boycott of a business which is illegal but the way the article reads we appear to have done so Would appreciate if that could be clarified in the next issue

Regards Arthur

Yes Arthur yoursquore quite right (see reply to Lorrainersquos letter) Re the Facebook article apologies for that which was a layout error that was also subsequently corrected Keep up the good work with your Freedom of Choice Camping website and Facebook page

Webasto Thermo amp Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 423-427 The Boulevarde Kirrawee NSW 2232 Freecall 1800 244 494 infowebastocomau wwwwebastocomau

Webasto ndash your gas free solution for independent travelling

Thermo Top ndashWater Heaters

DieselCook Top

Air Top ndashAir Heaters

Dual Top ndash Combination Heaters

Quiet powerfuloperationLow power amp fuelconsumptionUse whilst parked ampon the move

Compact andeffi cientFast heat up timesCan be combinedwith fan radiators toprovide cabin heat

Heat amp hot waterfrom one unitEasy to use multi-function controllerLow power amp fuelconsumption

High cooking powerup to 1800 WNo naked fl ame andno fumesRobust high qualityCeranreg cookingsurface

RVCompressorFridges

AU

1325

2

Extensive range ofUprights and DrawersAvailable as DC Only orACDCRobust high quality withDanfoss Compressors

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 11: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

wwwsunlinercomau

Last year we celebrated our 40th anniversary manufacturing Australiarsquos most beautiful recreational vehicles This year we are looking forward

In 2015 we are excited to release 3 new models on new chassisrsquo including the grandest motorhome to leave our production facility We are investing in our customer support with new team members and resources to ensure our Sunliner customers new and old feel the same care and attention that we invest in our motorhomes

We have several new projects including our new website release and the introductinon of a new Sunliner Online Community

We look forward to meeting and sharing with you our beautiful motorhomes and campervans throughout the year at the Camping and Caravan Shows at our dealerships and online

2015

Personalise your journey

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 12: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

14 | News

Win your very own 4 cm x 66 cm Duvalay luxury memory foam sleeping bag and matching Duvalay tote bag valued at $28895

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system is simply changing the way people are sleeping away from home For 2015 the range of colours and sizes has increased allowing Duvalay to meet most style and size of bed requirements

WIN A DUVALAY

Simply go to the Duvalay Australia website ndash wwwduvalaycomau ndash and find the answer to the following question by watching the video on the Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag page

Q What thickness of memory foam is Liz demonstrating in the Duvalay video

bull Top quality memory foam comfortbull Seconds to make the bedbull Bedding that stays putbull Easy to storebull Easy to washbull Many many uses

Email your answer to infoduvalaycomau and like our Facebook page at facebookcomDuvalaynet

Good luck and sweet dreams

This issue is your last chance to win a fabulous Duvalay memory foam sleeping bag valued at $28895

Duvalays are iMotorhomersquos preferred sleep system and we take ours on every test possible Theyrsquove revolutionised how easily a bed can be made up and how comfortably we sleep

See the competition ad for details and be sure to get you entry in by Wednesday 22 April The winner will be announced next issue Good luck

DUVALAY COMP WINDS UP

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

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bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

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Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

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COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

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We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

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An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

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Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

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perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

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Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

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Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 13: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8 $144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN $159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

awrvworldcomau

WE SELL AUSTRALIA WIDETRADE-INS WELCOME

Albury Wodonga RV WORLD ndash 5 Melrose Dr Woodonga VIC 02 6024-4222

PRE-LOVED

VIBE$109950 Drive Away

Ready for Immediate DeliveryVIC Ref SU4049

Sunliner Ranger $99000 Drive Away

Lots of Options Only 20000kms

VIC Ref SU4043

Winnebago Leisure Seeker$98638 Drive Away

SLIDEOUT with only 57000kms

VIC Ref U1142

Jayco Conquest $99970 Drive Away

Solar Bike Rack amp lots more Only 29000kms

VIC Ref U1211

OVATION M8$144560 Drive Away

Lots of Factory OptionsVIC Ref AV2099

WHITEHAVEN$159990 Drive Away

BIG Slide outVIC Ref WB6005

View Over 60 Units Online247

SU4040 Holiday H531$180575 Drive AwaySunliner Spec 2 amp Cino Finish

aV2063 oVation M7$153420 Drive AwayLots of Factory Options

WB6006 Bondi 4S$113700 Drive AwayElectric bed

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

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wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 14: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

NORTHCOACHEQUIPMENT PTY LTD

16 | News

T he ACCC has announced the start of national product safety recalls for portable butane stove cookers The move follows the ldquostop salerdquo actions taken by individual States and Territories in accordance with the suspension of their compliance certification To find out

more visit their website HERE

BUTANE COOKERS RECALLED NATIONALLY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

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wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 15: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

M urdered Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott was originally a Canowindra girl On the eve of the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge competitors and visitors alike

launched a mass balloon tribute to the Townrsquos lost daughter Balloons big and small rose skyward at 630 am on Sunday April 12 under a perfect sky watched by a hushed crowd

CANOWINDRA BALLOON FESTIVAL TRIBUTE

News | 17

Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Australia (RVMA) has an online survey asking for ownersrsquo opinions on their

vehicles as well as their purchase experience Itrsquos not an in-depth survey but is a good opportunity to let the Industry know what you think of your vehicle ndash good or bad To access the survey click HERE

INDUSTRY SURVEY

The Wirraway 260 SLWith i t rsquos Fu l l Length S l ideout Room amp Apar tment

Sty led Layout

From WIRRAWAY ldquoAustraliarsquos Most Innovative Motorhomesrdquo

Wirraway is a dedicated family owned business striving for Motorhome excellenceOur Motorhomes are our passion Every Wirraway Motorhome is handbuilt and designed by

experienced motorhomers who know the importance of making life easier on the roadNew to our Range is the brilliant lsquolive like a movie starrsquo Wirraway 260 SL

the latest in our 260 series our EuroStyle 260 with itrsquos European styled interiorand ldquoThe Motorhome of the Yearrdquo the Wirraway 260

Wirraway Motorhomes feature opulence style and all the legendary designelectrical and construction innovations that are unique to all Wirraways

Each Wirraway Model is unique - All are a Must SeeView Our New Website to view All Models Download Brochures ampVirtual RealityTours

For details contact Rob Tonkin - Wirraway Motorhomes 6 Hynes Court Mildura Vic 3500Phone Fax (03) 50 230 230 - New Email infowirrawaycomau amp New Website wwwwirrawaycomau

On The Road Wirraway 260SL Slideout Motorhome - 2012 copy Rex Willmer

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

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The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

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To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

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03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

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Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

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nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 16: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

18 | News

An informal campaign has begun via social media to encourage visitors to Outback Queensland to help small

town economies struggling with the regions crippling drought

Longreach photographer and gallery owner Debbie Scott created an outback image with the slogan stay a night spend a dollarrdquo The image has been viewed tens of thousands of times and shared on social media She said people wanted to personally help drought-stricken communities

There have been statistics of some businesses saying they would have to shut in the next month if business doesnt improve she said But in saying that business has picked up in the last couple of weeks and I think tourists are looking to help drought-affected towns too They still want to come out and have a look [and] if everyone thinks like that then you can feel like you are personally helping out small businesses

Ms Scott said she had had some grey nomads in her shop who said they saw the social media post and decided to buy refreshments out rather than stay in their caravan She said there was also a group working to see whether billboards could be erected in the region with the same message

I would like to see that everywhere that is affected by drought so that people could say okay well if we stay a night here and spend a dollar we are actually personally helping the people affected by the droughtrsquo that would be great

The Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) said it supported any measures to get visitors out west and that all of the regions natural and man-made attractions were in full swing despite the drought conditions General manager Peter Homan said data had shown those who travelled to the region had been spending less but that could be tied up with the mining downturn and work visitors

Figures that we get from the National Visitor Survey indicate about 400000 visitors a year to the Outback with a spend of around $250 million on average he said ldquoThe numbers are up slightly but the overall expenditure over about the last three years is down about six per centrdquo

Jane Morgan from Charlevilles Cosmos Centre said the school holiday period had so far been promising and if the numbers continued through the season it would mean several millions of dollars to the Charleville community

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has worked out that a visitor spends about $135 a day she said We work in Charleville on about $85 a day accommodation is a little bit cheaper than on the Eastern Seaboard and so when you get 65000 to 70000 people passing through your town during tourism season that is a lot of moneyrdquo

STAY A NIGHT SPEND A DOLLAR

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

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bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

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Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

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LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

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An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

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needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

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Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

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perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

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on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

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Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

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Bony Mountain Folk Festival

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Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 17: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

News | 19

wwwebooktravellercomauFor more information visit

From the ocean to the outback and destinations in betweenFancy some scenic touring through the Flinders Ranges or paddling a kayak on Cooper Creek Perhaps a bit of camping solitude in the Gawler Ranges is more to your liking Maybe a spot of fishing at Beachport or just lazing back at Melrose for a couple of days

Whatever your fancy this ebook for iPad contains a selection of 12 of South Australiarsquos most accessible and beautiful destinations that offer travellers great touring and fantastic camping opportunities

Whether yoursquore travelling by motorhome towing a caravan or just packing a tent there are destinations for everyone

12 DESTINATIONS

ONLY $999

One in six motorists tested for drug-driving in New South Wales returned a positive result over the Easter long weekend police say Officers said they conducted

1300 tests and caught 222 drivers with methamphetamine cannabis or ecstasy in their systems Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the figures were shocking

One in 6 is a very high figure ndash we know our average is one in 14 he said We are testing more and more and well be testing 48000 drivers this next financial year towards 100000 in 2016

Were very concerned over the behaviour this weekend It appears the scourge of drugs is across the whole community not just in driving

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said police would triple their capacity to drug test across the state and move equipment to country locations

DRUG DRIVING INCREASE

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

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iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 18: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

20 | News

M cWilliamrsquos Wines is renowned for producing world class wines on Australian soil and the CMCA said it is excited to announce that four vineyardscellar doors

have officially become RV Friendly Destinations They are

bull McWilliamrsquos Hanwood Estate Griffith NSW

bull Mount Pleasant Estate Hunter Valley NSW

bull Brandrsquos Laira Coonawarra Victoria

bull Evans amp Tate Margaret River WA

Situated in some of the most picturesque landscapes of Australia a stopover at one of their properties is said to guarantee a memorable experience Parking for up to 96 hours (negotiable) is permitted at each location pets are allowed on leads and there are bins toilets and water available CMCA members will also receive a 10 discount off the lsquomemberrsquo listed pricing at the cellar door Simply produce your current CMCA membership card when making your purchase Note Brandrsquos Laira Estate will be bringing a sample of their range to the Murray Bridge rally so be sure to drop in for a tasting at the Indoor Trade area on Monday and Tuesday

CMCA ANNOUNCES RV FRIENDLY WINERIES

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

wwwskytrackscomau

thepainmancomauCall 0404 661 895

wwwsosmailcomau

Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

your neighbour

Yes Then you can earn money to keep tavelling

No sales experience necessary

Medical product

The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 19: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Luxurious interiors Flexible floorplans

On and off road modelsCUSTOM BUILT

BUY FACTORY DIRECT AND SAVE

Expedition Vehicles

222 Governor Road Braeside VIC 3195 Ph 03 9588 0077

infotrailblazersrvcomwwwtrailblazersrvcom

COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT FIFTH WHEELERS

EXPEDITION VEHICLESDEMOUNTABLE PODS

LEAVE THE OTHERS BEHIND GO WHERE THE OTHERS CANrsquoT GO DO WHAT THE OTHERS CANrsquoT DO

News | 21

Pressure on accommodation in Denmark in Western Australias Great Southern during peak periods will be eased under

a new plan to provide overflow camping at the towns sports oval A grant of $248000 from Tourism WA will go towards building 68 new sites and upgrades to power water sewage and roads at McLean Oval The oval will be turned into a multipurpose facility for 68 caravan sites

Operators at the Denmark caravan park have been forced to turn away campers during holiday periods because of a lack of berths Denmark Shire CEO Dale Stewart said the extra capacity would work in conjunction with commercial caravan park operators and provide extra trade for local businesses

GRANT FOR DENMARK WA

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

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in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

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Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

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The Duvalay memory foam sleeping system - for those who enjoy a comfortable

nights sleep but hate making the bed All the comforts of home while you explore the extraordinary To order simply call (08) 9336 7714 or email infoduvalaycomau

wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 20: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

22 | News

Marketplace UpdateThe iMotorhome Marketplace Directory continues to grow Here are the latest additions and renewals if yoursquore looking for anything for your motorhome or campervan please consider these great companies who help keep this magazine coming to you

Covers - Motorhomes amp CaravansUncompromising quality is promised by this Australian company backed by a five year warranty on all its customer made motorhome and caravan covers

Itech WorldAustraliarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturer offers 160 W amp 200 W folding panels and the Complete Traveller satellite TV package amongst its wide range

Tiffin MotorhomesAmericarsquos favourite motorhome is now available in Australia Tiffin Motorhomes Australia is proud to offer the Allegro Breeze 32 to the Australian market

Tathra Beach Family ParkFrankie J Holden owns and runs this fabulous beachside park in picturesque Tathra on the sunny NSW South Coast thatrsquos rapidly becoming an RV favourite destination

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

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T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

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T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

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13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 21: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

News | 23 Mountain View LeongathaAn over 55s community opened in October 2012 Luxury communal features in a heated pool plus RV storage and a 24-hour on-call nurse are just some of the highlights

WebastoManufactures and supplies comfort on-the-move products including diesel-fired air heaters water heaters and cook tops plus fridges freezers and more

SkytracksAn innovative and transportable modular storage system uses that space above your head Especially good for campervans and pop-tops

Country Motor GroupThe official dealer for Avida sales and service on the NSW South Coast just two hours south of Sydney

DAngelo EngineeringSpecialist fifth-wheel hitch and king pin manufacturers based in Melbourne Check out the tough MiniMax and their full range of hitches

Nomadic Solutions The unique lsquoLifestyletable is a fold-down picnic table that mounts to the side of your vehicle Easy to install itrsquos the ideal lsquolife stylersquo accessory

Send My MailA full service mail forwarding business that can scan andor forward mail or hold it for collection Includes a monthly forwarding service at no extra charge

Wellington ShireWellington Shire in the heart of Eastern Victoriarsquos Gippsland region is Motorhome Friendly and famous for its lakes high country beaches and gentle country lifestyle Enjoy

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

T 1300 483 249W itechworldcomau bonymountainfolkfestivalcom

T (07) 3209 3144W batterytraderscomau

T (03) 5144 1108W tourismwellingtoncomau

T (02) 6881 1400W tarongaorgau

T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

T (02) 4953 7141W summerlifervcomau

Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR RV OWNERS

The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

in ideal conditions Super light

too at 108kg Folds away

quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

03 9588 0077wwwtrailblazersrvcominfotrailblazersrvcom

Expedition Vehicles

Fifth Wheelers Truck Campers Slide Ons

Over13 1113 years13 cover13 manufacturing13 experience13 Australia13

wideFree13 Measure13 amp13 Quote13 Call13 in13 Factory13 135413 Mons13 Road13 13 Forest13 Glen13 13 Sunshine13 Coast13 Queensland13 13 PH-shy‐130013 30413 332075456481813 wwwcaravancoverscomau13 infocaravancoverscomau13 Qld13 Stockist13 of13 Duvalay13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 22: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

24 | iMotorhome Marketplace

Parkland RV is the official dealer for Avida Motorhomes Crossroads RV and Opal Caravans in WA We stock quality used RVs and our modern service department can

look after everything

We design and manufacture air suspension kits for all types of vehicles including motorhomes

Easy to install they let you lsquolevel uprsquo for stability and safety

This great Aussie festival in the bush is on again featuring the legendary Murphyrsquos Pigs Many other great

artists a Bush Poets breakfast billy tea damper great tucker ndash donrsquot miss it

An official Avida motorhome dealer with more than 50 new

motorhomes in the largest undercover RV showroom in the

Southern Hemisphere Our service department is here for all your

needs too

Batteries solar panels inverters alternators and all electrical parts including cables and switches for your motorhome We can find and fix all electrical faults and are 12 V

power specialists

Australiarsquos leading solar power and satellite TV manufacturers We stock the revolutionary In Flex and

Mini Flex panels Plus our Complete Traveler Satellite TV package is

perfect for motorhomes

In the heart of Victoriarsquos Gippsland region Come and enjoy our natural beauty famous lakes High Country

and expansive beaches Find lsquoExperience 40 Great Things to Dorsquo

on our website too

Australiarsquos leading fifth wheelers designed here in Australia and

built to suit our demanding conditions Fifth wheelers from

24rsquo to 36rsquo available Call 02 4953 7141 for information

Visit our world famous 300 ha open range sanctuary home to some of the most exotic and endangered animals on earth Explore by foot bike electric

cart or in your motorhome

T (08) 9493 7933W parklandrvcomau

T 1800 AIRBAGW airbagmancomau

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T 1800 253 136W robertsrvcomau

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Parkland RV Centre

Airbag Man

Bony Mountain Folk Festival

iTech World Wellington Shire

Battery Traders Super Store Taronga

Western Plains Zoo

Roberts RV World RV Specialists

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

The E-Twow Electric scooter for adults

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The alternative to a bike25kmh with a range of 40km

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quite compact for small storage

To find out more call Mark on 0412027330 or email

mje240adamcomauwwwe-twowcom

1

bull More Versatile Than Any Other RVbull Camp Anywhere - Itrsquos Self Containedbull Large Bathroom With Shower amp Toiletbull Easy To Operate With Electric Jacksbull Models For Single Extra amp Dual Cabsbull Plus Famous Ozcape Quality amp Support

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13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

FLEXIBLE STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN OR

MOTORHOMEStore those additional items up and out of

the way using our adjustable transportable and modular storage system

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Travelling Australia Can you say ldquohellordquo to

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wwwduvalaycomau

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 23: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

iMotorhome Marketplace | 25

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1

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by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 24: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

by Richard Robertson

Trakka bids farewell to the VW Crafter but its Jabiru layout lives onhellip

Last of the Mohicans

26 | Touring Test Trakka Jabiru

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 25: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Volkswagens launch of the Crafter van and cab-chassis in 2006 coincided precisely with Mercedesrsquo release of the

current shape Sprinter Thatrsquos because the Crafter and Sprinter rolled down the same production line at Mercedesrsquo Dusseldorf factory Only when it came time for the drivetrain and trim items did the two part company with Crafters going off to a VW facility to receive a Volkswagen engine gearbox trim and badging

Despite the same structural design and engineering Crafters have been marketed priced and perceived a level below the Sprinter due to the differences in engines gearboxes ndash and badging Most notably Sprinters received more advanced drivelines especially with a fully automatic transmission over VWrsquos automated manual option Visually the Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation which is made in Brazil and is

the flagship of the Companyrsquos South American heavy truck range

Midlife Crisis

In 201112 the Crafter received a mid-life update but did away with the six-speed automated manual offering only a six-speed

manual gearbox I have no official explanation as to why but sources tell me there were ldquoissuesrdquo with the self-shifter especially when running at fully loaded weights all the time and in the hands of rental customers

The update included a switch from the gruff 5-cylinder 25-litre turbo-diesel to the same 4-cylinder 20-litre turbo-diesel used across the VW passenger car and Amorak ute ranges Importantly power and torque didnrsquot suffer in the capacity downsize Interestingly the combination of German engineering

At just over seven metres the Jabiru is a big van VWrsquos Crafter and Mercedesrsquo Sprinter are twins having rolled down the same production line Only drive trains trim and badging separate them

Touring Test | 27

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 26: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

sharp pricing and a low-maintenance manual transmission appealed to many rental operators In recent years Crafters have become the mainstay of some fleets especially those of companies marketing to Europeans who mostly prefer to change gears themselves anyway

Fast-forward to 2015 and the Crafter is no more a victim of either the run-away success of Mercedesrsquo Sprinter and the need for more production capacity or VWrsquos recent alignment with MAN trucks (depending on who you listen to) As I write construction is well underway on a massive factory in Wrzesnia Poland that will open late in 2016 and produce up to a staggering 85000 all-new Crafterrsquos annually The new model will apparently have strong MAN truck DNA and should be a very interesting vehicle when it arrives Just donrsquot hold your breath for an Antipodean premier much before late 2017 or early 2018

The subject of this review is Trakkarsquos very last Crafter-based Jabiru van conversion motorhome (the company

Top Factory-fitted rear windows are fixed but on the new model Trakka fits an interior panel that provides privacy

screens and something to sit up against in bed Bottom Day running

lights are a good feature The vanrsquos relatively slim width makes for easy

driving in town and city traffic

28 | Touring Test

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 27: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

having long-since discontinued its Crafter-based Trakkaway coachbuilt motorhomes) The Jabiru continues as a Mercedesrsquo Sprinter-based model and in reality itrsquos probably where 99 per cent of sales have been in recent years Trakka says private buyers just donrsquot want a manual gearbox and it appears those same private owners have punished Volkswagen

accordingly That is a shame really because the manual Crafter has much to offer and is surprisingly refined and enjoyable and impressively economical

Less is More

The 5-cylinder 25-litre engine of Crafterrsquos past had a coarse feel and

gruff note and couldnrsquot feel

and sound more different from the test vehiclersquos 4-cylinder 20-litre donk Smooth and sweet the new engine produces a healthy 120 kW 4000 rpm and 400 Nm 1500-2250 rpm thanks to twin turbochargers equalling the 25 L engine in kilowatts (although 500 revs higher) and beating it by 50 Nm in the torque department at 500 fewer revs

Crafterrsquos distinctive nose is a styling nod to the Volkswagen Constellation truck from South America

Touring Test | 29

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 28: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

On the road this translates to quiet refined progress with the engine only intruding (mutedly) under acceleration At cruise ndash think 1800 rpm 100 kmh ndash the cab is very quiet and the engine smooth a silk Clutch action is light and progressive while the hill-hold facility proved handy Shift quality was a tad notchy but otherwise light and easy to operate Being rear-wheel drive the Crafter steered nicely under acceleration and maintained a rock-steady line over roughbroken bitumen on corners There was a small amount of body roll but it was easily anticipated and overall the ride quality was exemplary

As mentioned the engine proved impressively economical returning 817 L100 km (346 mpg) over 1045 km of freeway and country driving from 85 of the fuel tankrsquos 100 litres True we were lightly loaded but even so it was significantly better than any other motorhome Irsquove toured in On return to Trakka after a week or local running around the Southern Highlands and including a final run in peak hour traffic it

only increased to 1027 L100 km (275 mpg) which was still excellent

The downside ndash because therersquos always one ndash is the little engine doesnrsquot have much in the engine braking department Its small displacement also means it doesnrsquot have much off-idle grunt so taking off in second gear is a no-no unless yoursquore on a decent hill even lightly loaded Itrsquos not that the enginersquos torque curve is peaky ndash max torque is 1500-2250 rpm ndash just that at times therersquos no substitute for cubic centimetres

The gearbox also required a bit of stirring in hilly country to keep revs in the right range but when it got the bit between its teeth it hung on like a beauty Over the biggest hills of the Hume Highway between Sydney and Yass it held 6th gear all the way admittedly dropping from 110 kmh to 95-100 kmh in places What I absolutely loved was that changing gears didnrsquot cancel the cruise control which is always a bugbear with manual transmissions

REMIS privacy blinds for the windscreen and side windows are our favourite as they take just a moment to close or open Thermal insulation isnrsquot up to that of Solarscreen however

30 | Touring Test

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

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Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 29: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements

Touring Test | 31

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 30: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Top You sit deeper in a CrafterSprinter than a Fiat Ducato and the wheel is more upright and car like Insert Semi-automatic climate control provides temp settings in ordmC but you have to work the fan and AC manually Bottom Boot space is good The outdoor table and awning winder store up under the bed while a shelf in the centre compartment is surprisingly handy The space to the left is deep enough for a suitcase or other bulky items

I also appreciated the choice of using cruise control or the speed limiter the latter proving very handy on suburban roads in country towns and in traffic on freeways This feature is common across the CrafterSprinter range and alone is almost a reason to buy

The test Crafter had a range of standard features that enhanced the driving experience like front and rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel They were in addition to remote central locking cab air-conditioning an AFFMCD sound system with Bluetooth a trip computer electric windows and mirrors height adjustable headlights and more Dual airbags ABS brakes traction and electronic stability controls were also standard fare About the only thing to detract from the driving enjoyment was the slightly thin plastic steering wheel but Irsquom being picky now

Outside and In

The CrafterSprinter body is 57 mm (22 in) narrower than the Fiat Ducatorsquos but the long wheelbase (LWB) version used for

the Jabiru is some 582 mm (1 ft 11 in) longer than the longest Ducato available the extra-long wheelbase (ELWB) I mention this because Trakka builds van-conversion motorhomes on

32 | Touring Test

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 31: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

both platforms ndash the CrafterSprinter is called the Jabiru and the Fiat Ducato is the Torino ndash and physical size differences aside they arevery similar inside For many buyers the final choice comes down to brand preference as much as anything

Im a particular fan of van-conversion motorhomes because they retain the strength and rigidity of the steel body and are designed for a lifetime of exposure to the elements There are minimal opportunities for water ingress ndash especially as they age ndash while external maintenance is simple and straightforward There are also less susceptible to expensive damage from minor knocks and bingles and in no way should be considered the lsquopoor manrsquos choicersquo alongside coachbuilt motorhomes

The Crafterrsquos Jabiru conversion includes two roof hatches one for the bathroom and a powered one for the bed area There are four flush-fitting opening external windows (two on each side) one of which is in the bathroom wall and really doesnrsquot need to be there A four metre wind-out awning electric entry step external shower (cleverly concealed in the wall and accessed via the toilet cassette hatch) are all standard equipment along with a single 4 kg gas bottle and Trakkarsquos signature inbuilt power lead The standard Waeco reversing camera ndash one with dual lenses that automatically switch between vertical and distance views ndash is another Trakka signature and the best in the business A pair of 100 AH house batteries are standard along with 110-litres of fresh and 80-litres of grey water Rooftop solar and a diesel fired heating system are optional

Stepping inside the floor plan is entirely conventional It features a front lounge that incorporates the swivelling cab seats a mid

Top Waecorsquos dual-lens reversing camera is shown here in reversing mode When driving a shield covers the big lens leaving the small one looking out through a hole at following traffic Itrsquos a ripper Bottom Ingenious lsquohangingrsquo wardrobe provides foot room below for sleeping Overall finish is impeccable

Touring Test | 33

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 32: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

positioned kitchen and bathroom and a rear bedroom The decor is classic Trakka and uses a combination of light timber finishes with aluminium accents and dark grey roller shutter doors on the overhead cupboards Lighting throughout is LED thatrsquos dimmable (including the exterior lights) and includes another Trakka signature purpleblue ldquomoodrdquo strips in the kitchen I was also pleased to see a good selection of 240 V power points 12 V sockets and 5 V USB charging outlets

Livinrsquo amp Cookinrsquo

No van-conversion can truly claim to bespacious but the Jabiru makes good use of available space Those missing

two inches of width however compared with the Fiat Ducato-based Trakka Torino are most noticeable between the kitchen and bathroom There the combination of a convex bathroom wall and kitchen benchtop narrow the aisle making through-vehicle access while one personrsquos cooking an excellent opportunity for a cuddle Unless cough yoursquore just travelling with a matehellip

Trakka uses multiple floor levels to maximise headroom in the centre of the vehicle while keeping a level floor in the cabdining area and providing good bedroom storage Itrsquos a proven system but one you need to be mindful of when moving around the vehicle in the dark

Up front both seats swivel easily and a pole-mounted dining table fits neatly into a floor socket between them During the day the table stores in a holder on the inside of the sliding side door while the pole stores in the kitchen end unit Care is needed when closing the door behind you on entry to avoid an abrasion and big bruise on the back of your leg from the tablersquos substantial mount Just ask Mrs iMotorhome

Top The kitchen has a surprising amount of work space Above The pole-mounted table works nicely with the cab seats and keeps the dining occupant well away from the chef at work New models have a second smaller coffee table as well

34 | Touring Test

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 33: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Immediately behind the driverrsquos seat in the corner formed by the end panel of the unit that houses the elevated fridge and microwave is a small floor unit with a drawer benchtop and a compact flip-up table Apart from being an ideal place for coffee cups during a quick stop it makes a great little workstation when the driverrsquos seats is swivelled 180ordm

The main kitchen unit runs along the kerb-side wall amidships and intrudes a little into the open door space It has six self-closing drawers ndash good to see a manufacture who understandskitchen cupboards are largely wasted space and usually the cheap option ndash as well as a long run of bench top The bench is largely occupied by the two-burner gas cooker and the round sink-sans-drainer with folding tap ndash both with glass lids Therersquos also a filtereddrinking-water tap and a glass-lidded rubbish

bin that does double duty as a removable wine cooler Above the cooker is a rangehood ndash the best place for it ndash above which is a small cupboard that houses all the electrical controls These comprise a multifunction display for most systems including battery and water tank levels inside and outside temperature and switches for the water pump and 12 V system Alongside is the fridge master switch and individual controls for the LED mood lighting strips

Across from the forward end of the main kitchen unit opposite the door as you enter is the tall unit that houses the elevated fridge with microwave above It has a cupboard below thatrsquos home to the house batteries and extra storage At the aft end of the main bench is a small bulkhead divider that conceals a concertina door for bedroom privacy What

Gas is the standard cooking and hot water fuel but the optional Remote Pack includes a diesel cooktop water heater and room heater leaving the Jabiru LPG-free Note tap on the right for filtered drinking water

Touring Test | 35

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 34: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

makes the bulkhead special are two small deep recessed shelves with power outlets for charging all manner of mobile devices in addition to a normal double 240 V power point Very nice

Switch Mode Bathing

Trakkarsquos patented Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB) is standard in every bathroom-equipped model with the exception

of the range topping Trakkaway 860 which has separate shower and bathroom cubicles In a nutshell the SMB combines a generous shower slimline hand basin and bench and mirrored shaving cabinet with a remote-controlled retractable cassette toilet The sum of this innovation is the best bathroom space utilisation in the available floor space with minimum inconveniencecompromise

The units convex outer wall maximises interior space while a sliding roller shutter door (matching those of the cupboards) provides

Top The small flip-up table makes an good workstation Bottom The cassette toilet retracts beneath the hand basin providing a spacious shower cubicle

36 | Touring Test

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 35: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

requisite privacy The cassette toilet unit lsquohidesrsquo under the handbasin when not required while a close fitting shower curtain press-studs into place keeping toilet paper and towels dry and preventing water splashing into the aisle if the door is left open Itrsquos a clever system made cleverer by using the hand basin tap operated by a separate flick mixer for showering Pulling the tap out of the basin converts it to a hand shower by revealing a long flexible hose plus therersquos a wall mount to convert it to a conventional shower

Over time we discovered itrsquos best to leave the toilet extended at night to avoid fumbling for the remote control and its small unmarked buttons in the dark Innovation aside this is still a lsquowetrsquo bathroom so itrsquos also a good idea to wipe the floor dry after showering to avoid cold wet feet in the middle of the night

Sweet Dreams

The bedroom which occupies about the rear third of the vehicle is another multifunction area and provides a number

of sleeping arrangements Primarily set up with two lengthways single beds it has a pull-out extension and drop-in cushion that effectively makes it into a king-size bed if desired At 205 m (6 ft 9 in) bed length is about the best in the industry Single beds measure 065 m (2 ft 2 in) wide while the king bed set-up measures 178 m (5 ft 10 in) across If there isnrsquot room for you in the back of this vehicle yoursquore unlikely to find a motorhome to suit

Storage space can be found beneath the front sections of each single bed plus there is quite a bit accessible via the rear barn doors There are also overhead cupboards on both sides and an unusual lsquofloatingrsquo wardrobe unit with roller shutter door above the foot of the driverrsquos

Top Single beds or a spacious king the choice is yours Our Duvalays fitted the singles perfectly leaving easy access up the centre Bottom The table stores neatly in the sliding door just watch the mount when you pull the door shut behind as you enter New models have relocated the table

Touring Test | 37

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 36: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

side bed Under the bed at the back is also where yoursquoll find the awning winder and the outdoor table which attaches to a rail on the outside of the sliding side door The rear door windows are fixed glass that come standard with the Crafter but there are openings side windows and the afore-mentioned powered roof hatch for night-time ventilation The only option fitted to the test vehicle was a 12 V fan in the bedroom and itrsquos a must-have especially in the absence of air conditioning There were no ceiling lights in the bedroom just reading lights by the rear doors Speaking of the rear doors the gap between the bed end and windows made sitting up in bed difficult without a lot of pillows but this has been resolved in the latest models (see Evolution)

What I think

Someone recently said ldquoYou seem to like every vehicle you testrdquo Thatrsquos true to a degree because I try to present vehicles

in their best light Irsquove learned that just because I might not like specific features that doesnrsquot

mean they wonrsquot appeal tobe important to other people Mrs iMotorhome is more critical but like me she was sorry to see the Crafter-based Jabiru go

We both appreciated its roomy cab and the refined driving experience provided by its small-but-powerful engine I was very happy with the manual transmission and we were both well pleased with its economy Given all that it seems a shame Volkswagenrsquos Crafter has reached the end of its time for now and we can only hope the next model does its predecessors proud In the mean time this Last Mohican is available for the special price of $115000 driveway a saving of some $15000

If yoursquore after something a little different and donrsquot mind changing gears this is well worth a close look Just be quick because like the Last Mohican there wonrsquot be another It also means yoursquoll end up with a special place in history as well as a great motorhome How Call Trakka nowhellip

Both tables fit together well making the dining area highly practical Therersquos a TV in the bedroom that can easily be watched from up front but our iPads provide individual program viewing when desired

38 | Touring Test

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 37: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Strip lighting above and below the cupboards features in the latest Trakka interiors and does away with celling lights It provides soft even light thatrsquos far more natural and has many switching combinations for personal tailoring

EvolutionhellipTrakka continues to refine the Jabiru design and for the 201516 model year has introduced a range of refinements to make an already good design even better They include

bull New trim materials that provide a smoother more up-market look and feel

bull New trim colours with gloss white surfaces and lighter timber tones

bull New lighting The ceiling lights are gone replaced by integrated LED strips beneath and above the overhead cupboards These provide softer and more even natural lighting while still retaining the ability to be dimmed In the kitchen there is a strip under the benchtop edge that shines directly into open drawers

bull Kitchen drawers have larger handles that are easier to hold and use

bull Trim panels now cover the rear doorrsquos fixed-glass windows but have cut-out window openings with built-in privacy blinds

Touring Test | 39

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 38: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

SpecificationsManufacturer Trakka

Model Jabiru

Base Vehicle Volkswagen Crafter LWB

Engine 20-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel

Power 120 kW 4000 rpm

Torque 400 Nm 1550-2250 rpm

Gearbox 6-speed manual

Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc

Tare Weight 3380 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 3880 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 2

External Length 710 m (23 ft 4 in)

External Width 199 m (6 ft 6 in)

External Height 276 m (9 ft 1 in)

Internal Height 194 m (6 ft 4 in)

Bed Size (singles) 205 m x 065 m (6 ft 9 in x 2 ft 2 in)

Bed Size (king) 205 m x 178 m (6 ft 9 in x 5 ft 10 in)

Cooktop 2-burner LPG

Fridge Waeco 136 L

Microwave Yes

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 2 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Optional

Space Heater Optional (diesel)

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Thetford cassette 19 L

Shower Extendable with wall mount

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 110 L

Grey Water Tank 80 L

Price on Road $129500 drive away NSW

Special price as tested $115000 drive away NSW

bull Refined enginebull Excellent economybull Driving experiencebull Qualitybull Bed size and combinationsbull Rear storage

bull Manual onlybull No forward roof hatchbull Limited engine brakingbull Limited off-idle torque

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactTrakka

Click for Google Maps9 Beaumont Rd

Mt-Kuring-gaiNSW 2080T 1800 872 552E trakkatrakkacomau

W wwwtrakkacomau

40 | Touring Test

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 39: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Visit trakkacom or call 1800 TRAKKA

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 40: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

by Malcolm Street

A bigger slide-out is not the only change to Avidarsquos top selling model rangehellip

Esperance Reprised

42 | Day Test Avida Esperance

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 41: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

A three-quarter length slide-out is the main feature of this new Esperance model New colour schemes for 2015 look good too

In something of a surprise move (well to me at least) Avida recently announced the arrival of three new models in the Esperance

Birdsville and Eyre ranges Since I really couldnrsquot test drive three motorhomes at once and the Sydney show was looming ndash hence availability was limited ndash I opted for the Esperance on what turned out to be a wet and misty day in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney

The Vehicle

The most interesting news here is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis which comes

with new mechanicals Not only is there an up-powered 30 litre turbo-diesel the best news is a fully automatic 8-speed gearbox replacing the hesitant 6-speed automated manual that really wasnt up to slick changes particularly at low speeds Well sort of I had part of the new Daily the body part As I drove up the hill towards Glenbrook it became clear the old six-speed AMT was still with me I was only glad I had not opted for my usual test track the windy Old Bathurst Road to Blaxland If you want

more of an explanation of this in-between model read Richards Paradise Integrity review in the March 7 issue Back with the new body style sadly it doesnt seem that Iveco has done anything with the handbrake swivelling seat conflict

Build wise the Esperance has a fully welded metal frame for the walls floor and roof That frame has a foam sheet filler that Avida reckons both acts as an insulant and road noise reducer For the walls all are laminated with backing panels and an outer fibreglass skin Slightly differently the one-piece floor panel has a ply timber sheet above and metal sheeting below for underfloor protection Additionally the Luton peakcab surround rear wall and roof are fully moulded fibreglass In the door and window department Avida has opted for its favourite items a Hehr door and windows I particularly like the latter being glass but also being narrow hoppers (louvers) they can be opened for good ventilation even in the rain and dont stick out too far It would be nice though if a security screen door was a standard item

Day Test | 43

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 42: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Undoubtedly the major feature of interest with this Esperance is that the driverrsquos side slide-out is much longer than previous models and runs for over two thirds of the body Being that long it not only includes the dinette but also the bedroom

External bin space is quite good although there is the usual awkward problem of getting to those bins under the extended slide-out Mostly itrsquos just a matter of remembering to keep less frequently used items there Unfortunately the gas cylinders are a bit of an issue if you like turning them off overnight

On the Road

The only surprise here was having the previous model Ivecorsquos drivetrain but otherwise it was quite a pleasant drive

There were a few squeaks and rattles from the rear but nothing unusual except for something in the slide-out right behind the drivers seat Since this was model 1 or 2 that wasnt a total surprise Keen observers might notice the lack of any sort of radio in the drivers cab Thats not because Iveco forgot to put one in but rather because the multi-media units required by Avida had not yet arrived

Louvered lsquohopperrsquo windows might look a bit dated but provide good security and can be left open in the rain ndash provided itrsquos not too windy The big slide-out has its own external storage lockers but hinders access to the larger lockers below

44 | Day Test

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 43: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

The interesting news is that the Esperance is built on the updated Iveco Daily 50-170 cab-chassis

Day Test | 45

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 44: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Top Cab seats swivel but the handbrake is still an obstacle Insert Electrical outlet location creates a trip hazard when used while siting at the dinette Bottom Under seat storage is handy but drawers would be handier

Living Inside

Inside and with the slide-out closed the Esperance appears to be almost usable Almost I say due to the fact the east-

west bed blocks access to the full-width rear bathroom The bed lifts for storage but not in a way that allows bathroom access With the slide-out opened ndash the switch is nicely located under the kitchen sink ndash there is of course plenty of room to move around

Avida has retained its look although there seems to be more LED strip lighting around and the overhead lockers now have a two-tone look to the faux timber finish Not too hard on the eye at all I think

Layout wise the kitchen bench runs along the kerb-side wall leaving space for the dinette opposite and the east-west bed further back With the fridge and microwave in between its all fitted into the slide-out Being a C-class motorhome therersquos also a bed above the

46 | Day Test

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 45: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

cab and it can be lifted out of the way if not needed for easier cab access or just used as a storage area

Generally the electrics both 240 and 12 volt seem to be well sorted with switches and controls in mostly logical places and the main control panel by the entry door The under-sink location for some items might seem a bit odd but everything is easily reachable and handy Located well too are most of the LED light fittings including the strip lighting

Lounging Around

In this layout you get a choice of seating Both cab seats swivel around ndash after the usual Iveco wrestling match with the

drivers seat door and handbrake ndash and they are good for sitting back in Alternatively there are the seats of the cafe-style dinette

Top Although it blocks the doorway the bench extension provides a ton of usable work space Bottom With the slide-out extended therersquos plenty of usable and valuable living room Light decor adds to the feeling of spaciousness

Day Test | 47

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 46: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Given the location of the slide-out the cab seats dont integrate with the dinette neither is there provision for a small table between them For the dinette seats theres the very efficiently designed Zwaardvis multi-adjustable table mounting Given the fixed location of the TV in the bedroom there isnt any provision for a TV further forward which does make TV viewing a bit awkward from the front seats

Both dinette seats have floor lockers for storage that is also accessible via external doors and there are low height lockers above the dinette as well Also fitted to the underside of the rear seat are a 240V power point inverter power point and 12 V and 5 V USB sockets These are definitely a good idea but whilst the location is reasonably accessible I ponder their location given power and charged leads can easily be knocked by legsfeet or worse tripped over

Time to Eat

At first glance the kitchen bench looks quite small but thatrsquos a little deceptive It does have the usual features ndash four-

Top Swivelling cab seats are handy for extra visitors but donrsquot really lsquogelrsquo with the dinette Dining table is generous and the dinette seats deep and comfortable Bottom The big pop-up TV makes great viewing from the bed but not the dinette A second unit up front would be a good idea

48 | Day Test

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 47: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Left The kitchen is well-equipped and chefs will appreciate the full cooker oven and grill Note the overhead wine rack Below The bed blocks bathroom access when the slide-outrsquos retracted The bed tilts but only sideways (north-south) for storage access

burner cooktopgrilloven and stainless steel sinkdrainer ndash but with minimal bench top area However the wider-than-usual wire-basket pantry has a laminate top and at the other end of the bench theres a lift-up extension It does close off the entry doorway but I figure if you are doing serious cooking its a small price to pay

In the kitchen bench itself general storage consists of three drawers the aforementioned slide-out pantry two overhead lockers and a wine bottle holder Additionally the narrow cupboard (connected by the hinged flap) behind the passenger seat does have a few useful shelves

After Hours

What having the bedhead in the slide-out has done is to provide more storage space in the bedroom

Measuring 19 m x 14 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in) the bed has not suffered any size reduction but it now allows for a narrow cupboard fitted under the kerb-side window while a small wardrobe is fitted into the driverrsquos-side corner Large enough to contain hanging space shelves and drawers its quite handy Not quite so handy are the power point and 12 V and 5 V sockets located under the bed near the fridge They are easy to get at but anything charging has to sit on the floor A better position would be the shelf on the opposite side For accessing the under-

Day Test | 49

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 48: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

bed area its a matter of lifting the bed from the side The upside is easy access the down side is theres no way of lifting the bed base to get to the bathroom when the slide-out is closed

Keeping Clean

A feature of this layout is a slightly larger sliding door giving access to the rear bathroom Its not quite full width ndash given the wardrobe ndash but still very usable The shower cubicle is on the driverrsquos side the cassette toilet is in the middle and the wash basin cabinet is in the kerb-

side corner Two overhead lockers and the vanity cabinet provide storage For ventilation the rear window doesnt open (except in emergencies) but there are two ceiling fans

What I Think

Whilst some features look much like earlier Esperance designs theres no doubt that the fuller length slide-out offers much potential and more room to move around

Having the kitchen bench that can be extended is certainly a good feature as is the extra storage created in the bedroom

Indeed when stepping inside when the slide-outrsquos open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness Apart from the lack of opportunity to try out the new Iveco mechanicals this new Esperance layout is looking like a good variant of the existing line up

50 | Day Test

The rear bathroom is almost full width and includes a large shower cubicle and comprehensive vanity unit

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 49: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Click for Google Maps

SpecificationsManufacturer Avida

Model Esperance C7922 SL

Base Vehicle Iveco Daily 50-170

Engine 30-litre turbo-diesel

Power 151 kW 3500 rpm

Torque 470 Nm 1500rpm

Gearbox 8 speed full auto

Brakes ABS Disc

Tare Weight 3930 kg

Gross Vehicle Mass 4495 kg

Towing capacity 3500 kg

Licence Car

Approved Seating 4

External Length 794 m (26 ft 1 in)

External Width 250 m (8 ft 2 in)

External Height 318 m (10 ft 5 in)

Internal Height 210 m (6 ft 7 in)

Rear Bed Size 190 m x 140 m (6 ft 3 in x 4 ft 7 in)

Luton Bed Size 198 m x 122 m (6 ft 6 in x 4 ft)

Cooktop Dometic 4 burner grill amp oven

Fridge Dometic AES RM2555 150 litre

Microwave Samsung

Lighting 12 V LED

Batteries 1 x 100 AH

Solar Panels Optional

Air Conditioner Truma Aventa

Space Heater Webasto diesel

Hot Water Truma 14 L

Toilet Dometic cassette

Shower Separate cubicle

Gas Cylinders 2 x 40 kg

Water Tank 100 L

Grey Water Tank 100 L

Price on Road NSW $177700

bull Spacious interiorbull External bin space bull Bedroom storage cupboardsbull Lighting (both natural amp 12 V)bull Kitchen bench top

extensions

bull No bathroom access with slide-out closed

bull Location of under seatunder bed power sockets

bull Limited TV viewing from the front seats

bull Lack of Security door

Pros

Cons

For more iMotorhome Road Tests click here

ContactAvida

32 David RoadEmu Plains NSW 2750T 1800 428 432E salesavidarvcomau

W wwwavidarvcomau

Day Test | 51

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 50: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

52 | Day Test

When stepping inside when the slide-outs open there is a very real feeling of spaciousness

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 51: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Truck-Lite has teamed up with Narva to produce a second generation LED replacement headlight for vehicles using

seven-inch round lights

Truck-Lite Narva LED headlights are direct swaps for existing halogen or sealed beam 178 mm (7 in) headlights Many older 4WDs old and new trucks and motorcycles have these fitments

The supplied connector clicks directly to the existing halogen-bulb headlight loom plug

LED technology provides a whiter cleaner colour temperature representative of daylight conditions and displaying truer colour tones Due to the instant-start-up nature of LED there is no warm-up time before full beam power is delivered

Low beam (18 A) and high beam (36 A) power draw is around half that of halogen systems saving alternator output for other vehicle applications The long-life nature of LED means that the lamp lasts significantly longer than halogen equivalents and the quality of light output does not diminish significantly over time

LED Replacement HeadlightsThe way forward is bright if expensivehellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

54 | Technical

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 52: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Each LED unit has a free-form reflector and three lighting levels park lights low beam and high beam Complex reflector design is said to target areas of the road where traditional projector systems are unable to reach providing the driver with optimum visibility without compromising the safety of oncoming traffic The light housing is military-grade die-cast aluminium that is corrosion and impact-resistant and has an impact-resistant polycarbonate clear lens with non-yellowing coating The assembly is sealed to IP68 waterproof immersion standard and has a breathable membrane vent The LED lamp has heat-handling properties that allow it to operate in open or closed headlamp recesses It is also EMC-R10 CISPR 25 and ADR approved as required for original equipment headlamp applications

Inside the solid-state LED design has no filaments or bulb tubes making it highly shock and vibration resistant The electronics feature over-voltage protection up to 600 V and are sealed in epoxy to resist corrosion or moisture damage

The first generation of this lamp was manufactured for US military vehicles including the iconic Humvee Narva is backing the Truck-Lite LED product with a three-year warranty

LED Headlights on Test

We fitted a pair of the Truck-Lite LED headlights to our Project 75 Series ute The job was straightforward

enough because the lights come standard with a three-pin plug that connects with standard seven-inch headlight sockets However the plug is a tight fit in the socket and the standard rubber gaiter doesnt shield the connection so it needed a few wraps of insulation tape The only additional precaution we took was a careful check of the mounting ring tags and small attachment screws because the LED units are heavier than sealed beams or halogen-type headlight units The LED lights come with additional wiring to illuminate small parking light LEDs inside the housing

When lit up the LEDs were obviously much brighter and whiter than the halogens they

Technical | 55

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 53: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

replaced We tested them against halogens using an identical stretch of road and found that the LED light intensity was much greater Low beam from the LEDs had a very sharp cutoff point no doubt to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers so correct adjustment was critical to provide enough distance vision before that cutoff zone The beam was much wider than the halogen beam giving a much better view of the road edges

LED high-beam performance was far better than that of the halogen headlights and rivalled the beam distance of some driving lights The high-beam setting retained the low-beam pattern but added a longer-distance beam on top of it We noticed that the more complex reflector shape for a low-high-beam LED light added some unevenness to the light pattern when compared with the blotch-free beams from most LED

driving lights but we feel that its a price worth paying

Speaking of price the lights are selling in the $400-$495 bracket - each - so theyre not cheap However with virtually shatterproof lenses and long-life LED bulbs theyre a long-term investment Check out our comparison video

56 | Technical

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 54: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

In some Australian states you can be booked for mounting a light bar Weve listed the Victorian position and NARVA has posted a

video that summarises the current state of play Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 1300 additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps

However the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology In addition an amendment to Australian Design Rule 1300 is expected to be published soon that will formally clarify these arrangements

Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars These include that they must be fitted symmetrically on the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps They must

Light Bar LegalitiesPutting a spotlight on light bar requirementshellipby Allan Whiting of outbacktravelaustraliacomau

also be installed in alignment with the following requirements

bull The lamps should as far as is possible be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle

bull If lamps are not fitted as pairs (eg one three etc) they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle symmetrically about the centre

bull A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehiclersquos main beam headlamps

bull The lamps must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection

bull The lamps must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off

bull The lamps must not obstruct the driverrsquos view of the road

Technical | 57

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 55: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

T he picturesque Rose Hill Racecourse near Paramatta in Sydneyrsquos west was again the setting for the annual

Caravan Camping amp Holiday Supershow As of this issuersquos publishing day the show is still running and finishes tomorrow Sunday 19 April The weather has been kind but after visits by the iMotorhome team on Monday and Wednesday the word from participants was one of noticeably smaller visitor numbers and quiet business days Indeed we noticed how easy it was to get around and how thin the crowds were One exhibitor placed the blame on too many shows in general plus moving the show forward by a couple of weeks and having it too soon after the Newcastle show

(where he did excellent business) Interesting thoughtshellip

On the established manufacturesrsquo front all the expected brands were there and wersquod like to congratulate Alex Berry from Trakka for designing their display which won best stand in the motorhome category Trakka had no new models on display instead displaying evolutionary changes in finish and detail thatrsquos been implemented across its model range (see the end of the Jabiru test on P39 for more details)

Horizon Motor Homes reported strong interested in its 4X4 Waratah built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van Itrsquos the same

Show TimeSydneyrsquos annual Supershow had all the right ingredients but bigger crowds would have been goodhellip

58 | show report

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 56: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

model we drove across the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs and returned to Ballina in winter two years ago ndash see Issue 30 03 August 2013 ndash and it looked impressive

Frontline had an impressively large display of its campervan models with a pair of eye-catching bright orange VW T5 campers attracting a lot of interest Proprietor Peter Farrugia said he had nine vehicles on display and was pleased so far with response There certainly seemed to be quite a few people on the stand when others nearby were relatively quiet

Paradise was well represented and had a prime position by the Champagne Bar a happy coincidence that might well have

encouraged suitably lsquoprimedrsquo visitors to extend their champagne taste to a matching on-road lifestyle Sunliner had a display that circled itrsquos wagons around the new Vida with slide-out built on a Renault Master and wersquore keen to get our hands on it to try something different Avidarsquos big stand and its new Esperance Birdsville and Eyre layouts attracted plenty of interest too along with its revamped Menindee with dual slide-outs

Boutique manufacturer Wirraway had a particularly interesting 4X4 Sprinter-based motorhome on display and which we plan to be reviewing soon Winnebago had a full range of locally manufactured motorhomes on display as well as a colourful display of its

Wirrawayrsquos luxurious 4X4 (top right) and Sunlinerrsquos new Renault-based Vida (bottom left) are different and interesting Frontlinersquos brilliant orange VW campervan and Horizonrsquos 4X4 Waratah attracted plenty of attention too

show report | 59

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 57: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

fully imported caravans that certainly attracted attention Meanwhile TrailblazersRV showed off a custom pop-top fifth-wheeler built for a client with parking height issues and the forerunner of a production model Complete with airbag suspension it reportedly tracks nicely on the highway while keeping fuel consumption down a bit too

European brands of fully imported motorhomes ndash Swift Auto Trail and Knaus ndash were well represented with offers on someof up to five years Fiat-backed warranty This was disputed by at least one local manufacturer we spoke to who also raised a concern that some are coming in under low volume certification and donrsquot fully comply with Australian Design Rules Itrsquos still a grey area and one iMotorhome will be investigating and reporting on in the not too distant future

On the accessory front industry giant Dometic announced it has acquired the Aircommand RV air-conditioning business It has also released a new range of air-conditioners under the FreshJet banner developed in conjunction with LG These are claimed to be smaller lighter and more efficient

A custom off-road 5th wheeler from Trailblazers garnered plenty of attention as did Swiftrsquos lsquotailgatedrsquo Rio which we look at next issue

60 | show report

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 58: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

and include a lsquosoft startrsquo function that reduces current draw on start up making them ideal for running off generators

It will be interesting to see what the final number of visitors numbers turn out to be iMotorhome like many exhibitors believes there are too many RV shows in Australia now and that something has to give Although it seems unlikely the major city shows will go their high costs long durations and falling attendance are making the shorter cheaper but more frequent regional shows significantly more attractive We guess only time will tell but the first sign will be exhibitors voting with their feet Interesting timeshellip

Trakkarsquos Alex and Alister Berry look like they have the family owned companyrsquos future well in hand Right This Thule platform bike rack also tilts with the bikes in place to allow boot access Clever

show report | 61

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 59: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

62 | Mobile Tech

A selection of the interesting and unusualhellip

By Emily Barker

What makes you Appy

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 60: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

When it comes to software rich devices the iPad is one of the best although to be fair the Google play

store actually contains more active apps than iTunes With over 60000 new apps uploaded every month the world of mobile digital software is one that is still rapidly gaining momentum

Would you believe there is now even an app to make apps Codea lets you write code and publish apps directly from your iPad or Tablet Recently smart device usage surpassed TV consumption web activity and even time spent on desktop or laptop computers The incorporation of apps into Microsoftrsquos latest operating system Windows 8 is indicative of just how serious our relationship is with handheld devices

ldquoTheres an App for thatrdquo a modern catch phrase born with the smartphone but one that resonates across many areas of our busy lives As a result of this growing

technology there is now an app available for pretty much everything and if there isnrsquot there probably will be soon Some obviously are better than others and like any product quality and usefulness varies a great deal While games and entertainment make up a large proportion of all apps many are focused on productivity and utility and gradually some of these are making their way to the top of the charts The range of functions an app can perform is also increasing as technology develops The following is a brief list of some weird wonderful and often obscure apps

Cardiograph Price $249Size 264 MBiOS and Android devices

Personal heart rate monitors are not really a new thing and they can range in price from $50 to $150 dollars but one that works using your mobile phone is certainly a little novel Cardiograph measures your heart rate utilising the camera lens as a sensor simply placing your fingertip over the camera records your pulse Results can be saved for future reference and multiple profiles can be created to accommodate several people Results can even be emailed or printed The reasons for downloading this type of app can be quite varied and while there is an obligatory liability disclaimer regarding accuracy it seems to be quite accurate Whether you use it while exercising to detect and monitor stress or if you have a heart-related medical condition (or just out of curiosity) itrsquos a handy little app

RunPeecomPrice Free Size 223 MBiOS amp Android devices

Cinemas these days donrsquot have a good old fashioned intermission which is a little weird when you think about it as movies are getting significantly longer While the need to switch

Mobile Tech | 63

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 61: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

film reels may no longer exist the need to pee certainly does ndashespecially when a three hour movie is not an uncommon experience

Enter RunPee which is something of an oddball app that pretty much lets you know when the best time is to make a run for the bathroom during a movie without missing the best scenes Not only will it subtly alert you with a non-audible vibration so as not to disturb anyone else it also provides a complete synopsis of events you have missed There are obviously enough sensitive-bladdered cinephiles downloading this app to make it a viable business as the app is updated the day movies are released in cinemas Amazing

Melon MeterPrice $248Size 76MBiOS amp Android devices

Now we must be pretty lucky in Australia because when the app was launched in 2011 the world went a little nuts for this perfect watermelon detecting tool Me personally Irsquove never encountered an unripe or over ripe watermelon but maybe Irsquom just secretly talented We all know to tap the watermelon to hear if itrsquos ripe (we do ndash Ed) well this app has turned that theory into a ldquoscientific-technological algorithmrdquo It allows your iPhone via its microphone to analyse the signal produced by thumping a watermelon and informs you of its suitability Who would have thought Now unless you have a seriously hard time selecting ripe watermelons I would not recommend actually purchasing this app however it is a wonderful example of app obscurity

Police Scanner 5-0 Price Free ($199 with advert removal upgrade)Size 9MBiOS amp Android devices

Scanners have been used for years by journalists and curious eavesdroppers and now app technology allows the curious to listen in on the process of law enforcement in real time It appears police scanner apps available are a result of socially-based technology overtaking police technology combined with difficulties in authorities communicating with one another using digital or encrypted channels Offering coverage of more than 2500 police fire air sea rail and rescue live-feeds from literally all over the world Police Scanner 5-0 is an app intriguing to many Itrsquos certainly a bizarre experience to listen in on day-to-day police activity anywhere from Cairns to Chicago

64 | Mobile Tech

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 62: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

Itrsquos important to note too that sensitive information is either relayed through locally encrypted channels or via telephone certainly never over these publicly accessible frequencies Many popular channels are listed or you can search by region or use your GPS to find the nearest frequencies available to you While it is legal to listen to police communications information cannot be passed on to a second party or published Technically listeners could find themselves in trouble if sharing private information or providing tip-offs to others You have been warned ndash but enjoy

ShazamPrice FreeSize 380 MBiOS amp Android devices

ldquoWhatrsquos that songrdquo tune recognition has an app In fact the company behind this app has been around since 1999 and it seems technology has finally caught up with its vision Shazam uses a massive database to identify a ten second recording ndash called a lsquofingerprintrsquo ndash of any music playing around you This is called lsquotaggingrsquo If you donrsquot have a data connection Shazam will save your tag and attempt to identify it when you reconnect

Once you have tagged a song you are able to view all sorts of information about it You can play a sample of the song follow the lyrics read the artist bio view their discography share with others or watch the songrsquos music video This app is always being updated and can now even tell you what TV show is playing in the background Its free to download free to use and can prove quite useful if music is a passion Shazam Encore is the companyrsquos advert-free product costing $7 but doesnrsquot include any extra features

Mobile Tech | 65

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue

Page 63: iMotorhome eMagazine Issue 70 - 18 April 2015

April 17-19

2015 South Queensland Caravan amp Camping Expo

Nambour ShowgroundsCoronation Ave Nambour Qld 4560 bull Open 900-500 dailybull Parking Freebull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids School age free

with adult

May 22-24

Mackay Home Show amp Caravan Camping Expo

Mackay ShowgroundsMackay Qld 4740 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $10bull Seniors $8bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

May 29-31

Hunter Valley Caravan amp Camping Show

Maitland ShowgroundsMaitland NSW 2320 bull Open 900-500 daily

(400 Sunday)bull Parking Not specifiedbull Adults $15bull Seniors $11bull Kids U16 free with adult

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

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 infoimotorhomecomau and wersquoll happily promote it in this calendar

Wish we could say wersquore jetting off to Brazil The truth is wersquore lsquoflyingrsquo out to Sydney RV in Penrith in

Sydneyrsquos West for a quick visit to get to know the brand new Swift Rio An interesting design that blurs the boundaries between coach built and van conversion the Riorsquos key feature is a

huge lift-up tailgate From the inside it literally brings the outdoors in while from outside it provides unimpeded access for loading bicycles passengers or whatever A fully imported English motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato with the smallest engine and a manual gearbox it will be interesting to see if itrsquos really up to the rigours of life Down Under

Issue 71 will be out on 2 May and will of course include more Like a look inside the AL-KO factory in Melbourne and how they engineer specialised motorhome chassis specifically for Australia Until next issue why not join our more than Facebook

Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai Facebook ldquof rdquo Logo RGB ai

Friends and Twitter followers to share the laughs fun and news See you in two weeks

A DAy in Rio

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website

Click for Google Maps

Click for Google Maps

Visit Website Visit Website

17-19APR

22-24MAY

29-31MAY

66 | Next Issue